Invasion Colchester's Special Guests
In the past we have featured Alan Flyng, Andrew Lawden, Bern Collaço, Chris Bunn, Clem So, Derek Lyons, Des Taylor, Harry 'Aitch' Fielder, John Simpkin, Jon Campling, Martin Ballantyne, Mick Fryer-Kelsey, Mike Edmonds, Nick Joseph, Pam Rose, Paul Warren, Ralph Morse, Ross Mullan, Ross Sambridge, Sandeep Mohan, Ted Western, Ty Hurley, and Victor Botha as Special Guests at previous Invasion Colchester events. Altogether, they have appeared in movies and TV shows such as the Star Wars saga, the Harry Potter series, Doctor Who, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and more.
For 2025, we’re thrilled to introduce three exciting guests: Carl Newman, movement double for Michael Keaton in Batman (1989); James Taylor, screen double for Kylo Ren and frequent performer in Star Wars and Marvel titles; and legendary comic book artist Barry Kitson, known for his work on Spider-Man, Justice League, and The Avengers.
We also welcome back fan favourites Paul Warren, Clem So, Ty Hurley, and Ross Sambridge — each with impressive screen résumés across sci-fi, fantasy, and comic book universes.
Carl Newman
Carl Newman is an English dancer who served as Michael Keaton’s movement double in Batman (1989). Unlike the other stunt performers who wore the Batsuit, Carl received a distinct on-screen credit and remains the only double to have his portrait taken by renowned photographer Herb Ritts.
A professional freelance dancer, Carl worked across various media and collaborated closely with Batsuit wrangler William Todd-Jones during pre-production. Together, they refined a more elegant way of moving in the restrictive costume. Footage of Carl suiting up was featured in Batman: The Making of a Hero, and he also led mime workshops for the seven actors portraying Joker’s goons, helping them choreograph their movements for the “Ricorso assassination” scene.
After principal photography concluded, Carl stayed on to participate in promotional photoshoots on the standing sets at Pinewood Studios. He was photographed by David Gamble for LIFE magazine alongside costume designer Bob Ringwood and production designer Anton Furst, and also appeared in other publications such as Time Out and Bravo.
James Taylor
James Taylor is a British actor, stand-in, and stunt double known for his work across blockbuster franchises including Star Wars, Marvel, and Harry Potter. In the Star Wars sequel trilogy, he was the credited stand-in and double for Kylo Ren across Episodes VII, VIII, and IX, as well as a regular Stormtrooper and Resistance pilot. He also doubled Captain Phasma during her death scene in The Last Jedi. James plays Kylo Ren in the Star Wars Experience ride at Disneyland, appearing alongside Domhnall Gleeson, with voiceover by Adam Driver.
James's extensive film credits span fantasy, action, and superhero films. He appeared as a Snatcher, Death Eater, and even doubled the giants chasing Flitwick in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. His Disney and Marvel credits include Maleficent (both films), Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and the Huntsman, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The First Avenger, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and as the stand-in for Red Guardian in Black Widow. He was also the head of the Spartan army in Wrath of the Titans and a featured soldier in War Horse.
Additional film appearances include roles in King Arthur, Henry V, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Hobbs & Shaw, Now You See Me 2, Blitz, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Holmes & Watson, Jupiter Ascending, The Commuter, The Conjuring 2, Red Sparrow, Pan, Sense8, Gunmen, Fighting with My Family, Exodus: Gods and Kings, Last Christmas, and Love Again.
He began his career in television in 2008 and has regularly appeared in UK dramas including EastEnders, Holby City, The Bill, Silent Witness, Lewis, Spooks, and Whitechapel.
Alongside screen work, James remains active in theatre, continuing to perform on stage.
Barry Kitson
Barry Kitson is a renowned British comic book artist best known for his dynamic work with both Marvel and DC Comics. He began his career with Spider-Man stories for Marvel UK before contributing to 2000 AD, where he gained recognition for his detailed work on Judge Anderson, collaborating with writers like Alan Grant and Grant Morrison.
