The adrenaline rush of San Diego’s Comic-Con International has descended and now superhero, zombie, and vampire costumes are quietly hibernating in spectator closets until next July. It takes a lot out of you to survive all four days of walking, waiting, and sitting — then having enough energy left-over for some of the Gaslamp/East Village festivities afterward.
Every year upon entering the event, Comic-Conites make it a priority to pre-register for passes to the following year. Though we’re a long ways from knowing anything about the schedule for Comic-Con 2012 — set for July 12–15, many spectators are adamant about not being left without those hard to get passes — despite the time they had to sacrifice to miss some of this years events. Every minute counts at Comic-Con. Time spent doing one activity always puts you further back in line for something else of equal interest; often times resulting in missing a panel or autograph signing completely.
Passes for 2012 have new prices. Four-day adult passes with Preview Night are now $175 a piece. Passes without Preview Night are $150 a piece. Single-day passes (Thursday - Saturday) are $40 and Sunday passes are now $23. More four-day and single day passes will go on sale online starting in the Fall. At a later date, it will be announced whether any remaining four-day passes with Preview Night will be sold.
Jammed with spectators after free swag on all four days, Thursday, July 21 - Sunday, July 24, the central part of the Exhibit Hall was a claustrophobic nightmare. Pushing and shoving was common during some giveaways and autograph signings. And waited in line for free swag — sometimes for hours, was a worthwhile effort to some. Flight bags promoting the new ABC series in September — “Pan Am” featuring Christina Ricci, were especially popular. Although many waiting in line left empty-handed; those were very unhappy campers.
Time and space in Ballroom 20 — the second largest facility at the convention center, were major issues this year. Due to the overwhelming popularity of several television series’ and the back to back scheduling of these shows, many disappointed spectators didn’t make it inside to see their favorite panels.
Among the most popular panels on Thursday, July 21 in Ballroom 20 were “Dexter,” “Shameless,” “Game of Thrones,” “Burn Notice,” and TV Guide Fan Favorites from various shows including Matt Smith from “Doctor Who.”
Friday’s fierce line-up attracted thousands. By 8am, the line grew to over 9,000 people for the 4,000 plus capacity space. Among the most popular panels on this day were “Torchwood,” “The Walking Dead,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “True Blood.”
On Saturday, July 23, “Fringe," “Vampire Diaries,” “Family Guy,” “The Simpsons,” “Chuck,” and the highly anticipated show “Terra Nova” — co-conceived by Steven Spielberg, took over Ballroom 20.
The success of many current television programs is a direct result of innovative story telling. With all the original story concepts and quality writing for TV drama/comedy/animation, more film talent than ever is transitioning to the small screen. Cable TV shows, and some network shows, have developed such a mass following that TV representation at Comic-Con has grown equally as popular/significant as film. Due to their likability, such film actors as Elijah Wood (Wilfred), John Noble (Fringe), Anna Paquin (True Blood), William H. Macy (Shameless), Danny DeVito (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), James Caviezel (Person of Interest), and Robert Carlyle (Once Upon A Time), have played instrumental parts in making many of these programs successful. Each of these actors who attended Comic-Con this year, and spoke on their programs’ behalf, did their studios a great service in further promoting these shows.
Hall H — with its 6,000 plus capacity (the largest facility at the convention center) typically generates the longest lines. Not this year. With the exception of the line for “Twilight” on Thursday at 11:15am — where fans camped outside of Hall H for several days (as expected) — none of the other panels, for the remaining days of Comic-Con, were quite as difficult to get into. Once the “Twilight” panel ended, the average wait time for Hall H was about an hour and a half. The reason — many fans say they were disappointed with this year’s film production and celebrity line up. In years past, when such mega films as “Iron Man,” “Battle Los Angeles,” “Watchmen,” “300,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Thor,” “Cowboys & Aliens,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides” were scheduled for sneak previews and panels; and actors and filmmakers such as Hayao Miyazaki, Tim Burton, Danny Elfman, Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Sam Raimi, and Ray Harryhausen were featured guests, spectators were overflowing with anticipation.
Comic-Con spectators and film-goers in general agree that 3D, remakes, and sequels aren’t enough to turn a film into a blockbuster. For this reason, this year, most spectators in line were there to see specific actors and filmmakers rather than the films they were promoting.
On Friday, filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson visited Hall H to promote their animated feature “The Adventures of Tintin” — scheduled to open on December 23, 2011. Heightening this historic Comic-Con occasion was a brief surprise visit from Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings) posing as a spectator asking a question.
The most anticipated film promoted in Hall H was “The Amazing Spider-Man” — due in theaters July 3, 2012. Early on in the panel, actors Andrew Garfield (The Social Network, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus) and Emma Stone (Superbad, Zombieland) won over the audience with their sincere gratitude for being involved in such a project — an endearing moment given the vast number of skeptics who have yet to fully embrace this new spin on Spider-Man, only five years after the last Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst “Spider-Man 3.”
The appearance of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, with surprise guest Val Kilmer, was another major Comic-Con highlight. Promoting his Gothic horror/thriller “Twixt,” Coppola made this Hall H audience feel privileged to partake in this rare unique, multi-media “dress rehearsal” and hear the great filmmaker speak about his past projects and views on the future of film.
Regular Comic-Con attendees are quite familiar with public figure Bob Stencil — always on hand at the podium in Hall H during Q & A segments. When Stencil had his turn at the mic, he said to Coppola, “I love everything you do, ‘Apocalypse Now,’ ‘The Conversation,’ ‘The Godfather,’ your Pinot Noir — it’s all amazing...... there are so many remakes and reboots coming out of Hollywood now, can you promise us to never let anyone remake or reboot ‘The Godfather?’ ‘’ Coppola’s response: “.... I think when they remake films, it’s a pity because that money can go into investing in new ideas, new stories...” Applause.....
