Movie studios have continued to pack Hall H at San Diego’s Comic-Con each year despite lingering doubts about the benefits of such lavish presentations. It appears this year will be no different.
Lionsgate, which cemented its status as a major studio after its acquisition of Summit and the success of “The Hunger Games” will have a robust presence. It was the first studio to announce its plans.
It remains to be seen who else will join stars and filmmakers from “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and the “Ender’s Game,” but you can assume that both Legendary Pictures and Marvel will make their presence felt.
Here’s the schedule from what we know so far, and we’ll keep updating.
If you're a TV junkie, check out the TV schedule here.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
“You’re Next” — 9 p.m.
Lionsgate will hold a special screening of the horror film from director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett, two of the contributors to horror-anthology franchise “V/H/S.” John Campea will moderate a Q&A session afterwards with Wingard, Barrett and star Sharni Vinson.
Also read: 'Ender's Game' Posters: 'The Next Invasion Is Imminent' (Photos)
THURSDAY, JULY 18
Europa Report — 1:10 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
At the movies, it seems there's so much science fiction, but so little science. Sebastian Cordero's Europa Report seeks to change that. The film depicts a near-future crewed mission to Jupiter's moon Europa, seeking evidence for life in an ocean beneath the moon's icy surface. The movie uses current science to tell a story of discovery and danger. This panel features the film's crew and cast, alongside scientists involved with a NASA concept for a real robotic spacecraft, the Europa Clipper, designed to investigate the mysteries of Europa, including whether it has the elements to support life. Participants include Sebastian Cordero (director, Rage and Chronicles), Bear McCreary (composer, Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead), producer Ben Browning, and actress Karolina Wydra, alongside JPL scientists Steve Vance and Kevin Hand. The panel will be moderated by astronomer Dr. Phil Plait (Slate magazine, Phil Plait's Bad Universe). Space.com called the film "One of the most thrilling and realistic depictions of deep-space exploration since Moon and 2001: A Space Odyssey."
"Divergent" and "Ender's Game" — 3:50 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
Many have speculated that "Divergent" will be the next "Twilight," and here's the first test. Summit will stage a panel for the upcoming adaptation of Veronica Roth's bestseller, the first in a series that Summit hopes to turn into a film franchise.
Roth will be in attendance, as will director Neil Burger and stars Shailene Woodley and Theo James (along with several other members of the cast).
Summit will follow up with "Ender's Game," the upcoming adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s beloved science fiction tale. Stars Harrison Ford, Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld and Abigail Breslin will all attend the presentation, as will director Gavin Hood (“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”) and producer Bob Orci (“Star Trek,” “Transformers”). The creative forces behind the film will unveil previously unseen footage from the November release.
Conference attendees will also have access to a massive “Ender’s Game” exhibit for the film set up outside of the Hilton Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter neighborhood. Each room of the eight-room show will replicate an environment from the world of Ender, including props and set pieces used in the film.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone Host a Screening of "Escape Plan" at 5:00 p.m.
The action icons will host a screening of the upcoming prison thriller from Summit Entertainment at the Reading Cinemas Gaslamp 15. Fans can enter to win passes through an online giveaway, obtain them through the Summit booth located on the Grand Hall convention floor, or start lining up outside the theater at 5 p.m. for the remainder of available tickets.
"Escape Plan" stars Stallone as Ray Breslin, the world's foremost authority on structural security, whose skills are put to the test when he's framed and incarcerated in a master prison of his own design. To pull off an impossible task, he must trust fellow inmate, Emil Rottmayer (Schwarzenegger), to help him craft and carry out an escape plan. Jim Caviezel, Vincent D'Onofrio, Amy Ryan and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson co-star in the fall release directed by Mikael Håfström.
An Exclusive Preview of "The Zero Theorem," Directed by Terry Gilliam — 5:10 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
An eccentric and reclusive computer genius plagued with existential angst works on a mysterious project aimed at discovering the purpose of existence or the lack thereof once and for all. However, it is only when he experiences the power of love and desire that he is able to understand his very reason for being. Appearing on stage to introduce the special early look at this new film and take questions are producers Zev Foreman ("Killer Joe") and Dean Zanuck ("Get Low"). Moderated by Gina McIntyre of the LA Times’ Hero Complex.
