It’s certainly shaping up that way, if the programming schedule is any indication. Of course, with absolutely no presence of “Indy 4” or “The Dark Knight” at the event, we’ll have to cross our fingers and hope that a few surprises are in store.
Much like Mr. Harris, I too will be journeying to the West Coast this month to attend the 38th Annual Comic-Con, the largest celebration for all things comic books, movies and TV, taking place July 26-29th at the San Diego Convention Center. The full programing schedule has just been released and can be viewed here, but since there’s way too much for one person to cover, I’ll only be blogging on the biggest movie-related panels.
Check back here all weekend long as I report on first-look exclusives, interviews and announcements from all of 2008’s biggest movies, and continue reading after the jump to see the panels I’ll be covering:
THURSDAY:
DVD Sneak Peek 2007
Bill Hunt and Todd Doogan of The Digital Bits.com, along with DVD producers Charles de Lauzirika (Blade Runner: The Final Cut; Twin Peaks: The Complete Series), Robert Meyer Burnett (Shoot ‘Em Up, Valkyrie), and Javier Soto (Hellboy 2), offer exclusive sneak peeks of great upcoming DVD and high-def special editions in the works for release later this year. Exclusive footage from Blade Runner and Twin Peaks will be shown. Q&A will follow if time permits.
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, and Nickelodeon Movies present a bold new vision for the future of adventure. Be here for a one-of-a-kind presentation put together just for the fans at Comic-Con as you get a look at such highly anticipated films as Beowulf, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Stardust, Hot Rod, Iron Man, and the next installments of Indiana Jones and Star Trek, plus a few surprises. Appearing in person: JJ Abrams, Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau, Neil Gaiman, Roger Avary, and SNL’s Andy Samberg.
Lionsgate: Good Luck Chuck, The Eye, Saw IV
Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Lionsgate’s biggest upcoming releases. First up, Jessica Alba (Fantastic Four), Dane Cook (Employee of the Month), Dan Fogler (Balls of Fury), and director Mark Helfrich take you behind the scenes of Good Luck Chuck. Then Jessica is joined by directors David Moreau and Xavier Palud (Them) for a haunting glimpse into The Eye. Horror master Clive Barker and the cast of Midnight Meat Train take you on a terror trip through hell. Finally, director Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, Saw III), Tobin Bell (Saw I, II and III) and the filmmakers of Saw IV invite you to play a game in the cruel and deadly world of Jigsaw.
Fanboys
Fanboys is an uproarious comedy that follows a group of young friends on a cross-country quest to break into Skywalker Ranch and see Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace before it is released. Fanboys is a Weinstein Company presentation being released in theaters by MGM on January 18, 2008. Stars Dan Fogler (Balls of Fury), Sam Huntington (Superman Returns), Chris Marquette (Joan of Arcadia), and Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) join writer/director Kyle Newman and producers Matt Perniciaro and Dana Brunetti for a Q&A session.
FRIDAY:
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. presents a sneak peek at some of its upcoming major film releases!
The Invasion is a nightmarish journey into a world where the only way to stay alive is to stay awake. The mysterious crash of the space shuttle leads to the terrifying discovery that there is something alien within the wreckage. Those who come in contact with it are changing in ominous and inexplicable ways. Producer Joel Silver appears in person.
In the supernatural thriller One Missed Call, people receive terrifying cell phone messages of their own final fatal moments. Stars Edward Burns and Shannyn Sossamon will be on stage to introduce film footage and answer questions.
In Whiteout, Kate Beckinsale stars as Carrie Stetko, the lone U.S. Marshal assigned to Antarctica, whose investigation of the continent’s first murder draws her into a shocking mystery. Now, with only three days until winter, Carrie must solve the crime before Antarctica is plunged into darkness and she is stranded with the killer. Star Kate Beckinsale appears in-person.
From writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, the creators of the groundbreaking The Matrix trilogy, and producer Joel Silver comes the live-action, high-octane family adventure Speed Racer. Based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the live-action Speed Racer will showcase the kind of revolutionary visual effects and cutting-edge storytelling that have become the benchmarks of the Wachowski Brothers’ films.
In the all-new action comedy Get Smart, Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is on a mission to thwart the latest plot for world domination by the evil crime syndicate known as KAOS.
In Trick ‘R Treat, the tricks and treats of Halloween turn deadly as strange creatures of every variety – human and otherwise – try to survive the scariest night of the year. Mike Dougherty appears in-person to discuss his directorial debut produced by Bryan Singer.
Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, Watchmen was originally published by DC comics as a 12-issue comic book series between 1986 and 1987, before subsequently being collected into a trade paperback. It is the only graphic novel to win the prestigious Hugo Award or to be named among Time magazine’s “100 Best English Language Novels from 1923 to the Present.” Director Zack Snyder will appear in-person to discuss the upcoming film and answer questions.
