As we edge closer to release, more and more TV spots and clips are coming out to promote 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. This clip is definitely interesting and looks to set the stage for the much talked about prison break scene. I will definitely be at the theater Thursday night for this.
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The next animated DC film will be 'Justice League: Throne of Atlantis'. As the title implies, the film will be Aquaman-centric. Below is the first look at Aquaman in the movie. He looks pretty cool. What do you think of the new look? It is definitely better then 'Flashpoint Paradox'.
In preparation for Comic-Con, Entertainment Weekly has gotten the first big reveal for 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron'. Below are stills from the movie. The article confirms that Tony Stark is the man that creates Ultron. Ultron is created to lead Stark's Iron Legion so that Tony can step away from being Iron Man. Unfortunately, the A.I. has the opinion that Earth would be better without humans. That small plot detail seems to confirm the most bare plot we all expected. Pretty exciting stuff. This is definitely the best look Captain America and Thor costume. Iron Man looks slick. Ultron looks bada**. What do you think of all of this? I liked 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'. I thought it was good, but not great. It was missing that little pizzazz that made watching it a second time a must. 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' is so much better then 'Rise'. Every conceivable aspect of the first film was improved and pretty close to perfected. What made this film work was that it isn't your regular, everyday Hollywood blockbuster.This is a film with a story to tell and it did that. We are on a journey to figure out how the planet got to where the apes ruled it. The basic premise is the humans need access to a hydroelectric dam and it is on the apes territory. The apes don't trust the humans and the movie explores that playground. Rather then focus on that bare plot, the writers and director decided to layer it with meaningful sub-stories. This movie had a focus on trust and family. All the time through the movie the apes were struggling with trusting the humans. It is expected when us humans used the apes as test subjects for years. But there was also the fact that if the apes did this for the humans, then the humans would leave them alone in peace. These themes put all the characters at odds with one enough. It is tough when no one is really backing up the leaders, Malcolm (humans) and Caesar (apes). The way the story unfolds was organic and had no dead points. I felt everything was crucial to the story. There were some truly beautiful moments, mainly when the apes and humans had a moment of harmony and understanding together. There were turns I didn't expect, but still loved. The fact that this story explored bigger themes, rather then try to just entertain you was a huge accomplishment for this film. The performances were just amazing. What more can you say about Andy Serkis? This guy knows exactly what notes to hit and how to connect the audience to a character. It is amazing that he made an ape so relatable with nothing more then a few words, some grunts, and his actions. I mean this was Oscar-worthy stuff. Caesar was a being struggling with the decision to trust humans or listen to his family, and they captured that so brilliantly with the mo-cap. I was just in awe every time Caesar or really any ape was on-screen. Toby Kebbell is a name we will hear a lot about in the future. I didn't know much about, besides him being the future Doctor Doom, before this movie, but after this I am excited to see that play out. Kebbell really gave Serkis a run for his money on the mo-cap performance. Koba probably had the most interesting character arc. I feel like it couldn't have been accomplished without Kebbell's performance. This ape went from hater to dictator during the course of the film and I loved every second of Koba. Nick Thurston as Blue Eyes, Caesar's son, was another fantastic performance. It was very subtle, and it worked. Blue Eyes is also a very conflicted ape, torn between what he thinks is right and what his father believes. The character had a certain innocence to him and it was perfect. The human cast wasn't give much to do, but that was due to this being an ape-centric story. Jason Clarke was a much better lead then James Franco. Clarke was the human mouthpiece, but he was also the key human relationship with Caesar. This relationship was one of the best in the movie. This were both leaders struggling with their positions. Gary Oldman wasn't given much to do, but he was entertaining. And Keri Russell was just underused. She was there to give the human story some emotion and heart, and she succeeded. She gave us a bit to connect to. Overall, the performances were some of the best, no matter the amount of material given. Something has to be said about Michael Giacchino's score. What he crafted is so unique and different from anything else we have heard. It has originality and creativity that we haven't heard from a film in a while. Giacchino uses many different instruments to create this. I felt like the score elevated the movie in so many ways. That were a bunch of different wheels spinning. It was just so unique and fantastic. Great work by Giacchino. The VFX/action parts were jaw-dropping. There wasn't much action, per se, but the action that was present was fantastic. The was one particular battle at the very end that was just plain cool. It was intense, epic, and yet intimate. There was also a big-scale battle that was pretty darn awesome. Seeing it all come together and some of the choices they made, enhanced the battle. The VFX were amazing, if you couldn't already tell. The apes look and feel like humans. The thing that is awesome is the fact that they can hold a scene with no humans together. They are the most interesting characters on screen at all times. Bravo to Weta, Serkis, Matt Reeves, and the other mo-cap actors for what they accomplished with the apes. Overall, this was the best 'Apes' film. It probably had something to do with the ape-centric story and the fantastic performances. Matt Reeves really succeeded with making an epic, yet thought-provoking film. Adding in those themes and giving them some credibility on screen, all while make the film interesting is really a truly remarkable thing. I can't wait to see what Reeves brings to the next 'Apes' movie.
Us fans were getting excited for Comic-Con this year. I mean this is the year to go. 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron', 'Star Wars: Episode VII', 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice', Marvel Phase 3, DC Cinematic Universe, 'X-Men: Apocalypse', 'Fantastic Four', Sony's Spider-Man franchise, and many more exciting prospects are scheduled to hit the big screen with-in the next 3 years. This should be the biggest Comic-Con. Exciting trailers, new costumes, planned universes, maybe even studios teaming-up were what we all thought we may get this year. Instead, the studios that have announced a presentation have left their comic books at home. No DC movies are anywhere to be found on Warner Bros docket. FOX has no mention of 'X-Men' or 'Fantastic Four'. Sony's 'Spider-Man' is nowhere to be found. Marvel hasn't played their cards, yet.
So what's the deal? The short version is it is all being kept secret right now. There just can't be anyway these studios show up at Comic-Con and not announce any future prospects. You saw what happened when Warner Bros announced 'Batman v Superman' last year. No one knew about it, and when it was revealed the whole crowd lost their minds. I think the studios want to recreate this. Sony will announce something on Spider-Man. It will probably be 'Sinister Six' focused since that is next up on their schedule. We may get casting, concept art, or a date. We may also get some story hints about 'The Amazing Spider-Man 3'. FOX should show some brief footage and bring the cast of the Fantastic Four reboot together for a few minutes. They will likely show the new costumes for the team. I could also see them giving some details on 'X-Men: Apocalypse'. Warner Bros should be the heavy hitters this year. They could win Comic-Con if they present the right way. They have the 4 most highly-anticipated comic-book shows on TV, 3 of which are new. They have a budding film franchise. So what should they do? I expect a Wonder Woman costume reveal, a picture of Batman and Superman or the Trinity together, and just the briefest of a teaser trailer. Nothing to revealing, but enough to make the crowd lose their mind. Maybe announce the physical villain in the 'Batman v Superman'. Then the big hit would be announcing 'Justice League' and bringing the whole cast and director out. They don't have to announce anything besides that, and they would instantly win Comic-Con this year. Marvel will likely show 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron' footage, Paul Rudd in 'Ant-Man' costume, announce Doctor Strange, and reveal their Phase 3 plans. As for 'Star Wars', just show a synopsis, a logo, or a picture of something important in the movie. If even 2/3s of everything above happened, this would be one of the best Comic-Cons ever. I wish the studios would drum up more excitement for their comic book properties, but because of the times we live in, I feel like this is how Comic-Con will start out every year. But then every year, we will freak out with geek joy when the studios announce their movie plans. Do you agree with what I said? What do you think will be at SDCC this year? Marvel Studios has confirmed they will be in Hall-H this year. They haven't revealed what they want to do in Hall-H, though. Just to point out this is the Marvel Movie Branch, rather then the TV Branch I reported about the other day. Right now, we have some minor confirmation of 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron' and 'Guardians of the Galaxy' have some presence there. I would also say that it is safe to assume that 'Ant-Man', 'Doctor Strange', and the rest of phase 3 will also have a presence. Here is the announcement. Marvel will take the stage once more at Comic-Con International's Hall H in San Diego Saturday, July 26 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. PT, where Marvel Studios President and Producer Kevin Feige and special guests will provide an inside look at the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe! While that's all we can tell you right now, those of you who can't make it to San Diego this year can sign up for our special liveblog of the event directly below to get all the news as it breaks, and for more on San Diego Comic-Con and Marvel Studios keep your eyes on Marvel.com!
