Fans were delighted when director Patty Jenkins shared a photo of “Wonder Woman 1984” in a gleaming golden costume on Twitter Wednesday, but their joy soon turned to disappointment when they learned Warner Bros. — the studio behind the film — would not be holding its annual presentation at Comic-Con 2019.
The studio’s showcase is one of the marquee events of the annual convention. Over 130,000 fans make the trek to San Diego every year, with some waiting in line for Hall H — the San Diego Convention Center’s biggest room — for days.
In her post, Jenkins revealed that the WB would skip Comic-Con this year, the first time in 20 years.
“By now you’ve heard: WB isn’t going to Hall H this year,” the director tweeted. “We’re so sad to miss you there! And waiting until Dec. to start our official #WW84 campaign in full– But the truth is… we can just… barely… wait…”
By now you’ve heard: WB isn’t going to Hall H this year. We’re so sad to miss you there! And waiting until Dec. to start our official #WW84 campaign in full– But the truth is… we can just… barely… wait… pic.twitter.com/QllFzhYRA6
— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) June 5, 2019
Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot echoed Jenkins’ message, posting the same costumed photo on Instagram with the caption, “Although all of us at Warner Brothers won’t be seeing you at SDCC – Hall H this year. We are so excited for what’s to come.”
Fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment:
“WTF?! WB has WON Comic Con for several years in a row, and now they’re going to just sit it out?!” one fan tweeted with a series of sad emojis.
No Hall H for #DCEU aka #WarnerBros at #ComicCon this year?! ???????????? WTF?! WB has WON Comic Con for several years in a row, and now they’re going to just sit it out?! #WW1984 #BirdsOfPrey https://t.co/bbel9Ys5V4
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) June 5, 2019
Others were especially disappointed as the studio has two female-helmed and led films coming up: Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman 1984” and Cathy Yan’s “Birds of Prey.”
Funny how WB thinks hall h isn’t important on the exact same year they have 2 women directing major DC Films.
— Ambar of Themyscira (@MisandristDiana) June 5, 2019
I can’t believe WB is pulling the SDCC panels for Birds of Prey and Wonder Woman from Hall H. I was looking forward to being there and seeing Cathy Yan, Patty Jenkins and their casts speak about making these females centered films.
This is extremely disappointing.
– Carolyn *Pocket Sized Stallion* Hinds. (@CarrieCnh12) June 5, 2019
Another joked that the lines for Hall H would be much, much shorter.
when the line for Hall H dries up and you can walk right in pic.twitter.com/IMo3DwT2sy
— Spencer Perry (@TheSpencerPerry) June 5, 2019
The studio’s absence means fans will not be able to preview other buzzy fantasy/sci-fi titles in the works, including the aforementioned “Birds of Prey,” Joaquin Phoenix as “The Joker,” or “The Dune” remake. For now, it seems the only presence the studio will have will be at ScareDiego, a horror-centric event right before Comic-Con officially starts. “It: Chapter 2” director Andy Muschietti announced the film — slated for release on Sept. 6, 2019 — will have some sort of preview in San Diego (the WB held a similar event for “It” at ScareDiego two years ago).
Other studios have yet to confirm their participation in Comic-Con.
Last year, Marvel Studios skipped their Hall H presentation, but that didn’t seem to affect ticket sales or sentiment for “Captain Marvel” and “Avengers: End Game.” Fans may hope for tidbits from Scarlett Johansson’s standalone “Black Widow” movie, currently in production.
Twentieth Century Fox, which like Marvel Studios is now a Disney subsidiary, may have a few offerings, namely “New Mutants” (focusing on a group of super-powered teens) and potentially news about James Cameron’s “Avatar” sequels. But their big genre feature for 2019, “Dark Phoenix,” opens next week.
The studio Comic-Con schedules are expected to be announced in late June. Comic-Con 2019 runs from July 18-21.