It’s that time again – time for San Diego Comic-Con! SDCC 2015 kicks off Wednesday, July 8 with Preview Night, then is in full swing from Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 12. Josh and Violet have each put together a list of the panels they’re most excited about! Read on to find out what those panels are, and to see how alike or different their lists are as well!
Josh’s Top Panel Picks:
San Diego Comic-Con is just about upon us! It is time to crack open the schedule if you haven’t and start making your decisions as to how you want to spend your time! There’s so much to do, and SDCC is getting so crowded, you really have to budget your time. This year re-introduces the wristband policy, but it is quite different than last year, and may be forcing attendees to re-think their plans, as trying to stay in Hall H all 4 days might become an impossibility, depending on how crazy people get. But no sense in worrying, let’s talk about more important things–what panels I am excited to attend!
First Choices:
#5: Heroes Reborn (Hall H, Sunday, 1:45pm-2:45pm) – Heroes was a disappointing show to start. The first season was great, but it sort of fell apart after that. I am hoping Heroes: Reborn fixes the issues the show had to start. I’m excited that some of the characters are coming back, especially Noah, and I am hopeful that other characters, such as Peter Petrelli, will return. Heroes always felt a little like X-Men and getting a live action of them would be great.
#4: Dark Horse: An Afternoon with Joss Whedon (Hall H, Saturday, 4:45pm-5:30pm) – I have to be honest. Part of the reason I want to attend this panel, is I am really curious about what happened between Joss and Marvel. They kind of always seemed a little strained to me in terms of their relationship, but it was quite sad to see it all implode, especially when Avengers: Age of Ultron was about to come out. I am sure we won’t see any fireworks at the panel, but it will be interesting to see a post-Avengers Whedon, and to see where he plans to head next. Hopefully he will bring up some plans he has for the future. I remain ever hopeful that either Firefly or Angel/Buffy will get some sort of new life on the big or small screen. Even if there are no big drops, Joss is an interesting guy to listen to, so I look forward to that.
#3: Legendary Pictures (Hall H, Saturday, 2:30pm-3:30pm) – I am very excited to see where World of Warcraft is at in the process. I am pretty sure filming is done, so I am hoping we get to see some footage that Duncan Jones will hopefully have in his possession. The footage we saw last year was amazing, and I really am hoping that this all means good things for the video game movie. If it does well, it would be one of the first video games to translate to film successfully, which will definitely open the floodgates for other video games.
The other movies mentioned in the panel description seem interesting as well. Crimson Peak seems really creepy from what we saw last year at Comic-Con, so I hope to see more on that. I am interested to see what this Krampus and Great Wall is about too. There is also the added bonus that Chris Hardwick is moderating, and he always does a great job making a good panel better.
#2: 20th Century Fox (Hall H, Saturday, 5:45pm-7:30pm)- If Batman v. Superman is my most anticipated movie coming out in the next year, I would say Deadpool and X-Men: Apocalypse are definitely in the top 5. Deadpool has had such a great “grassroots” feel to it, I can’t imagine it tanking, and I really expect to see Ryan Reynolds showing up in costume at the panel. So much so, that I will be disappointed if he doesn’t. It seems like the perfect way for Ryan Reynolds and Fox to give Deadpool that extra push.
And X-Men: Apocalypse will be just as exciting. The franchise as a whole has really turned around since First Class, and I am excited to see the mutants face one of their most vicious foes. I am hoping some footage comes along with Fox for this movie. I also hope we get some information on the Gambit movie, as I am hoping that turns out better than X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I also hope to see some scenes from Fantastic Four, as that is right around the corner, and could use all of the good publicity it can get given how much bad press Josh Trank has given it.
I guess the fine print I should put on this is that 20th Century has provided no information as to what their panel will be, so I am merely speculating. I just hope that I am right!
#1: Warner Bros. Presentation (Hall H, Saturday, 10:30am-12:00pm) – Like last year, I am ecstatic to see what Warner Bros. brings for Batman V. Superman this year. Last year, unfortunately, we got in just after the Batman V. Superman footage was shown, which really bummed me out. This year, I hope to make it in, and I am really hoping we get a good scene or two to watch. I am also hoping we get some more information on Justice League, as well as other DC Comic related movies. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. seems interesting, and Pan stars Hugh Jackman, so that could be a possible interesting panel as well. If I am being honest with myself though, Batman V. Superman is the panel I am dying to see, and probably my most anticipated movie coming out within the next decade.
