A robotic creature rolls in front of the convention center on day three of Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in San Diego. The comic book and pop culture extravaganza, which draws over 130,000 fans annually, opens for a preview night Wednesday and runs from Thursday through Sunday.
(Photo by Denis Poroy/Invision/AP, File)
Susie Cramer of Oklahoma City, Okla., dressed as Antiope from “Wonder Woman,” left, and Morgan Duhon of New Orleans, dressed as Mera from “Aquaman,” attend Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2023. The comic book and pop culture extravaganza, which draws over 130,000 fans annually, opens for a preview night Wednesday and runs from Thursday through Sunday.
Susie Cramer of Oklahoma City, Okla., dressed as Antiope from “Wonder Woman,” left, and Morgan Duhon of New Orleans, dressed as Mera from “Aquaman,” attend Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2023. The comic book and pop culture extravaganza, which draws over 130,000 fans annually, opens for a preview night Wednesday and runs from Thursday through Sunday.
(Photo by Christy Radecic/Invision/AP, File)
Signage appears at Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 20, 2023, in San Diego. The comic book and pop culture extravaganza, which draws over 130,000 fans annually, opens for a preview night Wednesday and runs from Thursday through Sunday.
Stars assemble
After their absence from the convention last year due to the actors strike, stars are returning to the convention in full force to showcase upcoming series and movies. While the lineup for Marvel’s panel will likely remain under wraps until the event starts, several A-listers are confirmed to attend the convention.
Chris Hemsworth, Keegan-Michael Key and Brian Tyree Henry will be speaking on a panel for “Transformers One,” the upcoming animated movie with a star-studded cast that also includes Scarlett Johansson, Jon Hamm, Laurence Fishburne and Steve Buscemi.
The cast of the anticipated August release “Alien: Romulus,” Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced and David Jonsson, will speak on a panel with director and writer Fede Alvarez.
Christian Slater, Lupita Nyong’o and the cast members of “The Boys” and “Abbott Elementary” will also make appearances. And of course, Reynolds and Jackman, who have kept busy promoting “Deadpool & Wolverine,” will be there, too.
Beyond the convention
Beyond the convention hall, San Diego will be buzzing with activities, brand activations, parties and events celebrating all things pop culture. Pop and R&B artist Jason Derulo, Japanese singer LiSA and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra are each expected to perform at parties during the weekend.
While several parties and events are invitation-only — including the notable Entertainment Weekly party that draws huge crowds and several celebrities — visitors can keep an eye out for events and pop-ups throughout the city’s Gaslamp Quarter. The area surrounding the convention center embraces the spirit of the weekend, with local businesses, restaurants and bars typically rolling out Comic-Con-specific products or menus.
Unique merchandise and memorable cosplaying
Part of the draw for many Comic-Con attendees is the plethora of merchandise available to purchase on the exhibit floor. Booths selling collectibles from Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Lego, Hasbro, Sony, Mattel and dozens of other companies and franchises will take over the sprawling venue. Visitors can also expect some free items and giveaways on the floor.
Another highlight of the weekend for many is the inventive (and often, life-like) costumes attendees wear. The main exhibition floor is a good place to scout out the best looks, but visitors can expect to see decked-out fans throughout the city all weekend.
Signage appears at Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 20, 2023, in San Diego. The comic book and pop culture extravaganza, which draws over 130,000 fans annually, opens for a preview night Wednesday and runs from Thursday through Sunday.
(Photo by Christy Radecic/Invision/AP, FIle)
BY KAITLYN HUAMANI
July 24, 2024
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Comic-Con International, the comic book and pop culture extravaganza, is kicking off in San Diego. The convention, which draws over 130,000 fans annually, opens for a preview night Wednesday and runs through Sunday.
With the COVID-19 pandemic and the Hollywood strikes disrupting past years of the convention either through complete cancellation or modifications to the way they ran, this year will be the most traditional Comic-Con since 2019.
Actors, filmmakers, comic book authors and illustrators and fans are making their way to the San Diego Convention Center and the several official (and unofficial) event locations for a weekend brimming with programming.
Here’s what to expect at the sprawling convention.
BY KAITLYN HUAMANI
July 24, 2024
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Comic-Con International, the comic book and pop culture extravaganza, is kicking off in San Diego. The convention, which draws over 130,000 fans annually, opens for a preview night Wednesday and runs through Sunday.
With the COVID-19 pandemic and the Hollywood strikes disrupting past years of the convention either through complete cancellation or modifications to the way they ran, this year will be the most traditional Comic-Con since 2019.
Actors, filmmakers, comic book authors and illustrators and fans are making their way to the San Diego Convention Center and the several official (and unofficial) event locations for a weekend brimming with programming.
Here’s what to expect at the sprawling convention.
