What I've Seen, Comic Con is Still Nigh
Jurassic World; Fallen Kingdom
I come at this from a space of only seeing the second film "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "Jurassic World", and I can tell the first film was beloved seeing as that there were a bunch of enthusiasts rocking "Jurassic Park' shirts when I saw it. So having only seen the limited few, I have to say "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" is the best of the "Jurassic" films that I've seen. Oh, it's ridiculous and the plot lines are this side of telenovelas, but it's fun! Summer movies - and this film kicked of summer solstice - are supposed to be fun!
Three years after the events of "Jurassic World" where the revived prehistoric animals at the theme park on Isla Nublar have run rampant
and gave audiences this priceless Jimmy Buffett moment
former Jurassic World operations director Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), and her Dinosaur Protection cohorts Dr. Zia Rodriguez (Daniella Pineda, The Originals) and Franklin Webb (Justice Smith, The Get Down) is pushing for government support in saving the animals from the island, whose volcanic activity will cause another extinction the prehistoric animals.
Opponents to government's intervention includes Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) whose own experiences with the dinosaurs and his expertise in chaos theory leaves him believing that humans and dinosaurs are not meant to co-exist.
Claire finds hope when Eli Mills (Rafe Spall, Roadies), the aide to Ben Lockwood (Jamie Cromwell), co-architect of the cloning of dinosaurs, contacts Claire. Lockwood will fund a mission to save the animals and house them, but they need Claire's help with tracking them through the swiftly dying island.
For help, Claire recruits ex-boyfriend, and former dinosaur trainer Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) who- despite a love for his former favorite raptor Blue - has sentiments more aligned with Malcolm's than Claire's.
Based on element from the Michael Crichton "Jurassic Park" novels (I had no idea there were more than one), the action takes place off-island with a general feel of the Universal monster films of old.
Directed by J.A. Bayona (the exquisite "The Impossible"), he reworked "Jurassic World’s director Colin Trevorrow's script to bring this near homage to vintage movie serials to life.
Rounding out the cast is Geraldine Chaplin as Iris, Lockwood's caretaker, Isabella Serman as Lockwood's granddaughter Maisie, Toby Jones (The Dectorists) as Gunnar Eversal, a profiteer who has a vested interest in getting the dinosaurs off the island,
Ted Levine (Psych) as a rote baddie and B.D Wong returns as Dr. Wu.
Jurassic World: The Fallen Kingdom cast
Bayona employed his longtime cinematographer Oscar Faura for the film and as in “The Impossible” and “A Monster’s Call”, Faura did a supreme job with the lighting which gave the film a rich, gothic feel.
There’s another collaborator Bayona wanted to work with in this film - his “The Impossible” star Tom Holland. Bayona wanted Holland as Franklin, the tech, but Holland’s schedule didn’t permit it. But just as when Bayona reached out to Holland to do stand-in work on his 2016 film "A Monster's Call", Bayona reached out to have Holland and his family watch a rough cut of “…Fallen Kingdom” to act as his own focus group.
Holland actually knew the entire plot of the film before seeing it and being Holland, spoiled the entire plot line to his "Avengers: Infinity War" cast mate Chris Pratt. Pratt thought Holland was having him on, until much later when he received the script for the film.
Holland visiting the set
Uncle Drew
This film, based on a series of commercials for Pepsi Max, will not take its place in the pantheon of sports films like "Hoop Dreams" or "Love and Basketball", instead it's strictly minor league like Bow Wow's "Like Mike" or "Air Bud" and that's okay. It is what it is which is an amusing and affectionate look at the love of basketball and the bonds that are formed between teammates.
After experiencing humiliation as a teen in a basketball game against Mookie (Nick Kroll, Dax (LilRel Howery)
gives up planning and instead looks to success as a coach hoping to get his team to win the local basketball tournament The Rucker Classic. Winning would mean vindication for his loss - and the cash purse of $100,000 isn't bad either (especially to his girlfriend Jess (Tiffany Haddish).
