First look at Xanathar puppet inside Dungeons & Dragons at Universal’s Fan Fest Nights

A cackling Xanathar the Beholder will be waiting for adventurers in his gold-ladened lair when fans step inside a real-life Dungeons & Dragons game during a new after-hours fan event at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Fan Fest Nights will run on select evenings between Friday, April 25 and May 18 at the Hollywood theme park.

Universal Creative partnered with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create the 10-foot-tall Xanathar the Beholder in the Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep experience at Fan Fest Nights.

“He’s a massive puppeted creature,” said Universal Studios Hollywood Entertainment Production Senior Director Stephen Siercks. “Being able to bring Xanathar to life as part of this experience has been one of the highlights of the development.”

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Visitors will get to face off against Xanathar on a quest to recover a stolen relic when they step inside in the Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep walk-through attraction.

The towering and terrifying Xanathar puppet has a wide range of movements that bring to life the giant floating head with numerous eye stalks and a central, powerful eye.

His gaping mouth has razor sharp teeth. Curved horns dot his head. A lip ring completes the menacing look.

“Xanathar is a fully puppeted character,” Siercks said during a recent tour of the D&D experience. “He’s got a full range of motion. His eye blinks and moves. His mouth moves. He can shift from side to side. He truly comes to life as part of this scene.”

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A beholder creature is among the most dangerous monsters in Dungeons & Dragons — known for emitting powerful magical rays from their multiple eyes.

Xanathar is among the best-known beholders and a D&D fan favorite.

“He’s one of the biggest, baddest beholders out there,” Siercks said.

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The crime lord’s pet goldfish, Sylgar, plays a key role in the visitors being able to escape Xanathar’s lair with the stolen relic.

“All of Xanathar’s focus goes to his dear goldfish, which allows us to cast a portal and then escape out into the forest,” Siercks said.

The new separate admission, after-hours Fan Fest event dedicated to sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime will feature Dungeons & Dragons, Star Trek, Back to the Future, Harry Potter, One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen.

Fan Fest promises to be a cross between Halloween Horror Nights and Comic-Con with walk-through attractions, fan zones, anime films, light projection shows, drone shows and character meet-and-greet photo ops as well as cosplay opportunities, themed food and exclusive merchandise.