Even though Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter was only in a little bit of Captain America: The First Avenger, she seems to have made an impression fans. And thanks to those fans, we’ll be seeing a little bit more of her.

Atwell was interviewed by The Age about her possible involvement in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, involvement she is reticent to confirm or deny even though she is included in a cast list in an official press release from Marvel. However, she did reveal that footage featuring her would be shown and a certain comic book convention:

“There’s been an online campaign for Peggy to be featured. People really liked her. So Marvel have made sure that as part of Comicon there will be a little kind of snapshot as to what Peggy’s actually really capable of, which was finished here and which was great fun. Hopefully, it will lead to other things.”

Brendon Connelly over at  Bleeding Cool seems to think that Peggy Carter will be making an appearance in a Marvel One-Shot, a line of short subjects that began with The Consultant on the Thor Blu-Ray, continued with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer on the Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-Ray and  Item 47, a short that was attached to The Avengers Blu-Ray. Even though the last two had at best a transitory connection to the Marvel Film Universe, using these One-Shots to flesh out supporting characters who might not be able to support their own film is a great idea.

However, the way it sounds is that footage being shown will not be as long as the shorts typically run. So what this footage might be might be scenes from Winter Soldier featuring Peggy.

I guess we’ll see in a couple months when Comic-Con rolls around.

Rumor has it that 2004′s The Punisher made a comic book fan out of Thomas Jane. He struck up a friendship with the cover artist for the Punisher comic book, Tim Bradstreet, who used him as a reference for the covers to Dark Horse’s Cal McDonald series. He started RAW entertainment with Bradstreet and Cal McDonald creator Steve Niles, and wrote one of its comic book offerings, Bad Planet.

He campaigned for the role of Jonah Hex, eventually voicing the character for an animated feature. He was briefly attached to play the role of the Comedian in Zack Snyder’s Watchmen. And he famously dropped out of a sequel to The Punisher when it became clear to him that the film was moving in a direction that would do a diservice to the character.

But it would be hard to imagine that Jane would become a fan enough of the character to create a fan film around the character. And he didn’t, wink wink, nudge nudge. But Dirty Laundry is as close as you can come to a Punisher film without getting sued by Marvel/Disney. Jane is not shy about the inspiration for the short:

“I wanted to make a fan film for a character I’ve always loved and believed in – a love letter to Frank Castle & his fans. It was an incredible experience with everyone on the project throwing in their time just for the fun of it. It’s been a blast to be a part of from start to finish — we hope the friends of Frank enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”

The film runs about 10 minutes and was directed by Phil Joanou (Three O’Clock High, Rattle and Hum, State of Grace, Gridiron Gang). Ron Perlman has a small role as a store clerk. The lead character, played by Jane, is never mentioned as Frank Castle or the Punisher by name, but if you want the character to be the Punisher, they don’t tell you it isn’t him either.

Here is Dirty Laundry:

Not everything that was revealed at San Diego Comic Con about Marvel Studio’s upcoming Iron Man 3 was done so at the panel for the film. Earlier in the day, at Marvel’s booth on the convention floor, they presented for a short time the new Mark VIII armor that Robert Downey Jr ‘s Tony Stark will be wearing in the film. Click on the images below (via Cinema Blend) for a much bigger look.

So, what to make of the new paint job? Honestly, I’m a bit non-plussed by it. I’m not sure I really like the mustard yellow color that seems to dominate the color scheme. Perhaps there is some story reason for it looking this color? Does it somehow tie in with the film’s plot being heavily influenced by the Extremis Iron Man storyline? We’ll see.

The Marvel Studios panel at San Diego Comic-Con would be a highly anticipated panel even if The Avengers didn’t set box office records.  But the expectations are even higher now as people are wondering how the studio is going to be able to top 2012. Some of that speculation ends here, and new speculations will begin.

