Convention celebrating all things Joss Whedon goes to great lengths to distance itself from… Joss Whedon
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (20th Century Fox)
Joss Whedon’s reputation continues to take a battering as WhedonCon rebrands itself as The Hellmouth Convention.
For years fans have journeyed to WhedonCon, an American convention devoted to all things Joss Whedon and his many iconic series including Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
But in the wake of Buffy and Angel star Charisma Carpenter coming forward with explosive allegations against the writer-director, the “Whedonverse” convention appears to be distancing itself from him.
WhedonCon is no more. The Hellmouth Convention will be in town next year instead, named after the locus of all evil in the Buffy franchise.
“Although the name has changed, it will be the same fun and intimate event that you have come to expect, and we hope to see you next year when we can safely do so,” organisers said in a statement.
No reason was given for the change.
However, organisers issued a brief statement on its Twitter last month in support of Charisma Carpenter and other stars who have spoken out against Joss Whedon stressing that it is “hearing and processing these powerful statements” and is “deeply disappointed in what we have learned”.
WhedonCon, as it was then known, added that it was “incredibly proud” of Carpenter and co-star Amber Benson “for speaking out”.
To our dear fans, followers, and attendees past and future,
We are hearing and processing these powerful statements at the same rate as you are. We are deeply disappointed in what we have learned and are incredibly proud of Charisma and Amber for speaking out.
— Hellmouth Events / HellmouthCon (@HellmouthEvents) February 10, 2021
Alongside the rebrand, the convention has also been postponed from this summer to 3-5 June 2022 at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton.
The “reluctant” decision, organisers said, came “after consulting with local officials and our hotel partner, in the interest of the safety of our attendees, guests, vendors and volunteers”.
Moreover, the convention is also launching an online fundraiser for various LGBT+ and youth programmes in the Los Angeles area.
The “Fandomopolis – All the Fandoms That Fit” will raise cash for Fighting For A Cause: Los Angeles LGBT Center and The Ron Glass Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Many Buffy the Vampire Slayer stars, including James Marsters (R) and Amber Benson, have attended WhedonCon over the years. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
Joss Whedon ‘unceremoniously fired’ Charisma Carpenter
Charisma Carpenter has been applauded for her bravery since sharing her experiences of working on both the Buffy and Angel sets with Joss Whedon.
The actor, who played the air-headed but whip-smart debutante Cordelia Chase in both Buffy and Angel, claimed Whedon would frequently undermine her with “mean and biting” behaviour, comparing him to a “vampire”.
The alleged abuse culminated with Carpenter being “unceremoniously fired” from Angel after the birth of her child, among other claims of workplace misconduct.
Since going public, whether they have issued warming statements of solidarity, come forward with their own claims or simply distanced themselves from Whedon altogether, countless Buffy stars have sought to support Carpenter, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Boreanaz, Michelle Trachtenberg and Anthony Head.
Whedon has not publicly commented on Carpenter’s allegations and has not responded to requests for comment.