When Dax loses his entire team, featuring his star player Casper (Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic) to Mookie, he sets out to find a new team and ends up meeting Uncle Drew (Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics), a legendary figure in the sports community who disappeared 50 years earlier. Instead of giving Dax advice on how to win, Uncle Drew decides to get his old teammates together to play the tourney: Uncle Drew's former best friend Big Fella (Shaquille O'Neal), Preacher (Chris Webber, formerly of the Golden State Warriors) who dodges his wife Betty Lou (Lisa Leslie formerly of the Los Angeles Sparks) to go on the adventure, Boots (Nate Robinson of the Boston Celtics) and Lights (Reggie Miller formerly of the Indiana Pacers)
The film is better than it needs to be considering it's a cinematic commercial for Pepsi and Nike. I am not keen on sports so I expected to be detached from it but the universal themes of friendship and passion for a hobby bridges that gap for people like me who aren't into "sportsball". The audience reacted positively and intensely during the final basketball showdown. Irving is surprisingly really good, but I especially loved Webber because with the permed wig and beard he looks like one of my uncles and that tickled me. Also..
Aaron Gordon!
The film also stars Erica Ash (Real Husbands of Hollywood) as Boots indulgent granddaughter Maya.
The men in and out of makeup
The First Purge
When I hear "The Purge" I come running. What started out as a simple home invasion story sprinkled with themes of socioeconomic disparities has morphed into a full on look at socioeconomic disparities and the fight against the 1% sprinkled with WTF violence and cool masks.
The third entry in the franchise: "The Purge : Election Year" saw an uprising against "The Purge" and its architect the New Founding Fathers --the party that overthrew the US government during an economic crisis. "The First Purge" delves into how The First Founding Fathers decided to roll out "The Purge" using Staten Island as its testing ground. Overseeing the experiment is its architect, psychologist Dr. May Updale (Marisa Tomei, an Oscar winner in a miniscule budgeted Blumhouse film). Offering up money to those who stay in the city to be a part of the experiment and offering even more to those who actively purge, the New Founding Father's test is met with outrage by local activist Nya (Lex Scott Davis, Superfly)
who knows the underprivileged is being taken advantage of. More sanguine is her ex-boyfriend, drug kingpin Dmitri (Y'Lan Noel, Insecure)
who doubts that people in his community even have it in them to be killers, even for a hefty payday.
William's theory is put to the test whe he and Nya have to venture into the purging's path when to rescue her younger brother Isaiah (Joivan Wade, Youngers) who secretly, and regretfully, chose to participate in the purge.
"The First Purge" is slightly above a B movie but I like B movies and certainly B movies that has attempts to shine a light on societal woes. When the franchise began in 2013 it seemed high concept; but with each subsequent film and the atrocities that go on in the U.S it seems scarily timely and real from images of an attack on a church, Purge-rs in klan and Nazi gear and police officers beating citizens, the film can serve as a crystal ball to just how far society can fall if there's no Nyas in the world to push back.
And while Nya is the moral heart of the film, Noel's William is the hero which is not a good look exactly to have a drug dealer as the hero. But the film never absolves him. It always portrays him as someone who does as much harm to his community daily as Purge-rs are seeking to do over the course of 12 hours. But Noel's commanding presence wears down the nagging thoughts of if he should be considered a good guy as William gives great Bruce Willis in “Die Hard” vibes.
Whew, this man!
There is a mid-credit scene which is a teaser for the upcoming "The Purge" series on SyFy.
Hereditary
Peer pressure firmly put me in the seat for this film as I am not a fan of the horror genre. The ratio is completely off the chart on Rotten Tomato and Cinemascore because the film was heavily praised by critics at SXSW which spurred people (like me) to see it, only to find it overpraised and overhyped. That said, it's still an interesting piece of work from the feature film directorial debut of writer/director Ari Aster.
Annie (Toni Collette) is all frayed nerves after the death of her mother who she had an embattled relationship with. Dealing with her feelings and a looming deadline for an art installation she's putting together, as well as being the harried mother of two teens: Charlie (Milly Shapiro, off-Broadway's Matilde) and Peter (Alex Wolff, Patriot's Day) she goes to grief counseling under the nose of her patient husband (Gabriel Byrne).
When another tragedy hits the family, Annie is befriended by Joan (Ann Dowd),
a fellow participant in the support group. Joan teaches Annie how to summon her lost one. When she does so it unleashes an entity that threatens the sanity of the family.
Collette is tremendous; this is a tour de force for her.
Byrne is a great and comforting presence.
