Press Release: Patrick Stewart, known to millions of fans as “Captain Jean-Luc Picard” on the television series “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and “Professor Charles Xavier” in the X-Men film series, will attend Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, Stewart and Wizard World, Inc. announced today. He joins William Shatner (“Captain Kirk”), Avery Brooks (“Captain Sisko”), Kate Mulgrew (“Captain Janeway”) and Scott Bakula (“Captain Archer”) as captains of their respective series in the iconic franchise who will be special guests at the event, set for Thursday, May 31, through Sunday, June 3 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Stewart will appear at the event on Saturday.

The Emmy-nominated actor, who has performed in more than 100 television and film roles, is one of several actors to appear in all three “X-Men” films: X-Men (2000), X2 (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). His role as Picard, which started on “Next Generation,” placed him in four Star Trek films: Generations (1994), First Contact (1996), Insurrection (1998) and Nemesis (2002). He also served as the voice of numerous animated characters in movies like Chicken Little and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, as well as popular TV shows such as “Family Guy” and “American Dad.”

“Bringing together the five Captains from the iconic ‘Star Trek’ series, capped with the addition of the legendary Sir Patrick Stewart, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our fans,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO. “They and other standout guests like Chris Hemsworth, William Shatner and Stan Lee make Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con a can’t-miss event.”

The five captains, Hemsworth (The Avengers, Thor), Lee (creator, “Spider-Man,” “X-Men”), WWE® Superstar CM Punk™ and Bruce Campbell (Army of Darkness, Evil Dead, “Burn Notice,” Spider-Man)” plus more than 60 other celebrities make this year’s Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con roster the best and most diverse ever.

VIP tickets are available now for fans who want to secure their opportunity to meet many of the stars at the event, including the five captains as a group. Fans can also visit http://www.wizardworld.com/philadelphia.html for links to VIP packages for Hemsworth, Lee, Ryan, WWE® Superstar CM Punk™, Bruce Campbell, Hayden Panettiere, Paul Wesley, James Marsters and group experiences with Boondock Saints, “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” and “Spartacus/Legend of the Seeker” actors.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, including hours, celebrities, creators, vendors, programming schedules, evening entertainment, autographs, sponsorship and volunteer information and more, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.