Marvel must be happy with the estimates for the opening of 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. Early estimates are said to put the movie at $60+ million with the potential to get to $80 million. That is pretty exciting stuff. This is really Marvel's first big risk, and for it to have the potential to open with more then 'Captain America: The First Avenger' and 'Thor' is definitely good news for those of us hoping for more risks out of Marvel's camp. It might not be too far out of the question to get a 'Guardians of the Galaxy' sequel announcement at Comic-Con this year.
It seems like that 'Fantastic Four' rumor has been squashed as soon as it was started. FOX just announced their schedule at their Comic-Con presentation and their is a lack of 'Fantastic Four'. This could all be to keep it secret, but we won't find out until a couple weeks. 20th Century Fox Comic-Con Presentation
4:20PM – 6:20PM in Hall H LET’S BE COPS Guests: Damon Wayans Jr, Rob Riggle and Keegan Michael-Key Release: August 13, 2014 It’s the ultimate buddy cop movie except for one thing: they’re not cops. When two struggling pals dress as police officers for a costume party, they become neighborhood sensations. But when these newly-minted “heroes” get tangled in a real life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line. THE MAZE RUNNER Guests: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter, Writer James Dashner and Director Wes Ball Release: September 19, 2014 When Thomas wakes up trapped in a massive maze with a group of other boys, he has no memory of the outside world other than strange dreams about a mysterious organization known as W.C.K.D. Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his true purpose and a way to escape. Based upon the best-selling novel by James Dashner. THE BOOK OF LIFE Guests: Channing Tatum, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate, Writer/Director Jorge Gutierrez and Producer Guillermo del Toro Release: October 17, 2014 THE BOOK OF LIFE, a vibrant fantasy-adventure, tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village. KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE Guests: Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Taron Egerton, Sophie Cookson, Sofia Boutella and Co-Creators Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons Release: October 24, 2014 Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X-Men First Class), Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius. HITMAN: AGENT 47 Guests: Zachary Quinto and Hannah Ware Release: February 27, 2015 Based on the top-selling, award-winning videogame franchise, “Agent 47” is an all-new motion picture about an elite and genetically engineered assassin, known only by the last two digits – 47 – of a barcode tattooed on the back of his neck. His latest target is a young woman on the run from powerful and clandestine forces. The mission brings startling revelations about the lethal agent and his prey, hurtling them on a collision course with their pasts. And this time, his number may be up. Comic-Con is right around the corner. Studios and companies are now announcing their plans for Comic-Con. Even though their have been some notable omissions (Star Wars: Episode 7, DC Cinematic Universe), Wednesday and Thursday both look like pretty darn good days. What popped out most to me was the seeming confirmation of a 'Goonies' sequel. Stay tuned for updates and coverage on San Diego Comic-Con 2014. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
6:00pm - Special Sneak Peek Pilot Screenings Comic-Con International and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue their annual Preview Night tradition, with exclusive world premiere screenings of the pilot episodes of three of the most highly anticipated series of the 2014-15 television season — The Flash, Constantine, and iZombie — as well as a brand new episode of Teen Titans Go! The Flash – From the Arrow creative team of executive producers Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg and director David Nutter, The Flash is a fast-paced superhero drama that follows the high-speed adventures of the Fastest Man Alive. Written by Berlanti, Kreisberg, and DC Entertainment’s chief creative officer Geoff Johns, the action drama follows Central City Police scientist Barry Allen, an everyday guy with the heart of a hero and the genuine desire to help others. Standing still emotionally since the day his mother was murdered (and his father unjustly jailed for the crime), Barry was taken in as a child by the investigating Detective West and raised in a cop’s home alongside West’s super-smart daughter (and Barry’s dream girl), Iris. But when an unexpected and devastating accident at the S.T.A.R. Labs Particle Accelerator facility strikes Barry, he finds himself suddenly charged with the incredible power to move at super speeds. While Barry has always been a hero in his soul, his newfound powers have finally given him the ability to act like one. With a winning personality and a smile on his face, Barry Allen-aka The Flash-is finally moving forward in life…very, very fast! The series stars Grant Gustin (Arrow), Candice Patton (The Game), Rick Cosnett (The Vampire Diaries), Danielle Panabaker (Necessary Roughness ), Carolos Valdes (on Broadway: Once), along with Tom Cavanagh (Ed) and Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order). From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, The Flash premieres this fall Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW. Constantine – John Constantine is a man waging war against the forces of darkness-from both within himself and the outside world. An irreverent, working-class con man and occult expert, he’s an experienced exorcist and demonologist with an extensive list of supernatural contacts, each with their own paranormal talents and abilities. Following the aftermath of a tragic incident, Constantine has voluntarily checked himself into an asylum and sworn off investigating matters of the supernatural, but when a cryptic message calls him out to reluctantly resume his old life, he finds himself saving the life of a young woman whom he’s never met but to whom he is connected to in a very important way. With dark forces gathering power in the world, Constantine allies himself with Manny, a rogue warrior angel, and Chas, his giant childhood protector-and the only friend who’s managed to stay alive. Based on characters published by DC Entertainment, Constantine reflects the lore of the fan-favorite comic, combining noirish storytelling with the evolving mythology of John Constantine, a morally challenged character who doesn’t come down on the side of either good or evil…but ultimately might be the only thing defending us against the dark forces from beyond. The series stars Matt Ryan (Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior), Harold Perrineau (Lost), and Charles Halford (True Detective) and is executive produced by Daniel Cerone (Dexter) and David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight trilogy). From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television, Constantine will air Fridays at 10/9c on NBC this fall, premiering October 24. iZombie – Olivia “Liv” Moore, a 25-year-old medical resident, is on the fast track to a perfect life…until she’s turned into a zombie. Now stuck somewhere between half-alive and undead, Liv loses all traces of her former drive and ambition. She transfers her medical residency to the city morgue in order to reluctantly access the only real form of sustenance left available to her-and the only thing that allows her to maintain her humanity-human brains. But there are side effects to Liv’s new diet: With each brain she consumes, Liv experiences “visions”-flashes of the corpse’s memories-including, in some cases, clues as to how they were killed. The series stars Rose McIver (Once Upon a Time), Malcolm Goodwin (Breakout Kings), Rahul Kohli, Robert Buckley (One Tree Hill), David Anders (Heroes) and Nora Dunn (Entourage), and is executive produced by Veronica Mars veterans Rob Thomas, Diane Ruggiero-Wright, Danielle Stokdyk, and Dan Etheridge. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Spondoolie Productions and Warner Bros. Television and based on characters created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, published by DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint, iZombie premieres midseason on The CW. Teen Titans Go! – The Teen Titans are back at it again, in Teen Titans Go!, with all new comedic adventures both in and out of Titans Tower, and tonight you’ll get to see a brand new episode. Based on DC Comics characters and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Teen Titans Go! airs Thursdays at 6/5c on Cartoon Network. Wednesday July 23, 2014 6:00pm – 10:00pm Ballroom 20 THURSDAY, JULY 24 24 Jack is back at Comic-Con, damn it! Kiefer Sutherland takes the stage to celebrate 24′s most iconic moments and highlights of Jack Bauer’s triumphant return in 24: Live Another Day. Catch the exclusive sneak peek at highly anticipated Blu-ray and DVD featurette, Worlds Collide, illustrating how the pulse-pounding storytelling was created for this thrilling new season. Screening and discussion moderated by executive producer Jon Cassar to be followed by Q&A. Thursday July 24, 2014 10:00am – 11:00am Ballroom 20 The Witcher A franchise spanning literature, comics, film & television, board games, and widely popular video games, The Witcher has touched millions with its engaging characters and exciting adventures. A diverse panel of experts discuss the many aspects of this renowned universe. Be the first to see new Dark Horse publications, see the first-ever live consumer demo of the upcoming The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt video game, and get a chance to meet the team behind Wild Hunt. Panelists include