11 hot things you MUST see at Comic-Con in San Diego this month

Comic-Con can be an overwhelming four days of multimedia spectacle, and unless you can clone yourself or you have access to time travel, there's no way to attend every cool event. That's where we can help.

The schedule's not even out yet, but we've already gotten wind of dozens of must-see happenings. For those of you corporeal beings traveling to San Diego July 22-26, here are SCI FI Wire's recommendations for 11 Comic-Con events not to miss.

1) James Cameron and Avatar. Director Cameron will reportedly return to Comic-Con for the first time since some dude handed him a VHS tape when he was promoting Steven Soderbergh's Solaris. This time he has footage of his upcoming 3-D sci-fi epic to show. So far, only a few folk have been privy to this hot property, and Comic-Con is rumored to be trying to equip the San Diego Convention Center's 6,500-seat Hall H with 3-D projectors to accommodate the footage.

2) Peter Jackson's first-ever appearance. This year marks the director/producer's first physical manifestation in San Diego. He's bringing District 9, the sci-fi allegory he produced and which is directed by Neill Blomkamp (it was teased last year with those cryptic signs saying "Humans only" all over the convention center). Something tells us Jackson will have to field a lot of fanboy questions about the Hobbit movies and maybe even The Lovely Bones.

3) Ninja Assassin. Of all the studios coming to Comic-Con, Warner Brothers will have the most varied and plentiful slate that appeals to the sci-fi fan (Jonah Hex, The Book of Eli, The Box), but the real movie to watch for is Ninja Assassin, the Wachowski brothers' and James McTeigue's martial-arts opus, which takes the well-worn genre and amps it up to a new level of bloody action.

4) ABC's Lost. Saturday is your last chance to ask executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse questions they won't answer about the final season of the maddeningly elliptical sci-fi series. They're also promising surprise guests. Could it be Maggie Grace, Ian Somerhalder, Dominic Monaghan?

5) V pilot screening. TV fans will face a Sophie's Choice among the new and returning genre shows on display, but the real one to camp out for is the pilot screening of V in Ballroom 20 on Saturday, a first look at ABC's re-imagining of the classic 1980s sci-fi series, featuring Firefly/Serenity's Morena Baccarin as Anna, the alien lizard queen; the show doesn't hit the airwaves until January.

6) Doctor Who, David Tennant, in person. In his first appearance, Tennant will co-host a panel with writer/executive producer Russell T. Davies to talk about four Doctor Who specials. (If you're a Torchwood fan, catch star John Barrowman and behind-the-scenes crew later that day in Room 6BCF, just two days after the last episode airs.)

7) Caprica/Battlestar Galactica: The Plan. There will be a panel for SCI FI's upcoming Caprica prequel series, and as well as a trailer for the upcoming prequel movie The Plan, the Edward James Olmos-directed story told from the Cylons' perspective, the first time you'll likely get a glimpse at the film, which doesn't have a firm release date yet.

8) Tron. Disney will reportedly bring several films to the con, but the must-see event would be a 3-D screening of footage from the new Tron sequel/reboot. (Remember that sneak footage of a light-cycle race last year? That was simply demonstration footage, so you ain't seen nothing yet.)

9) True Blood. The fans will get more access to the cast of this HBO vampire series than the press will, so don't count on us to report any potential season-three scoops from behind the scenes. Season two will be halfway finished by then, so start taking notes now and have something really juicy prepared for your turn at the mic.

10) Zack Snyder's live Watchmen commentary. If you loved Watchmen, you can view Snyder's full three-hour director's cut for the first time, with the director himself answering questions live at a San Diego theater. The event will also be made accessible remotely through BD Live. Stay up late on Saturday for the midnight screening, which could go until at least 4 a.m.

11) ABC's FlashForward. This highly anticipated fall series, from The Dark Knight writer David Goyer and Star Trek veteran Brannon Braga—the duo behind CBS' Threshold—won't screen at the con, but you'll get a first look at clips from it and get to query members of the all-star cast, which includes Joseph Fiennes, Star Trek's John Cho, Jack Davenport and Sonya Walger, as well as Goyer and show runner Marc Guggenheim.

