![]() (L-R) Composer Dan Deacon, writer/director Francis Ford Coppola and actor Val Kilmer attend 'Twixt' Press Line during Comic-Con 2011 (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images) |
Today marks the final day of San Diego Comic-Con and even though the events are winding down, fans will keep the party going until the final moments before Hall H and the convention room floor shuts down for another year. It's been an electrifying four days with Comic-Con proving once again it’s the pop culture phenomenon. But throughout its 41-year run, it has remained about the fans, never wavering from giving back to those who have made the show what it is.
Take it from former "Batman" star and Comic-Con legend Adam West as he sums up the importance of the annual convention: "I know from experience that this week’s Comic-Con is bound to attract a force of fans like no other. They are the enthusiasts, the critics, the predictors, and the deciders of what we will dine on in the feast of amusement that is our pop culture. That’s why the major studios, the producers and the stars turn up. We are all there seeking endorsement from those hardcore fans whose good or bad wishes will cause the next pop culture tsunami. These are the fans who let you know what your box office chances might be. These are the fans who energize our work and determine the duration of our careers."
Here’s a recap of yesterday’s highlights and the final panels we’re looking forward to today.
Saturday, July 23’s highlights
The Avengers
There may not have been an official Avengers panel at Comic-Con this year, but Marvel Studios unveiled some new teaser posters for the upcoming flick, complete with character design and costumes. They include Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye with either the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier or Skrull spacecraft behind him (note, Skrulls are the menacing race of shape-shifting aliens). Also released were teasers of Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury with S.H.I.E.L.D. (ign.com)
Cowboys & Aliens
The star-studded cast and crew of Cowboys & Aliens came out last night for the world premiere of the film. Hundreds of fans lined up all day to catch a glimpse of the red carpet. Jon Favreau went to being a relative unknown at Comic-Con to a permanent fixture. According to the director, Comic-Con has really made his career. Favreau is also thankful for social networking sites like Twitter that have allowed him to connect with his fans in a world where people have become more isolated. He believes word-of-mouth is the single most important thing in a film's success. As for what it was like to work with Hollywood heavyweights Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, Favreau admits that it took him about a year just to be comfortable being in a room with them. But they were tremendous mentors. Olivia Wilde had a similar reaction to first meeting her co-stars, Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig. But by the time the shoot ended, she considered them families. Wilde reflects on Cowboys & Aliens as the best thing she’s ever been involved with. Ford recollects on how he initially didn’t understand the appeal of the script, but after a short conversation with Favreau, he was sold. Although there was one stipulation. His character was originally written as a guy with a hat and whip. As long as the whip was quickly forgotten, he was on board! Craig was a little concerned about working with Ford. A long time fan, Craig finds is sometimes difficult meeting your heroes. But the two instantly hit it off, Ford lived up to his reputation as not only being a gentleman but a funny man. Oh and ladies, the tight chaps Craig wears in the film…his idea. As Craig puts it with a devilish smile, “Someone had to wear them and it wasn’t going to be Harrison!” (eonline.com)
Twixt
Francis Ford Coppola threw what is being heralded as one of the weirdest and most innovating panels ever at Comic-Con (picture him and star Val Kilmer singing an impromptu song about Nosferatu). Twixt is about a quasi-successful horror writer, Baltimore Hall (played by Kilmer), who is tempted into investigating some murders and writing a new book based upon them. But what’s more interesting is the interactive and experimental way in which Coppola plans on taking the film on tour to play it live. He's interested in making the film a bit of a "choose your own adventure" experience. Through his laptop and given today's technology, he will make edits and changes to the flow of the film, live, on the night, as it’s screening. He says these choices will be based on audience responses. There are short and long versions of scenes, and different versions of the scenes. (bleedingcool.com)
Man of Steel
This Superman reboot is still very hush-hush, but according to actor Henry Cavill it’s one of the best scripts he’s ever read.