actors Doug Cockle (Geralt of Rivia, The Witcher franchise), Dark Horse Comics author Paul Tobin (The Witcher House of Glass), Nick McWhorter, CD PROJEKT RED’s game developers Damien Monnier and Lukasz Wnek (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt), and Rafal Jaki. Moderated by SpikeTV’s Geoff Keighley. Thursday July 24, 2014 10:00am – 11:00am Room 6A The Legacy and Return of Battlestar Galactica Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek, Captain Apollo), Jamie Bamber (Lee Adama), and Dr. Kevin Grazier (science consultant for Falling Skies, Battlestar Galactica, Eureka) host a discussion and Q&A on the upcoming Battlestar Galactica movie and where fans would like to see the story and characters go. Panelists include Luciana Carro (Battlestar Galactica, Falling Skies) and producer Alec Peters (Propworks, Battlestar Galactica auction, Axanar), plus surprise guests and theatrical trailers. Thursday July 24, 2014 10:30am – 11:30am Room 6BCF Hasbro: Transformers Members of the Hasbro and Hasbro Studios team will give fans an exclusive sneak peek at the new animated series Transformers: Robots In Disguise airing in early 2015 on Hub Network in the U.S. and globally. Attendees will also get a first look at the third season of Transformers: Rescue Bots, also airing on the Hub Network. In addition, attendees can celebrate the 30-year legacy of the Transformers brand and experience exclusive reveals of never-beefore-seen product. The Transformers team members will also host some Q&A for your burning Transformers questions! Thursday July 24, 2014 11:00am – 12:00pm Room 25ABC Under the Dome: Panel and Exclusive Sneak Preview The hit summer series is back for its second season, bigger than ever with higher stakes and catastrophic developments that leave no one safe under the dome. The inhabitants of Chester’s Mill must decide who to rally behind as Big Jim continues to fight for the town’s trust and allegiance, all while resources dwindle and the post-apocalyptic conditions continue to intensify. There are new faces, bigger mysteries, betrayal of alliances, and monumental revelations about the dome, which will lead to a shocking discovery of what is behind it. Journey back under the dome, where you can’t always believe what you see and nothing is impossible. An exclusive sneak preview at what’s to come in season 2 will be followed by a panel discussion with the cast: Mike Vogel (Bates Motel), Dean Norris (Breaking Bad), Rachelle Lefevre (Twilight), Alexander Koch, Colin Ford, and Mackenzie Lintz, along with executive producer Neal Baer. Thursday July 24, 2014 11:15am – 12:00pm Ballroom 20 Toy Story That Time Forgot Calling all Toy Story fans! ABC and Disney•Pixar present an exclusive first look at the upcoming holiday special, Toy Story That Time Forgot. Executive producer Galyn Susman (Toy Story OF TERROR!), director Steve Purcell (Brave), and head of story Derek Thompson (WALL•E) give you an exclusive inside look at the sketches, storyboards, and concepts that went into the making of this Disney•Pixar special! Thursday July 24, 2014 11:15am – 12:15pm Room 6A Dig: A USA Network Event Series USA Network’s highly anticipated new television event series, Dig, makes its debut at Comic-Con! From co-creators Tim Kring (creator and executive producer of Heroes) and Gideon Raff (executive producer of Homeland), Dig follows an FBI agent stationed in Israel who, while investigating the murder of a young American archaeologist, uncovers a global conspiracy 2,000 years in the making. The panel will give fans an inside look into this fast-paced international thriller as Tim Kring and cast members discuss the new series. Gideon Raff and series stars Jason Isaacs (Awake, Harry Potter) and Anne Heche (Save Me, Hung) will join the discussion LIVE from location in Israel via satellite for an interactive Q&A. Attendees will be the first to see an exclusive preview from the new series and learn how they can #DigDeeper into the action before the series premieres this fall on USA. Thursday July 24, 2014 11:30am – 12:30pm Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront Dreamworks Animation TBA Thursday July 24, 2014 11:30am – 1:00pm Hall H Halo: Nightfall: A First Look Prepare for your next step in the Halo Journey with a deep dive into Halo: Nightfall, the upcoming live-action digital series from 343 Industries and Scott Free Productions. Panelists include 343′s Kiki Wolfkill (executive producer) and Frank O’Connor (franchise development director) along with key Halo: Nightfall cast and crew. Be among the first to get the details of the story and production. They’ll also share a groundbreaking new experience that will play a big part in how stories are told in the Halo Universe. Thursday July 24, 2014 11:45am – 12:45pm Room 6BCF Scorpion: World Premiere Screening and Panel Discover the new CBS drama coming this fall, based on the true story of Walter O’Brien, an eccentric genius with the world’s fourth highest IQ who has created a company of brilliant misfits who use their mental muscle to defend the planet against complex high-tech threats of the modern age. In this high-octane thrill ride from the makers of Star Trek, Transformers, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and The Fast and the Furious, O’Brien’s team uses their exceptional brainpower to solve the nation’s crises, while also helping each other learn how to fit in. The world premiere screening of the pilot episode will be followed by a panel discussion with the real-life Walter O’Brien, along with series stars Elyes Gabel (World War Z), Robert Patrick (Terminator 2), and Katharine McPhee (Smash),and executive producers Nick Santora, Nicholas Wootton, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, and Justin Lin. Thursday July 24, 2014 12:05pm – 1:10pm Ballroom 20 Sony Pictures Entertainment Get your first look at two of next summer’s most anticipated films. First, Scholastic’s iconic book series Goosebumps, written by R. L. Stine, has already captured the world’s imagination-selling over 400 million books worldwide. Now it’s coming to the big screen, with Jack Black starring as the author himself and Rob Letterman directing. Jack and Rob will tell you all about how Stine’s monsters are coming to life on the big screen. The film hits theaters on August 7, 2015. Then, stay tuned as director Chris Columbus has a special video announcement about his upcoming film Pixels, starring Adam Sandler (in theaters May 15, 2015)-you’ll find out how one lucky Comic-Con badge-holder might win a chance to be a part of the movie. Thursday July 24, 2014 12:30pm – 1:30pm Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront TNT’s Legends Screening & Panel TNT presents an exclusive screening of the new suspense-filled drama Legends from Homeland producers Howard Gordon and Alexander Cary and Fringe co-executive producer David Wilcox, starring Sean Bean (Game of Thrones) as Martin Odum, an undercover agent working for the FBI’s Deep Cover Operations (DCO) division. Martin has the uncanny ability to transform himself into a completely different person for each job. But he begins to question his own identity when a mysterious stranger suggests that Martin isn’t the man he believes himself to be. Following the screening, stars and producers will provide fans with an exclusive sneak peek at this new series and an opportunity to hear about the exciting first season. Thursday July 24, 2014 12:30pm – 1:30pm Room 6A Batman in the ’70s In celebration of Batman’s 75th birthday, panelists look back at a crucial decade in the life of the Caped Crusader. It was a time of change as new writers and artists brought forth new interpretations of this classic character. On hand to discuss it are many of the those who were there: Neal Adams, Denny O’Neil, Michael Uslan, Len Wein, and Anthony Tollin, along with moderator Mark Evanier. Thursday July 24, 2014 1:00pm – 2:00pm Room 5AB Marvel: House of Ideas Love having the best comics in the industry on your mobile devices? Want to know how Marvel stays on the cutting edge of technology while bringing you what you love? Want to learn more about Infinite Comics? Well, this panel is for you, True Believer! Get exciting news from Ryan Penagos (executive editorial director of digital) and other guests on what’s happening with the Marvel Comics App, Marvel AR, Marvel.com, Marvel’s vast social media presence, and more in this can’t-miss panel! Thursday July 24, 2014 1:00pm – 2:00pm Room 7AB Reign: Panel & Exclusive Sneak Preview The saga of Mary, Queen of Scots continues when Reign returns for its second season this fall. Mary and Francis will rule a nation burning with plague, famine, and religious strife. Powerful lords will rise from the ashes, fears and superstitions will take terrifying forms, marriages deemed sacred will be violated; all as Mary tries to save herself and her friends, and Francis learns his true enemy might be his own family. An exclusive sneak preview at what’s to come in season 2 will be followed by a panel discussion with the cast Adelaide Kane (Teen Wolf), Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables) and Toby Regbo (Mr. Nobody), along with executive producer Laurie McCarthy. Thursday July 24, 2014 1:15pm – 2:00pm Ballroom 20 The Giver Twenty years in the making, fans of the novel can rejoice: The Giver is coming to the big screen. The Weinstein Company and Walden Media will premiere exclusive footage from the upcoming film with stars Jeff Bridges, Brenton Thwaites, Odeya Rush, director Phillip Noyce, and bestselling author Lois Lowry. Thursday July 24, 2014 1:30pm – 2:30pm Hall H Comedy Central: Key & Peele and Introducing Moonbeam City! Key & Peele stars Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, who are best known for their impressive ability for improv, celebrity impressions, and conjuring up original characters including “Obama and Luther,” “The