And it’s nice seeing him play Wolff’s father again
If you're going in to be terrified you will be disappointed. I think it works best as a family drama as the more the audience learns about Annie's upbringing the more she seems like an unreliable narrator and the instrument of the malevolence that is happening to the family.
It leaves more questions than answers so it's best to just sit back, watch the acting and cast all the quizzical and befuddling plotting aside.
The Catcher Was a Spy
Whew, what a boring film on such an interesting subject.
“The Catcher Was a Spy” is based on the true story of baseball player turned spy for the U.S government.
Moe Berg (Paul Rudd) is a successful major league baseball player who joins the WW2 war effort in his own way by doing espionage work for the government. His mission? To follow German physicist Werner Heisenberg (Mark Strong)
to determine if the Germans are close achieving the atomic bomb. If so, Berg must assassinate Heisenberg to not let the Germans beat the U.S to the punch.
Dreary and slow moving despite a wealth of material at the service of the screenwriter to work with because not only was Berg living this double life as a spy, he was harboring the secret of his homosexuality (we are teased with a flirtation between Berg and a Japanese liaison played by Hiroyuki Sanada)
I was cheated of them kissin!
But seeing Rudd in a kimono was nice
from his girlfriend Estella (Sienna Miller, once again, unrecognizable to me.
Sicario : Day of the Soldado
A follow-up to the excellent 2015 that returns with as much violence, viciousness and, in my opinion moves from moral dubiousness to morally bankrupt but I think that lends to the reality of the situation that the film depicts.
After a suicide bombing in Kansas leads the Department of Defense to the notion that Islamic terroriss are being smuggled to the U.S by the Mexican drug cartels, the Secretary of Defense James Riley (Matthew Modine) gives CIA agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) permission to pull together a team for a covert mission to pit the Mexican drug cartels against each other in order to undermine their clout.
Graver pulls in his friend/colleague Forsing (Jeffrey Donovan, Burn Notice) and the lone wolf who helped him in his previous mission - Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro).
Alejandro’s opening salvo is for the team to kidnap Isabella Reyes (Isabella Moner, Transformers: The Last Knight), the daughter of the head of the major cartel who destroyed Gillick’s life.
When new information threatens the team’s mission, Gillick must find it in himself to not let the sins of her father keep him from protecting Isabella to get her to safety.
And like the first Sicario, there is a B plot in detailing how border town teen Miguel (Elijah Rodriguez, The Book of Life) is recruited into being a coyote ( a human trafficker) by his cousin Hector (David Castaneda), an industry run by the cartels.
The film doesn’t hold back any punches in its portrait of a government which doesn’t worry itself with moral quandaries, instead blazing a path of destruction by using people as pawn in a global chess game in order to secure its dominance; a government that uses terrorism as an excuse to act lawlessly. But that was shown in the first film, while “…Day of the Soldado” doubles down on that, it also shows the humanity in Grazer and Gillick and if it’s possible for these victory-at-all-costs men, have a line they are unwilling to cross.
-Benicio’s 7-year old daughter can’t see “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” and maybe she’s a bit too young still for “Avengers : Infinity War” where del Toro plays The Collector, reprising his role from “Guardians of the Galaxy”.
With Thanos/Josh Brolin
But his work on Guardians and also “Star Wars” means he has a Disney connection so he has talked about taking his daughter, and her grandfather Rod Stewart to Disneyland. Maybe one day he’ll do an age-appropriate film for her to see.
del Toro with ex Kimberly Stewart and her extended family
Ashley Hamilton, Alana Stewart, Sean Stewart, Rod, Kimberly, daughter Delilah, Benicio, George Hamilton and George Jr.
San Diego Comic Con is in a matter of days and while the official site hasn’t put up the full programming, the networks and studios are releasing info on their participation.
The big news is that Marvel Films is sitting out SDCC. However, they are very likely to have a showing in August at Disney’s D23 Expo to discuss “Captain Marvel” and “Avengers 4” which is rumored to be titled “Avengers: End Game”.
Also skipping SDCC is HBO which means no “Westworld” or “Game of Thrones” but that’s understandable since “Westworld” second season has already ended (it has been renewed for a third) and won’t return to the airwaves until 2020. And even though “Game of Thrones” will return in 2019 for its final season the show has wrapped and it’s not in HBO’s best interest to try wrangle the cast for a final appearance.
