Later this month, The Uncanny Experience will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota from September 16 - 17. The historic Minneapolis Club will be transformed into the Xavier Institute, and fans who attend can expect lectures, classes, a mutant market, plus iconic settings with Wolverine's bedroom, Cerebro, the Danger Room, and more.
Yes, you'll actually be able to join the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters! Special guests will include legendary writer Chris Claremont, a number of stars from X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men '97, Colossus actor Daniel Cudmore (X-Men: Days of Future Past), artists Nathan Szerdy and Ale Garza, and many more.
You can learn more about the inaugural event, and purchase tickets, by clicking here.
A couple of weeks ago, we were fortunate enough to speak with both one of the founders and producers of The Uncanny Experience, Chandler Poling. Joining him was X-Men: The Animated Series icon Lenore Zann (Rogue), and they both detailed what to expect from this epic X-Men weekend.
Below, you'll find our full conversation with them as they explain what's happening during the event and tease the various activities you'll be able to get involved with. We also hear from Lenore on her return to the animated franchise in X-Men '97 and discover why she's excited to help kick off what could be a yearly gathering.
Needless to say, we want to thank them both for taking the time to answer our questions!
Chandler, I know you’re obviously a big X-Men fan seeing as you co-host the X-Reads: An X-Men Experience podcast, but where did the inspiration for The Uncanny Experience come from and what made the Minneapolis Club the right location to recreate the X-Mansion in?
Chandler: Yes, I am a huge fan of the X-Men and have been since the early 90s! The idea for The Uncanny Experience was created around the lack of entertainment focused on The X-Men. There are fan conventions for Harry Potter, He-Man, Power Rangers, Xena, you name it, but there wasn’t an event catering to X-Men fans.
Originally, we thought to create a typical convention inside a hotel or convention center, but decided to flip that idea and create an immersive experience that allows you to go to an X-Men convention but as if it’s inside the X-Mansion. The Minneapolis Club was the perfect venue for this, and they expressed immediate interest in being a partner for the event.
What about the X-Men’s corner of the Marvel Universe do you think makes it such a good fit for an immersive experience like this one?
Chandler: I feel that the X-Mansion is a place we’ve all seen across multiple forms of media. We’ve been inside this home in the comics, in the cartoon series, and in the movies. We’ve all dreamed of what it would be like to have mutant powers and be a student at Xavier’s – so therefore an immersive event that transforms a location into this place felt right.
And Lenore, when Chandler first reached out about The Uncanny Experience, what did you think about these plans to immerse fans in the world of the X-Men?
Lenore: I was really excited at the idea of fans being able to become students in Professor X’s Academy for Gifted Mutants. It is a really novel one that I would enjoy if I was in their shoes! And the chance to be part of an immersive experience like this is unique so it’s going to be a lot of fun! Besides, I’ve never been to Minneapolis, but I used to live the Mary Tyler Moore Show, so I want to see the city and throw my hat up in the air like Mary did in the opening theme song and credits.
You’ve assembled an awesome selection of talent from the world of the X-Men for this event; what’s it been like working with them so far and what can fans expect from the writers, artists, and actors in attendance?
Chandler: Thank you! We carefully curated our event around guests that want to immerse themselves into the experience and be supportive all around. Like, I’m very grateful that Lenore agreed to do this interview with me for instance. As far as what people can expect, we have Chris Claremont giving a lecture on Mutant History rather than a Q&A panel, and we have Chris Sims of X-Men ’92 giving a class on X-Men Villains.
You’ll be part of two panels, Lenore, including an X-Men: The Animated Series reunion. How excited are you for that and what’s it like when you get together with your fellow X-Men at events like this?
Lenore: I love getting together with my colleagues - we are a family and it’s always so good to see them.
I was looking through the event schedule and this thing is stacked. Which of the panels or classes are you most excited about?
