Several cast members from Marvel’s Runaways appeared on the Main Stage at Los Angeles Comic Con 2018 on Saturday, October 27 following the Agents of SHIELD panel.
LA Comic Con 2018 took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center Friday, October 26 through Sunday, October 28. You can click here for a summary of our experience at the convention and a photo gallery of the Show Floor.
Panelists included Ryan Sands (Geoffrey Wilder), Angel Parker (Catherine Wilder), Annie Wersching (Leslie Dean), Brigid Brannagh (Stacey Yorkes), Brittany Ishibashi (Tina Minoru), Lyrica Okano (Nico Minoru), and Ariela Barer (Gert Yorkes).
The moderator pointed out how the panel — and the show itself — was made up of mostly women. The panelists spoke about the importance of representation and diversity contained within the show. The females get along and support each other so well that that the mothers even have a text group called “Women of the Pride” in which they talk to each other a lot.
Referring to Lyrica Okano’s character, Nico, Ariela Barer brought up how the show includes a “queer woman of color” and how that’s usually politicized, but instead, she’s able to just exist. Barer also commented on how going to events such as these, she feels the community they have created, and is glad that they are able to help each other.
Brigid Brannagh pointed out how although the parents of the Pride are considered evil in the show, they actually started out with good intentions, and that while the kids are considered good, sometimes they make bad decisions, so everything isn’t black and white, it’s more gray.
When the moderator asked the panelists for advice for teens who are struggling with their identities, Ryan Sands said to “Believe in yourself.” He recalled that when he was growing up, he had to hide the fact that he liked comic books, but now it’s cool. Sands further offered, “Stay true to who you are, because your time is going to come around.” Okano chimed in, recalling how she often felt alone and isolated as a teenager in high school, but reassuring teens that “it gets better” and that “You will find a community of people who accept you and love you for who you are.” Barer confessed that her biggest regret in high school was dulling herself down to fit in, rather than pursuing what she was interested in, as she felt she would be further along in her career if she had done so. Brannagh added, “It’s not the world’s opinion of you that matters, it’s your own opinion of yourself that matters.” As for Brittany Ishibashi, she advised that “your identity will be constantly evolving, and that’s okay.”
The moderator was unable to ask much about Season 2 of Runaways, but Angel Parker did reveal that this season is about the parents of the Pride doing anything they can to get the kids back after they have run away. However, the real focus is the teens trying to figure out how to handle life on their own, as well as determine their true beliefs, and who they can trust and form alliances with. Parker teased, “It gets really good because you don’t know who to trust within the Pride or within the Runaways.” Ishibashi added that because the six are figuring out their respective powers within such close quarters of each other, it creates drama, as well as emotional and intimate moments, and even funny moments.
Barer went on to share a funny story with us. She had her wisdom teeth taken out a few days before they started filming, so in the first episode she has “chipmunk cheeks”! She had to have makeup contour her face to try to hide it, and it would vary from day to day based on which side was more swollen. We also learned that Lyrica Okana is a “professional napper” who can take a nap anywhere, even laying across four chairs, or contorting her body to fit in odd spaces.
When the moderator asked the panelists which Marvel character they would want to show up on Runaways, answers included Luke Cage, Agents of SHIELD, Cloak & Dagger, Captain America, Shuri, and Spider-Man.
Addressing the question of how being a parent in real life affects their role on the show, and whether the Pride parents actually love their kids, Annie Wersching responded, “As long as I do nothing that Leslie Dean would do in my real life, I’m good.” Parker answered that she thinks the parents love their kids, and that’s why they’re fighting so hard to get them back. She then pointed out her own real life children who were there in the audience. Parker wasn’t sure if she would kill and sacrifice in real life, but “you never know.” Ishibashi recalled one time when she came home after work and her one year old was acting up, so she gave the child a “Tina look” — which her four year old saw and commented, “Ooh, Mommy’s mad.”
Before the short 20 minute panel wrapped up, they made sure to take a selfie with the audience in the background.
Season 2 of Runaways premieres on Hulu on December 21, 2018.
You can view more of our photos of the Marvel’s Runaways panel at LA Comic Con 2018 in the photo gallery below.
I’m really enjoying season 2!
This looks like fun
Yes, interesting the panel is almost all women. Would be fun to attend one of these!
Looks interesting.