NEW ORLEANS - eTradeWire -- Star Wars and Star Trek have long been staples of pop culture festivals, and FAN EXPO New Orleans attendees now have two more standouts from the iconic franchise to meet, with the additions of Hayden Christensen (Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith) and Gates McFadden (Star Trek: The Next Generation). The pop culture extravaganza will be held Friday through Sunday, January 9-11, 2026 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

They will be joined by other newcomers "Peggy the Dog" (Deadpool & Wolverine) and Terri Hawkes (Sailor Moon, Cube Zero).

Christensen starred as "Anakin Skywalker" in the above mentioned prequels and several other iterations of the blockbuster franchise, most recently in the series Ahsoka and TV movie Obi-Wan Kenobi. He's had lead roles in the films Jumper and Shattered Glass and has appeared in more than 40 other series and movies.

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McFadden had the key role of "Beverly Crusher" in TNG, reprising the role in Picard, Prodigy and other versions of the Star Trek. She is also a stage actress, choreographer, director, teacher, and was the host of more than 300 episodes of the podcast "Gates McFadden InvestiGates: Who Do You Think You Are?"

Peggy, earning the title of "Britain's Ugliest Dog" in a national competition there, has gone on to stardom as "Dogpool" in the Marvel Universe in Deadpool & Wolverine. A portion of proceeds from her appearance at FAN EXPO New Orleans will support a local charity in greater NOLA.

Hawkes voiced the title character in the Sailor Moon series of films and TV shows, notably a three year-run at the beginning of the original series. Her other credits include voicing long running characters in shows like Quads!, Care Bears and Princess Sissi.

The star-studded FAN EXPO New Orleans lineup already includes:

• The Lord of the Rings headliners Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan and Elijah Wood
• John Cena (WWE Superstar, Peacemaker)
• Helen Hunt (Twister, Mad About You)
• James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel)
• Jennifer Beals (Flashdance)
• My Name is Earl co-starring tandem of Jaime Pressley and Ethan Suplee
• Dean Norris (Breaking Bad)
• Mike Colter (Luke Cage, Men in Black³)
• Josh Holloway (Lost, Yellowstone)
• Judith Hoag (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Armageddon)
• Robbie Rist (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Brady Bunch)
• and more...

http://www.fanexponeworleans.com

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