Press Release
Jake Lloyd, who gained worldwide fame when he was chosen by George Lucas to play the young “Anakin Skywalker” in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999, and Ahmad Best, who portrayed “Jar Jar Binks” in several of the films and associated content, will attend Wizard World Big Apple Comic Con, October 1-3 at Penn Plaza Pavilion in New York.
The event will mark the first time that the two have appeared together at a convention to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photographs.
After portraying Anakin in the first film in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Lloyd reprised the role in several video games in the franchise. Previously, he had recurring television roles as Jimmy Sweet in “ER” and Young Angelo in “The Pretender.” He also guest starred in the show as a character named Ronny Collins. He also appeared in several other movies, including Host, Jingle All the Way and Madison.
Best played “Jar Jar,” his most well-know character, in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, as well as several other versions of the franchise. He has made numerous other television and movie guest appearances, including spots on “Cougar Town,” “Alias” and This Can’t Be My Life.
Lloyd and Best join stars such as Lee Majors, Adam West, Burt Ward, Mary McDonnell and the “Brady Bunch Boys” as guests at Big Apple Comic Con.
The Penn Plaza Pavilion is located at 401 Seventh Avenue at 33rd St., in the historic Hotel Pennsylvania. Big Apple Comic Con is the fifth stop on Wizard’s eight-city 2010 North American tour. Hours are Friday, Oct. 1, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (all times Eastern). Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/bigapple.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25; three-day weekend tickets are $45, and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.
About Wizard Entertainment:
Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes consumer magazines Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys. Shamus also produces a North American Comic Con tour. Wizard World Comic Con – The Pop-Culture Capital of the World!