• Thor 2 now officially titled Thor: The Dark World.
• Captain America 2 now officially titled, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. As fans of the comics will know, the Winter Soldier was Cap’s partner Bucky, who instead of dying, was captured by the Russians, brainwashed and turned into an assassin. So, did Sebastian Stan have a deal for two films?
• It’s official! Coming to us from Marvel on August 1, 2014, the Guardians of the Galaxy! We’ll be having posts in the next few days concerning what to expect from the film, including a history of the concept and characters as they appeared in the comic book.
• For those of you crestfallen that Ant-Man was not the next in line for the Marvel film treatment, don’t despair too much. Edgar Wright was there and presented the rumored test footage he did to show the shrinking special effects, This is what Brendon Connolly at Bleeding Cool had to say about it:
  

  As he walked on stage to take a seat, Edgar Wright held up a copy of the Ant Man comics. This one.Wright said that he wanted to adapt that story, To Steal an Ant Man, and that’s still his plan before teasing us and then, to swooning, unveiled his test footage for the film.

  The sequence was largely unfinished but showed ant man looking out of an air vent into a corridor towards an elevator door protected by two CIA-looking suited up goons. He grows to full size, leaps through the air and shrinks as he does so, delivering his kick at ant size, but will full-scale weight.

  During the scene he lands on the barrel of one of the agents guns and runs along it mini sized.

  The character has not been cast, and the performer in the suit was only a stand in, but Wright did speak a little about the costume. While it won’t be final, it did indicate what they are going for – a mixture of the contemporary look and the silver age design.

  Wright says that “Ant Man will kick your ass… one inch at a time.” I don’t know about one inch at a time. My ass is already kicked up and down.

• The Iron Man 3 footage showed us that, yes, Ben Kingsley is The Mandarin, and that he will have ten rings and ceremonial garb.

No mention of The Black Panther, or any of the other rumored films Marvel has in the pipeline. I’m sure that will come in time. But now, what do you think?

It is pretty obvious that Quentin Tarantino is somewhat of a comic book fan. There have been references to comic books in many of his films–a Silver Surfer poster on a wall in Reservoir Dogs, the lead in his script for True Romance working in a comic book store, the secret identity riff in Kill Bill: Vol 2. But Tarantino has been reticent to follow fellow comic book fan filmmakers such as Kevin Smith and Joss Whedon to write comics.

That is, until now. Maybe.

Quentin Tarantino, in typical Tarantino fashion, left the panel promoting his latest film, Django Unchained and made a beeline to the DC Comics panel promoting their Before Watchmen line, bursting in to announce that a five-issue  Django Unchained miniseries featuring writing by Tarantino will appear from DC’s Vertigo imprint before the film hits theaters.

What form this writing will take is still up to debate. Steve Morris over at The Beat says that Tarantino will be writing the miniseries himself (but he also states that the film stars Jamie Fox and Christophe Waltz, not Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz, so, there you go) while Bleeding Cool‘s Brendon Connelly states it will only be Tarantino’s script for the film that will be adapted. If this is true, it might follow a format like how Dynamite Entertainment handled Kevin Smith’s unproduced scripts for his Green Hornet and Bionic Man films–they had other writers convert the scripts into comic book form.

I’m sure we’ll find out more as the hours go on.

Last month, Variety ran an article about Fox, Paramount and Relativity in skipping Hall H presentations at San Diego Comic-Con, which cause a lot of the comic book news sites to proclaim that this might mark the beginning of the film studios abandoning Comic-Con and a return a more comics skewing focus.

Whether these studios’ taking a year off is a sign of things to come or a sign that they don’t have much to promote this year remains to be seen. But there will still be plenty of focus on films at the con, not only in Hall H but also at various venues across the city, in the form of panels, the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival, the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival, and a strong Anime presence.

Here is a list of the film related events going on in conjunction with the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con:

Thursday, July 12

The highlight of the first official day of SDCC ’12 has to be the final Twilight panel. Yes, no longer will you have to camp over night to see a panel in Hall H. As a matter of fact, unless you’re jonesing to see movie trailers that you will soon be able to watch on You Tube at your leisure, you might not have to camp out at all. The Twilight panel is the first official panel in the room, and the Twi-Hards and their Twi-Moms typically clear out the moment the panel ends. Experience Hall H as it once was, before the twinkling vampires took over!

Other highlights include the Disney panel, where Big Hero 6 might be officially announced; the RiffTrax panel, which is always fun; and the debut of documentaries on Image Comics and SDCC itself.