FRIDAY, JULY 19
"The World's End" — 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Director Edgar Wright ("Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz") will appear alongside frequent collaborators, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, to discuss their upcoming comedy about a group of old friends embarking on an epic bar crawl during which they discover everyone in their home town has been replaced by robots trying to take over the world.
"Veronica Mars" Special Video Presentation and Q&A — 11:15 a.m. to 12 noon
Join cast members Kristen Bell, Francis Capra, Enrico Colantoni, Percy Daggs III, Jason Dohring, Ryan Hansen, Chris Lowell, Tina Majorino and Krysten Ritter along with producer and director Rob Thomas in a panel moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Jeff Jensen. Fresh off the set of the film that was funded by over 90,000 devoted fans through Kickstarter, attendees will have an opportunity to see exclusive footage, hear details about the production, and ask the cast and producers questions about this upcoming movie.
"Kick-Ass 2" and "Riddick" — 12:15 p.m to 1.15 p.m.
Universal Pictures presents an all-star panel featuring talent from two of its highly anticipated summer films. In attendance will be stars and filmmakers from action-comedy "Kick-Ass 2." Attending from "Riddick" will be the action-adventure’s star/producer Vin Diesel ("Fast & Furious 6"), along with actors Katee Sackhoff ("Battlestar Galactica") and Dave Bautista ("The Man With the Iron Fists") and "Riddick" writer/director David Twohy ("The Fugitive").
Wolves — 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
A sneak peek at David Hayter's directorial debut, the action werewolf thriller "Wolves," followed by a Q&A panel with David Hayter ("X-Men," "X2," "Watchmen") and stars Jason Momoa ("Game of Thrones") and Lucas Till ("X-Men: First Class").
Sony & Screen Gems: "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2," "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," "RoboCop" and "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" — 4:05 p.m. to 6.15 p.m.
"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2"
You remember Sony Pictures Animation’s "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" – Flint Lockwood invented a machine that turned water into food, and it worked, but it also unleashed a dangerously delicious tsunami of food weather and Flint was forced to destroy it. Or so he thought…In "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2," the adventure and fun continue when Flint discovers that his old invention is still working and is now creating new food-animal hybrids – foodimals! Come join stars Anna Faris and Terry Crews along with directors Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn, to get a taste of this new animated movie from Sony Pictures Animation.
"The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones"
Set in contemporary New York City, a seemingly ordinary teenager, Clary Fray (Lily Collins), discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother (Lena Headey), Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures. Author Cassandra Clare plus director Harald Zwart and stars Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan and Kevin Zegers will host a first look at exciting new footage and discuss "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones."
"RoboCop"
In "RoboCop," the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Overseas, their drones have been used by the military for years – and it’s meant billions for OmniCorp’s bottom line. Now OmniCorp wants to bring its controversial technology to the home front, and they see a golden opportunity to do it. When Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) – a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit – is critically injured in the line of duty, OmniCorp sees its chance to create a part-man, part-robot police officer. OmniCorp envisions a RoboCop in every city and even more billions for their shareholders, but they never counted on one thing: there is still a man inside the machine pursuing justice. Join stars Joel Kinnaman, Abbie Cornish and Samuel L. Jackson along with director José Padilha for insight into the movie.
"The Amazing Spider-Man 2"
Last year, Andrew Garfield, along with director Marc Webb and producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach, launched a new chapter in the Peter Parker story with "The Amazing Spider-Man." Hear more about happens to Parker in the new installment in the franchise, due in 2014, in one of Comic-Con’s most highly anticipated panels.
World Premiere of "Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox" — 7:30 p.m. to 9.30. p.m.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation invite attendees to be the first to experience "Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox," the next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. When time travel allows a past wrong to be righted for Flash and his family, the event’s temporal ripples prove disastrous, creating a fractured alternate reality where the Justice League never formed, and even Superman is nowhere to be found. In a new world being ravaged by a fierce war between Wonder Woman’s Amazons and Aquaman’s Atlanteans, Flash must team with a grittier, more violent Batman and government agent Cyborg to restore the continuity of Flash’s original timeline. Come for the film, but stay for the star-studded panel that features "Grey’s Anatomy" stars Justin Chambers and Kevin McKidd as Flash and Batman, respectively, along with C. Thomas Howell ("Southland"), Cary Elwes ("The Princess Bride"), Sam Daly ("The Daly Show"), and a few surprise voice cast members, plus producer James Tucker ("Superman: Unbound"), director Jay Oliva ("Batman: The Dark Knight Returns"), dialogue director Andrea Romano (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns), screenwriter Jim Krieg ("Green Lantern: The Animated Series"), and character designer Phil Bourassa ("Young Justice"). Moderator Gary Miereanu will announce the 2014 DCU movie slate, and there will be exclusive, cast-autographed prizes for a few lucky fans. Based on the landmark mini-series by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert, "Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox" will be available as a digital download on July 19 and a Blu-ray Combo Pack on July 30.
