SDCC 2015 is officially in the books, and we have a lot to write about; the good, the bad AND the ugly. 2015 saw a slew of great panels, hot exclusives, off sight events and amazing cosplay. Even though my time was plagued with injury and illness (sprained ankle on Tuesday, sore throat/sinus infection from Thursday-Monday, dislocated knee on Friday) I still tried to make the best of it and not miss anything. Let's just jump right into the 4 big days
Thursday
Since 2014, SDCC has incorporated a new "wristband" system. These wristbands appear to have been designed to possibly cut down on line cutting and camping, and allow attendees the chance to grab a wristband and get a good night sleep back at your hotel. Unfortunately, it has had the exact opposite. Thursday saw some big panels, from Bill Murray making a surprise appearance, to Mockingjay part 2, to Doctor Who. Fans hoping to make sure they got a seat to the latter two, started camping out Wednesday in order to be guaranteed a wristband. Yes, camping is now for wristbands AND panels... thanks SDCC. The wristbands for Thursday's panels would be distributed late Wednesday night, so fans started lining up early Wednesday morning. Once wristbands were distributed fans had the opportunity to return to their overpriced hotel room, but the fact is, if you do, and return the next day, you get placed at the very end of the wristband line. This in turn made everyone just continue camping to avoid going to the end of the line, getting a bad seat or risk being shut out entirely, even WITH a wristband which is supposed to guarantee you get in. Previous years saw hardcore Hall H attendees lining up at midnight the night before, and average attendees hoping into line at 6 or 7 am, the day of. These new wristbands have seemed to force all attendees to now camp 24+ hours, which in my mind is idiotic.
My Thursday consisted of jumping in the wristband line for Friday...all day!. Most of my day was wasted camping....simply to get a wristband. We did manage to have a few people in our group so I was able to escape the makeshift refugee camp long enough to catch some of the Terminator: Dark Fate panel in Hall H
The panel was interesting, I got to see a preview of the upcoming movie and it looks INCREDIBLE. So make sure to catch it. After the half panel, it was back to the grind. I'd love to say I had a good day at SDCC on Thursday but all I did was mainly sit in a line for hours and hours and hours because I had to. Luckily this didn't effect us getting into Hall H Friday, but potentially could have.
Sidenote-To make matters worse there was a major screw up when it came to the ADA/handicap line waiting for wristbands. It turns out that only about 1% of the wristbands were allocated to this line. SDCC greatly underestimates, or simply doesn't care about disabled attendees. While a line formed by midday Thursday, attendees were told there were enough wristbands and to wait 7 to 8 hours. Once the bands were passed out it became apparent they only had about 60 wristbands for a line of about 300. An organized protest started to breakout, Channel 7 news came down to report, the assistant to the president of CCI was forced to come out and a small amount of extra wristbands were then passed out. This barely rectified the situation seeing as only another 40 or so wristbands were supplied bringing the total number of wristbands allocated to ADA to just over 100; out of 7000( About 1.4%). The issue was then replicated Friday night when another minuscule allocation was supplied to the ADA/handicapped line. SDCC seriously needs to reassess the ADA population at Comic Con. An allocation of 5% or 10% seems more than fair; the 1% supplied simply seems insulting. This is then worsened by the fact they let in the beginning of ADA attendees AFTER the mob of regular attendees. A few hundred "A" wristbands are allowed in first which I can only imagine becomes a nightmare for the 30 or 40 wheelchair bound attendees trying to navigate the isles. It would make far more sense to allow the wheelchairs early access to get them situated, then to let them fend for themselves when it comes to forcing attendees out of handicap seats or dodging running fans trying to get up front. The treatment of ADA just became apparently "flawed", and I only hope they correct it in the future...
Thursday turned out to be a bust. I wish I could have saved money and not even purchased a Thursday badge because I couldn't see the con anyway. Wasting my Thursday just to get in Friday just doesn't seem necessary...in hindsight I got to see half of Doctor Who so I'm happy? um, ok... but before last year , I could have done so without wasting my time. SDCC should officially stand for "San Diego Camping-con".
Friday
Well Friday started out horribly. Awake at 4 am to get BACK in line for a day of panels starting in 6 hours. This would typically be normal except for the fact I camped longer on Thursday just to get to this point. I'd normally have more than 3 hours sleep (which was actually 1 hour of technical sleep). But once we got into Hall H it was a new ball game. The day started out with "The Animation Show of Shows". This is a yearly panel showcasing some of the best short animated movies. It's entertaining and I'm glad its first. They shut the lights off for the full panel since it's all video, so you're tempted to fall asleep from the lack of rest you got the night before. You might as well do it now before the big guns come out I guess. I managed to stay awake through all of it and as usual I was pleasantly surprised at this years showcase. But let's be honest, this panel is not what anyone came to see...up next was The Walking Dead..
