Books

Primrose Everdeen

Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields) is a minor character in The Hunger Games trilogy. She is twelve years old, affectionately called “Prim” and “Little Duck” by her older sister, Katniss. But whereas Katniss is prickly, Primrose is gentle. Her talent doesn’t lie within hunting or archery, but healing. She works alongside their mother as a nurse, and she especially loves caring for animals — she has a cat named Buttercup and a goat named Lady.  Despite their differences, the two sisters love each other dearly, to the point where Katniss volunteers as tribute when Effie Trinket picks Prim to participate in the 74th Hunger Games. Before Katniss leaves, Prim gives her the famous mockingjay pin. She had been training to become a doctor, but her life was cut short by a secondary explosion. Peeta Mellark plants primroses outside of Victor’s Village in memoriam.

Peeta Mellark

Peeta Mellark is a central character in The Hunger Games literary and cinematic universe. He is a baker from District 12. At the Reaping, he gets selected to participate in the 74th annual Hunger Games alongside Katniss Everdeen.  She remembers Peeta giving her a loaf of burnt bread that saved her family from starvation. During training, Peeta proves to be a master of camouflage. Katniss and Peeta partake in a “star-crossed lovers” narrative, which results in favoritism and sponsorship from the Capitol. Peeta finds this difficult because he actually likes her, so he doubts whether she likes him back, or is just playing up for the camera. As the final tributes, they almost commit suicide together, but then they’re both declared the winners. Peeta returns to the Arena again with Katniss for the Quarter Quell. While Katniss gets rescued by the Rebellion, Peeta gets captured by the Capitol. They brainwash him into calling a cease fire and thinking Katniss is the enemy. The rebels save Peeta and he slowly regains control of his memory. In the epilogue, he resides in Victor’s Village, where he is married to Katniss and have two children together. Josh Hutcherson plays Peeta in the movie adaptations.

charlie bucket willy wonka character

Charlie Bucket

Charlie Bucket is the protagonist of the children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory written by Roald Dahl. Peter Ostrum played Charlie in the 1971 movie adaptation, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Although he comes from poor family, young Charlie is thoughtful and polite. He cares deeply about his relatives, especially his eldest grandfather, Grandpa Joe. His biggest wish is for a Golden Ticket to the factory, which he ends up getting! As a reward for his good behavior, Charlie wins the factory. Included in this costume guide are two alternate outfits, which include his plain blue sweater and red sweater. Wrap the Wonka wrapper around a giant Hershey bar and slip the golden ticket inside for the perfect prop.

boromir lotr character

Boromir

Boromir is a supporting character in Lord of the Rings. Heir to Denethor II, Boromir is a noble man who loves his kingdom, Gondor. His stamina and physical strength make him a fierce warrior and commander of the Gondorian army. His father preferred Boromir to his other son, Faramir. But despite the admiration from his father and fellow soldiers, his desperation to save his country ultimately drives him to try and seize the Ring from Frodo. Spoilers: He dies at the start of the second book, but he does apologize for his betrayal. In the film adaptation, Sean Bean plays this role. You’ve probably seen him in the “One does not simply walk into Mordor” meme.

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Medusa

Medusa is a figure in Greek mythology and the most famous of the three Gorgons. Unlike her beastly sisters, she was a beautiful mortal. Poseidon, god of the seas, seduced her in Athena’s temple. Angered by this adultery in her place of worship, Athena transformed her into a vicious monster with snakes for hair. Other versions of the myth say Athena had been angered by her boastfulness. If you look into Medusa’s eyes, you will turn into stone. The Greek hero Perseus beheaded Medusa on his quest, and used her head against his enemies before gifting it to Athena. While the original myth antagonizes her, it has been rethought to feel sorry for Medusa as a victim of sexual assault and was unfairly punished. There have been numerous depictions of Medusa, so you can really get creative with your interpretation. We suggest a green color palette, scale makeup, and snake-themed jewelry.

Hero Boy from The Polar Express

Hero Boy from The Polar Express

Hero Boy (also known as Chris and voiced by Daryl Sabara as a child and Tom Hanks as an adult) is the narrator of both the book and the movie The Polar Express. Though Chris is losing his faith in Christmas he is still holding out hope for the magic he once felt for the holiday. All it takes is a trip on the Polar Express to reignite the spark.

There are a couple of options when it comes to cosplaying Hero Boy. His yellow pajamas are a little hard to come by so you can either grab a pair of gold pajamas for men or a pair of yellow women’s pajamas. Both are fairly unisex in cut so it comes down to whichever would be more comfortable.

Throw on a blue robe and slip into a pair of brown leather loafers. Grab your ticket and you’re ready to ride The Polar Express!

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Rodrick Heffley

Rodrick Heffley is the antagonist in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and movie adaptations. Like his younger brother, Greg, he doesn’t have any actual talents or skills. He enjoys heavy metal music and sleeping in late — but he hates school and putting in any effort. He plays drums for his band, Loded Diper (a misspelling of Loaded Diaper). In the first three movie adaptations, Rodrick is portrayed by Devon Bostick, as featured in this costume guide. However, for the fourth movie, he portrayed by Charlie Wright. Fans negatively criticized this recast, and the hashtag #notmyrodrick trended on social media when the trailer was released.

Merry Brandybuck

Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck is a main character in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He is a Hobbit who joins the Fellowship of the Ring and its quest to destroy it and defeat Sauron. Although Merry is actually one of Frodo‘s cousins, Pippin is his constant companion. They like to adventure and pull pranks together, and while more silly than resourceful, they’re the ones who form an alliance with Treebeard. Merry himself even fights in the Battle of Pelennor Fields, and helps Eowyn kill the Witch King. He likes boats and ponies, while also taking interest in the maps of Middle Earth. In the movie adaptations of Tolkien’s novels, Dominic Monaghan plays this role.

Make Your Own: Ciri from The Witcher III: Wild Hunt

“For Cirilla is also a highly-skilled witcher, heiress to several thrones, the last bearer of the Elder Blood, a powerful […]

Pitch Black from Rise of the Guardians

Pitch Black from Rise of the Guardians

Nearly every child knows you should be afraid of the dark. Adults just forget. But in Rise of the Guardians, Pitch Black makes sure we remember. Voiced by Jude Law, DreamWorks’ Pitch Black is equal parts nightmare, bogeyman, and the shadow under your bed that keeps your feet tucked up tight under your blanket. He is every bit as terrifying as he in the original books by William Joyce. And it has made him one of DreamWorks’ most enduring villains.

There are two ways to go about a Pitch cosplay. The first is to forgo any body paint and let the clothing speak for itself. The other is to use grey body paint to mimic his otherworldly look. Either option works!

Regardless of which option you choose, there are a few things you will need. A black wig and black boots to start. If you want to go with the canon interpretation of Pitch you will also need a long black robe. If you want a more fandom-based version you’ll need black pants, a black shirt, and a long flowing black sweater.

(This costume also converts easily into a Sandman costume if you’re going to a multi-day con!)