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Lionsgate (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “I, Frankenstein”), 1:35 p.m. to 2:35 p.m.
Though Lionsgate owns Summit, it will stage a separate panel for the movies released under its own banner, presenting both the second installment of “The Hunger Games” and Stuart Beattie’s adaptation of Kevin Grevioux’s graphic novel, "I, Frankenstein."
"Catching Fire" stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright and Willow Shields will appears with director Francis Lawrence to discuss the film and debut a brand new trailer.
The studio will also screen some never-before-seen footage of “I, Frankenstein,” starring Aaron Eckhart, who will be in attendance, along with co-star Yvonne Strahovski, director and writer Beattie, as well as graphic novel author Grevioux.
Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures Previews "Godzilla," "Seventh Son," "300: Rise of an Empire," "The LEGO Movie" and "Gravity." — 10:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Legendary Pictures: Godzilla — An epic rebirth to Toho's iconic Godzilla, this spectacular adventure pits the world's most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence. Gareth Edwards directs Godzilla, which stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, and Juliette Binoche, with David Strathairn and Bryan Cranston. The screenplay is by Max Borenstein, Frank Darabont, and Dave Callaham. Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni are producing with Mary Parent and Brian Rogers. Alex Garcia and Patricia Whitcher are the executive producers, alongside Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira. The film is from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures.
Legendary Pictures: Seventh Son — The fantasy action adventure Seventh Son takes audiences to a time long past, where evil is about to be unleashed. Jeff Bridges stars as Master Gregory, a Falcon Knight who imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore) years ago. Now escaped, she seeks vengeance, and Gregory has only until the next blood moon to train a new apprentice (Ben Barnes), the seventh son of a seventh son, to fight a dark magic unlike any other. Oscar nominee Sergei Bodrov directs an international cast that includes Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Olivia Williams, Antje Traue, and Djimon Hounsou. The film is from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures.
Warner Bros. Pictures: 300: Rise of an Empire — From producer Zack Snyder, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures present a new chapter in this epic saga, based on Frank Miller's graphic novel Xerxes and told in the same breathtaking visual style as the blockbuster 300. Directed by Noam Murro, 300: Rise of an Empire takes the action to a fresh battlefield-on the sea-with a cast of both new and returning stars, led by Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Hans Matheson, David Wenham, and Rodrigo Santoro. Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, and Bernie Goldmann produce, with Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad again collaborating on the screenplay.
Warner Bros. Pictures: Gravity — From director Alfonso Cuarón comes the sci-fi Thriller Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, alongside veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney). On a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes, leaving them completely alone-tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further into the terrifying expanse of space.
Warner Bros. Pictures: The LEGO Movie — From directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller of 21 Jump Street comes the first ever full-length theatrical LEGO adventure, The LEGO Movie, about a perfectly average LEGO minifigure named Emmet who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which he is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared. The original 3D computer animated story stars Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, and Alison Brie, with Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman.
20th Century Fox: "The Wolverine," "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" — 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
"The Wolverine" — Hugh Jackman will be on hand to talk to fans about his sixth outing as immortal X-Men mutant, Logan, who travels to Japan where he loses his healing powers and fights the Silver Samurai. Director James Mangold ("Walk the Line") will also be on the panel to talk about his first foray into the superhero genre.
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" — Andy Serkis, the man behind CGI alpha ape Ceasar, will join new human stars Jason Clarke and Keri Russell, along with director Matt Reeves on a panel for the sequel to 2011 hit, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." "Dawn," which hits theaters next July, focuses on a small group of scientists struggling to resist the apes who have climbed to the top of the food chain after a plague wiped out most of humanity.
Marvel Studios: "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: Winter Soldier" — 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Marvel Studios president and producer Kevin Feige will be appearing with "many" surprise guests to give fans an inside look at Marvel's Phase 2 expansion of its cinematic universe.
No panels or events have been booked yet for Sunday.