Valet Guys,” “Mr. Garvey, the Substitute Teacher” and the players from the annual “East/West College Bowl.” Whether it’s satirizing the President, spoofing musical acts, or taking on religion, Key & Peele showcases their chemistry, camaraderie and unique point of view, born from their shared background and experiences growing up biracial in a not quite post-racial world. Join the stars of Comedy Central’s Key & Peele as they go behind the scenes, reveal details on their upcoming new season, and more! Panel to be moderated by actor and comedian, Tom Lennon. – The party continues with a FIRST EVER look at Comedy Central’s newest animated series Moonbeam City. Moonbeam City is an absurdist take on the gritty, sex-drenched crime dramas from the 1980s. The series follows undercover detective Dazzle Novak (voiced by Rob Lowe), a handsome idiot who commits more crimes than most criminals. His tyrannical chief, Pizzaz Miller (Elizabeth Banks), won’t get off his back, and hotshot rookie Rad Cunningham (Will Forte) is dying to see him fail. With the world against him, Dazzle is thrust into a living nightmare: having to do actual police work. Join series creator and executive producer, Scott Gairdner and the voice of Dazzle, Rob Lowe, as they reveal details for the first time on Comedy Central’s next big animated series! Panel to be moderated by Moonbeam City head-writer, Tommy Blacha. Thursday July 24, 2014 1:30pm – 3:00pm Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront The Last Ship: Season 1 Panel TNT’s new action-packed drama The Last Ship-from executive producer Michael Bay-is the epic tale of the Navy captain and crew of the U.S.S. Nathan James who find themselves in the midst of a global catastrophe that nearly decimates the world’s population. Join the stars and producers as they provide details on the making of the series. In addition, fans will get to enjoy an exclusive sneak peek of the show. Thursday July 24, 2014 1:45pm – 2:45pm Room 6A Comic-Con How-To: Gray Scale Copic Markers Adam Hughes will use the warm and cool gray Copic markers to render the tones on a drawing. Fellow artist Allison Sohn will narrate the process while Adam draws. Hughes has been working in comics for over 25 years. Some of his work from the past year includes a story in Batman Black and White as well as the covers to the Vertigo series Fairest and the Dark Horse series Rebel Heist. Thursday July 24, 2014 1:45pm – 3:15pm Room 2 The Art of Big Hero Six Walt Disney Animation Studios presents director Don Hall, producer Roy Conli, production designer Paul Felix and character designer Shiyoon Kim as they share the visual development of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ November 7, 2014 film, Big Hero 6. The action-packed comedy adventure tells the story of robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who learns to harness his genius – thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi and their like-minded friends: adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to his closest companion – a robot named Baymax – and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery. Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name. Thursday July 24, 2014 2:00pm – 3:00pm Room 7AB Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures will provide an inside look at their upcoming films. Attendees will view exclusive footage presented by special guests and hear the latest news for some of the year’s most anticipated movies! Thursday July 24, 2014 3:00pm – 4:00pm Hall H The Inspiration that Brought Far Cry 4′s Kyrat to Life and the Quest for Everest Go behind the scenes with the research that went into building Far Cry 4′s open-world Kyrat for the next generation. The team traveled to Nepal with VICE to draw inspiration and create authentic Kyrati characters and environments native to the region. Also learn more about Far Cry 4′s Quest for Everest, when panelists pick a winner for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the first to play a video game on Mount Everest. Thursday July 24, 2014 3:15pm – 4:15pm Room 6DE DC Comics: Batman 75: Legends of the Dark Knight In his 75-year publishing history, Batman has grown into one of the most popular and influential icons of all time. Don’t miss this historic panel with the legendary creators such as Neal Adams, Greg Capullo, Geoff Johns, Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Denny O’Neil, and Scott Snyder, who have shaped the Dark Knight into the hero he is today. Thursday July 24, 2014 3:30pm – 4:30pm Room 6BCF IDW Artist’s Editions Artist’s Edition editor Scott Dunbier blathers on and on about Artist’s Editions past, present, and future. There will be a couple of cool announcements as well as special guests Walter Simonson and IDW president (and art lover) Greg Goldstein-what more could you possibly want? Thursday July 24, 2014 3:30pm – 4:30pm Room 4 Teen Wolf MTV’s hit drama Teen Wolf returns to Comic-Con for the fifth consecutive year. The pack of Tyler Posey, Dylan O’Brien, Tyler Hoechlin, Holland Roden, and new cast members Shelley Hennig and Dylan Sprayberry, along with executive producer Jeff Davis, share secrets, debut a new mid-season trailer, and answer fan questions. Moderated by Buzzfeed senior editor Jarett Wieselman. Thursday July 24, 2014 3:30pm – 4:30pm Ballroom 20 George R. R. Martin Discusses In the House of the Worm New York Times bestselling author George R. R. Martin (Game of Thrones) discusses his novels, projects, and the visceral new In the House of the Worm comic book series. Moderator William Christensen (Avatar Press publisher) conducts this Q&A with Martin live and in person! Thursday July 24, 2014 4:00pm – 5:00pm Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront Entertainment Weekly: The Visionaries A discussion between a couple of blockbuster directors on the art of filmmaking and a wide-ranging discussion about the future of film. Thursday July 24, 2014 4:30pm – 5:30pm Hall H Hannibal: Embrace the Madness Join the creative minds behind the award-winning TV seriesHannibal. The menu will include executive producer/creator Bryan Fuller, executive producer/writer Steven Lightfoot, director David Slade, executive producer Martha DeLaurentiis, and stars Caroline Dhavernas (Dr. Alana Bloom), Scott Thompson, and Aaron Abrams (Special Agents Jimmy Price and Brian Zeller), in a panel moderated by Jonathan Ross. They’ll serve behind-the-scenes discussion from the second season, paired with sneak previews of what’s to come in season 3, not to mention a few surprises along the way. Bon appétit, Fannibals! Thursday July 24, 2014 4:45pm – 5:45pm Ballroom 20 The World of Capcom Moderator Francis Mao (Capcom) and a panel of Capcom staff members share the latest updates on all the hot, new Capcom games, including Ultra Street Fighter IV, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Dead Rising 3, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, plus sneak peeks at all the latest cool Capcom merchandise and maybe a surprise or two. Thursday July 24, 2014 4:45pm – 5:45pm Room 6BCF Witches of East End Darkness is rising! Get an exclusive look at what’s in store as season two unfolds, plus an audience Q&A with the entire star-studded cast: Julia Ormond, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Rachel Boston, Mädchen Amick, Daniel DiTomasso, and Eric Winter, plus executive producers Rich Hatem (Supernatural, Grimm) and Maggie Friedman (Eastwick). Thursday July 24, 2014 5:45pm – 6:45pm Room 6DE A Universe of Terror Drawn to One Panel: Aliens, Predator, Prometheus, and Beyond Nearly 30 years ago, Dark Horse rewrote the rules of licensed comics with the release of Aliens, continuing the story lines of Ridley Scott’s iconic film franchise. Predator and the iconic crossover Aliens Vs. Predator followed, with each series practically outselling the last. Now, the publisher partners with Scott again, to bring sci-fi epic Prometheus to comics. With just under two months away from the launch of the ambitious and highly anticipated crossover, Fire and Stone, Dark Horse editor-in-chief Scott Allie, writers Chris Roberson (Aliens), Joshua Williamson (Predator), Christopher Sebela (Aliens Vs. Predator), and the Prometheus team of Paul Tobin and Juan Ferrerya, reveal just what’s in store for this grand universe! Thursday July 24, 2014 6:00pm – 7:00pm Room 9 Holy Bat Panels! Get all the details on the most anticipated home entertainment release in fanboy history when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment reunites pop icons Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar on the Hall H stage for a Bat-tastic look at Batman: The Complete TV Series. The actors behind Batman, Robin. and Catwoman, along with moderator Ralph Garman, will give you an inside sneak peek at all the exclusive content within this blockbuster home entertainment release, as well as exhibiting dazzling HD remastered footage from the landmark series. Batman: The Complete TV Series will be released in November 2014. Thursday July 24, 2014 6:00pm – 7:00pm Hall H Childrens Hospital Special Video Presentation and Q&A Adult Swim’s two-time Emmy-winning live-action comedy returns to Comic-Con for a fifth year! Creator and star Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) will share an exclusive video sneak peek at season 6, and will be joined onstage by select cast for a lively and medically accurate Q&A. From Abominable Pictures, The Corddry Company and Warner Bros. Television Group’s Studio 2.0, Childrens Hospital will premiere with new episodes on Adult Swim in 2015. Thursday July 24, 2014 6:00pm – 7:00pm Room 25ABC Goonies Never Say Die With Richard Donner’s announcement that a sequel to his beloved 1985 classic The Goonies is on the way, join Goonies cast members to explore how it became an iconic movie for an entire generation, why the film has stood the test of time, and possible insights into the much anticipated sequel. Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) moderates a panel of cast members and special surprise guests, including a Q&A session. Thursday July 24, 2014 6:00pm – 7:00pm Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront Showtime: Penny Dreadful Creator and showrunner John Logan is joined by spellbinding stars Josh Hartnett (Ethan Chandler), Reeve Carney (Dorian Gray), and Harry Treadaway (Victor Frankenstein), as the monstrous new series possesses Ballroom 20. Enter the demimonde to find out what moments haunt the writer and cast from the first season and view a sneak peek to see what the cards reveal about the season ahead. The panel will be moderated by Emmy Award-nominated actress and host Aisha Tyler (Archer, The Talk), followed by a Q&A session with the “Dreadfuls.” Penny Dreadful returns to Showtime in 2015. Thursday July 24, 2014 6:00pm – 7:00pm Ballroom 20 The Heroes of Star Wars Rebels The almost 20-year stretch of Star Wars history between Episodes III and IV is a dark time in the galaxy that has never before been explored on screen. The evil Galactic Empire has tightened its grip and only a select few are brave enough to stand against tyranny and ignite a rebellion. Join Star Wars Rebels executive producers Dave Filoni and Simon Kinberg as well as series stars Freddie Prinze, Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Steve Blum, Tiya Sircar, and Taylor Gray for an exclusive preview of what’s to come this Fall on Disney XD in this eagerly awaited television series from Lucasfilm Animation. Thursday July 24, 2014 6:00pm – 7:00pm Room 6BCF Bad Hat Harry and Geek & Sundry Get Spooked Again! The cast and crew of Spooked reveal what’s next for the Paranormal Investigation Team! Executive produced by Bryan Singer (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Sheri Bryant, Jason Taylor, and Felicia Day, Spooked is a paranormal comedy following the “Paranormal Investigation Team” (P.I.T.) as they set out to uncover the awesomeness of the unknown. The show stars Julian Curtis (Captured), Neil Grayston (Eureka), Ashley Johnson (The Killing), Derek Mio (Greek), and Shyloh Oostwald (In Time). Meet the cast and crew, including director Richard Martin and creator Michael Gene Conti, as they look into the show’s future! Thursday July 24, 2014 6:45pm – 7:45pm Room 6A WWE Studios and Lionsgate: A Look Behind the Horror of Leprechaun: Origins and See No Evil 2 WWE Studios and Lionsgate host a panel for their soon to be released collaborationsLeprechaun: Origins and See No Evil 2. The panel will feature See No Evil 2 directors Jen and Sylvia Soska-the twisted twins of American Mary fame, who will be joined by their on-screen psychopath WWE Superstar Kane. Also in attendance will be director and VFX guru Zach Lipovsky (Tasmanian Devils), director of Leprechaun: Origins; and the star of the cult classic reboot, WWE Superstar Hornswoggle. The panel will include See No Evil 2 and Leprechaun: Origins producer and WWE Studios president Michael Luisi, who will unveil the hotly anticipated and re-imagined looks of the new Leprechaun and Jacob Goodnight. Thursday July 24, 2014 7:00pm – 8:00pm Room 7AB Sharknado 2: The Second One Get your chainsaws ready! A Sharknado is about to hit the Big Apple. Sharknado 2: The Second One stars Ian Ziering (Fin Shepard), Tara Reid (April Wexler), Kari Wuhrer (Ellen Brody), and Judah Friedlander (Bryan) and director Anthony C. Ferrante take you into the eye of the social media and pop culture storm of the century. Get exclusive details on Syfy’s global blockbuster, which will ravage nearly 90 countries, this July. Thursday July 24, 2014 7:15pm – 8:15pm Room 6BCF Well Fox is one company not keeping their Comic-Con comic book properties secret. Fox has announced that the new 'Fantastic Four' film will appear at SDCC '14 in some form. The following stars are rumored to appear.
While there is no official confirmation that the stars will be, it is better then anything we are hearing from the Marvel, Star Wars, and DC camp. Expect to see something, whether it be costumes, footage, or the cast together at Comic-Con this year.
'Man of Steel' was a great film that got a lot of unnecessary hate. I feel that most of the complaints are without basis. I hope I can dissect these problems in a way to help you better understand the movie. Superman is too serious
No. Just no. He isn't. There were a few Superman type jokes flying around (no pun intended). The interrogation scene and the end meeting with General Swanwick for example both had types of Superman humor. They were both very dry, matter-of-fact jokes. I feel like Superman humor falls in between Batman and The Flash. And in this film, it was portrayed like that. Also don't forget this is a man trying to figure who he is and his place on Earth. So he does have a right to be serious. And when most of the higher-ups in the world are calling for your head on a platter while you are dealing with a potential threat, I would think you have to be serious. Superman may have came off as too serious, but this man had a lot going on the movie. He needed to keep his head straight for most of it. There is too much destruction This is the argument I have the biggest problem with. The majority of the destruction couldn't have been stopped. Sure, the attack on Smallville could've been downscaled or taken out completely. Superman was furious at Zod for threatening his mother, though, and we all know Superman doesn't think with a clear head when he is mad. He defended his mother with raw emotion. That meant he wasn't thinking with his head. He could've tried to move the fight somewhere else, but it would be likely that Zod and Faora would've moved the fight right back to Smallville. And the destruction in Metropolis really couldn't have been stopped either. The world engine had already destroyed a good portion of the city. Superman should've tried to keep the fight contained there, but Zod made it clear that he wanted all the humans destroyed. Zod was going to try and cause as much destruction as possible. Superman was stuck in a hard place there. Superman doesn't care about the civilians Also wrong. He wouldn't have spent so much time in the beginning of the movie saving them. He saved the men off the oil rig. He saved Lois Lane. He turnt himself into the US military, so they could in turn hand him over to Zod. He might have not done to much in the big fight at the end, but that was because as I said, Zod and his gang where trying to wipe out humanity. If Superman didn't care about the civilians, why would he fight Zod and his crew instead of joning up with them? And why would he kill Zod, which brings me to another point. Superman doesn't kill Well where is this written in stone? Superman doesn't kill? He has before. It is a last resort move, but he will kill if it saves the lives of civilians. Zod said it best himself. One of them was going to die. Obviously it wasn't going to be Superman, because WB is trying to start a shared movie universe. Zod was about to kill some innocent people, and Superman pleaded with him to stop. When Zod said never, Superman had no choice. It was time for Zod to die. Lack of character development I have the least argument against this. This film gave plenty of development to Superman, Kal-El, and the relationship between him and Pa Kent and Jor-El. There was a lot devoted to Kal deciding his place in this world. Zod even had some development, if you think about it. He was created for only one purpose and he fought for that purpose until the end. He didn't change much, per se. But he stuck to his guns. The main development problem I had was Superman and Lois Lane's relationship. It was too rushed and it never really felt like they had a romantic connection. It seemed like they were just together, because they are Superman and Lois Lane. It just felt like there was little work put there. Overall, though, this was the best Superman movie to me. It hit all the right beats. It didn't have Superman as a beacon of hope for mankind, yet. But I feel in his third movie, it will. I say that, because if the rumors of him being an outcast in 'BvS' are true, then once he is gone the world will realize they need him. This movie was a stepping stone to getting Superman to where he is known. There were plenty of seeds planted to get this Superman to the one we know and love. It will take some time, but he will get there eventually. What do you think of 'Man of Steel'? It has been quite the week for 'Batman v Superman'. First there were the reports of many new characters and a lot of fan service in the script. Then came the news that the script was a fake penned by Kevin Smith. Smith rebuffed that claim, saying he had nothing to do with it. Having read the script, there is a lot of fan service and it seems that the majority of the rumors we have heard pertaining to this movie are in fact false. I am sure there are a few rumors that we have heard along the way that are true, but most of the rumors came straight out of this fake script. It must have been making it's way to the news outlets for awhile. All I can say, though, is whether or not Warner Bros hired this guy to write the script, they should be thanking him, because he has thrown everyone off track. I can say that the majority of us have no clue what is going to happen in this movie, besides the basic premise. I will also say that if this script takes any of the ideas from the proper script, then we are in for a heck of a time. Minus some bad dialogue, a few questionable character choices, and some odd story beats, this is a decent script. All it would need is some cleaning up and we could have a great film. Here is the script if you are interested in reading it. I am kinda glad knowing that the majority of what I thought I knew was false. I was starting to get a bit scared for the movie.