So we know who won’t be there,
Movies
New Line: Will bring their 2nd Annual ScareDiego to SDCC. There will be info about the currently shooting “It” sequel “It: Chapter Two”.
The adult “It” cast
Jessica Chastain as Beverly
James McAvoy as Bill
Jay Ryan (from Beauty and the Beast, aka the man who I wanted Kristin Kreuk to marry as Ben
Andy Bean as Stanley, Bill Hader as Richie, James Ransone as Eddie and Isaiah Mustafa as Mike
And clips from “The Conjuring” spinoff “The Nun”.
20th Century Fox: This could very well be 20th Century Fox Film’s last standalone presentation at SDCC with the deal for Disney buying them getting closer than ever with Disney raising their bid for the studio above Comcast’s bid. Until then the studio is going it alone with:
The Predator: The reboot of the 80s film starring Sterling K. Brown, Trevante Rhodes, Alfie Allen, Keegan Michael Key, Jacob Tremblay, Olivia Munn and Boyd Holbrook.
And how hot is Sterling in the trailer?!
While the next X-Men film “Dark Phoenix” is complete, it, and the offshoot “The New Mutants” have been pushed back so there’s doubt that either will be teased.
Let this franchise burn out
From the Bridge: Greg Grunberg will serve as moderator for the panel featuring the documentary’s writer-director Spencer F. Lee, Nichelle Nichols, Rod Roddenberry, Kerry O’Quinn, Tom DeSanto, cos-player Cecil Grimes and other special guests. From The Bridge chronicles the evolution of sci-fi, horror and comic book fandom, as recounted by some well-known names from the genres. Docu also features original interviews with those already mentioned plus Stan Lee, Joe Dante, Tom DeSanto, Adam Nimoy, Bryan Fuller, Neal Adams, Doug Jones, Howard Roffman, among others.
Shooting Clerks: Christopher Downie’s biographical comedy about Kevin Smith making his cult classic Clerks literally stars much of the original cast including Smith, Brian O’Hallaron, Jason Mewes and Marilyn Ghigliotti. Downie, Brett Murray (producer/actor), Ryan James (producer/editor), and castmembers Matthew Postlethwaite, Jay Booton, Stephanie Price will be on hand with special guests from Clerks and Comic Book Men including Ghigliotti (associate producer) and Ming Chenfor an exclusive sneak peak.
TIL that the "Transformers" films have never had a presence at SDCC. That changes with Paramount bringing their BUMBLEBEE standalone cast to the Con.
The trailer, (which made me tear up because it features the voiceover of the late Bernie Mac as the card dealer who connected Bumblebee and Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf), BUMBLEBEE takes us to 1987, twenty years before the first "Transformers" film and finds "Bumblebee" in California taken in by a teenager named Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld) whose act of sheltering him puts them on the run from the shadow agency Sector 7 led by Agent Burns (John Cena). While on the run Bumblebee and Charlie learn that Bee isn't the only Transformer on Earth and that these other bots are less than friendly.
With “Top Gun : Maverick”, the unnecessary and unneeded sequel to “Top Gun” filming in San Diego, there’s hope that Tom Cruise will turn up. It has been announced that Miles Teller has been cast as the son of Goose (played by Anthony Edwards in the original).
Sony presentation
”Venom” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”: (Hall H, Friday, July 20 at 6:15PM).
“Venom” stars my mans Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, an investigative journalist, who becomes the host for an alien symbiote and ultimately squares away with an evil scientist Dr. Carlton Drake played by Riz Ahmed. Michelle Williams also stars. The panel will include footage that was previously shown at CinemaCon.
“…the Spider-Verse” is an animated film featuring Miles Morales who donned the mask. While there has yet to be a live-action Miles, he was hinted at in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" in a great meta scene where Donald Glover mentions his nephew who lives in the area. Why this moment was so wonderful was because when Sony was looking for a new Spider-Man (ultimately Andrew Garfield got the role), Donald Glover half-jokingly said he'd like to be the new Spider-Man. When that didn't happen, people pushed Sony and Marvel for more diversity hence the creation of half-Black/half-Latino Miles Morales who Glover ended up voicing in an animated film.
