Image Credit: Valerie Macon/Getty ImagesThey came from galaxies as far away as Encino and Santa Monica, and descended upon the Nokia Plaza in downtown Los Angeles for a singular purpose — to make history. Well, Guinness World Records history, at least. This morning, DreamWorks Animation orchestrated a publicity event/urban carnival/Comic-Con reunion in anticipation of the release of CG-animated superhero flick, Megamind (out Nov. 5). The pitch: An attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the “largest gathering of superheroes.” Star Will Ferrell and DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg were on hand to emcee the colossal gathering of Batmans, Supermans, and two-year-old Wolverines. Even Harry Potter and a trio of Ghostbusters turned up, the latter of which were very defensive regarding the accusation that they weren’t superheroes. “How’s Batman a superhero?” said Doug Hawley, 27. “He doesn’t have any superpowers, but he’s got a cool car and gadgets. We got that!” Point taken.
A total of 1,580 costumed individuals showed up to the event, which was more than enough to break the record of 1,500 set by a New Hampshire children’s hospital way back in… August. While waiting for the final tally, attendees played a variety of Megamind-augmented carnival games — Minion Bowl Toss, Metro Man Power Shot, Roxanne Richie Ring Toss — while nibbling on blue cotton-candy, blue breakfast burritos, and blue muffins. And, as is a custom at Comic-Con, everyone walked around to snap photos of one another in costume. Then Ferrell majestically appeared on a rising stage platform, and Guinness spokesman Stuart Claxton verified the world record, to the sound of cheers. “Everyone in a Spider-Man outfit wins a new car!” joked Ferrell.
After the ceremony, I briefly chatted with Ferrell about his next career move after securing such a prestigious record. “I might enter into one of those hot-dog eating contests,” he quipped. We also discussed the similarities between Ferrell and the title character he voices in Megamind, a fiendish, mega-intelligent, blue-skinned alien. “It’s pretty autobiographical,” said Ferrell, “because I do wear tight leather pants at home, and I do think of myself as possessing superior intellect.” Don’t we all, Mr. Ferrell, don’t we all.
PopWatchers, if this world-record attempt had been held in your hometown, whose costume would you have been wearing?
Haha, that’s a great publicity idea!
i’m cooler
I’m the original.
As far as what superhero I’d go as: Wonder Woman, of course.
Will Ferrell is much less funny in real life. It’s kinda sad he needs a script and a camera to shine.
Ferrell is known for his improv, what do you mean he needs a script to shine?
I was there, and sorry, records were meant to be broken.
Yes, Ghostbusters ARE superheroes.
Seriously! I thought all was well until I read that little tidbit… I just imagined a bunch of sad little kids dressed as superheros
But really, breaking stupid records that no one cares about for publicity is pretty lame.
So thats what they do with leftwing moonbats no one wants to see: they put them in childrens cartoon movies. Ferrell, Tina Fey? Whos lining up to see her?! Too bad you let your leftwing fruity-ness leak out Will, my kids wanted to see this movie. Not gonna happen.
Hahahahaha! I love how the psycho conservatives, whenever attempting to get on some high horse in a comment board, can’t use there real names. Sigh… Thanks for the giggle.
Bum. And I was all impressed with my comment till I realized I used the wrong “their”. Oops! Haha!
Hey Will, great job! You beat US, that’s right, my kiddo helped make the record you broke! However, you only beat us by 79 people,…my kiddo, who is also beating leukemia, says, “I’m not worried, we’ll beat him AGAIN next year!”
) How about you come over and help us,…maybe we’ll let you get on stage with our REAL superhero! 
) Many hugs from all of us here in New Hampshire! 
)
It’s not a very realistic concept. The world’s smartest super villain played by the world’s dumbest actor? I’m not buying it.