John Cena Joins Star-Studded Line-up for Abu Dhabi's Middle East Film and Comic Con

WWE legend and actor John Cena is set to headline the Middle East Film and Comic Con in Abu Dhabi this September, bringing major star power to the convention’s 2026 line-up. Taking place at Adnec from September 11 to 13, Cena will appear alongside a diverse roster of celebrity guests including One Piece stars Mackenyu and Jacob Romero, Marvel actress Pom Klementieff, KPop Demon Hunters voice star Arden Cho, and Star Wars actor Joonas Suotamo.

Mackenyu and Romero portray Roronoa Zoro and Usopp in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece, while Klementieff is widely recognized for her role as Mantis in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Cho provides the voice for Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters, and Suotamo has famously played Chewbacca in multiple Star Wars films.

The event marks the 14th edition of MEFCC, which was rescheduled from its original April dates due to regional conflict. Show director Loy Pinheiro noted that the convention welcomed more than 46,000 visitors in 2025, reflecting a 24 percent increase since 2022. Beyond celebrity panels, the expanded convention features specialized zones such as Artist Alley, Otaku District, TCG Arena, Bookworm Lounge, and Collector’s Gallery.

Content manager Ayman Akaily highlighted the growing diversity of fan interests, noting that attendees increasingly embrace a mix of traditional Hollywood franchises alongside anime, gaming, and independent comics. The expanded programming gives independent creators a platform to showcase original works, while the Short Film Competition continues to expand with dozens of entries from regional filmmakers. Tickets for the event start from Dh160.