Universal Studios Hollywood will bring dozens of characters from Harry Potter, Star Trek, Back to the Future and Dungeons & Dragons to a new after-hours fandom event that promises to be a cross between Halloween Horror Nights and Comic-Con.
Universal Fan Fest Nights will run on select nights between April 25 and May 18 at the Hollywood theme park. The new separate admission, after-hours events will be dedicated to sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime.
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A casting call for auditions held this week revealed dozens of characters that will make appearances during Fan Fest, according to Universal Parks News Today.
The Back to the Future casting call was seeking actors to play the roles of Marty McFly, Emmet “Doc” Brown, George McFly, Lorraine McFly, Lorraine’s friend, Biff Tannen, Biff’s sidekick, Principal Strickland, Goldie Wilson and the Clocktower Lady.
The Back to the Future franchise was shot on the Universal backlot — suggesting a studio tram trip to Courthouse Square could be part of Fan Fest. The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood once housed Back to the Future: The Ride. The DeLorean car from the trilogy has been featured at the park.
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The Star Trek auditions were looking for actors to play the human crewmembers as well as fictional species and extraterrestrials from the science fiction franchise — including Vulcan, Orion, Trill, Efrosian, Andorian, Bajoran and Elayisan.
An original set piece of the U.S.S. Enterprise bridge from the “Star Trek: Picard” television series will be a highlight of Fan Fest. Universal Studios Hollywood was once home to the “Star Trek Adventure” live-action show.
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The actor playing Xanathar the Beholder from the Dungeons & Dragons franchise will need to be able to push and pull a 30-pound puppet creature, according to the audition notes.
Wizards, monsters and treasure hunters will come to life in the Dungeons & Dragons experience at Fan Fest. The D&D activation will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the role playing game, 2023 “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” film and Baldur’s Gate 3 video game.
Magical creatures will pop up in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with the sweet but destructive Niffler the only confirmed critter so far for Fan Fest. A Niffler puppet sitting on a push cart at the Owl Post has made regular appearances in Wizarding World at Universal Studios Japan.
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Universal Fan Fest will also feature anime props from “One Piece” — a Japanese manga series that follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates on theirquest to find a legendary treasure.
The Fan Fest casting call sought actors to play the “One Piece” characters Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Nami and Zoro.
Universal promises to “nurture and celebrate” Trekkies, Potterheads, McFlyers, Dungeon Masters and other fandom communities obsessed with the movies, TV shows, books and games associated with the intellectual properties.
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Fan Fest visitors will experience immersive activations and live entertainment from the creators of Horror Nights along with cosplay, themed food and exclusive merchandise.
Select theme park attractions will also be open during Fan Fest — including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster, Jurassic World — The Ride and the Simpsons Ride.
Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025 will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights on April 25-27, May 2-4, May 9-11 and May 16-18.
Tickets aren’t on sale yet for Universal Fan Fest Nights — but they are expected to be available in the next few weeks.