It is pretty clear I am excited for Hall H, especially Saturday, much like the other attendees who are salivating for that day. But there are plenty of other things to do, and here are a few of the panels I am disappointed I won’t get a chance to see:
Second Choices:
#5: Lucasfilm (Hall H, Friday, 5:30pm-6:30pm) – I plan on being in Hall H on Friday, but the way the wristbands are being handled this year, it is seeming less likely more and more that we will be able to see the Star Wars panel and successfully get a wristband for Saturday in Hall H. It is very disappointing, but I am going to keep my hopes up. This is certainly in my top 5 movies anticipated over the next year, and probably ranked second, right behind Batman v. Superman. I also hope to possibly see some news on the Rogue One Anthology film, and have my fingers crossed about news regarding Indiana Jones. Jones is a long shot, but I can always hope for another. As for Rogue One, I am almost as excited for it as I am for The Force Awakens given how much awesome stuff was revealed at Star Wars Celebration. Given the crew and the plot of the film, it seems like it is going to be a gritty war film set in the Star Wars universe. I can’t wait to see it, and will be very sad if I am unable to attend this panel.
#4: Minority Report (Ballroom 20, Friday, 1:45pm-2:45pm) – I am very excited for this show. Minority Report is an underrated film in my opinion, and I really look forward to seeing what this show does. I am hoping it does what the movie did, and tread the line of what will happen may not always be what did happen. It is one of my most anticipated new shows coming up, so I hope it is good, and it would have been nice to see what sneak peek the panel will have.
#3: Cosplaying 101/102 (Room 14A, Thursday and Friday, 11:00am-12:00pm) – I have a real appreciation for cosplay, as I love to make stuff. I have made some small attempts at it myself, but I can never find the time, nor skill to get results I actually like. This seems like a good introduction panel to get some ideas, and mingle with other like-minded people. One day, it will be a project I will undertake. It is too bad my day is too full to attend this panel and get some tips.
#2: Comic-Con Film School (Grand Ballroom D Manchester Grand Hyatt, All days, 10:00am-11:00am) – This is another artsy panel I wish I could attend. I have always wanted to explore film making, particularly from the screenwriting side. This seems like another great learning panel. One day, when I decide to blow off all of the “big” panels, I will get some time to do all of these smaller, more educational panels. One day.
#1: Marvel Television Presents (Ballroom 20, Friday, 3:00pm-4:15pm) – Despite the lukewarm feelings I have towards both Agents of SHIELD and Agent Carter, I have high hopes that these shows will get on track. SHIELD in its good episodes is really good, and I am curious to see how next season goes now. I kind of hope we get to see some more information about the Netflix shows coming up, especially Daredevil, but I have a feeling we won’t be seeing anything about that during this panel.
There you have it! What I am most excited about seeing, and what I wish I could fit in.
Unfortunately, it looks like time on the floor will be limited as we will be fighting to get into Hall H. Luckily, Preview Night on Wednesday should give us at least a little bit of time to see what is going on in there. I really hope this wristband thing becomes a non-issue and we can see both Friday and Saturday. It is time to start getting nervous, I think!
Violet’s Top Panel Picks:
I was excited that we got Preview Night this year, as the last time we got it was 2 years ago! We’ll most likely spend the majority of that night on the Exhibit Hall Floor, rather than watching the sneak peek pilot screenings, because the rest of our con is going to be packed with panels. I’ll go through the top 5 panels I will be going to (assuming I’m able to get in, that is), followed by the top 5 panels that I most likely won’t be able to make it to due to scheduling conflicts, but would want to check out if I had a clone.
First Choices:
5. Lucasfilm, Friday, July 10, 5:30pm-6:30pm in Hall H — I’m almost afraid to put this in my top choices, because I’m actually kind of hesitant to believe that we’ll actually make it into this panel. Friday in Hall H is going to be crazy, with The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones panels being in there the same day. But let’s assume there is a way to make it into this, and still be able to get into Saturday in Hall H. We’ve all seen the Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens trailer, which looks awesome. I would love to be in that room to see more (although EW has announced that there will be no new trailer, nor clips from the movie), and witness the next generation of Star Wars on stage with the old. Yeah, I know, it doesn’t specify which “special guests” are on the panel, but they’ve all gotta be there, right? Right?? Plus, I missed The Force Awakens panel at Star Wars Celebration, attending only Friday through Sunday, so it would be nice to go to this instead!
4. Warner Bros. Presentation, Saturday, July 11, 10:30am-12:00pm in Hall H — To be honest, this is only on the list because of Batman v. Superman. Last year, we missed the short Batman v. Superman surprise appearance by minutes, due to being let into Hall H a bit late. Hopefully, this year will make up for that, since we’ll have a full panel with more of the cast, and presumably more extensive footage. There’s also the prospect of some sort of Suicide Squad surprise, which could be amazing!