Kitson’s first U.S. work for DC Comics was the Batgirl Special in 1988. He later co-launched L.E.G.I.O.N. in 1989 and went on to illustrate the Azrael series, including segments of the major Batman: Contagion crossover. His collaborations with writers such as Keith Giffen, Dennis O’Neil, and Grant Morrison helped solidify his reputation. In 1996, he contributed artwork to Superman: The Wedding Album, which featured the long-awaited marriage of Superman and Lois Lane.
Partnering with writer Mark Waid, Kitson co-created JLA: Year One and the acclaimed supervillain-focused series Empire, which was originally launched under the short-lived Gorilla Comics imprint before being completed by DC Comics. He later joined Waid again to relaunch Legion of Super-Heroes in 2004, remaining on the title for over two years.
From 2007 onward, Kitson contributed to several key Marvel titles, including The Order, Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, and FF. In 2017, he reunited with Waid for a limited Avengers series and also illustrated the crossover one-shot Wonder Woman/Tasmanian Devil.
Paul Warren
Paul Warren is a British actor renowned for his work as a creature performer, frequently appearing in films under heavy prosthetics or in full creature suits. His standout credits include roles in the Star Wars saga, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and other major fantasy and sci-fi productions. Notable appearances include Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, Andor, Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor: The Dark World, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Marvels.
Warren began his film career as Daniel Radcliffe’s body double in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, performing physical stunts on the hydraulic broomstick system. That same year, he was cast by Stan Winston Studio as the emaciated version of the lead character in The Deaths of Ian Stone, launching his career in prosthetic and creature roles. His first major creature performance came in Clash of the Titans, playing a tortured soul on the River Styx.
He became a visual effects reference for “Skinny Steve Rogers” in Captain America: The First Avenger, participating in the pre-production VFX head replacement tests and appearing in the recruitment scene. In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he portrayed Varmik, a character based on early Ralph McQuarrie concept art—personally selected by J.J. Abrams for its historical significance. In The Last Jedi, he portrayed the alien dowager Gatha Elbaphay, who famously carried “Space Gary,” an animatronic dog based on Carrie Fisher’s real pet.
More recently, Warren performed as Quadpaw in Andor and a troll in Willow. In Unwelcome, he played the Redcap goblin Mr. Sniff and served as Creature Movement Coach. He returned to creature work in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice as Shrinker Tom and a puppeteer in the iconic waiting room scene. Outside of creature work, Warren has contributed movement and stunt performances in films such as Ready Player One and Kingsman: The Secret Service.
Clem So
Clem So is a prolific background and character actor whose distinctive look has made him a recognisable figure across some of the biggest film franchises. His screen journey began with 47 Ronin, and he quickly went on to land featured roles in acclaimed shows such as Sherlock, Being Human, and Doctor Who. In the latter, he appeared in multiple episodes — including as the Mandarin Clockwork Droid in "Deep Breath", a Space Corpse in "Oxygen", and a Ji-Hun Pirate in "Legend of the Sea Devils".
Clem’s film credits span a wide range of high-profile titles, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange, Black Widow, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Morbius, and Ready Player One. He has appeared in both Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, as well as Solo: A Star Wars Story, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Ty Hurley
Ty Hurley is a seasoned screen actor whose versatility has earned him roles across a broad spectrum of television and film productions. Known for playing police officers, detectives, and authority figures, Ty has also taken on standout roles — including being blown up in Humans, sharing a scene with Robson Green in Grantchester, and rescuing Denise Gough’s character in Too Close.
His film credits include an Imperial Fleet Trooper in Solo: A Star Wars Story, a Prison Riot Guard in Black Widow, a therapist in No Time To Die, and a Knight's Templar in Assassin’s Creed. Ty’s TV work includes memorable appearances on EastEnders and Call the Midwife, playing a Prison Guard and a Milkman, respectively.
Ross Sambridge
Towering at over 7 feet tall, Ross Sambridge has brought physical presence and nuance to some of the most iconic alien and creature roles in modern cinema. His breakthrough came when he worked with Andy Serkis to help bring Supreme Leader Snoke to life in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. He also fulfilled a personal dream by portraying a Wookiee in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Ross has worked across a range of genres, from sci-fi epics to horror and drama. He has appeared in Artemis Fowl, Via DOLO, and Serkis’s directorial debut Breathe. Whether acting under prosthetics or towering over fellow cast members, Ross continues to leave a strong impression with each role.
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