Given the endless torrent of franchise reboots, sequels and reimaginations that flood the genre landscape, it’s almost hard to believe how many entirely new feature films (16) and television shows (seven) are coming to the Comic-Con floor in San Diego this year.
Of course, all the biggest hitters at this year’s Con, which begins in earnest on Thursday and runs through Sunday, are names you’ve heard before: “Tron,” “Thor,” “The Avengers” – hell, they even devoted an entire day to “Star Wars.” But within the 55,000-word schedule of sanctioned events are about 2,500 words devoted to those franchises whose characters and storylines are making their on-screen debuts.
So what’s new under the Comic-Con sun? Not as much as we’d like, but probably more than you’d think.
TheWrap brings you all the new stuff below: We’ve separated the movies from the TV shows, and ranked them top to bottom according to our own sense of their relevance/importance (yours will certainly differ, gentle reader).
But in terms of getting fresh stories their place in a major Hollywood event, we’re all winners here, right?
NEW IN FILM:
“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (Universal). Based on a graphic novel of epic epicness, or so we’re told. Everyone from this genre-bending, fourth-wall-breaking feast of comic-book mojo will be there, from Michael Cera to Anna Kendrick and all points between. If there's one film that fit Comic-Con to a T, this would be it: sassy, nerdy, subversive, stylish, super nerdy, full of action and also extra-super nerdy. Thursday at 6 p.m., Hall H.
“Cowboys & Aliens” (Universal/DreamWorks): We still don’t have word on an “Iron Man 3,” but Jon
Favreau bought his ticket to this year’s Con with this action-thriller based on the graphic novel about an Old West uprising against extraterrestrial varmints. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s to not bet against Favreau at Comic-Con. 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Hall H. (Image at right was recently tweeted by Favreau, by the way.)
“The Expendables” (Lionsgate): All we know is that someone raised a challenge to manly men everywhere to make this film No. 1 when it opens against “Eat, Pray, Love.” And if it doesn’t, America is broken. Thursday, 4:45, Hall H.
“Megamind” (DreamWorks Animation): Early trailers look painfully derivative, but perhaps that’s the point behind DreamWorks Animation’s first entry at the Con. Its spoofy tone and characters (Metro Man is like a mashup of every superhero stereotype of the last 50 years) would seem to indicate as much. Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill provide voices, and are expected in attendance with director Tom McGrath. (Voice actor Brad Pitt is rumored to be appearing at the Con.) 10 a.m. Thursday in Hall H.
“Salt” (Sony): Makes it under the gun by a day – “Salt” presents Thursday at Comic-Con, then opens wide Friday. And yes, Angelina Jolie will be there to answer the inevitable “Who is Salt?” wisecrack.