The entire cast was there as usual to dish on the past season and tease on things to come. The only disappointment was the absence of Robert Kirkman due to a recent surgery. Kirkman has always been a big highlight of mine during SDCC seeing as we've stayed in the same hotel in past years and I always managed to run into him over and over. It got to a point were he started to remember me and what floor I'm on. I have to admit, as much as I love TWD, I'm a bit 'over' the panel. Year after year its just the same exact panel, with the exception of the absence of a few dead cast members and inclusion of next season footage I can see online anyway. All the camping we did for the same exact panel as last year seems a bit of a waste. In the future Id probably skip TWD since Ive seen it year after year, but I was only in the room to make sure I was there for Star Wars.
Then it was on to "Fear the Walking Dead" the companion show to TWD. It it sort of a prequel to the series, which chronicals the beginning of the outbreak and seems to take place while Rick Grimes was in a coma during season 1 of TWD. I had high hopes and the panel didn't disappoint too much. The trailer seemed to accentuate the fact that it's a completely different show set in the same world. It felt total separate from TWD in that it takes place during a time when society has yet to crumble. Think of it as more of a mystery program than horror. I will say that if this show was on the CW with a different name in a different universe, I'd be worried. It may be a dud but we'll have to wait and see.
It was then on to Game Of Thrones.....I'll say it...I do not watch Game Of Thrones, I do not read the books. I may be the only one who hasn't. I missed season one and have just never got around to diving into all 5 seasons. I will someday. The panel itself was like listen to a Chinese weather report. I had no idea what they were talking about or what was going on...that's not racist..I just don't speak Chinese. In hindsight it sort of makes no sense since Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world. I'm just a spoiled American I guess and never learned. That's on me. but GOT is just like TWD. the panel is identical year to year with the exclusion of killed off characters. If you've seen one of these panels, you've seen them all. If this is your first TWD or GOT panel, Id say camp 24 all you want, it's worth it, but missing an entire Thursday to see panels you've 'already seen' is becoming a complete waste.
Next up, "Entertainment Weekly's Brave New Warriors" a mash up of some of today's exciting male actors. It's basically a "women who kick ass" panel, but with men. To me it was filler but it can only be best described as the Magic Mike of Hall H panels. Women gushed and swooned at the guy from 'Outlander' while guys used this time to take a very long bathroom break or finally grab some food for it was what was up next that made us all camp for 24 hours........
Saturday
After another sleepless night, and waiting in loooooong lines we finally made it into Hall H and surprisingly got very good seats behind the "Q&A" area. Our seats on Friday seemed good but these were better. A member of our group even took advantage of the 'question line' and some great cosplay to change shirts. Thanks to the guy in the killer 'Man of Steel" costume for making an 'on the spot" changing room and great photo op.
Saturday was pretty tame compared to years past. On the Schedule was Enter the Star Trek Universe, Westworld, Animated Show of Shows that usually kicks off Saturday mornings, EW Women Who kick ass, MCU and finally Kevin Smith, moving from Friday’s to Saturdays
Up first was Star Trek Panel, a stand out at SDCC is their incorporation of additional screens inside Hall H. While any panel whatsoever can use these extra screens, none ever do except for WB (and an occasional Legendary panel). I will say that I wish ALL panels used these screens because they make for a MUCH better experience in Hall H. I'm not sure if its the 'cost'. but how much would it actually be? the screens and projectors are already there, otherwise they're going to waste. SDCC should really consider lowering its costs for these, or even enticing other production companies to incorporate them into their presentations. Stark Trek brought a lot of content for their upcoming plethora of TV shows. Including the return of Jean Luc Picard and more Star Trek Discovery.
This was followed by Westworld, Admittedly I have not followed Westworld at all. So I used this time to get some snacks and back a pitstop in the bathriom.
Woman Who Kick Ass:
Squashed in the middle of all of this were the "Women Who Kick Ass", and "Joss Whedon" panels . I'd genuinely enjoy these panels but they seemed to be the only two not promoting anything. "Women who kick ass". the female counterpart to Fridays "Brave New Warriors" showcased a few current female stars Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones), Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter), Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who), Gal Gadot (Batman v Superman) and Kathy Bates (American Horror Story). wait... KATHY BATES??? uuummm, really?
Whedon was typical Whedon, talking about his writing process, lack of a current job and just mainly taking questions. I was surprised to see his panel in Hall H but he does have a HUGE following at SDCC due to his previous work: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, Dollhouse, Angel, Dr. Horribles Sing-Along Blog, Cabin in the Woods and the Avenger movies. The shitstorm that trolled him in the media (mainly Twitter) in regards to feminism didn't even come up. Im sure if you actually know Whedon's work, he's the most feminist writter in sci-fi today. Anyone claiming otherwise is simply just trolling to try and grab 2 minutes of fame. Fuck the internet, thats what I say.