Immortals
Don’t expect a watered-down version of 300. Immortals doesn’t pull any punches with its depiction of graphic violence and shockingly visceral images. But ultimately this is just director Tarsem Singh’s way of showing his mother how much he loves her. Yes, you read that correctly. Singh was quick to dispel the idea that Immortals is rooted in theology, as he has been atheist since the age of nine. It wasn’t until his mother said, "How do you think you are as successful as you are if it wasn’t for my praying?" that got Singh thinking about creating a film showcasing man defying God. Singh also shared his method of creating, in that he comes up with images before the story and hopes they just sort of mesh. For more from the Immortals panel, click here
Snow White and the Huntsman
Universal has revealed several character photos from Snow White and the Huntsman, including Kristen Stewart holding a sword and shield as Snow White, Charlize Theron as the dagger-wielding Evil Queen, Chris Hemsworth as the buffed up Huntsman and Sam Claflin as a prince. Producer Joe Roth said that the $1 billion success of Alice in Wonderland makes it more appealing to create films that are universally known across several generations. He promises the film will be on the same scale of The Lord of the Rings, in terms of size, scope and appetite. Because the film doesn’t start shooting until August, after the cast came on stage, Roth unveiled a proof-of-concept reel that was initially presented to the studio when the filmmakers were selling the project. The footage revealed a beautiful princess in a forest surrounded by fauna. This quickly turned into a dark and fantastical scene as a monologue asked what kind of a person you would be when tested by evil. This was accompanied by shots of a fairy emerging out of the blackbird's breast and Snow White surrounded by trees that are part men and two knights clashing swords, one getting cut in half and disintegrating into a million pieces. (hollywoodreporter.com) For more on the panel, head here.
More Hobbit news
Andy Serkis is not only reprising his role as Gollum in Peter Jackson’s two Hobbit films, but he has taken on the task of second unit director. According to Serkis, “It’s a huge leap, a massive challenge and 3D and working on a huge film and crew but Jackson is incredibly supportive. He has known I have wanted to direct for a long time so its wonderful that he has given me the opportunity to do so.” (movies.com)
Joss Whedon
Whedon spoke briefly about The Avengers film, noting that the ensemble cast makes a better team than the actual Avengers in the Marvel comic book that inspired the film. Whedon also told fans he would love to take "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" to Broadway. He teased the "Dr. Horrible" sequel, saying that some songs have already been written. He also said he would love to do more with "Firefly" and would happily make a "Serenity" sequel if the studios wanted him to. Finally, the long-delayed horror film he co-wrote and produced, The Cabin in the Woods, is making its way into theaters next April. (latimes.com)
Kevin Smith
Another fixture at Comic-Con, Smith had the audience in the palm of his hand as he shared stories of his career and Hollywood encounters. But the mood got pretty sombre after Smith announced that he will be retiring as a director following his next film, Hit Somebody. He will instead focus on helping others make movies. Smith's latest film, Red State, is his first foray into the horror genre and he is currently traveling across Canada and the U.S. touring with it.
Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star
Nick Swardson (30 Minutes or Less) and Stephen Dorff (Immortals) star in this comedy conceived by funnyman Adam Sandler. The film stars Swardson as Bucky, a goofy guy who comes across some porno starring his own parents and discovers they used to be porn stars in the 1970s. Deciding to join the family business, Bucky travels to Hollywood to break into the industry, where he encounters reigning porn king, Dick Shadows (played by Dorff). Sandler co-wrote the film with Swardson. As for Dorff, he and Sandler go way back; Sandler met his wife at Dorff’s 25th birthday party.