Another surprise for Comic-Con this year is the lack of 'Star Wars: Episode 7' on the schedule. I think there will still be some sort of surprise there this year. Some brief footage or concept art isn't out of the question. Thursday, July 24
The Heroes of Star Wars Rebels: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Room 6BCF The Empire. The Rebellion. The Beginning. Star Wars Rebels, Lucasfilm’s highly anticipated animated series detailing the start of the fight against the evil Empire, is coming this fall — but fans can get a big sneak peek at San Diego Comic-Con. Lucasfilm’s special panel, The Heroes of Star Wars Rebels, will feature executive producer Dave Filoni, as well as the first panel appearance by executive producer Simon Kinberg and stars Freddie Prinze, Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Steve Blum, Tiya Sircar, and Taylor Gray. They’ll discuss making the show and will reveal exclusive content from the upcoming series for fans in attendance. Star Wars Rebels continues the epic tradition of the legendary Star Wars saga with all-new exciting, action-packed adventures. It is a dark time in the galaxy, as the evil Galactic Empire tightens its grip of power from world to world. As the series begins, Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet, ruling with an iron fist and ruining the lives of its people. The clever and motley crew of the starship Ghost is amongst a select few who are brave enough to stand against the Empire. Together, this ragtag group will face threatening new villains, encounter colorful adversaries, embark on thrilling adventures and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion. Scheduled to premiere in the fall as a one-hour special telecast on Disney Channel, it will be followed by a series on Disney XD channels around the world. With Star Wars: Episode VII creators deep in production in anticipation of the film’s December 18, 2015, release, Lucasfilm will not be featuring the movie at SDCC. Friday, July 25, Star Wars Day Star Wars Origami: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Room 7AB Origami Master folder Chris Alexander (author of Star Wars Origami) demonstrates and teaches the master folding techniques to make Star Wars origami figures. Attendees will fold an exclusive Comic-Con model along with other art from the Star Wars universe. Materials included! Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Room 7AB For the first time, Lucasfilm has opened its Archives to present comprehensive storyboards for the original Star Wars trilogy — the world-changing A New Hope and its operatic sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi — as well as never-before-published art from early conceptual and deleted scenes, in a new book from Abrams: Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy. Former ILM art director Joe Johnston will discuss the newest addition to the Abrams Star Wars library, and the singular experience of creating the iconic trilogy’s storyboards with his stellar art dept team. Johnston won an Academy Award for Best Visual effects for his work on Raiders of the Lost Ark, and has directed Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, The Rocketeer, Jumanji, Jurassic Park III, Hidalgo, and Captain America: The First Avenger. Moderated by Lucasfilm editor J.W. Rinzler. Hasbro: Star Wars: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., Room 7AB Join members of the Hasbro brand and design team including Jeff Labovitz (director, Global Brand Marketing, Hasbro), Bill Rawley (design manager, Hasbro), and more as they discuss the popular Hasbro Star Wars line. Attendees will also get a sneak peek of upcoming, never-before-seen action figures from the highly anticipated Star Wars Rebels animated series. Star Wars: Collectibles Update: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00pm, Room 7AB Join eFX, Gentle Giant Studios, Kotobukiya, and Sideshow Collectibles for product development insights and exclusive previews of the latest in Star Wars collectibles. Moderated by Anita Castellar of Lucas Licensing. Star Wars: A New Dawn: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00p.m., Room 7AB The new era of Star Wars storytelling begins in September with Star Wars: A New Dawn. Join New York Times bestselling author John Jackson Miller, Shelly Shapiro (editor, Del Rey), Frank Parisi (editor, Del Rey), Jennifer Heddle (senior editor, Lucasfilm), Pablo Hidalgo (Lucasfilm Story Group), Vanessa Marshall (Hera in Star Wars Rebels), along with Dave Filoni (executive producer, Star Wars Rebels), as they discuss the planning and process of Star Wars: A New Dawn, and present the list of upcoming Star Wars novels from Del Rey. Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Room 7AB Ralph McQuarrie’s art for the original Star Wars trilogy is introduced to a new generation of young readers in Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight. Join New York Times bestselling author Tony DiTerlizzi as he talks about the conceptualization of this project and the process, challenges, and privileges of writing to the works of a legend. Moderated by J.W. Rinzler (executive editor, Lucasfilm). Saturday, July 26: Lucasfilm Portfolio Review: 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Room PR F Troy Alders, now art director at Disney Consumer Products, is conducting portfolio reviews, providing critiques, and offering tips to graphic designers. Bring a portfolio selection of your best design work in and see if you have what it takes to create art for the ever-expanding Star Wars galaxy. Graphic Design degrees a plus. Warner Bros revealed their plans for Comic-Con this year today. And there was a surprising lack of DC movies on the docket. I expect there to be a surprise announcement or appearance by the cast of 'Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice'. Or at the very least a brief clip or teaser trailer for the movie. I don't see them not announcing anything for their DCCU at Comic-Con. One cool thing is the premieres of all their future comic book shows. Here is the full schedule. BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Warner Bros. Entertainment will plant its flag at Comic-Con International: San Diego this year with a huge presence, with each individual division touting its upcoming offerings, including Film, Television, Interactive and Home Entertainment, as well as a variety of product from DC Entertainment, whose celebrations in honor of 75 years of one of the world’s most beloved Super Heroes—Batman—will be in full swing.
On Saturday, July 26th, beginning at 10 a.m., Warner Bros. Pictures brings three of its most hotly anticipated films to this year’s Con: Peter Jackson will be on the main stage with “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” from New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, and George Miller will be on hand to present a first look at “Mad Max: Fury Road,” from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures. The Hall H audience will also get a peek at the Wachowskis’ original sci-fi actioner “Jupiter Ascending,” also from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures. Attending stars will be revealed at a later date. In addition to the Studio’s Hall H presentation, Warner Bros. will also host a pre-Con fan screening of New Line Cinema and Village Roadshow Pictures’ upcoming “cli-fi” thriller “Into the Storm,” directed by Steven Quale. The screening will take place on Wednesday, July 23rd, at 10 p.m. at the Gas Lamp Theatre. Warner Bros. Television Group returns to Comic-Con with 15 series in 2014, holding panels throughout the four days of the Con for fan-favorite series including “The Big Bang Theory,” “The Following,” “Supernatural,” “The Vampire Diaries” and “Teen Titans Go!,” among many others, as well as once again kicking off the Con with screenings of new series “The Flash,” “Constantine” and more on Wednesday’s Preview Night. On Saturday night, July 26th, it’s all DC Entertainment all night in Hall H when Warner Bros. Television treats attendees to a three-hour special event designed specifically for DC Comics fans and featuring some of DC Comics’ greatest characters. The event will run from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and will feature the world premiere public screening of the highly anticipated new drama series “Gotham” (the only screening of “Gotham” at this year’s Comic-Con), followed by a screening of the complete pilot of “The Flash,” and exclusive video presentations from returning hit “Arrow” and new thriller “Constantine.” Cast members and producers from all four shows will make special appearances throughout the three-hour event. For complete information on Warner Bros. Television’s plans for Comic-Con and for real-time updates during the convention, please follow us on Twitter at @warnerbrostv—official hashtag #WBSDCC—and visit http://comiccon.thewb.com. In concert with all the WB divisions, DC Entertainment continues to fête Batman’s 75th year, making the icon the centerpiece of their offerings, including all-star panel appearances by Batman talent as well as a rare display of some of the canon’s most famous film costumes in history—those worn by Christian Bale, George Clooney, Val Kilmer and Michael Keaton—on display in the DC Entertainment booth. The character will also appear on the cover of the Con’s official souvenir book, and on a Con-exclusive T-shirt designed by DC Entertainment Co-Publisher and legendary artist, Jim Lee. Lee will also participate in the Batman 75: Legends of the Dark Knight panel discussion with veteran Batman creatives Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams, current series writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo, and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns. The panel will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 24th. Johns and artist John Romita, Jr., the new creative team behind Superman, will explore their upcoming plans for the Super Hero, as will the husband-and-wife creative team behind comics’ most beloved heroine, Wonder Woman, writer Meredith Finch and artist David Finch. In addition to their numerous other activities, including 20 panels over the course of the Con, the company will also reveal plans for numerous upcoming titles for DC Comics, Vertigo and MAD Magazine imprints, as well as unveiling new action figures from DC Collectibles, including those commemorating The CW and WBTV’s “Arrow” and “The Flash,” as well as a stellar new line based on the upcoming videogame “Batman: Arkham Knight,” from WBIE. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, in celebration of the upcoming release of Rocksteady Studios’ “Batman: Arkham Knight,” will host the Cape/Cowl/Create art exhibit, open to the public daily from July 25th through the 27th, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hard Rock San Diego Hotel’s Legends Room. This free public exhibition will feature true-to-scale replicas of the game’s cape and cowl used as a blank canvas by top contemporary artists to produce their own original interpretations. On Friday, July 25th, at 12:30 p.m., WBIE and Monolith Productions will host a panel for the anticipated game “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor,” discussing how the game’s innovation evolves storytelling while exploring the history of the Rings of Power. Panelists will include Monolith’s Michael de Plater and Phil Straub, as well as the game’s lead writer, Christian Cantamessa, and voice actor Troy Baker, moderated by Professor Janet Croft. And Sunday, July 27th, at 1:00 p.m., WBIE will also host a panel for “LEGO™ Batman 3: Beyond Gotham,” developed by TT Games, with an exclusive gameplay demonstration, character reveals, special announcements and a lively panel discussion with several members of the voice cast featured in the game. Also, throughout the Con, the game will be available for the first time for hands-on play by consumers. Blanketing the Con from start to finish with entertainment and activities for fans, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment celebrates its coming release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ summer blockbuster “Godzilla” with a four-day interactive display on the lawn behind Hall H. From Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, view the 24-foot tall sculpture of the king of the monsters, along with fan art and a graffiti wall where visitors can memorialize their favorite Godzilla moments. Giveaways and photo opportunities will also be available. From 6:00 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 24th, WBHE hosts Batman ’66, reuniting pop icons Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar on the Hall H stage for “Batman: The Complete Television Series.” Moderated by Ralph Garman, the actors behind Batman, Robin and Catwoman will give the audience an inside look at the exclusive content contained in the Home Entertainment release due out later this year, as well as present dazzling high-definition re-mastered footage from the landmark series. On Friday, July 25th, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., it’s the world premiere of “Batman: Assault on Arkham,” the next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Original Movies, due out on Digital HD on July 29th and as a Blu-rayTM Combo Pack on August 12th. Produced by WBHE, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the full-length animated film is based on the best-selling “Batman: Arkham” videogame series. Lucky attendees at the Ballroom 20 event will also be treated to a panel discussion featuring Kevin Conroy of “Batman: The Animated Series,” Matthew Gray Gubler, Troy Baker and John DiMaggio, and the filmmaking team of producer James Tucker, director Jay Oliva, dialogue director Andrea Romano, screenwriter Heath Corson, and moderator Victor Lucas. There will also be special announcements, exclusive prizes and a few potential surprises. The final day of the Con, Sunday, July 27th—Kids’ Day—will see WBHE’s world premiere of the family animated film “Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy” at 10:00 a.m. in Room 6BCF. The story follows everyone’s favorite Great Dane and the Mystery Inc. gang on a trip to a cursed castle inhabited by a terrifying ghost. Attendees can stay for a panel discussion among several of the voice actors, including Mindy Cohn and Grey Griffin, director/producer Paul McEvoy and screenwriter Jim Krieg. The feature will be available August 5th on Digital HD, and on Blu-rayTM Combo Pack and DVD on August 19th. On the same day in Room 6A, at 2:15 p.m., animation fans can also watch the world premiere of the beloved cat-and-mouse duo Tom and Jerry in “Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon,” an hour-long feature filled with song, sorcery and slapstick. Filmmakers Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone will be on hand to present the film, which will be released on Digital HD on August 19th, and on DVD on September 2nd. And fans of the extensive WBHE library will be able to enjoy panels discussing some of their newest and greatest classic offerings: on Saturday the 26th at 1:00 p.m., Warner Archive Collection presents Trailers From Hell Live! A match made in classic movie heaven, the gurus of TFH, paired with the fan-centric trio of WAC podcasters, make a detailed, often humorous dissection of trailers from some of the great films in the fanboy spectrum. From sci-fi and horror to action and noir, it’s an education on current and upcoming releases in the WAC catalog and Warner Archive Instant, from a panel that includes Josh Olson and WAC Podcast hosts George Feltenstein, Matthew Patterson and DW Ferranti. In Room 25ABC. At 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, WAC presents A Batman for all Seasons. Join respected producer/author Michael Uslan, producer James Tucker, producer/director Brandon Vietti, WAC Podcast hosts Patterson and Ferranti and surprise guests, as they examine Batman iterations and oddities throughout history, from early films like “Public Defender” and the Batman cartoons, to new versions of the character, the off-kilter takes and new media. Attendees who stick around to the end will be privy to a special WAC announcement that will excite fans both “Young” and old. Room 7AB. The more I see from this movie, the more excited I get. It is looking more and more like Marvel's masterpiece. I heard this was the montage at the end of the 17-min preview yesterday.I can't wait for August 1st. What do you think? 'Guardians of the Galaxy' will be Marvel's best movie. The reason? It changes the game. All this time in the MCU we have had heroes protecting Earth. And all of them (sans. Thor) are humans with extraordinary abilities. Whether it be Tony Stark's money and intelligence, Bruce Banner's intellect, Captain America's attitude, Thor's strength, or Black Widow's stealth, none of these people are out there too much. They have stayed relatable and somewhat down to Earth (no pun intended) . 'GOTG' is going to blow all of that out of the water. None of these people are normal. You have a talking tree and raccoon. You have a human raised by aliens. There is a green lady, who also happens to be the daughter of Thanos. Oh and there is a killing machine. This is such an odd pairing, yet it is just odd enough that is might work. Rocket will most definitely steal the movie. I mean a talking raccoon with an attitude is a recipe for success. Bradley Cooper actually has an odd voice. It isn't straight up Bradley Cooper. Vin Diesel has been excited for Groot for forever, so we know he gave this his all, because he is one of those guys that genuinely cares about his movies. Chris Pratt is a likeable guy, with the ability to make you laugh, but he can also be serious. Zoe Saldana is a sci-fi movie goddess. Dave Bautista is the only wild card, and if he can be even halfway decent, the rest of the cast can cover up for him. The cast alone has me interested. And to be honest, that is all I really know about this movie. I have no idea what the story is about, besides this team coming together. I know the orb in the trailer will be the MaGuffin. Other then that, not much is known. That is not by lack of following on my part. Disney/Marvel has just done a really good job at keeping the mystery surrounding the movie still there. They have barely played up the villains. We have barely seen Lee Pace as Ronan the Accuser. We have seen more of Nebula then Ronan in fact. I am surprised that we are less than a month from release and the story and villains have been kept under wraps for so long. Another winning piece for this movie is James Gunn. He is a unique director. And Marvel gave him the freedom to make his movie (unlike one Edgar Wright). The movie looks like it will have natural humor (not forced) and also compelling drama. It looks like it has a heart, but it also has something to prove. I am excited to see if this movie follows in the footsteps of Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Iron Man 2. I hope it comes together with each character getting a fair shake, and doesn't wind up like a mess, like Iron Man 2 for example. I feel like this movie has the ability to be better then The Avengers (which I talked about in a previous article), and I also feel like the suggestions of this movie being our generations' Star Wars aren't off base. I don't think it will break the $1 billion mark, but I feel $700 million is obtainable and Marvel would consider $450 million a success. This movie will be made or broken on word of mouth. People will see it because it is a Marvel movie, but will they see it twice or three times. I think so. This movie may have it's biggest stars playing CGI creations, but I feel it has the right ingredients to be a huge success. Do you agree?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has brought about a new era in Hollywood. Ever since 'The Avengers' came out and other studios saw the success, they started attempting to connect their movies in one giant universe. So Marvel was successful in creating it's cinematic universe. In fact they are the best example, seeing as how DC can't seem to start their's up and Sony isn't making any great Spider-Man movies. But I feel that the MCU is a bit overrated. They have only had 2 really great movies in my opinion. 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' and 'Iron Man' are the two best movies they have made. The reason I say this is because they both hold up after multiple viewings. I could watch these movies literally all the time. I can watch 'The Avengers' multiple times too, but I feel that movie was only critically and financially successful because it was the first time any studio really tried something like this. 'The Avengers' is an above average movie. Probably a 7.5/10, but that score is purely based on spectacle. The actual story is very basic and the movie just gets a bit boring after multiple viewings, because of the bland story. Not to mention some of the characters got the short end of the stick (Hawkeye, Thor, Coulson!). Every other character did get a moment to shine and the Hulk was finally done right, so that's a positive. It just isn't as great as everyone says it is. No one remembers 'The Incredible Hulk'. 'Iron Man 2' and 'Iron Man 3' are both average movies. Neither are great and they both did sit well after watching them multiple times. They are both just boring. 'Iron Man 2' didn't have any interesting villains and was just all around weak. 'Iron Man 3' was just wrong. He shouldn't have been sent to hang out with that kid, and Guy Pearce shouldn't have been in the movie period. Not to mention an extremely weak final act drug the movie down. 'Captain America: The First Avenger' didn't sit well with me after the 3rd viewing, but I watched it recently and it was much better then I remembered. I haven't seen the first'Thor' twice if that tells you anything. 'Thor: The Dark World' was better then it gets credit for, but not by much. The main villain was weak, the final act was pretty dumb, and we do we keep getting stupid problems revolving around Odin? We did get to see Thor and Loki team up, not to mention Korath was pretty awesome. As for the future, I am excited. After the epicness of 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier', I am even more excited to see what Marvel brings to the table. 'Guardians of the Galaxy' is the Marvel movie I have been most excited to see. There is just something about it that really intrigues me. 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron' is a wild card. I feel like it will be one of the best films in the MCU, yet I know next to nothing about it. 'Ant-Man' is something I have no excitement for since Edgar Wright left. I am curious to see if it is Marvel's first true stinker. Luckily they are still working from a revised version of Wright's script. And the future holds so much more. 'Doctor Strange', 'Black Panther'?, and all the sequels. And don't forget the TV shows. I am excited to see what 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' has to offer now that it has found its voice. I also really want to see what the deal is with 'Agent Carter' and 'Daredevil'. And the other Netflix shows are there too. I feel like Marvel is still on an uptrend. With all the prospects they have on the table, it is a good time to be a Marvel/comic book fan.
