Surrounded by the madness will be horror and B-movie icon Bruce Campbell, infamous as the hero Ash from the Evil Dead trilogy. This weekend he’s taking a break from his hit Miami-based TV show Burn Notice to interact with members of the Cult of Campbell. Reached by phone before the convention, Campbell said, “It’s fun. Appearing at these conventions is just part of the dog-and-pony show of being an actor. I have no problem with putting little Billy on my lap and smiling for the camera. I look at the fans as if they were my clients. These people are the reason I can put my kid through college. I realize I attract a quirkier clientele.”
Campbell averages two or three conventions a year. In addition to signing autographs at Supercon, Campbell will hold a question-and-answer session. “I don’t mind the Evil Dead questions,” he said. “I just hate the lame ones. The film is now over 30 years old, but you roll with it anyway. Most of the answers can be found on the internet, but not everyone reads the internet, I guess.”
He’ll have to answer a lot more now that a new Evil Dead remake has been announced for 2010. Whether he’ll be reprising the role of Ash is “up to Sam” (director and friend Sam Raimi), says Campbell, adding that he already feels sorry for whomever is chosen as the lead, considering the rigors of the role. Campbell recently met the actor from the stage show Evil Dead: The Musical: “I saw him, all covered in red syrup and said, ‘You poor fucker… Welcome to Ash.’”
If you miss Campbell while adjusting your elf ears in the restroom, don’t fret. There will be more than 100 celebrity guests at Supercon this year, including actors Daniel Logan (Star Wars) and Edi Gathegi (Twilight) and comic book artists like Gene Colan (Iron Man, Silver Surfer). Also on tap: The live-action Nintendo Smash Brothers Super Show; a celebrity VIP party; a cosplay Battle of the Bands; and a "Dark Masquerade" with fetish pole dancing and blood-sucking belly dancers.
Caution cosplayers: traveling in costume may cause adverse reactions, so avoid public transportation. Have your mother drop you off at the Doubletree Airport Convention Center(711 NW 72nd Ave., Miami). The event runs Friday through Sunday. A weekend pass is $35 in advance and $40 at the show. Single-day passes run $20 to $25. Call 954-882-2950 or visit www.floridasupercon.com.
June 5-7, 2009