People are hoping Tom Holland will pop in for the Sony panel as he is now shooting the sequel to “Homecoming”, “SpiderMan : Far from Home”.
Universal
Halloween: Jamie Lee Curtis and cowriters Danny McBride and David Gordon Green.
Glass: The sequel to “Unbreakable” and “Split” starring James McAvoy, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson and Bruce Willis.
- Willis will have to endure a different crowd when he tapes his own roast on Comedy Central. Airing July 29 with Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who portrayed a young Willis in "Looper") as the Roast Master, Willis will be lambasted with “Hudson Hawk” jokes by former costars Cybill Shepherd and Edward Norton, with comedian Lil Rel Howery, Dom Irrera and Kevin Pollak also taking their shots.
RZA: Movies, Music & Martial Arts: The RZA will showcase his upcoming film starring himself, Shameik Moore (The Get Down), Terrence Howard, Wesley Snipes and T.I.
Warner Bros. presentation: While no confirmation as of yet from the studio it is very likely that the “Wonder Woman” follow-up “Wonder Woman 1984” (starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine and Kristen Wiig) will be a showcase.
Also expected is a sneak peak of “Shazam!”, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Godzilla: King of the Monsters” and “Lego Movie 2”.
A new trailer for “Aquaman” is teased by the film’s director James Wan which Jason Momoa will mark his 82nd year attending SDCC in the run up to this standalone.
Also expected is a sneak peak of “Shazam!”, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Godzilla: King of the Monsters” and “Lego Movie 2”.
Look at James having his own Funko
As does “Thor: Ragnarok” director Taika Waititi
I guess all the sexy people get Funkos
-Last week Marvel fans rejoiced because “Thor: Ragnarok”s Tessa Thompson became the first openly bisexual Marvel star. And the joy was doubled when her interview with Net-a-Porter seemingly confirmed her rumor relationship with singer/actor Janelle Monae.
Thompson's quote from the interview that started all this : (the interviewer talking about the interwebs speculating on her relationship with Monae) “We love each other deeply,” she says. “We’re so close, we vibrate on the same frequency. If people want to speculate about what we are, that’s okay. It doesn’t bother me.” “It’s tricky, because Janelle and I are just really private people and we’re both trying to navigate how you reconcile wanting to have that privacy and space, and also wanting to use your platform and influence,” says Thompson. “I can take things for granted because of my family - it’s so free and you can be anything that you want to be. I’m attracted to men and also to women. If I bring a woman home, [or] a man, we don’t even have to have the discussion.” “That was something I was conscientious of in terms of this declaration around Janelle and myself. I want everyone else to have that freedom and support that I have from my loved ones,” she continues. “But so many people don’t. So, do I have a responsibility to talk about that? Do I have a responsibility to say in a public space that this is my person?”
But now Thompson Lucy Van Pelt’ed everyone and has clarified her relationship status.
Tweeted Thompson, “Sometimes we cheer so loudly at someone speaking their truth, that we miss what they say. I didn’t say I was in a relationship. But I said lots of other things. All below. One thing I missed - Pride Has No End.”
…they’re smashing I am sure of it.
On the TV side:
Wednesday, July 18
Special Preview Night Screenings: “Manifest”, “The 100”, and “Freedom Fighters: The Ray”
6-10 PM, Ballroom 20
Thursday, July 19
Charmed: Panelists: Stars Melonie Diaz, Sarah Jeffery, Madeleine Mantock, and Rupert Evans along with producers Jennie Snyder Urman, Jessica O’Toole and Amy Rardin will be on hand after a sneak peek of episode 1 of the reboot.
Van Helsing: Panelists: Stars of the Syfy action horror series Kelly Overton, Jonathan Scarfe, Vincent Gale, Aleks Paunovic, Rukiya Bernard, and Trezzo Mahoro will join creator/showrunner Neil LaBute and executive producers Mike Frislev and Chad Oakes to give fans an exclusive first-look at what’s in store for the upcoming third season.
Better Call Saul: Panelists: Bob Odenkirk, Banks, Esposito, Rhea Seehorn, Michael Mando, Patrick Fabian, Vince Gilligan and co-creator Peter Gould.