The DCCU has not really picked up the way we all thought it would. After a couple failed attempts at world-building (*ahem* Green Lantern *ahem*), I feel like Warner Bros/DC is just a little scared to put something out. However, once 'Man of Steel' was released, that all changed. How many of us expected to see Batman, then Wonder Woman, then Cyborg, and now potentially Aquaman to be cast in the upcoming sequel? That's pretty awesome, but it is also pretty scary. My main problem with the next movie on slate for WB/DC is that it seems like they are just throwing ideas at the wall and using what sticks. It doesn't seem like they have a cohesive plan, a la Marvel. And I am not saying take the Marvel route. Just announce some plans. Hey we have a Batman movie coming out in 2018, followed by Wonder Woman, and a proper Superman sequel. Instead we are just hearing random reports with no idea of the truth behind them. I feel that is one of the main reasons people are concerned about 'Batman v Superman'. They just don't know what to expect. Another problem is the casting choices. Everything is coming straight from left field. First they hire Ben Affleck, who is known for destroying Daredevil (albeit not wholly his fault). I have accepted this one, and I actually like it now. But my first reaction wasn't happiness or excitement. Then they get Gal Gadot, who has literally no acting experience. 'Fast and Furious' movies aren't exactly acting seminars. Not to mention she just doesn't have the frame. I am not talking about boobs. She is just to gosh darn tiny. A toothpick like body is Wonder Woman, and that has upset a lot of fans. Ray Fisher was cast as Cyborg, which I could easily wrap my head around. I haven't seen him in anything, but he just looks the part. Jeremy Irons was another solid casting, and I feel if Jason Momoa was casts then that is another plus for DC. The next big mistake, though, was Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. Nothing against Eisenberg. He can definitely nail that cocky attitude that Luthor has, but I really fear about the physical aspect. He doesn't look like he has the ability to hurt a fly, but he will have to eventually take on Superman and maybe Batman in a fist-da-cuffs. I am just not buying it. But at the end of the day I can't change the choices and all of them have done something to make Zack Synder believe this can work. I know this article seems like it is really about 'Batman v Superman', but it is not. When you look at it, this film is the launching point of the DC Cinematic Universe. This film will probably make $1 billion. But will it be good? I am a tad skeptical. All the rumors leaking and the costume reveals have gotten me excited and less skeptical about this film, though. Not to mention the possibility of Stephen Amell and Grant Gustin playing their respective TV roles in the movies. I hear both sides of the argument, but if they can make this work without hurting the quality of the shows, then go all in on it. And if this is a success, then is it possible that the line-up Nikki Finke leaked is legit, and we will get a lot of those movies. That would be pretty awesome, too. Fingers crossed this is the best CBM and Cinematic Universe ever.
This suit looks awesome. It isn't a huge change from the 'Man of Steel' costume, but they did make some subtle changes. These changes were for the best as you can see. It just looks amazing. A curious part of the photo looks like the location. It seems like he may be standing in Gotham City. Just an interesting notice.
On a side note, last night Elmayimbe claimed that 'BvS' will have 4 minor villains/cameos appearing the film. It seems like the characters are universe-building characters so that could be good or bad, but I don't expect much more than a minor appearance if this report is true. The characters are Victor Zsasz (a Batman villain), Morgan Edge (essentially Lex Luthor's gateway to the public), David Cain (one of the world's best assassins), and Amanda Waller (she could be played by Holly Hunter, since she is rumored to be a senator in the film, just like Waller is). Not sure how I would feel if these were much more than cameos, but still interesting nonetheless. SOME SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW I am going to preface this review by saying this is a 'Transformers' movie and I am going to review it as such. I never look to rip apart movies in reviews. I go looking to appreciate it for what it is. With that out of the way, I really enjoyed this movie. I in fact thought this was the best 'Transformers' movie to me. The only huge problem I had with it was the length. It was good for characters, but it also was just plain long. Other than that, no huge complaints. The plot was basic, as is usual with the Transformers movies. A government official teams up with a tech mogul to achieve his goal. The government thought that the bad guys were rounding up only Decepticons. The entire operation gets screwed up when Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg) finds Optimus Prime and decides to help him. When they focused on the story, this was the best Transformers movie. I feel the fresh cast, I'll get to them later, really helped imrpove the story. The other story-lines were fairly basic too, though. Cade is trying to protect Tessa (Nicola Peltz) from the Transformers, bad guys, and boys. Some of the scenes were cringe-worthy as expected, but a lot were done well enough. I know this sounds like there was a lot of human story, and the parts with the humans were the best handled human scenes in the series, but this was a story about the robot aliens. The story had a lot going on for all the Transformers. Lockdown was hired to hunt down Optimus Prime for the Creators. This is the storyline that seems to be the link in new trilogy. I am excited for them to continue on this story, because it was really interesting in this one. There was also the recreation of Megatron as Galvatron. There was also the actual relationship between the Transformers and humans. I wish they had gone a little deeper down this path. The relationship between the aliens and humans was rough and I really liked the angling of the dispute on both sides of it. After seeing Optimus Prime give his life in every movie so far with no appreciation from the humans, it was nice to see him say screw you guys, I am done. I really liked what they did with this story, even though a lot of it was basic. The tone of the movie helped differentiate itself from the other movies. It felt darker, but not too dark. Even though the editing was herky-jerky and the story wasn't pieced together very well, it still ended up being better then others. It was all well done and left interesting storylines for the next movie to explore. The cast was better then any other Transformers film so far. Mark Wahlberg is always a personable guy and he brought his charm to the screen. He was certainly better then Shia. He was the most important human character and it showed. But he never took up too much screen time. Stanley Tucci was the other key human piece. He was the creator of man-made Transformers and he was knew his job. Tucci was mainly used for comedic support, but he was the second most interesting human character in the movie. Mr. Bay really toned down the eye-candy in this film. Nicola Peltz is improvement over Megan Fox in every way, but he never over-used or overly-sexualized her (I know right!?). In fact I felt her along with Jack Reynor were underused. The didn't have much to really say besides yelling for help. I wish they had more important stuff in this moie. Kelsey Grammar was also a nice add-on piece, but also wasn't a huge contributing factor. I did enjoy his scenes, but they were mainly exposition pieces or plot-movers. I am a fan of T.J. Miller, but he was just not funny in the movie. As for the Transformers, I loved Optimus Prime. You really connected with his character and got in his mind this time around. He is the most recognizable Transformer, and I loved the focus on him rather then Bumblebee. Bumblebee was rarely seen in the movie actually, he is usually there just for action, but he was really only there for the action this time around, which was a bit disappointing. The other new additions weren't too memorable. I did like John Goodman's Hound. He was my favorite new Autobot. As for the villainous robots, Lockdown was awesome. He had no allies, just jobs which made his desire to takedown Prime more interesting. Galvatron was horrifically underused. I barely felt like he was a villain. He didn't appear in it, but for maybe five minutes. The Dinobots were just plain cool. Overall, not a lot of the characters felt like extreme caricatures. The action was even better then the last. The action didn't feel as constant which is a good thing. Bay slowed things down and let them develop a little more naturally. There was still the gigantic explosions and wreckage you have come to expect from a Michael Bay movie, but it was all much better placed. The effects were also amazing. I liked Bay taking the Transformers designs back down to a more simplistic level this time around. They looked a lot cooler then ever before. The new transforming mechanism was also cool. But the best new effect was the man made Transformers. The way they changed was just flat out awesome. The Dinobots also looked really darn cool. I loved the more intimate feel of the setpieces too. The fights felt closer together and compacted to really get you into the fight. There were a couple of times when the VFX looked rough, but not enough to really distract from the movie. Overall, this was the best Transformers film to me, just for the actual focus on the robots. There were also a few funny jabs at the Hollywood industry and some really cool shots and setpieces in the film that added onto what I've already described. This film isn't going to win any awards, but that's not what it was made for. It was a good 3 hours of watching some robots beat the crap out of one another.
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