Bonus item: At 4 p.m. on Friday in Ballroom 20 you can catch a screening of "Epitaph One," the bonus episode of Fox's Dollhouse that was produced for the upcoming DVD but never aired and doesn't fall within the present-day continuity of the show. It's set in the future and features an appearance by Felicia Day, a favorite of show runner Joss Whedon (she is one of the stars of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog).

Source: SciFi News

For anyone that might be interested:

There's actually hotel rooms still available from Travel Planners for Comic-con! My curiosity discovered this yesterday and I was able to upgrade our room to a closer spot that was on the shuttle route for a little bit more a night. So if you're out at Old Town or Hotel Circle it might be worth checking out!

Which SCI FI shows and stars will be at Comic-Con?

SCI FI Channel will bring out its big stars at Comic-Con International in San Diego next month, including the cast and creators of Stargate Universe, Caprica, Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, Eureka, Sanctuary and Warehouse 13.

You'll have a chance get the answers to all your questions at each of the Channel's panels.


In addition, SCI FI will take over a restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel, re-branding it as Eureka's "Cafe Diem" for the duration of the convention, which will be the hub of all SCI FI activities during the week.

Following is SCI FI's full Comic-Con schedule. Comic-Con runs July 22-26.

Friday, July 24

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Stargate Universe Ballroom 20. A new chapter of the Stargate saga begins with the all-new original series Stargate Universe. Join stars Robert Carlyle, Brian J. Smith, Elyse Levesque, David Blue, Alaina Huffman, Jamil Walker Smith and Ming-Na alongside series co-creators Brad Wright and Robert Cooper.

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Caprica/Battlestar Galactica: The Plan Ballroom 20. The present meets the past as the makers of Battlestar Galactica deliver the highly anticipated original series Caprica and the two-hour event, Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, directed by Edward James Olmos. This is your chance to get the inside scoop on these exciting projects and see two generations of Adamas on stage together for the first time. Executive Producers Ronald D. Moore, David Eick and Jane Espenson sit down with Caprica star Esai Morales (Joseph Adama) and Olmos (Admiral William Adama) to reveal the truth about these two new chapters in the mythology of Battlestar. Moderated by Geoff Boucher, Los Angeles Times.

3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Eureka Room 6BCF. Eureka is back this summer with all new episodes, and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Allison Blake), Erica Cerra (Jo Lupo), Neil Grayston (Douglas Fargo) and Jaime Paglia (executive producer/co-creator) are stopping by to let you in on the fun. Moderated by Josh Gates, Destination Truth.

8:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. SCI FI Screening Room 6DE. See Warehouse 13 and Eureka on the big screen. Join SCI FI for an exclusive screening of the next all-new episodes of the summer's two hottest series, along with best of clips from Ghost Hunters.

Saturday, July 25

12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Sanctuary Bayside Hilton Indigo Room. Before Sanctuary returns for an all-new season, don't miss your chance to go inside the action and behind the scenes. Join stars Amanda Tapping (Dr. Helen Magnus) and Robin Dunne (Dr. Will Zimmerman) as well as executive producers Martin Wood and Damian Kindler for an exclusive conversation about one of television's most innovative shows. Moderated by Michael Logan, TV Guide.

2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m. Warehouse 13 Room 6A. Join stars Eddie McClintock (Pete Lattimer), Joanne Kelly (Myka Bering), Saul Rubinek (Artie Nielsen) and Allison Scagliotti (Claudia Donovan), along with Jack Kenny (executive producer/show runner) and David Simkins (executive producer) as they reveal confidential information about America's most classified secret. Moderated by Michael Logan, TV Guide.

Café Diem Hours of Operation:

• Wednesday, July 22 6:30 a.m.-midnight
  
• Thursday, July 23 6:30 a.m.-midnight
  
• Friday, July 24 6:30 a.m.-3 a.m.
  
• Saturday, July 25 6:30 a.m.-3 a.m.
  
• Sunday, July 26 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Source: SciFi Wire

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is offering a chance to purchase a special advanced limited edition Blu-ray or DVD of the first season of Dollhouse, exclusively at Comic-Con International in San Diego. Individually numbered, 5,000 (2,500 Blu-ray/2,500 DVD) copies were created, each featuring a personal letter to fans from series creator Joss Whedon and exclusive Comic-Con packaging.

