Dragon*Con - Day One

Barrowman and Batman at the Atlanta sci-fi meet.

by Tony Sullivan

An assortment of Batmen and Robins at the Atlanta Dragon*Con sci-fi festival.
An assortment of Batmen and Robins at the Atlanta Dragon*Con sci-fi festival. Photo: Tony Sullivan
The ebullient John Barrowman kicked off the Atlanta Dragon*Con - which celebrates all things sci-fi and fantasy - with an hour of musical theatre for his Q&A panel covering future involvement in Arrow (which he wasn't supposed to reveal).

Proudly sporting his wedding band and a T-shirt with the slogan 'Legalized Gay' which now, among other advantages, allows his British husband Scott Gill to spend more than three months Stateside. Along with bursts of song and unsubtle plugs for the Torchwood novel he has written with his sister Carole, I'd have to say the guy was the epitome of quality entertainment.

Next up, was actor Richard Dean Anderson of McGyver and Stargate fame. The veteran talked about his passion for and work with Sea Shepherd, a militant save sea-life group.

Onwards to a smaller Q&A panel featuring a Hornblower cast panel, with Ioan Gruffudd and David Warner talking enthusiastically about the seafaring show. Revealing along the way that the latter seasons' maritime adventures were filmed landlocked and hopes for a series resurrection.

I ended the day crowd watching, having complained earlier of a surfeit of Batmen and lack of Robins, the shy and retiring Robins manifested themselves profusely as dusk fell.

Share this with others on...
News

Expanding the possible Fernanda Salgado on fantasy, reality, Jan Švankmajer and Ana, En Passant

A burning thing Sneha Mehta and Teddy Stern on falling in love with Mumbai, and making Getar Hero

Nothing is impossible Paul Rowley on moving to New York, the Pulse massacre, and Gays Against Guns

‘The only thing that makes a story universal is emotions’ Warsaw’s Industry panel discuss reaching audiences abroad

The only thing worth saying Chuko and Arie Esiri on adapting Mrs Dalloway and making Clarissa

European Film Academy shortlist announced 68 features vie for nomination

More news and features

We're bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the London Film Festival and Newfest.



We're looking forward to the Belfast Film Festival, Halloween Frightfest, the Cheltenham International Film Festival and the Leeds International Film Festival.



We've recently brought you coverage of the New York Film Festival, Grimmfest, Beyond Fest, the San Sebastian International Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, the Toronto International Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon, Instagram and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


London Winners announced


Tallinn Black Nights UK co-production joins Works In Progress


Warsaw What Belongs To Others takes top prize


Tallinn Baltic Competition, Rebels With A Cause and Critics' Picks titles announced


Dinard I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning named Best Film