As we rapidly approach That Time Of The Year again, where staff journalists for papers and magazines prepare to fly out to San Diego, freelancers worry whether they have enough independently booked interviews to justify the cost of flying out, and fans pray that their cars and trucks will make it down the pacific highway, CCI has released the schedule for the event, and it looks better than ever. There really is something for everyone here, from comics through to movies, through to TV, games and books. Truly, it’s the biggest event of its kind in the world, and a nexus for fans of science fiction, fantasy and horror everywhere.
We’ve collated a small list of what we’ll be making a beeline for this year, and if you’re attending, please do post up your own in the comments section. Each day this week we’ll post up our own guide to a day of Con, so keep checking back.
SATURDAY 25 JULY
Firstly, we just want to say that whoever designed the schedule for today sucks. We mean, seriously? Get somebody else, Comic-Con.
10.00-11.00 – Chuck – Ballroom 20
One of our favourite shows comes to Ballroom 20 on Saturday, and we’ll be there first thing, clutching our heads and chewing forlornly on some sort of bagel. Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak are joined by Zachary Levi, Ryan McPartlin, Joshua Gomez, Yvonne Strahovski, Vik Sahay, Mark Christopher Lawrence and Adam Baldwin for a Q&A and a screening of some footage. Or, if for whatever reason Chuck isn’t your thing, there’s always…
10.15-11.15 – Eastwick – Room 6A
The pilot screening for this new drama will be taking place in the early hours of Saturday. The panel is attended by Rebecca Romjin, Lindsay price, Jaime Ray Newman, Paul Gross, Maggie Friedman and David Nutter, who will be taking questions after they give the audience a sneak peak at what can be expected from this adaptation/remake of the Eighties original film.
11.00-12.00 – Lost – Hall H
This is it. The last ever Comic Con panel for Lost before the show ends. We predict that, outside of Summit’s presentation on Thursday, this will be one of the most-attended shows of Con, so make sure you get there as early as possible to stake out a seat. Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse will be on hand for the presentation, and it’s sure to be a cracking one, with mention of a special surprise for attendees.
12.30-13.30 – Sanctuary – Indigo Ballroom/Hilton Bayfront
This one isn’t actually in the convention centre, so get up and out of Hall H as quickly as you can after Lost’s panel to make it. The eternally pleasant Amanda Tapping will be joined by Robin Dunne, Martin Wood and Damian Kindler to talk about what’s happening in the second season of this sleeper hit from last year, and if you’re lucky, there may be footage as well.
11.45-12.45- Caprica/The Plan – Ballroom 20
We’d trek through the snow, barefoot, for 20 miles to see Edward James Olmos in a panel again. The man is an entertainment machine. This time he’s joined by Esai Morales, Jane Espenson, Ronald D Moore and David Eick for a chat and a look at both Caprica and the new Battlestar Galactica direct-to-DVD movie, The Plan.
Editor’s note: The next section is where it gets tricky for what you are and aren’t going to attend. We suggest rolling dice.
