One Piece, KPop Demon Hunters and Marvel stars join John Cena at Abu Dhabi's Middle East Film and Comic Con
John Cena will be at Middle East Film and Comic Con in Abu Dhabi this September, adding one of the biggest names in professional wrestling and entertainment to the convention’s 2026 line-up. The WWE star and actor will join a growing roster of celebrity guests at Adnec from September 11 to 13, including One Piece stars Mackenyu and Jacob Romero, Marvel actress Pom Klementieff , KPop Demon Hunters…
John Cena, the esteemed professional wrestler and actor, will join a diverse lineup of celebrity guests at the Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) in Abu Dhabi from September 11 to 13. Joining him are renowned One Piece stars Mackenyu and Jacob Romero, Marvel actress Pom Klementieff, K-pop Demon Hunters voice artist Arden Cho, and Star Wars actor Joonas Suotamo.
Mackenyu and Romero portray the beloved characters Roronoa Zoro and Usopp in the Netflix live-action adaptation of One Piece, while Klementieff is best known for her role as Mantis in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Cho lends her voice to Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters, and Suotamo has portrayed Chewbacca in several Star Wars films.
The convention has evolved significantly since its inception, expanding beyond its traditional comic book roots to embrace a broader range of pop culture interests. With over 46,000 visitors in 2025, representing a 24% increase from 2022, MEFCC has attracted a wider and more diverse audience, appealing to fans of various genres such as Star Wars, Marvel, One Piece, Demon Slayer, Final Fantasy, and League of Legends.
Anime has gained considerable traction, leading to the creation of the Otaku District, which features cosplay, karaoke, quizzes, and live performances, as well as dedicated spaces for K-pop and gaming.
Additionally, MEFCC now hosts a Bookworm Lounge, a TCG Arena for trading card games, and an Artist Alley, which serves as a crucial platform for independent creators to showcase their original work, self-published comics, and handmade merchandise. The convention's Short Film Competition has also seen a surge in submissions, with 83 films entered this year, resulting in nine finalists showcasing their work at the event.
These developments demonstrate MEFCC's commitment to staying true to its community-driven spirit, ensuring the convention remains a dynamic and inclusive celebration of pop culture in the region.
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