Further Hall H entertainment in the horror genre were with panels from Edgar Wright’s “Attack the Block” featuring Nick Frost — now playing in theatres; the remake of “Fright Night” with Colin Farrell — coming soon; “Underworld 4: Awakening” with Kate Beckinsale — coming in January 2012, and “The Raven” with John Cusack — due in theaters March 2012.
Action/adventure films are always huge at Comic-Con. This year, panels shown included “Immortals” with Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), Mickey Rourke, and John Hurt — due in theaters November 11, 2011; “Snow White and the Huntsman” with Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron — due in theaters June 2012; “Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance” with Nicolas Cage — due in February 2012; and the remake of “Total Recall” starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, and Bryan Cranston — due in theaters August 2012.
Though often hilarious, some comedy films promoted at Comic-Con are a departure from the traditional Sci-fi/Action-Adventure/Horror/Fantasy/Animation genres. But because comedy has evolved into such a significant part of pop culture today, films such as “30 Minutes or Less” with Jesse Eisenberg and Danny McBride — coming this August, fit right in. Even more-so the comedy/fantasy/adventure “Knights of Badassdom” with Peter Dinklage, Ryan Kwanten, Danny Pudi, Jimmi Simpson, and Summer Glau — due out this year, was highly appropriate for Comic-Con. Crawling with Larper enthusiasts, this panel was a blast.
Beyond Hall H and the Convention Center, Comic-Con film festivities also traveled into the heart of the Gaslamp and East Village. On opening day of Comic-Con (Thursday), Comic-Con attendees were treated to all-day showings of “Captain America: The First Avenger” at the UA/Horton Plaza movie theater — one day prior to its public release.
Thursday night outside Petco Park was no less entertaining. Along one of Petco Parks giant outside walls, acrobats from Cirque du Soleil presented a fight scene from the Las Vegas production “Kà.” Then later on that evening, around 10pm, The Gaslamp/Reading Cinemas presented a private screening of the comedy/action-adventure “Attack the Block” followed by a Q & A segment with director Joe Cornish and producer Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz).
On Saturday night, the downtown Civic Theatre turned into a major new destination for Comic-Con festivities. Some months ago, director Jon Favreau decided to premiere his latest film “Cowboys & Aliens” — a Sci-fi western set in the 1800s, during Comic-Con weekend. Inviting fans to this world premiere was Favreau’s way of saying thanks to all the Comic-Con fans who have supported his films over the years — those films such as “Iron Man 1 and 2.”
Anyone who saw the enormous “Cowboys & Aliens” banner on the side of the Hilton Bayfront Hotel during Comic-Con had a chance to win tickets to the 8pm premiere on Saturday. Upon entering the text number provided at the bottom of the movie banner, Texters received the message: “Be on the look out for ‘Cowboys & Aliens’ gold bricks – get one and you could win tickets to the World Premiere at the San Diego Civic Theatre, Saturday, July 23!”
Hundreds of spectators showed up. Attendees of the “Cowboys & Aliens” premiere were not only treated to a free film, but a first-hand look at the films cast and crew during their red carpet entrance. Featured celebrities included actors Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, and Sam Rockwell; director Jon Favreau; producers Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard; and others. Following the premiere — an outdoor party with complimentary food and drink were provided for everyone.
The Comic-Con parties continued for days. Among the most popular were those held at The Hard Rock Hotel, the Omni Hotel, and the Hotel Solamar.
On Thursday at the Hard Rock, Summit Entertainment and Fandango hosted such actors as Alexander Skarsgard and Ryan Kwanten of "True Blood," along with cast members from the “Twilight” films. The FilmDistrict party, also at the Hard Rock, included such guests as Guillermo del Toro and Guy Pearce.
Thursday’s Showtime party at the Omni Hotel featured guests Michael C. Hall (Dexter) and William H. Macy (Shameless). Also that evening, the Maxim Magazine party received such guests as Danny Devito (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Elijah Wood (Wilfred) and Jason Gann in his "Wilfred" dog-suit, and Chris Parnell and Aisha Tyler (Archer).
Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment put on a bash of their own on Friday at Float atop the Hard Rock. Guests included cast members from "Vampire Diaries” and the "Big Bang Theory;" and crashing the party was everyone’s favorite late night flaming red-headed TV host, Conan "Coco" O'Brien. Earlier that day, O’Brien showed up unannounced during the Warner Bros. “Green Lantern” animated series panel in Room 6BCF. The purpose of O’Brien’s surprise visit — to present a trailer of his new animated picture based on his alter ego — “The Flaming C.” Conan further impressed fans with a special appearance at the Flaming C Art Gallery on Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp, featuring “the Art of Conan,” created by several of his devoted fans. The free exhibit was open during Comic-Con and closed Sunday evening.
The Syfy and E! party on Saturday at the Hotel Solamar hosted such guests as Steven Soderbergh, promoting his upcoming film “Haywire” with Ewan McGregor — coming out in January 2012; and Bryan Cranston of AMC’s "Breaking Bad," who was there to promote the remake of “Total Recall.” Also in attendance was Quentin Tarantino, who is working on a spaghetti western called “Django Unchained” starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Kevin Costner, Samuel L. Jackson, and Christoph Waltz — scheduled to open in December 2012. In other Tarantino news — originally slated for 2013 — ten years after the release of "Kill Bill: Vol. 1;" "Kill Bill: Vol. 3"starring Uma Thurman and Daryl Hannah, is expected to hit theatres in 2014.
Comic-Con.org will be posting a look back at Comic-Con International 2011 in the coming weeks. More Comic-Con news is also available via Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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