Dollhouse will be available for pre-order at www.foxstore.com\dollhousecomiccon\index.html beginning Monday 1 p.m. (ET) through July 20 (or until product is sold out), and a limited quantity will also be available for on-site purchase at the Fox Booth. In person pick-up for those that pre-ordered the collection will begin at the Fox Booth on Wednesday, July 22. Photo ID is required or purchasers must designate at checkout someone who will pick-up the DVD on their behalf.

Regular versions of Dollhouse will be available on July 28.

Thanks to Batman for the updated site information!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kennywood,

I was just on the site but can't find anything for the Comic Con version?

Peter Jackson and David Tennant - good grief - you Americans are really spoiled.

Sounds like it is shaking up to be an awesome show!

quote:

Originally posted by Batman:
I was just on the site but can't find anything for the Comic Con version?

The news story said "Monday 1 p.m. (ET)", but as that's when most people are getting back from lunch, perhaps it will be a little after 1:00.

Here is some information, you won't find it on the regular Foxstore site, you have to go to www.foxstore.com\dollhousecomiccon\index.html - however, the site is not working at the moment and the representative I spoke with didn't know if it was due to a technical problem or that they were just sold out. Nice job, Fox.

I just tried again and the site says there are some technical problems and pre-order will be available shortly. Keep trying, and good luck!

The Dollhouse link is now working. You'll be redirected to another address, though.

I was finally able to place my order a few minutes ago, it was still a bit of a pain, at first it would not let me select DVD, it kept refreshing back to Blu-ray. I went in a scond time and everything went smoothly. There was still over 2000 of each available as of just five minutes ago.

still not connecting through for me.....

quote:

Originally posted by cverdec:
still not connecting through for me.....

Thanks for your persistance. I can understand Fox not wanting to ship overseas but this has got me miffed that as it is a pick-up item, it shouldn't matter where in the world you live

Well, I think I got one ordered. Am I supposed to get a confirmation email? I have not yet, but it tells me I ordered one already when I try to order again......

Chris, I got an e-mail confirmation right after I placed the order.

Reposting this from the "Wish List" post


I believe, from what I can tell on Twitter, the Comic-Con folks are selling passes every night at 7:00 pm PACIFIC time on eBay.

Also, this is a stretch and I would never even suggest it on a public forum except that I know you are desperate...if you are good friends with any stores in your area who are NOT going to the show and are Diamond Comics customers, maybe you can do them some favors in exchange for the passes they can receive free from Diamond. It's probably a long shot but I run under the notion that one must exhaust every avenue, even if it means whoring oneself out to sort cards, vacuum carpets, alphabetize comics, wash windows, etc. in exchange for passes. Good luck!

Fearing Twilight stampede, Comic-Con moves Avatar

Comic-Con has posted its new Friday schedule today and has already rejiggered its Thursday lineup, which went live yesterday, to move Fox's and James Cameron's Avatar preview out of the line of fire of Summit Entertainment's The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

Looks like the change was made in light of last year's disastrous scheduling of the first Twilight movie panel, for which fans began lining up at the San Diego Convention Center's Hall H the day before and staking out seats, to the detriment of fans who wanted to see other panels.


After initially scheduling Avatar and its preview of 3-D footage on Thursday morning, with New Moon slated for midday, the schedule has now been changed to put New Moon on at 1:45 p.m. (as part of Summit's panel on its full slate of films) and pushed Avatar back to 3 p.m.

Of course, this doesn't help Disney's much-hyped 11 a.m. panel, featuring the first 3-D footage ever shown at the convention, including a first glimpse of the new Tron movie.

There is remarkably little I'm really making time for. Mostly Doctor Who on Sunday...Torchwood if I can make it.

I did notice that they haven't revealed any autograph signings for David Tennant...I wonder if he'll be doing any.

-Bob-

I'm pretty sure last year BBC America had signings for all of their shows that were represented so fingers crossed. I'm pretty they were all drawings so who knows how they will do it this year.