The Fanbase Press crew attended San Diego Comic-Con’s Star vs. the Forces of Evil / Big City Greens panel on Thursday, July 19, 2018, which involved the cast and creative teams behind the respective shows discussing what viewers can anticipate from the upcoming seasons. The lineup of panelists included Adam McArthur (voice of Marco Diaz), Eden Sher (voice of Star Butterfly), Esmé Bianco (voice of Eclipsa), Daron Nefcy (Star vs. The Forces of Evil creator), as well as Shane and Chris Houghton (creators of Big City Greens) and Marieve Herington (voice of Tilly Green). The panel was moderated by Chris Houghton.
Fans in attendance were first treated to a sneak peak of The Disney Channel’s upcoming animated series, Amphibia, created by Matt Braly (Gravity Falls, Big City Greens). The series chronicles the adventures of 13-year-old Thai-American Anne Boonchuy, who is magically transported to Amphibia, a world inhabited by frogs. She meets and befriends a frog named Sprig, who will guide her to be a true hero. It is set for a 2019 release.
Soon after, the audience was introduced to the voice cast and creators of Star and Big City Greens, noting also that the crews of both animated series were in attendance in the panel room. As a kind gesture of the hard work and time contributed by the creative teams, the panel gratefully acknowledged their efforts in bringing the series to life in leading the audience in a round of applause. Immediately following, a preview of Star vs. the Forces of Evil: Season 4 left the audience laughing and cheering for more. Creator Daron Nefcy also shared preview images and snippets (as read – in character – by Esmé Bianco and Eden Sher) from the upcoming tie-in book, Star vs. the Force of Evil: The Magic Book of Spells. The book is set for release in September 2018.
In what may have been the most unique event to take place during an SDCC panel, voice actor Adam McArthur completed a definitive “feat of strength” by doing what he has hoped to do since attending his first-ever convention: breaking a block of cement with his bare hands! (Please note that a very brave audience member confirmed the block was true to form . . . by licking it.)
The panel transitioned its focus to Big City Greens, an animated series created by the Houghton brothers and focuses on Cricket Green, a mischievous and optimistic country boy who moves to the big city along with his family. Big City Greens was renewed for a second season earlier in 2018 and will be continuing episodes throughout the summer. Creator Shane Houghton treated the audience to a preview of what upcoming episodes will contain. In addition, Houghton noted that viewers should stay tuned for notable additions to the voice cast (including Jon Hamm!) and a hilarious Halloween episode.
Overall, the panelists’ own excitement and joy in working on the respective series was palpable, and audiences everywhere will thoroughly enjoy what they will have in store from Star vs. the Forces of Evil and Big City Greens.