I do have to point out, I saw THE MOST EXCITED person I've ever seen in my life waiting in the Q&A line to talk to Joss Whedon. She had a notebook and kept writing down the best question possible as she paced back and forth next to me. Jumped up and down flailing her arms repeatedly as she realized she was 2nd in line, and after taking to the mic, ran back to her seat, visibly crying , smiling, and doing whatever someone does when thy realize their dream just came true and got to talk to Joss Whedon! This sight alone left me with a smile on my face for the rest of the night. If only I was ever that excited about anything. I cant recall ever being that high off excitement in my life and i was in pure envy of her... plus she was French so..... who doesn't love French accents?
Finally it was on to the last head honcho of the day (that is of course you don't care about the WB television megapanel to close things out).... 20th Century Fox
First for 20th was the Maze Runner, the Scorch Trials. I'll be honest, I don't even remember this panel and I think I'm probably missing another somewhere in this write-up. I think I was falling asleep at this point and maybe dozed off during this one. I rewatched the panel and it seemed pretty decent but I couldnt watch the footage they claimed to bring. Oh well. Its another teen angst "cash-in off a book" film. Think Twilight, Hunger Games, Divergent/Insurgent etc.. It stars a bunch of kids I don't know, but if youre a teenager or have teenage kids, they probably know every person in this panel. Its the 'One Direction' of movies.
Next up was the reason everyone waited so long in line.
MARVEL!!!
Wow what a panel. I dont remember Marvel bringing this much content, It was packed full!.
Black Widow is currently in production and thus is the only one with real footage to share. Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff was last seen in Avengers: Endgame. She’s joined on the panel by Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, Midsommar’s Florence Pugh. This movie looks great, Im just confused to its timeframe in the MCU seeing as she just died. Hopefully they come up with something cool and shes back to stay for good
The Eternals
If you’re having trouble telling the Eternals apart from other lower-tier super teams from Marvel like the Inhumans it might be easier to think of them as counterparts to DC’s New Gods. Or you could read our handy explainer.
Created by Jack Kirby at Marvel after he left the New Gods behind at DC, they seem to share some of the same DNA, creatively speaking. The Eternals are immortal cosmic beings who often resemble characters from Greek mythology.
Chloé Zhao, who directed the American Indian western The Rider, is directing the film with Matthew and Ryan Firpo writing the script. Big casting rumors have surrounded the film for months, with Angelina Jolie rumored to play Sersi (based on Circe).
She’s joined by Salma Hayek as Ajax, leader of the Eternals, Richard Madden as Ikaris (based on Icarus), Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo Sunen, Bryan Tyree Henry as Phastos (based on Hephaestus), Lia McHugh as Sprite, Don Lee as Gilgamesh (also known as the Forgotten One in comics), and Lauren Ridloff as Makkari.
It starts shooting next month and will premiere November 5, 2020.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
At today’s panel, the film was not only confirmed to be in development, but we actually got a cast and an idea of what it would be about. The story will follow Shang-Chi’s battle with the Mandarin—the real Mandarin in this case, not the straw man villain of Iron Man 3. Tony Leung will play the Mandarin, and Akwafina will have an as-yet-unannounced role. Shang-Chi himself will be played by Canadian Simu Liu, best known as one of the stars of the Canadian comedy Kim’s Convenience. Liu was only cast this Tuesday after performing his screen test Sunday. It will premiere February 12, 2021
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
The new film, set after Avengers: Endgame, will explore the multiverse first hinted at in Spider-Man: Far From Home, and will be Marvel’s first attempt at something more akin to a horror film.
“We’re gonna make the first scary MCU film,” director Scott Derrickson told the Hall H crowd. But Strange won’t be terrified alone. The events of WandaVision will tie directly into the next Strange film and Elizabeth Olsen will appear as Scarlet Witch. It will premiere May 7, 2021.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Taika Waititi might have only been announced to return for Thor 4 Tuesday but you’d be a fool if you didn’t think he was ready for Hall H. The director, along with Thor: Ragnarok stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, appeared on stage to talk about the new film.Both Hemsworth and Thompson will return for Thor: Love and Thunder, with Thompson quipping that now that she’s King, she’ll need to find her queen.
Which may or may not have been her setting up the prettiest love triangle in recent memory, because Natalie Portman will also be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And she will be playing THOR.
