In recent years, Comic-Con has been known for major screenings, announcements and surprise celebrity appearances. Much of the hoopla occurs in Hall H and to a lesser extent, Ballroom 20, but there are always a few smaller panels that shine. As we count down to Comic-Con, today we take a look at a few smaller panels worth checking out, although, honestly, nothing is really small at Comic-Con. Except maybe some of the fan-girl costumes and "personal space," but I digress…
TheOneRing.net Hobbit Talk – (Thursday 7/21, 10a.-11a., Room 7AB)– While Twi-hards will be en masse for the Twilight panel in Hall H, two floors up on the opposite side of the San Diego Convention Center, Clifford Broadway and Larry D. Curtis of TheOneRing.net will be on hand with the latest rumors, news and audio and visual presentations for the upcoming The Hobbit movie as well as all things Middle-Earth. Surprise guests are always a possibility. Be sure to read up on Curtis’ blog posts over on Movies.com as well.
Napoleon Dynamite – (Thursday 7/21, 2p.-3p., Room 7AB) - Original cast members will be on hand for the unveiling of the new animated series that will run as part of FOX’s Sunday Animation Domination Block, which features The Simpsons and Family Guy among other shows. Jon Heder, Tina Majorino, Efren Ramirez, Diedrich Bader and others will participate in a “sweet” Q&A session. No word if tater tots will be served.
Masters of the Web – (Thursday 7/21, 4p.-5p., Room 5AB) - Some of the most prominent and influential film pundits on the web will discuss the film industry, writing about film online, film fandom and much more. Panelists include Peter Sciretta, Jen Yamato, Anne Thompson, Scott Beggs, Sasha Perl-Raver, Vic Holtreman, Jenna Busch and Mike Sampson.
Beavis & Butthead – (Thursday 7/21, 5p.-6p., Room 6A) - It’s been 14 years since MTV’s iconic duo signed off on their popular show. Now, creator Mike Judge is set to bring the pair back for a new season to dish on music videos, Jersey Shore, viral videos and more. Join Judge as he discusses bringing the show back and see the first footage from the show.
Harry Potter Fandom Panel – (Thursday 7/21, 5p.-6p., Room 25ABC) – At this point, the Harry Potter film will have been in theaters for a week and probably grossed a half billion worldwide. Some of the web’s leading Harry Potter-ologists will be on hand to discuss all things HP, for those who just find it too hard to say good-bye.
Epix Pictures: The Star Trek Captains – (Friday 7/22, 10:15a.-11:15a., Room 6BCF) – William… Shatner... will be joined by… fellow Star Trek captain... Avery Brooks… to present… a preview of… the EPIX Pictures original documentary… produced and directed by… Mr. Shatner himself. OK, enough Shatner-speak. The presentation will be moderated by Con staple Kevin Smith.
Legendary Pictures Preview Presentation – (Friday 7/22, 12:45p.-1:45p., Room 6BCF) -Legendary Pictures makes their first Comic Con appearance and will offer sneak peeks and Q&A panels with some of the filmmakers and cast members of Pacific Rim, Seventh Son, Paradise Lost and Mass Effect. Panelists will include Bradley Cooper, Jeff Bridges, Guillermo del Toro, Ben Barnes and Idris Elba, among others.
True Blood Panel Q&A – (Friday 7/22, 5:30p.-6:30p., Ballroom 20) - The Emmy- and Golden Globe- nominated HBO series kicked off its fourth season a couple weeks ago. The series and this panel will include Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Ryan Kwanten and Sam Trammell among others and will be moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Tim Stack.
World Premiere: Batman: Year One – (Friday 7/22, 8p.-10p., Ballroom 20) - With Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Rises still a year away from hitting theaters, Bat-fans will be seeking out panels to get their Bat-fix. Warner Home Entertainment will present the world premiere of their newest Batman animated feature – Batman: Year One. A Q&A session will be held following the screening with some of the voice cast, including Eliza Dushku, Ben McKenzie, Katee Sackhoff and more.
Chuck Screening and Q&A – (Saturday 7/23, 10a.-10:45a., Ballroom 20) – Comic-Con favorite Chuck returns for its farewell panel as it celebrates its fifth and final season. Series stars Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski, Joshua Gomez and others will be on hand for a Q&A session and what is being promoted as “an unforgettable video presentation.”
Be sure to check back next week as we preview five comic book panels and five screenings worth checking out. And if these panels aren’t small enough for ya, jump over to our Top Five Biggest Comic Con Events post and check out The Top 10 Most Anticipated Comic-Con Panels over on Movies.com.