Magnum P.I.: Panelists: Fans will get to watch a sneak peek of episode 1 and afterwards, stars Jay Hernandez and Perdita Weeks and executive producers Peter Lenkov and Eric Guggenheim will talk about the revival and participate in a Q&A.
Breaking Bad 10th Anniversary Panel: Panelists: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Anna Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Giancarlo Esposito, Betsy Brandt, Jonathan Banks, RJ Mitte and Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan will reunite for the anniversary.
Iron Fist : Panelists: Executive Producer and Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeph Loeb welcomes surprise guests from the Netflix Marvel series ahead of its Season 2 launch.
Friday, July 20:
Young Justice: Outsiders; (10-11 a.m., Room 6DE, Cartoon Network)
STAR TREK: DISCOVERY: With cast and execs: Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Shazad Latif, Mary Wiseman, Anthony Rapp, Mary Chieffo, Wilson Cruz and Anson Mount along with executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Heather Kadin. The panel will be moderated by comedienne/female actor Tig Notaro
The Big Bang Theory; (10:15-11:15 a.m., Ballroom 20, CBS) The writers and producers of the hit comedy series will participate in a panel that seeks to take fans inside the writers’ room, providing behind-the-scenes insight into some of Season 11’s most memorable moments, including the big engagement and wedding. **dawnybee Notice as it says "writers and producers"? That's because only Johnny Galecki tends to do the panel in recent years.
DC Super Hero Girls: (12:30-1:30 p.m., Room 6DE, Cartoon Network)
Castle Rock : (12:45-2 p.m., Ballroom 20, Hulu) Based on the works of Stephen King, Hulu’s “Castle Rock” will premiere its first episode during this exclusive screening, followed by a panel discussion with creators and executive producers Sam Shawand and Dustin Thomason, as well as stars Sissy Spacek, Bill Skarsgard, Melanie Lynskey, and Jane Levy.
Bob’s Burgers: (4:15-5:10 p.m., Indigo Ballroom, Fox)
Archer: (5:15-6:15 p.m., Indigo Ballroom, FXX)
TV Guide Magazine Fan Favorites (Saturday, July 21, 5pm. Indigo Ballroom): Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley (The 100), Cameron Cuffe (Krypton), Amber Nash (Archer), Summer Bishil (The Magicians), Robert Buckley (iZombie), Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna Earp), David Mazouz (Gotham) and Tom Ellis (Lucifer which has been picked up by Netflix).
The Passage: (6-7 p.m., Room 6A, Fox) Based on Justin Cronin’s best-selling fantasy book trilogy, Fox will debut the world premiere screening of the epic, character-driven thriller about a secret government medical facility experimenting with a dangerous virus that could either cure all disease or cause the downfall of the human race. Following the screening, stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Saniyaa Sidney, Henry Ian Cusick, Jamie McShane, executive producer Liz Heldens, executive producer and director Jason Ensler, and author Justin Cronin will appear for a moderated discussion and fan Q&A.
Saturday, July 21
Unikitty!: (10-11 a.m., Room 6DE, Cartoon Network) “The Lego Movie’s” Unikitty moves from a supporting role on the big screen to a starring role on the small screen with this light and colorful children’s programming.
Black Lightning: (11-11:45 a.m., Ballroom 20, The CW) A video presentation will welcome fans back to the corrupt world Black Lightning feels obligated to come out of hiding in order to protect. The following panel will feature stars Cress Williams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin “Krondon” Jones III, Damon Gupton, and James Remar, as well as producer Salim Akil, who will provide a first look into the DC series super sophomore season.
The Simpsons: (12-12:45, Ballroom 20, Fox)
Krypton: (12-12:50 p.m., Indigo Ballroom, Syfy) With the help of a video spot, panelists will offer an exclusive glimpse into Season 2 of “Krypton,” which follows DC’s Superman as his life spirals into imminent peril. Joining the discussion are executive producers and DC veterans David S. Goyer and Cameron Welsh, as well as members of the live action cast. The panelists will also take a look back on the most shocking moments of Season 1 in anticipation for the return to Krypton.
Manifest : (1-2 p.m., Indigo Ballroom, NBC) NBC will premiere the pilot of its new time warp drama “Manifest,” which follows a group of passengers who disembark from a turbulent flight to New York to find that five years have passed in the world around them, and their loved ones, who thought them dead, have moved on. Executive producer Jeff Rake and stars Melissa Roxburgh and Josh Dallas make up the team of panelists, who will give audiences a first look into the unexpected take on a crash-landing narrative.
