this is the way

The Mandalorian cast rockets into Houston's answer to Comic-Con

Carl Weathers lands in Houston.

Calling all fans of The Mandalorian. Four stars of the astronomically popular Disney+ series will land at Houston’s answer to Comic-Con this summer.

Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, Ming-Na Wen, and Katee Sackhoff will join Comicpalooza on Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, organizers announced. (Sadly, no hope for a Pedro Pascal sighting — or a little green toddler.)

The quartet represents some of the most memorable characters in streaming series that skyrocketed to fame, thanks to superb writing, a catchy theme, and a lovable Baby Yoda (we now know him as Grogu).

Aside from the cast visit, passionate fans of the Star Wars universe can also look forward to Star Wars-themed special attractions and exhibitors, including 501st Legion, Ultra Sabers, and Star Wars Enthusiasts of Houston, a release notes.

This year, per a release, 501st Legion’s booth has expanded and will feature 5 parts: 501st, Rebel Legion, Houston Droid Builders, Mandalorian Mercs, and Saber Guild. Meanwhile, Star Wars Enthusiasts of Houston will offer up an epic Saber Walk. Ultra Sabers will allow fans to customize their own lightsabers in any color.

Now, about The Mandalorian cast:

Carl Weathers
The former NFL player turned actor portrays Greef Karga in The Mandalorian. Longtime fans know that in 1976, former NFL star Weathers launched his career in the role of Apollo Creed from the blockbuster Rocky films. He has since gone on to star in the Toy Story franchise, Happy Gilmore, Predator, and more.

Giancarlo Esposito
Esposito, a widely respected, veteran actor, plays sinister villain Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian. The four-time Emmy award nominee best known for his chilling performance as Gus Fring in the AMC’s Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Movie fans will also recognize him from stints in The Maze Runner series, The Jungle Book, Once Upon a Time, and The Boys, among myriad others.

Ming-Na Wen
Wen rose to prominence playing Dr. Jing-Mei “Deb” Chen in the iconic TV medical drama series ER. She then won hearts playing Fa Mulan in the animated musical action film Mulan, as well as its sequel. She plays Fennec Shand in The Mandalorian.

Katee Sackhoff
Sci-fans adored Sackhoff in her role as Lieutenant Kara “Starbuck” Thrace in the SyFy Channel series, Battlestar Galactica, for which she earned a Saturn Award. She has also appeared in The Flash, Longmire, Riddick, Bionic Woman, and Halloween: Resurrection. Sackhoff plays Bo-Katan Kryze in The Mandalorian.

Want to blast into this action? This is the way.

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remember the alamo

Houston's last Alamo Drafthouse quietly closes, will reopen with new owner

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It's a sad day for film lovers in Houston. On Saturday, February 7, Alamo Drafthouse announced they would close the LaCenterra location in Katy, ending the chain's tenure in the city.

"Our franchise partner Triple Tap Ventures, which operates four locations in Texas (Houston, El Paso, East El Paso, and Lubbock), will no longer operate these theaters under the Alamo Drafthouse brand," the company said in a statement. "We’re grateful to the teammates and guests in El Paso, Katy, and Lubbock for their support over the years and wish them all the best. We hope to return to these communities in the future."

Founded in 1997 in Austin, Alamo Drafthouse became a leading name in cinemas thanks to their pioneering restaurant format, unique programming, hybrid live events, and dedication to indie films. The chain expanded to Houston in 2003, opening a location in the West Oaks Mall. The LaCenterra location followed in 2018.

In 2024, Sony Pictures acquired the chain amid closures and bankruptcies all over Texas. It was part of a slew of studio-owned cinemas that sprang up after the fall of the Paramount Consent Decrees in 2020, but it appears even Sony's support was not enough to save the Houston cinema.

The good news is that the theater will be reopening. Rob Saucedo, former head of programming who now operates the River Oaks Theatre in much the same way he did Alamo, posted a bittersweet statement to Facebook after the closure was announced.

"It feels weird for these theaters I spent so much time and energy into building a community around to suddenly close," he writes. "It’s a reminder that nothing is permanent. The locations will be reopened soon under a new brand and folks will still be able to see movies there. Graveyard Shift, the weekly horror series I created, will be dead though. So will so many other practices I built, big and small."

Alamo Drafthouses across Texas remain open, including in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio.

closings alamo drafthouse

this is the way

The Mandalorian cast rockets into Houston's answer to Comic-Con

remember the alamo

Houston's last Alamo Drafthouse quietly closes, will reopen with new owner

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