Captain Marvel 2, The Fantastic Four, and Blade
In addition to the slate of films through 2020, Kevin Feige also reminded the crowd, “Black Panther 2 is coming. Guardians 3 is coming. Captain Marvel 2 is coming. The Fantastic Four is coming.” While the first two had already been announced, Feige’s proclamation served as confirmation of the latter two.
Then, just because all the news announced during the course of the hour-and-a-half panel wasn’t enough, Mahershala Ali appeared on stage to announce he’d been cast as Blade.
As if Hall H couldn’t get any crazier tonight, ladies and gentlemen: You’ve met Eternals.
Disney+
In addition to announcing a whole lot of movies, Marvel also continued to tease its shows appearing on Disney+ in the coming year. Marvel Studios is dropping all kinds of news out of San Diego Comic-Con.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier appeared to talk about their excitement for the show and tease its villain, Baron Zemo. It will premiere fall 2020.
WandaVision
Later Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany appeared to talk about WandaVision, which is intended to explore the Scarlett Witch’s headspace after losing her boyfriend and being dust for five years. Joining the cast is Teyonah Parris, known for her starring turn in Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq, as Monica Rambeau.
Monica last appeared as a child in Captain Marvel, but in the comics, she’s also the hero Spectrum (who previously went by the name Captain Marvel).It will premiere spring 2021.
Loki
Tom Hiddleston also appeared to briefly chat about the show Loki, which appears to be focused on the Loki who stole the Tesseract in Avengers: Endgame.It will premiere spring of 2021.
What If…
Jeffrey Wright narrated a brief sequence from Disney+ show What If, which also served as the announcement of his role as the Watcher, a cosmic being that oversees the multiverse and will perceive the different versions of familiar stories.Wright won’t be all alone. A huge cast of characters will appear, with everyone from Hayley Atwell (the first actor confirmed for the series) to Natalie Portman reprising their Marvel roles.It will premiere summer 2021.
Hawkeye
Jeremy Renner showed off an animated teaser for Hawkeye, which will focus on him training another hero with no powers, Kate Bishop. We still don’t know who will play Bishop but we do know the show will appear on Disney+ in the fall of 2021.
Then it was on to 'Victor Frankenstein'. A movie I never even knew was made. A retelling of the Frankenstein story told through Victor's eyes. This movie looks almost identical to the Robert Downey Jr. versions of Sherlock Holmes and did look impressive. The movie stars James McAvoy as Victor Frankenstein and Daniel Radcliffe as Igor. It comes out in a few months!! whaaaa? Yeah. Who knew. Its so unknown that I can't even find any imagery for it online. There has been no movie titles or posters created and it comes out soon, so go figure.
Sunday
Sunday I woke up late and just walked the show floor.
To sum up this years SDCC I can only say I was disappointed more than I wasn't. I twisted an ankle, dislocated a knee, caught a head cold, had a sore throat for days, was forced to camp in loooong lines for "wristbands" then wait again as usual to get in. Most of the panels released their exclusive footage online anyway which made attending Hall H redundant. I didn't spend much time on the floor as I wish I did and didn't see ANY offsite events due to all the camping I had to do. I did get my hands on some exclusives on Preview night but that was a chore. That consisted of lining up early; running(limping) to find the booth line; crowding up in an unorganized group but holding my ground as they told us to disperse; and eventually getting through an hour or two in. Preview night seems more busy than a regular day so work needs to be done to tone that down. When I did get to see the showfloor on Sunday it was pretty identical to every other year. I do have a great time when I go to Comic Con but I think in the future I may skip Hall H entirely in order to see all the things I miss by going to Hall H. Previous years saw me out of Hall H and bumping into cosplay photo shoots with hundreds of cosplayers crowding the back stairs, great offsite events including the Assassins Creed Obstacle course or Godzilla, bumping into tons of celebrities in my hotel or simply in the convention center, or the Adult Swim park. There are even exclusive parties I 'd like to check out some year. I obviously can't see those if I'm camping in a basketball court, or catching up on an utter lack of sleep from camping in a basketball court.
I think this year was an eye opener. Yes I did get to witness greatness with the Force Awakens Panel and Concert for the fans, but other than that I would have passed on almost everything else (in hindsight). WB and 20th century had some good presentations but is missing soooo much of the con really worth it? I spent days in lines to catch about 2 hours worth of Hall H on Saturday that I really wanted to see. The wristband system really needs to go or be drastically altered. It doesn't work and only makes camping and cutting worse.
I've always said this....(and I'm sure there's logistical reasons why it cant be done but)... "Why not move Hall H panels to Petco Park?" the exclusive footage gets released anyway lately, it fits far more than Hall H so you can come and go as you please for any panel you want. Open the concessions, the food would taste better. No camping, and no lines!!, its perfect...... just make sure to bring some sunscreen.
