You might recognize Rob Benedict and Richard Speight Jr. as Chuck Shurley/Carver Edlund and The Trickster/Gabriel from The CW's Supernatural. However, the two actors are now making headlines for their latest comedy project, Kings of Con . The series will revolve around Benedict and Speight's time on the convention circuit. Now that they are convention regulars, even hosting Supernatural conventions, Speight and Benedict decided it was time to put all of their crazy convention stories into a single-camera comedy. "Robbie and I are so fortunate to have an association with such a fantastic fandom," Speight says. "We have stumbled into this world and been embraced by it and it's an awesome thing to be a part of."
That fandom has already proven that it seriously supports Kings of Con. In March, it was announced that the talented comedians would star, write, and create their own series. However, there was a catch: they needed help from their fans to raise money in order to actually create the series. So Benedict and Speight created an Indiegogo campaign that asked their loyal followers and anyone else who wanted to see their comedy come to life to donate money towards. Just a few weeks later, they've already surpassed their $100,000 goal and are on their way to creating what will hopefully be a very successful comedy series.
While Supernatural fans certainly helped bring the comedy to life, there wouldn't be a project to begin with if Speight and Benedict weren't such good friends. But considering that they never starred in an episode of Supernatural together, how did they meet? Basically, it was friendship at first sight.
Since both had been working as actors for 20 years, Benedict explains that they knew of each other, but didn't really become friends until participating in a Supernatural convention held in Rome. "It's weird," Benedict reflects. "It's a funny friendship, because it feels like I've known Rich my whole life. We have a lot in common. Kings of Con is the first thing that we've been in together."
As for Speight, he also appreciates the bond they've formed. "It's cool, because we developed this really great, friendship as well, but also our rapport — our ability to play off of each other," he says. Thanks to their "very similar and complementary senses of humor and styles of performing," Kings of Con was born and now we're going to see the two in action. As a little teaser, here is a video they shared with Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. This is exactly the type of thing fans will see on Kings of Con.
Seeing as Padalecki and Ackles helped with this hilarious bit, will they ac in actual episodes? Well, Speight and Benedict are remaining mum about just who's guest starring on Kings of Con, but they promise it will be fun. Plus, since they did a lot of filming at Supernatural conventions, I have no doubt we'll see some mini-reunions with fan-favorite characters.
As for what fans can expect from episodes, Speight and Benedict were nice enough to tease a real-life moment that demonstrates exactly what the two will bring to life through their project. For example, let Benedict tell you a story:
When we went to New Jersey we were put on the 9th floor of the hotel. I was in room 908, and Rich was in room 911. So, I needed to talk to Rich and I picked up the phone and I called 911. A voice said, "911, what's your emergency?" And I thought it was Rich doing a joke and I laughed. Then, I realized it was really 911. I really had called 911. I freaked out and I hung up. I managed to reach his room and tell him the story and then there's a big knock and it was the police. They traced the call and I was in trouble.
Hilarious, right? But don't forget, Kings of Con mixes fiction and nonfiction, showcasing a heightened reality. For example, Benedict would probably get arrested on the show for calling 911, whereas he didn't in real life. With that said, they are also playing fictionalized versions of themselves. Speight will play "a thrice divorced former actor who’s love of the game is fueled by the faux fame he experiences at the hands of a gaggle fans who still think he matters," and Benedict will portray "a recent divorcee back on the circuit to cover the costs of his failed marriage and stalled career."
Speight and Benedict couldn't be more excited or thrilled for Kings of Con. Plus, it's a great way for fans to get to know them as more than Chuck and Gabriel from Supernatural and see their many strengths displayed in their dream project.
Images: Courtesy of Kings of Con (2)