Marvel mania
With the highly anticipated release of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Marvel is set to be a strong presence, from the costumes fans don to the panels that draw the longest lines. The Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman-led feature is the first and only Disney-backed Marvel movie of the year. The panel promoting the film and celebrating its release Thursday is expected to draw thousands to the convention’s famed Hall H.
Marvel is also expected to announce news teasing their upcoming titles in their “Phase 5” cinematic universe plan and beyond, with Marvel president Kevin Feige as the only confirmed speaker on their Saturday panel. He will be joined by special guests, who may include stars of upcoming Marvel titles like “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts(asterisk)” and “The Fantastic Four.”
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With the highly anticipated release of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Marvel is set to be a strong presence, from the costumes fans don to the panels that draw the longest lines. The Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman-led feature is the first and only Disney-backed Marvel movie of the year. The panel promoting the film and celebrating its release Thursday is expected to draw thousands to the convention’s famed Hall H.
Marvel is also expected to announce news teasing their upcoming titles in their “Phase 5” cinematic universe plan and beyond, with Marvel president Kevin Feige as the only confirmed speaker on their Saturday panel. He will be joined by special guests, who may include stars of upcoming Marvel titles like “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts(asterisk)” and “The Fantastic Four.”
RELATED STORIES
'Deadpool & Wolverine' is here to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe
'Deadpool & Wolverine' review: Marvel's raunchy mutant finds his place
‘A Quiet Place’ prequel box office speaks volumes as Costner’s Western gets a bumpy start
Stars assemble
After their absence from the convention last year due to the actors strike, stars are returning to the convention in full force to showcase upcoming series and movies. While the lineup for Marvel’s panel will likely remain under wraps until the event starts, several A-listers are confirmed to attend the convention.
Chris Hemsworth, Keegan-Michael Key and Brian Tyree Henry will be speaking on a panel for “Transformers One,” the upcoming animated movie with a star-studded cast that also includes Scarlett Johansson, Jon Hamm, Laurence Fishburne and Steve Buscemi.
The cast of the anticipated August release “Alien: Romulus,” Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced and David Jonsson, will speak on a panel with director and writer Fede Alvarez.
Christian Slater, Lupita Nyong’o and the cast members of “The Boys” and “Abbott Elementary” will also make appearances. And of course, Reynolds and Jackman, who have kept busy promoting “Deadpool & Wolverine,” will be there, too.
Beyond the convention
Beyond the convention hall, San Diego will be buzzing with activities, brand activations, parties and events celebrating all things pop culture. Pop and R&B artist Jason Derulo, Japanese singer LiSA and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra are each expected to perform at parties during the weekend.
While several parties and events are invitation-only — including the notable Entertainment Weekly party that draws huge crowds and several celebrities — visitors can keep an eye out for events and pop-ups throughout the city’s Gaslamp Quarter. The area surrounding the convention center embraces the spirit of the weekend, with local businesses, restaurants and bars typically rolling out Comic-Con-specific products or menus.
Unique merchandise and memorable cosplaying
Part of the draw for many Comic-Con attendees is the plethora of merchandise available to purchase on the exhibit floor. Booths selling collectibles from Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Lego, Hasbro, Sony, Mattel and dozens of other companies and franchises will take over the sprawling venue. Visitors can also expect some free items and giveaways on the floor.
Another highlight of the weekend for many is the inventive (and often, life-like) costumes attendees wear. The main exhibition floor is a good place to scout out the best looks, but visitors can expect to see decked-out fans throughout the city all weekend.
Comic-Con fans assemble as Marvel eyes major reboot
By AFP
July 25, 2024
For many, Comic-Con is primarily a place to dress up as their favorite fictional characters - Copyright AFP Chris DELMAS
By AFP
July 25, 2024
For many, Comic-Con is primarily a place to dress up as their favorite fictional characters - Copyright AFP Chris DELMAS
Andrew MARSZAL
Comic-Con returns in full force to San Diego this week, where a hugely anticipated Marvel superhero film event is among the draws for tens of thousands of hyped-up fans dressed as fantasy heroes and sci-fi villains.
One of the world’s largest pop culture events, Comic-Con began five decades ago a humble comic book-themed gathering in a hotel basement, but today draws vast crowds and A-list stars promoting new movies and television shows.
Last year’s edition was dampened by Hollywood strikes — which prevented actors from attending, and quelled fan interest — but Comic-Con is expected to draw 130,000 attendees back to the southern Californian city this time around.
The hottest ticket is the Saturday night Marvel movies presentation, at which parent company Disney is expected to unveil plans to reboot its mega-grossing superhero film franchise, after years of high-profile missteps.
The Marvel movies dominated Hollywood and global box offices for years, with 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” briefly becoming the highest-grossing film of all time at more than $2.79 billion.
But the past few years have brought more flops than hits, as fans complained about over-complicated plotlines and mourned the departure of favorite characters like Robert Downey Jr’s “Iron Man.”
