Superman, Iron Man, Hobbit and Godzilla among Comic-Con highlights
Building a buzz with fans and media, film and television studios hosted presentations with the stars and footage from upcoming fantasy, sci-fi and superhero films at Comic-Con in San Diego, July 12-15. Lots of highlights and excitement included big names, from Peter Jackson on the Hobbit panel to Robert Downey Jr. with Iron Man 3.
Here is a selection of highlights, from the many panels for highly anticipated films which enjoyed a strong reception to footage and images created specifically for Comic-Con in the marquee venue Hall H:
Man of Steel
Henry Cavill (Immortals), who portrays the new Superman and Clark Kent in Man of Steel, appeared for a Q&A and to screen footage with director Zack Snyder (Sucker Punch), who explained, "We had to act as if no film had been made." The classic DC Comics story costars Russell Crowe (Robin Hood) and Amy Adams (The Fighter). Produced by Christopher Nolan, the film has a teaser trailer set to play before The Dark Knight Rises. Release date: June 13-14, 2013.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Having finished production on the two-part film prequel to Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson, Andy Serkis, Ian McKellan, Martin Freeman and Elijah Wood presented 13 minutes of excerpts and received a standing ovation. The footage was not 48 frames per second since a previous screening complained about it. "Audiences will get used to 48 frames per second," said director Jackson. The film releases December 12-14.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2
On preview day, the finale of the vampire series screened the first seven minutes of the upcoming film with Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and costars including MacKenzie Foy as Renesmee, the child of vampire Bella and Edward. Releases November 2012.
Marvel panel's "Phase Two" revealed titles and release dates with appearances by Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle from Iron Man 3. Among the announcements:
• Thor: The Dark World will hit movie theaters November 8, 2013.
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier is to be released April 4, 2014.
• Marvel's upcoming intergalactic team for Guardians of the Galaxy includes Groot (a giant tree-man),
Star-Lord (half-human/half-alien vigilante), Rocket Raccoon (genetically engineered animal with explosives), Thanos and Gamora. To be released August 1, 2014.
• Ant-Man footage was shown by director Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim Saves the World). It arrives in 2015.
• Iron Man 3's star Robert Downey Jr. surprised the audience, showed footage and confirmed that Ben Kingsley is playing the Mandarin. The threequel debuts in spring 2013.
Django Unchained
Director Quentin Tarantino and Jamie Foxx (Ray) appeared on a panel with Kerry Washington, Christoph Waltz and Don Johnson to unveil an 8-minute reel with a cameo from Jonah Hill and answered Q&A. Releases December 25 in North America and the rest of the world in January 2013.
Resident Evil: Retribution was presented by Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez and director Paul W.S. Anderson, who announced that this is the "beginning of the end" for the series. Opens September 13-14.
Guillermo del Torro (Hellboy) presented footage from Pacific Rim featuring huge 25-storey-tall robots and monsters in a battle he describes as a cyclone clashing with a hurricane, like a "beautiful poem."
Also, Warner Bros. played a Godzilla teaser trailer -- even before shooting.
RC