3. Con Man: The Fan Revolt 13 Years in the Making, Thursday, July 9, 3:45pm-5:15pm in Hall H — Being a big fan of Firefly, I invested in Alan Tudyk’s Indiegogo project on Day 1, because it seems like Con Man is essentially a parody of Firefly and life after the show, and seems like the closest we’ll ever get to actually bringing the show back. I’ve been following along with the “Hang w/” sessions, which are making me excited for the show to come out, and for this panel. The panel description already has a long list of talent that will be there, including Nathan Fillion, Felicia Day, and more, and Alan has said he’s going to try to get as many celebs who worked on the show to appear on the panel as he can. So, that could be a pretty massive panel!
2. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, Thursday, July 9, 12:00pm-1:15pm in Hall H — This is it. The last Hunger Games panel before the final installment of the series. I am a huge fan of the novels, and I was there for the only other Hunger Games SDCC panel, which was in 2013 for Catching Fire, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s in store for us in the grand finale.
1. 20th Century Fox, Saturday, July 11, 5:45pm-7:30pm in Hall H — No Marvel Studios panel this year, so it seems like 20th Century Fox is taking their usual time slot. At this point in time, nothing has been “officially” announced, as the Comic-Con schedule does not actually currently list anything. But we can kind of deduce what will most likely be there, such as X-Men: Apocalypse (which Director Bryan Singer has mentioned he’ll be in Hall H for), Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (which has a Nerd HQ panel, and which book author James Dashner has said he’ll be in Hall H for), Hitman: Agent 47 (which has a Nerd HQ panel), Fantastic Four (which comes out in August), and something that we’re all counting on being there: Deadpool. It will be epic to see Ryan Reynolds come out in the Deadpool costume. With an hour and 45 minute panel, there are even more possibilities of other movies that could be there, so I’m pretty excited about this panel.
Second Choices:
5. The Autobiography of James T. Kirk, Thursday, July 9, 10:45am-11:45am in Ballroom 20 — So, I’ve still never seen William Shatner in person, and would love the opportunity to do so, being a Star Trek fan. And let’s not forget, he was the host of one of my favorite TV shows growing up: Rescue 911. One day I will see him. One day.
4. Spotlight on Rainbow Rowell, Thursday, July 9, 4:00pm-5:00pm in Room 29AB — I’m a little late to the party, but I didn’t discover Rainbow Rowell until my online book club, Boundless Book Club, assigned Rowell’s novel Eleanor & Park as the book to read for April. Within the next few weeks, I had found and read all of Rowell’s books, and loved them. So it would be nice to be able to attend this panel and hear about her writing, and find out what’s coming soon. Alas, I will be in the Con Man panel.
3. Behind the Music: SyFy Thrills and Chills, Friday, July 10, 10:00am-11:00am in Room 23ABC — This is one of those small panels that are interesting and that you won’t really find anywhere else, but that we never have time to go to. It’s about how music has an effect on the viewer, specifically for sci-fi shows, which could be really interesting. Plus the moderators are Tahmoh Penikett (who played Helo on Battlestar Galactica) and DJ Qualls (The New Guy), so that’s pretty cool! But I guess the good news is that if we don’t get a wristband for Hall H on Friday, then we’ll have time to go to this.
2. Marvel Television Presents, Friday, July 10, 3:00pm-4:15pm in Ballroom 20 — There’s no Marvel Studios panel, so this is the next best thing for a Marvel fan, since Agents of SHIELD and Agent Carter are a part of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe, for the layperson). Come to think of it, we’ve never been to an Agents of SHIELD panel, nor Agent Carter. It was great to hear that Agent Carter was renewed, and I am curious to see what’s next for Agents of SHIELD with all these interesting changes going on. It seems like this panel is the biggest competition to the Hall H panels on Friday, but once again, we’ll have to miss it, unfortunately.
1. Wrath of Con Bloggers, Thursday, July 9, 10:00am-11:00am in Room 14A — This panel is about bloggers who blog about comic conventions, like us! What’s more is that all of the panelists (Megan Gotch of The Nerdy Girlie, Leonard Sultana of An Englishman in San Diego, and Alyssa Franks of Friends of CCI Forum) and the moderator (Tony Kim of Crazy 4 Comic Con) are Twitter friends who I’ve conversed with, plus I have participated in Englishman’s Google Plus hangout with all of them, and I’ve even met Megan and Leonard in real life! I would like to be there to support my friends and the SDCC blogging community, but I’ll be stuck in Hall H waiting for The Hunger Games panel. It looks like they’ll probably have a full room anyway, so I doubt I’ll be missed much!
Well, that’s my list. SDCC is always exciting, and there’s so much to do every day that there’s never a dull moment. It’s just frustrating that there’s so many things we want to do that we have to miss! It seems like SDCC is all about making the tough choices, and most of the time, Hall H wins out for us. The question is, will it even be possible to make it into Hall H every day this year? I’m afraid the answer might be no this time around…
