So it looks like opening day at Comic-Con is not to be missed.
The annual herofest kicks off in San Diego this year with its meatiest offerings, from Disney’s “Tron: Legacy” presentation to what might be the most geektastic two-man panel ever: Joss Whedon and J.J. Abrams.
The Con, which begins two weeks from Thursday, is rolling out it schedule one day at a time as it has in years past. We’ll find out what Friday (7/23), Saturday (7/24) and Sunday (7/25) have in store over the next few days.
But given that “Tron” is this year’s de-facto Comic-Con centerpiece, the fact that it comes on Thursday means they’re kicking things off with a heavy caliber bang.
(See the full Thursday schedule here)
Highlights from the Thursday lineup in San Diego:
MOVIE MADNESS:
Disney’s “Tron,” Dreamworks Animation’s “Megamind,” Summit’s “Red,” Universal’s “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and Lionsgate’s “The Expendables” are all bringing their dogs and ponies to Comic-Con on Thursday. Are there any other movies that matter after that? I guess that depends on whether Marvel wants to tell us whether “Iron Man 3” is going to happen.
- “Megamind”: It’s DreamWorks Animation’s Comic-Con debut, and “Megamind” stars Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, and Jonah Hilland director Tom McGrathare on hand to unveil footage. 10 a.m., Hall H.
- “TRON: Legacy”: Is this really “Tron’s” third year at Comic-Con? It is, and it’s the one that counts, since the film comes out in December. Patton Oswalt (??) moderates the panel that includes … well, it includes everybody from Jeff Bridges on down. Comic-Con’s main event is held at 11:15 in Hall H.
- “RED”: Summit’s spy thriller based on a DC graphic novel stars Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren; no word on whether any of them will be in attendance. 2:15 p.m., Hall H.
- “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”: Scott Pilgrim himself (Michael Cera) will be there, along with a flurry of co-stars you’ve never heard of. Well, except for Jason Schwartzman and Anna Kendrick. She alone makes this one worth going to. 6 p.m., Hall H
- “The Expendables”: Sylvester Stallone, D lph Lundgren, Steve Austin, Randy Coutureand Terry Crewswill be there. Jean Claude Van Damme, sadly, will not. 4:45 p.m. in Hall H.
BEST CHANCE FOR NEWS BREAKING:
You never know where a newsy bit will pop loose at Comic-Con. If you're wearing a media credential, make sure you're covered at:
- TheOneRing.net is a fansite, but don’t dismiss it – it’s been breaking news on the LOTR movie franchise since its inception. “Special guests are a possibility,” the program reads – and could they mean, like, the director? Who is it going to be again? Let’s find out. 10:30 a.m. in room 7AB.
JUST BECAUSE:
- J. J. Abrams and Joss Whedon, together on a panel.