Chandler: Well besides Claremont’s Mutant History 101, I am excited to moderate the X-Men: The Animated Series Reunion panel, and I honestly have never been excited about a PE class until now with Physical Education with Professor Logan.
It sounds like you’ll both be spending a lot of time with X-Men fans over the weekend - what about that are you particularly excited about?
Chandler: I love the X-Men community. We are a special group of people who often feel “othered” and related to the allegory that the X-Men story represents. It builds a special bond with other fans.
Lenore: I love meeting our X-Men fans - they’re the best! I like hearing their personal stories about what the show meant to them.
You have your own Con exclusives too, right? Can you tell us more about that special edition of Uncanny X-Men #101?
Chandler: Yes, we are so thankful to Unknown Comics for providing a Con Exclusive comic variant of Uncanny X-Men 101 Facsimile Edition. The cover is by Nathan Szerdy and he drew a beautiful image of Dark Phoenix. It’s for actually sale in our School Store if anyone wants to purchase a copy and have it signed by Claremont and Szerdy, plus they can get it CGC graded if they choose. Anyone can order here: https://theuncannyexperience.bigcartel.com/product/con-exclusive-variant-uncanny-x-men-101-facsimile
Lenore, you’ve been playing Rogue for quite some time now and have become synonymous with the character; what has she come to mean to you?
Lenore: Rogue is a part of me and I am part of her. We have similar characteristics and I totally get her.
While I have you, I’ve got to ask about X-Men ‘97. You recently confirmed you’ve started work on season 2, but what’s it been like to play this character again?
Lenore: It’s fantastic to get this opportunity to re-inhabit the character of Rogue who is my favorite character I’ve played to date. I’m grateful to the fans for their loyalty and support for our original series - and for my performance - which has made this possible. And I’m also grateful to Beau DeMayo and Charley Feldman from X-Men 97 for insisting I come back as Rogue.
Can you give us a few clues about what to expect from Rogue in the show? It sounds like we’ll be seeing a lot more of her and Gambit’s relationship
Lenore: As usual Rogue will go through a lot in X-Men 97. Like me, she’s a passionate woman who can’t help wearing her heart on her sleeve. So, buckle up for a wild ride!
How has the experience of working with Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, and Beau DeMayo differed from your time on X-Men: The Animated Series?
Lenore: It’s been an amazing experience - the Marvel and Disney folks have been enthusiastic and supportive, and I just love working with them. I enjoyed working with the creative team we had with Fox Kids back in the 90s and I’m enjoying every moment working on this show as well. I appreciate Kevin Feige’s vision and decision to bring back our series. Both he and Beau want the show to be the best it can be - as they are deferential to the original. Also, the choice of The Newton Brothers to do the music was a great decision. I’ve met them and heard some of what they’ve done for the show, and it is very exciting!
And Chander, I love Dazzler and The Dazzler Concert sounds like a blast; can you talk more about that and what sound like some fun After Party plans?
Chandler: I love Dazzler too! We couldn’t have a X-Men After Party without entertainment by the main mutant popstar herself. We enlisted local singer Jillian Rae to dress up as Disco-era Dazzler and host karaoke with our attendees. People can enjoy her performance but can also join in and duet with Dazzler or steal the mic and sing your own ballad.
Are you both hopeful this will become an annual event?
Lenore: Well I guess that will depend on how it goes this year - so folks should come on up to Minneapolis and make it a success so we can keep doing it!
Chandler: Exactly what Lenore said. Our desire it make this an annual gather of mutant fans, so let’s make the inaugural event unforgettable.
This might be an easy question for you Lenore, but I need to ask you both…who is your favourite member of the X-Men?
Chandler: It’s always changing. Currently Kitty (Kate) Pryde holds the number 1 slot, but Jubilee was my favorite for a long long time and I’m so excited that Alyson Court – the voice of Jubilee – will be at the event!
Lenore: Well that’s easy, Sugah: Gambit.
The Uncanny Experience takes place on September 16 and 17 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Learn more about the event here.