14.15-15.15 – Warehouse 13 – Room 6A
Syfy’s new pilot is already airing, but still gets the Comic-Con treatment all the same. Eddie McClintock, Joanne Kelly, Saul Rubinek, Allison Scagliotti, Jack Kenny and David Simkins will all be in residence to hear your comments and questions on the show, as well as to give a few hints and veiled spoilers as to what’s coming up in the new dramedy from the rebranded network. You may want to reconsider attending this one though, due to…
14.45-15.45 – V – Ballroom 20
One of the season’s most hotly anticipated shows is coming to Con in style, with Elizabeth Mitchell, Morris Chestnut, Morena Baccarin, Joel Gretsch, Scott Wolf, Scott Peters, Jeffrey Bell, Steve Pearlman and Jace Hall gathering along with thousands of fans in Ballroom 20. Attendees will be treated to the usual footage and Q&A combination, and we’re very excited about this one. Of course, there’s always…
14.45-15.45 – Sony Pictures – Hall H
Sony have another Hall H slot on another day to preview two more of their tentpole releases – Zombieland and 2010. Roland Emmerich will be on the panel for the latter, while Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Ruben Fleischer will be appearing for the zom-com that seems to be taking aim at Shaun Of The Dead’s place at the top of the horror comedy pantheon. If these two aren’t for you though, there’s always…
15.15-16.15 – Heroes – Indigo Ballroom/Hilton Bayfront
Again, this isn’t actually be held inside the Convention Centre, so you’ll have to factor in more travel time than usual and this is sure to be packed out, despite the show’s waning fortunes. Tim Kring and unspecified members of the cast will be on the benches for this one, where you’ll get to quiz them about the upcoming volume, and maybe get some answers as to just what the hell’s happening behind the scenes on this show. If you don’t like Heroes though, you may want to check out…
16.00-17.00- Fringe – Ballroom 20
We still don’t understand how this show has been so successful, outside of the names attached to it, but never mind. Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson and John Noble will be joining Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner and JH Wyman for an exclusive video presentation and a Q&A with the fans. This is sure to fill up, so as always, pick your panels selectively and arrive with plenty of time to spare if you want to be in with a chance of a seat for Fringe’s assault on Con. If none of the above really appeal to you, then give the next one a try instead…
16:00-17.00 – Iron Man 2 – Hall H
Although today is most certainly TV day for Con-goers, the sequel to one of the best superhero films this century will be blasting in to the legendary Hall H. Iron Man 2’s panel doesn’t have word on who’s going to be appearing, but expect some of the cast to put in a show, at least. Even if they don’t, it’s worth going to be able to say “I was there” when the leaked footage inevitably spreads across the internet an hour later.
16:45-17.55 – Human Target – Room 6BCF
In keeping witth the vast amount of pilot panels, Human Target has its very own that unfortunately clashes with Iron Man 2. Mark Valley will accompany Jackie Earle Haley, Jon Steinberg, Brad Kern and Peter Johnson for the panel, which will of course feature a footage presentation from the show. If you want to see a few clips however, click here and perhaps save yourself a scheduling nightmare on the day, so you can go and check out…
17:15-18.15 – True Blood – Ballroom 20
Another densely populated panel here, and do we really need to point out that you’ll have to have grabbed a seat hours before to stand any chance of getting in to this one? Even if you don’t, the fights outside between weary, grotty Con-goers and the usual surly security will be entertainment enough. If you do get in however, expect to see members of the show’s rather large cast in attendance, with more footage from the upcoming episodes yet to air.
17:55-19.00 – Vampire Diaries – Room 6BCF
This pilot hasn’t rated in preliminary views particularly well, but you now have the chance to make your own mind up about whether it’s simply Twi-lite, or a strong show in its own right. The panel will consist of Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec and Bob Levy for, that’s correct, a Q&A with exclusive footage for attendees. We’ll be making this one if we’re not dying of hunger by this point.
20:30-12.15 – Arkham Asylum/Watchmen Director’s Cut – Room 6BCF
If you don’t fancy hitting the town, you may as well head back to Con for a sneak preview of Batman: Arkham Asylum from Mark Hamill, Paul Dini and Kevin Conroy, followed by Zack Snyder taking you through Watchmen’s director’s cut with Dave Gibbons and Jackie Earle Haley. This is certainly one for the hardcore, or for those who haven’t been schlepping around Con all day, frantically trying to make their next panel.
And then after…
Eating at Jack’s La Jolla Grille – Swanky surroundings and a decent atmosphere are the perfect way to unwind after what’s sure to be a tiring day at Con. The food here is good, the prices are acceptable, and in all honesty, it’s just a nice place to get away from it all for a while. Try the Kobe beef burgers, or the New York-style pizzas, and tell ’em SciFiNow sent you.
Heading out to Onyx and Thin – Assuming you’re not dying of exhaustion by this point, you could do worse than check out Onyx and Thin. Situated downtown in the Gaslamp district, you don’t have far to travel if you go and see the Watchmen screening before going out, and chances are that you’ll have a good time here. As we said yesterday though, bear in mind that everywhere closes at 2am.