New Line Cinema
A gritty, fast-paced action thriller, Shoot ‘Em Up kicks into high gear with a memorable opening scene and never relents. New Line Cinema will show exclusive footage from Shoot ‘Em Up, and star Clive Owen, along with director Michael Davis, will be there to discuss the film! Also included in the presentation will be a special preview of New Line Cinema’s upcoming films, including The Golden Compass.
Warner Bros. Video
First up, 300 creator Frank Miller, director Zack Snyder, stars including Lena Headey and David Wenham, producers Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari, and other special guests are on hand to discuss the groundbreaking film and its highly anticipated July 31 DVD release. Be the first to see a clip not included in the theatrical release! Then it’s the 25th Anniversary Blade Runner “Final Cut.” Director Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator, Hannibal) has created a new, definitive version of this landmark film, with scenes and special effects that have never been shown before. Catch this first preview of the new version by the legendary director of the final, authoritative. and best presentation of one of the most acclaimed science fiction films of the 20th century. This presentation will feature unseen clips from the new cut as well as a look behind the scenes that will be featured on the upcoming DVD box set. The panel includes Ridley Scott, Sean Young, Joanna Cassidy, Joe Turkel, James Hong, Syd Mead (designer/futurist), Mark Stetson (FX), and DVD producer Charles de Lauzirika.
Star Wars at 30 Years
This summer marks the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars saga, and its indelible influence on popular culture. We’ve got 30 years of great memories thanks to the galaxy far, far away, but there are also great things to come, too. Join Lucasfilm’s Steve Sansweet for a little Star Wars nostalgia, a review of the 30th anniversary year so far, and a look at what’s new and what’s coming for Star Wars.
Kevin Smith
He’s back, and this time not even traffic can stop him! Comic-Con favorite Kevin Smith holds court in another of his no-holds-barred Q&A sessions, talking about just anything he damn well pleases.
SATURDAY:
The Simpsons
Having just aired its 400th episode, The Simpsons has now released its first feature film. Join members of the team responsible for both and find out how they did it, including Matt Groening (creator and executive producer), Al Jean (executive producer/head writer), David Mirkin (former executive producer), Matt Selman (executive producer), Michael Price (co-executive producer), David Silverman (director of The Simpsons Movie), Matt Warburton (supervising producer), Don Payne (consulting producer), and Yeardley Smith (voice of Lisa Simpson). Moderated by Bill Morrison.
Rogue/Focus
Rogue Pictures invites you to preview a few of their upcoming releases, including Balls of Fury (with appearances by Robert Ben Garant, Tom Lennon and Dan Fogler), The Strangers (with appearances by Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman and writer/director Bryan Bertino), and Doomsday (with appearances by Rhona Mitra and Neil Marshall), plus other surprise appearances and announcements!
Disney
Disney and Disney-Pixar showcase two upcoming films with this exclusive Comic-Con presentation!
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian – Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media present never-before-seen footage and a Q&A panel with the filmmakers of the second installment of the epic fantasy adventure series! Be sure to collect the exclusive Prince Caspian Comic-Con poster, designed by fans on Narnia.com, and selected by director Andrew Adamson!
WALL-E – From Academy Award–winning director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo), WALL-E is the story of one robot’s comic adventures as he chases his dream across the galaxy. Meet director Andrew Stanton and sound designer Ben Burtt (Star Wars) as they present a first look at Disney-Pixar’s next animated adventure!
Universal
Universal Pictures’ presentation features a cast and filmmaker panel from one of its most exciting titles for 2008: Marvel’s new take on cherished superhero icon The Incredible Hulk. In person: stars Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, and William Hurt; director Louis Leterrier; and producers Avi Arad, Gale Anne Hurd, and Kevin Feige.
Sony/Screen Gems
This panel showcases three great new films from Screen Gems and Sony! First up, it’s zombie action at it’s finest with Resident Evil: Extinction – See the world premiere of the new trailer and meet the stars of this third and final installment of the Resident Evil saga, based on the wildly popular video game series. Alice (Milla Jovovich), now in hiding in the Nevada desert, once again joins forces with Carlos Olivera (Oded Fehr) and L. J. (Mike Epps), along with new survivors, including Claire Redfield (Ali Larter). On stage in person to take your questions will be Milla Jovovich, in her first ever Comic-con appearance, along with co-stars Oded Fehr and Ali Larter. Resident Evil: Extinction is in theaters everywhere September 21.
30 Days of Night – Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith’s vampire noir epic horror/thriller reaches the big screen under the banner of Sam Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures. On hand to show clips and answer questions will be director David Slade, producer Rob Tapert, creators Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith, and stars Josh Hartnett (Sin City) and Danny Huston (Children of Men).
Superbad – Producer Judd Apatow follows his hit comedy Knocked Up with this highly anticipated look at the lives of several misfit guys on the eternal quest to find the right girl and prove that they’re not just bad, they’re Superbad. Apatow discusses the outrageous comedy audiences have come to expect from him. Joining Apatow will be his Superbad entourage, including Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, director Greg Mottola, screenwriter and star Seth Rogen, screenwriter Evan Goldberg, producer Shauna Robertson, and possibly even Bill Hader, if he will only listen to reason.