Marvel Live Action TV
Luke Cage (aka Power Man) will be part of the cast of the upcoming “a.k.a. Jessica Jones” (based on the comic Alias). Also, Carol Danvers (aka Ms. Marvel) will be in the cast as well. Another brand-new show announced today was “Mockingbird.” In the comics, she's Bobbi Morse, ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Avenger and girlfriend of Hawkeye. In the show she'll be a science major living in Silicon Valley who is recruited by a secret organization to be a spy. Sort of an "Alias meets Felicity." As for the “Hulk” live-action show, it’s still very much in the works. It will focus on the character's early days when people didn't know about his powers and concentrate on the love story between him and Betty. Finally, a live-action “Cloak and Dagger” is in the early stages of development. It will be about two teenagers who find each other and realize their powers complement and complicate their lives. The show will be set in the world of post-Katrina New Orleans. (ign.com)
"Chuck"
Refusing to go silent into that good night, Chuck will end with a bang as someone major is slated to die this season. And Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, will appear in the season premiere as a villain.“Terra Nova”
The first half of the Steven Spielberg produced pilot screened. "Terra Nova" is about a futuristic world where pollution and overpopulation have doomed humanity. Winners of a lottery system are chosen to go back in time (85 million years exactly) using a wormhole, to try and create a new society and start over. According to the show’s creators, 85 million years ago was chosen because it's notable as being the era with the least amount of fossil findings. What does that mean for audiences hoping excited about Spielberg dabbling in the dinosaur genre again? Well it's the time period where we only know about 10% of the dinosaurs that existed. So prepare for some creatures we’ve never seen before. (ign.com)Eisner Awards
Lest we forget that Comic-Con is not just about Hollywood, The Eisner Awards are the Academy Awards of the comics industry. Prizes are given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisners began in 1988 and named in honour of the pioneering writer and artist Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit). Joe Hill took home an Eisner for Best Writer ("Locke & Key"). Too bad FOX passed on the series. He was joined by his father, Stephen King, who also took home an award for Best New Series ("American Vampire")"Community"
Series creator Dan Harmon made it clear that Joel McHale’s character Jeff Winger will be graduating. Shows that take place in school always run into the four-year peril. As for how "Community" will survive after graduation, Harmon mentioned the key will be in learning who the characters are outside of school and meeting their families. Also in store this season, an episode with multiple timelines."Family Guy"
The hilarious and crude animated show celebrates its 10th season this year. The cast and crew was on hand at the panel to share some hints about upcoming storylines for the big ten-oh. Meg turns 18 and you can bet Quagmire takes notice. Peter declares war on the Amish. Stewie and Brian will travel back in time to the pilot episode. Ricky Gervais will play a dolphin. There will be plenty of other surprises and envelope-pushing episodes this season. It promises to be the best yet. (ign.com)
Sunday, July 24’s highlights
Glee: The 3D Concert Movie
It’s time to Gleek out as creators/executive producers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk as well as the stars of "Glee" present a sneak peek at Glee: The 3D Concert Movie featuring never-before-seen footage, behind-the-scenes secrets and a Q&A session.World War Z
Max Brooks, screenwriter and author The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z brings his world-reknown leading authority on the defense against the undead uprising! With Brooks sharing his insight into the rotting minds of these ghoulish monsters, we’re hoping he shares some details on his World War Z film currently in production and starring Brad Pitt."Allen Gregory"
Funnyman Jonah Hill (Superbad, Get Him to the Greek) is the creator/executive producer of this new Fox animated show about a pretentious 7-year-old about to enter elementary school. Think Stewie Griffin 5 years into the future (minus the British accent). Hill voices the title character, with French Stewart (The Muppets) and Nat Faxon (Bad Teacher) providing voice talen as well. They will present a sneak peek of the series.
"Supernatural"
Supernatural has built such a large cult following, that this year marks the first time that the panel is moving into Hall H. Series stars Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles present an exclusive sneak peek at footage from the upcoming season and "Supernatural: The Anime Series."
One-on-One with "Castle" star Nathan Fillion
If Comic-Con had a deputy mayor, it would be Nathan Fillion ("Firefly"). Fillion and the cast of "Castle" will take questions from fans and discuss their popular crime-solving series. Those familiar with Fillion know that every year at Comic-Con, he not only has the crowd in stitches, but always have a few surprises up his sleeves.
Disney/Marvel Team-Up
Last year, Disney made the shocking announcement that it had bought Marvel Entertainment. Everyone wondered what would happen when the house of mouse got together with the house of ideas. Their first effort right out of the gate was The Avengers. Here’s a chance to see what’s next for the combined powerhouse.
Buffy the Musical
The Rocky Horror Picture Show of Comic-Con ushers in the final hours of the 4-day long convention. Fans of the Buffyverse, old and new, gather together in Hall H for a final huzzah with the traditional screening of the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" musical episode "Once More With Feeling" complete with audience participation, singing and dancing in the aisles.
Get more Comic-Con highlights, photos, interviews and news here.
| Subscribe to our RSS feed | |
| Follow us on Twitter | |
| Friend us on Facebook | |
| Find us on your Mobile Device | |
| Download the Cineplex App |

© Cineplex Entertainment LP 2012