American Dad! and Family Guy (1-2:15 p.m., Ballroom 20, Fox)
Legacies : (2-2:50 p.m., Indigo Ballroom, The CW) When one “Vampire Diaries” spinoff closes, another opens. Set in the same world of witchcraft and magical creatures as “The Originals” and its parent series, “Legacies” centers on Hope Mikaelson, Klaus Mikaelson’s teenage daughter, as well as Alaric Saltzman’s twin sons (**dawnybee. This is an error. Alaric has twin daughters), who are all enrolled at the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted. The CW’s exclusive video presentation and panel with executive producer Julie Plec and stars Danielle Rose Russell and Matthew Davis will return fans to the “TVD” universe through young, new eyes.
The Gifted: (2:30-3:15 p.m., Ballroom 20, Fox)
Supergirl: (3:30-4:15 p.m., Ballroom 20, The CW)
The Orville: (4-4:50 p.m., Indigo Ballroom, Fox)
Arrow(4:15-5 p.m., Ballroom 20, The CW)
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: (5-5:45 p.m., Ballroom 20, The CW)
The Flash: (5:45-6:30 p.m., Ballroom 20, The CW)
"Arrow", "The Flash", "Supergirl" and "Legends of Tomorrow" have been playing musical chairs with its cast. Gone from "Arrow" is Paul Blackthorne and John Barrowman. Returning is Colton Haynes. Gone from "Supergirl" is Melissa Benoist's real life boyfriend (and The Vampire Dairies fave) Chris Wood) and Jeremy Jordan has been demoted to recurring status (although TPTB said that he isn't gone completely fans said TPTB has said the same thing about never to return Calista Flockhart). LoT lost Franz Drameh, Wentworth Miller and Victor Garber, but gains Mrs. Brandon Routh, Courtney Ford as a series regular in S4.
Recently was the anniversary of “Superman Returns” and there were some meanies throwing the failure of "Superman Returns" in Brandon's face.
I have such a soft spot for Brandon so reading this actually touched me. This has made me look inward. Maybe I shouldn't be cruel to the svelte, surely not stuck in the CW until all the ice caps melt, Jenny Ackles. I should be more respectful to him and his costar-brother-husband Jared Padalecki considering Austin made a proclamation and made Supernatural Day a thing.
On Supernatural Day do you get to spend all day having sex with your costar-brother-husband while listening to Blake Shelton??
Sunday, July 22
Supernatural: (10:30-11:30 a.m., Hall H, The CW) As “Supernatural” nears its 14th season, fans will be treated to a video presentation and Q&A with stars Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Alexander Calvert (dawnybee: Who dis??)
Riverdale: (11:45-12:45 p.m., Hall H, The CW)
Mayans M.C.: (1-2 p.m., Hall H, FX) The next chapter of the “Sons of Anarchy” saga is here. Set in a post-Jax Teller world, Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes is fresh out of prison and a prospect in the Mayans M.C. charter on the Cali/Mexi border. Now, EZ must carve out his new identity in a town where he was once the golden boy with the American Dream in his grasp. Discussing what to look forward to from Season 1, co-creator, executive producer, writer, and director Kurt Sutter will appear in a conversation alongside fellow co-creator, co-executive producer, and writer Elgin James, executive producer and director Norberto Barba, and stars JD Pardo, Clayton Cardenas, Edward James Olmos, Sarah Bolger, Michael Irby, Carla Baratta, Antonio Jaramillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, Richard Cabral, Danny Pino, Emilio Rivera, Frankie Loyal, Joseph Lucero, and Vincent Rocco Vargas.
Legion: (Sunday 2:15-3:15 p.m., Hall H, FX) Noah Hawley’s groundbreaking superhero series starring Dan Stevens, Rachel Keller, and Aubrey Plaza will give fans a chance to dive deeper into the recently concluded second season. (**dawnybee: One of my joys in watching the muddled "Legion" are the musical interludes from a mouse singing Roxy Music's "Slave to Love" to series' recurring cast member Jemaine Clemant singing "If I Ruled the World".