And the franchise has been rocked by domestic violence revelations about actor Jonathan Majors, who had been set to become the major new supervillain across multiple films.
Majors, who was convicted for assaulting and harassing his then-girlfriend, has been dropped by Marvel, but there is no word on who — or what — will replace him.
Saturday’s presentation is expected to reveal how Disney will move forward without him, and has been billed as a potential “make or break” moment by some observers.
It will take place inside the 6,000-capacity Hall H, where many camp in line for days to gain access.
“If the company wants to lure in anyone besides the dwindling ranks of… diehards, it needs to bring the answer to these questions to Hall H,” wrote Susana Polo, for entertainment news outlet Polygon.
– Aliens, Deadpool and Ancient Rome –
Also on the Comic-Con lineup from Disney are a look at “Alien: Romulus,” the latest in the long-running sci-fi saga, and a “celebration” event for this weekend’s major superhero release, “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
Rival studio Warner, which runs the DC superhero movies, is keeping a lower profile, but will offer a glimpse at its Batman spinoff TV series “The Penguin,” starring Colin Farrell.
Elsewhere, “Those About To Die,” a bloody romp through Ancient Rome and its macabre world of chariot races and gladiator fights, starring Anthony Hopkins, will host multiple fan events.
Amazon’s Prime Video will lift the lid on the second season of its “Lord of the Rings” television series, which aims to improve on the mixed reviews for its hugely expensive debut season two years ago.
And following the success of recent video game adaptations for the small screen such as “Fallout” and “The Last of Us,” Amazon will take viewers into the underworld of Japanese crime lords with “Yakuza: Like a Dragon,” based on the hit games from Sega.
But for many, Comic-Con is primarily a place to dress up as Disney characters or fearsome samurai warriors, and meet with like-minded fans to buy and trade comic books.
Comic-Con runs from Thursday until Sunday.
Comic-Con returns in full force to San Diego this week, where a hugely anticipated Marvel superhero film event is among the draws for tens of thousands of hyped-up fans dressed as fantasy heroes and sci-fi villains.
One of the world’s largest pop culture events, Comic-Con began five decades ago a humble comic book-themed gathering in a hotel basement, but today draws vast crowds and A-list stars promoting new movies and television shows.
Last year’s edition was dampened by Hollywood strikes — which prevented actors from attending, and quelled fan interest — but Comic-Con is expected to draw 130,000 attendees back to the southern Californian city this time around.
The hottest ticket is the Saturday night Marvel movies presentation, at which parent company Disney is expected to unveil plans to reboot its mega-grossing superhero film franchise, after years of high-profile missteps.
The Marvel movies dominated Hollywood and global box offices for years, with 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” briefly becoming the highest-grossing film of all time at more than $2.79 billion.
But the past few years have brought more flops than hits, as fans complained about over-complicated plotlines and mourned the departure of favorite characters like Robert Downey Jr’s “Iron Man.”
And the franchise has been rocked by domestic violence revelations about actor Jonathan Majors, who had been set to become the major new supervillain across multiple films.
Majors, who was convicted for assaulting and harassing his then-girlfriend, has been dropped by Marvel, but there is no word on who — or what — will replace him.
Saturday’s presentation is expected to reveal how Disney will move forward without him, and has been billed as a potential “make or break” moment by some observers.
It will take place inside the 6,000-capacity Hall H, where many camp in line for days to gain access.
“If the company wants to lure in anyone besides the dwindling ranks of… diehards, it needs to bring the answer to these questions to Hall H,” wrote Susana Polo, for entertainment news outlet Polygon.
– Aliens, Deadpool and Ancient Rome –
Also on the Comic-Con lineup from Disney are a look at “Alien: Romulus,” the latest in the long-running sci-fi saga, and a “celebration” event for this weekend’s major superhero release, “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
Rival studio Warner, which runs the DC superhero movies, is keeping a lower profile, but will offer a glimpse at its Batman spinoff TV series “The Penguin,” starring Colin Farrell.
Elsewhere, “Those About To Die,” a bloody romp through Ancient Rome and its macabre world of chariot races and gladiator fights, starring Anthony Hopkins, will host multiple fan events.
Amazon’s Prime Video will lift the lid on the second season of its “Lord of the Rings” television series, which aims to improve on the mixed reviews for its hugely expensive debut season two years ago.
And following the success of recent video game adaptations for the small screen such as “Fallout” and “The Last of Us,” Amazon will take viewers into the underworld of Japanese crime lords with “Yakuza: Like a Dragon,” based on the hit games from Sega.
But for many, Comic-Con is primarily a place to dress up as Disney characters or fearsome samurai warriors, and meet with like-minded fans to buy and trade comic books.
Comic-Con runs from Thursday until Sunday.
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