Comic-Con 2008 Report, Part 3 of 4
Saturday, July 26, 2008 — day three of the annual San Diego Comic-Con — was actually the least horror-centric for me. But there were connections.
My first interview of the day was with Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) on the newly-released DVD of his 1999 British television series, Spaced (starring Jessica Hynes and Simon Pegg).
Photo: Staci Layne Wilson
Then, ironically enough, my next official chat of the day was with — in true Comic-Con fashion — Wright's "archrival", McG (see Wright's blunt blog on the uber-producer's big screen adaptation of Spaced here). McG was hyping Terminator Salvation; actually, with Christian Bale in it, it created its own buzz.
While Bale was not on-site for the panel and interviews, McG did ring him up in Japan, where he is promoting The Dark Knight. They only got his voicemail, but several hundred people in the packed hall screamed into it. McG went on to imply that the new Terminator will probably be R-rated, counting the PG-13 rumors. He also said, in a roundabout way, that Schwarzenegger's characterization of the Terminator will be part of the new story. Sam Worthington, who stars alongside Bale and Anton Yelchin in Terminator Salvation, promised me personally that this is one sci-fi movie that'll scare the socks off ya (or words to that effect).
Photo: Staci Layne Wilson
Pushing Daisies is hardly horror, but I did talk to the actress who plays a living dead girl on the TV show, Anna Friel. She's also in the upcoming Land of the Lost movie, starring with Will Farrell and Danny McBride.
Definitely in the horror-action genre is Universal's The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, featuring Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford, Isabella Leong, and John Hannah. The big screen extravaganza has resurrected warriors aplenty, angry Yeti, and cruel curses. It should be fun, but when I mentioned to Frasier how much I liked him in the Clive Barker-produced Gods and Monsters, he looked a bit wistful. I guess it can be a bit of a tightrope walk for genre actors — one must go where the work is (especially when you've got three children). "I just keep looking for the best scripts," Fraser said in response to my comment.
Photo: Staci Layne Wilson
Saturday's Horror-Related Panels:
Hellboy— Mike Mignola (Hellboy) and his long-suffering editor Scott Allie are joined by Josh Dysart (BPRD 1946) to talk and answer questions about recent events in the Hellboy books, the future direction of the series, and the first new comic Mike's drawn in three years. Also, an announcement about the newest artists to join the team.
50th Anniversary Famous Monsters— It's a celebration of your favorite movie monster magazine! Famous Monsters of Filmland started in 1958, spiraling out of the huge interest in classic monster movies being shown on TV to a brand new audience. Editor/writer Forrest J Ackerman, who gave FM much of its charm and wit with his "punny" style of writing and amazing collection of photos and anecdotes, joins publisher James Warren, and Hollywood makeup artist Verne Langdon—whose incredible masks were a staple of FM's "company store," Captain Company, in the back of each issue—to talk about this big anniversary.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Screening and Q&A— Back for a second year at Comic-Con, the producers and stars of this hit action-adventure drama will debut the trailer for season two and answer questions from fans during this one-hour session. Executive producers Josh Friedman (War of the Worlds), John Wirth (The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.) and James Middleton (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) will be joined by returning series stars Lena Headey (300), Thomas Dekker (Heroes), Summer Glau (Serenity), Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills, 90210) and Richard T. Jones (Event Horizon), as well as new series regulars Garret Dillahunt (No Country for Old Men) and musician Shirley Manson (Garbage). Produced by C2 Pictures in association with Warner Bros. Television, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles returns for a second season September 8 and airs Mondays at 8:00 PM ET/PT on FOX.
Spotlight on Dean Koontz— Dean Koontz (In Odd We Trust) has had 48 novels on the New York Times bestseller lists, many in the number one position, and has been published in 36 languages. Find out more about what makes him tick in this talk and Q&A session.
Dollhouse— When news broke that Joss Whedon was returning to television with a vehicle for “Buffy” alum Eliza Dushku, legions of fans around the world rejoiced. Although most will have to wait until January to learn more about the exciting new project, Comic-Con fans will hear it straight from Joss, Eliza, and actor Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica) in person.
Terminator Salvation— In the highly anticipated new installment of The Terminator film franchise, set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in has been altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.
Things That Go Bump— Monsters and haunts continue to fascinate authors and readers alike. Authors who’ll be talking about these supernatural themes include Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box), Max Brooks (World War Z, The Zombie Survival Guide), Adrienne Barbeau (Vampyres of Hollywood), Chris Marie Green (Vampire Babylon novels), Jeffrey J. Mariotte (River Runs Red), and Natasha Rhodes (Dante's Girl). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy.
Pushing Daisies Screening and Q&A— The cast and producers of the Golden Globe Award-nominated Pushing Daisies return to Comic-Con for a special screening of exclusive clips from the acclaimed show’s upcoming season, highlights from the first season and a Q&A with fans. Stars Lee Pace (The Fall), Anna Friel (Land of the Lost), Chi McBride (Boston Public), Ellen Greene (Little Shop of Horrors), Swoosie Kurtz (Superman Doomsday), and Kristin Chenoweth (The West Wing) join executive producer/creator Bryan Fuller (Heroes) and executive producers Dan Jinks (American Beauty) and Peter Ocko (Dead Like Me) for the session, to be moderated by special guest and executive producer Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black). From Living Dead Guy Productions, The Jinks/Cohen Company in association with Warner Bros. Television, Pushing Daisies airs Wednesdays at 8:00 PM on the ABC Television Network
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and Death Race— Universal Pictures presents key cast members, filmmakers, and previously unseen footage from its upcoming slate, including Summer 2008's The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and Death Race. Additionally, the studio will showcase talent and materials from 2009 films such as Land of the Lost and Drag Me to Hell. a
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, Quarantine, Pineapple Express— See the exclusive first look at footage and meet the stars of Underworld : Rise of the Lycans. The third film in the popular Underworld franchise delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian (Michael Sheen), emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, the beautiful vampire Sonja (Rhona Mitra), in his battle to free the Lycans from their brutal enslavement. On stage to take your questions will be Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen and director Patrick Tatopoulos. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is in theaters everywhere January 23, 2009.
Quarantine: Television reporter Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) and her cameraman (Steve Harris) are assigned to spend the night shift with a Los Angeles fire station. After a routine 911 call takes them to a small apartment building, they find police officers already on the scene in response to blood-curdling screams and soon learn that a woman living there has been infected by something unknown. After a few of the residents are viciously attacked, they try to escape only to find that the CDC has quarantined the building. Phones, Internet, television and cell phone access have been cut off, and officials are not relaying information to those locked inside. When the quarantine is finally lifted, the only evidence of what took place is the news crew's videotape. Quarantine opens in theaters everywhere October 17.
Tru Blood Presents: Comic-Con International Masquerade— Fabulous original and re-created costumes crafted by Comic-Con's talented attendees appear on stage before an audience of thousands. Outstanding costumes will be awarded trophies and cash prizes. Doors will open for audience seating at 7:45 PM, but the line will start much earlier! Tickets will be required for seating, and will be given out free to those lining up near Ballroom 20 beginning at 4:30 PM. The masters of ceremonies will be writers/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio, and halftime entertainment will be a mini-show featuring favorite comic book heroes presented by the JING Institute of Chinese Martial Arts & Culture.
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Staci Layne Wilson reporting