Mr. Mercedes: (643 G Street, AT&T Audience Network) Based on the trilogy by Stephen King, “Mr. Mercedes” will be bringing an “Immersive Experience” to give fans a glimpse into the past and into the future of the series at SDCC, which will include an augmented reality adventure game, a virtual reality escape room game, and a private screening room where media, VIP, and lucky fans will get the chance to watch a sneak peek at Season 2. “Mr. Mercedes” will also appear in a show panel, but date, time, and panelists are TBA.
Doctor Who: (TBA, Hall H, BBC America) The 13th Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker, will make her debut in San Diego this year, alongside “Doctor Who” co-stars Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill, showrunner Chris Chibnall and executive producer Matt Strevens. **dawnybee The panel was originally to be moderated by Chris Hardwick but after an op-ed piece from his ex, Chloe Dykstra in which she alleges emotional and sexual abuse, Hardwick was dropped from this panel and many others. Taking his place for “The Walking Dead” panel is Yvette Nicole Brown formerly of ‘Community”.
The Walking Dead/Fear The Walking Dead: Panelists: this sprawling panel will include Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Norman Reedus, FearTWD’s Kim Dickens, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Colman Domingo and Lennie James plus EPs Gale Anne Hurd, Robert Kirkman and new TWD showrunner Angela Kang among others. If past years are any indication expect to learn the premiere date of the new season of TWD and see a sneak preview of what is expected to Linclon’s final year on the show.
Amazon Mega-panel: Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Good Omens, The Tick, Homecoming, Lore, The Expanse : Panelists: Carlton Cuse, Executive Producer of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Tick creator Ben Edlund; Sam Esmail, director of Homecoming; Neil Gaiman, creator-writer-showrunner of Good Omens; Lore Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd and Naren Shankar, showrunner of The Expanse.
Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger: Panelists: Executive Producer and head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb moderates a panel with stars Olivia Holt, Aubrey Joseph, Emma Lahana, Ally Maki and executive producer/showrunner Joe Pokaski. The panel will also include a special look at exclusive, never-before-been-seen footage.
Krypton: Panelists: Join series stars and executive producers of SYFY’s hit series as they discuss the many surprises of the first season and provide an inside look into what fans can expect in season two.
Legacies: Panelists: Executive producer Julie Plec and series stars Danielle Rose Russell and Matthew Davis for a special video presentation followed by a Q&A for the fortcoming series that continues the tradition of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. Legacies is the third installment of this supernatural series about witches, vampires and werewolves.
American Dad! and Family Guy : Panelists: It’s a Smith-family Funday with “Francine” (Wendy Schaal), “Steve” (Scott Grimes), “Klaus” (Dee Bradley Baker) along with “Snot” (Curtis Armstrong), “Barry” (Eddie Kaye Thomas), Toshi (Daisuke Suzuki) plus executive producer Matt Weitzman who will treat American Dad! fans to a first look at scenes from all new episodes coming soon to TBS.
This will be followed by “Family Guy” panel with stars Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, and Mike Henry and executive producers Rich Appel, Alec Sulkin, and Steve Callaghan. They will share their favorite memories from the hit animated comedy and give a special sneak peek of the upcoming season.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles : Panelists: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back with Nickelodeon’s brand-new mutation of New York’s half-shell heroes. Joining the discussion is the new voice cast: Omar Miller as Raph, Ben Schwartz as Leo, Josh Brener as Donnie, Brandon Mychal Smith as Mikey, Kat Graham as April O’Neil, and Eric Bauza as Splinter. They will be joined by co-executive producers Andy Suriano and Ant Ward, and legendary voice director Rob Paulsen. The panel will also feature never-before-seen clips from the upcoming series.
The Man in the High Castle: Panelists: cast Alexa Davalos, Rufus Sewell, Jason O’Mara, and Stephen Root along with Executive Producers Isa Dick Hackett and Dan Percival. Moderated by Deadline’s Dominic Patten
Deadly Class
6PM-6:50PM, Indigo Ballroom.
Panelists: Comic creator and EP Rick Remender, Miles Orion Feldsott, Mick Betancourt, Benjamin Wadsworth, Lana Condor, María Gabriela De Faría, Benedict Wong and comic co-creator Wes Craig. Moderated by Deadline’s own Dominic Patten