Don’t be sad if you miss the celebration of 1982 panel at the con, because we will be celebrating the summer releases of the film right here all summer long. And don’t bother with the Masters of the Web series, since neither Rich nor I were invited to be on the panel, it will be substandard at best.

10:00-11:00 Comic-Con Film School 101: Preproduction and Screenwriting—Comic-Con Film School is back for another four-day, nuts-and-bolts class on how to make a movie for very little money, using available video technology and desktop post-production software. Whether you’re shooting your first zombie short or that story about the leather-clad girl who pilots a steampunk dirigible, this course will take you from script to final product so that you, too, can enter your own movie into the CCI: IFF. This first class covers the specifics of pre-production on the cheap, including screenwriting, casting, scheduling, location scouting, crewing-up, and getting equipment for nothing. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer/star, Paula Peril-Midnight Whistle), Nick Murphy (writer/director, Pizza and Bullets), Jack Conway (writer/producer, Fear News), Vera Vanguard (producer/star, GothGirl), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica). Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

10:15-11:15 TheOneRing.net: The Truth About The Hobbit—The Hobbit movie is imminent just at the book turns 75. With on-set visits, intrepid reporting, and the pulse of fans worldwide, the TORn staff shred rumors, answer questions, share New Zealand images-but not as part of the official publicity machine. Also featuring a special visual presentation from Weta Workshop and an account of Fandalf traveling the world and (all that is the tip of the iceberg!). Featuring Cliff Broadway (Ringers: Lord of the Fans) and Larry D. Curtis (Hobbit embedded reporter) and additional staff and guests. Room 6DE

10:30-11:30 Books and Hollywood: Literary Franchises in Television and Film—Authors discuss their work transitioning across various mediums, from screenwriters to novelists turning popular books into hit TV series and Hollywood films. How does the creative process differ when writing a screenplay as compared to a novel? Authors describing the process of adapting novels for the big screen include Rebecca Serle (When You Were Mine), Margaret Stohl (co-author of the Beautiful Creatures series), Scott Speer (Immortal City), Tony DiTerlizzi (The Search for WondLa series), Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz (Colin Fischer), Mike Richardson (president of Dark Horse), and Mark Frost (The Paladin Prophecy). Moderated by Geoff Boucher (Los Angeles Times). Room 24ABC

11:00-12:00 Twisted Twins: American Mary—Jen and Sylvia Soska (of Twisted Twins Productions and the makers of Dead Hooker in a Trunk) and Todd Masters (of MASTERSFX and make-up effects producer on True Blood) will discuss the use of prosthetics in horror. The Soskas will also address the challenges of working in a male-dominated genre. They will unveil a sizzle reel from their new film American Mary. Paula Lindberg (Ruby in American Mary) will also be on the panel, which is moderated by Beth Accomando (author of the KPBS blog Cinema Junkie). Room 5AB

11:15-12:00 DreamWorks Animation—DreamWorks Animation’s chief creative officer Bill Damaschke anchors a diverse group of filmmakers to demo and discuss the artistic ambition and technical innovation that goes into moviemaking at DreamWorks Animation. Moderated by Anthony Breznican from Entertainment Weekly. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

11:30-12:30 Trailer Park—A Comic-Con tradition comes home to Hall H! See the latest in trailers from your upcoming soon-to-be-favorite films, including some in that new-fangled 3D contraption (glasses provided, but please give them back as you exit the hall). Hall H

11:45-12:45 Stan Lee’s World of Heroes—The legendary Stan Lee introduces his new YouTube channel that tells the stories of heroes, villains, and the fans who love them. In this epic panel, Stan, Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Adrianne Curry (America’s Next Top Model), Peter David (The Hulk), Jace Hall (The Jace Hall Show), and Bonnie Burton (Star Wars Craft book) talk about their new shows, debut new episodes and trailers, answer questions from fans, and provide a few Stan Lee surprises. Room 6BCF

12:00-1:00 The Pitching Hour—Jermaine Turner (director, Disney/ABC Cable Networks Group), Ted Biaselli (VP, The Hub Network), Jill Sanford (director, Disney original series TV animation), Derek Hoffman (VP, Donner Co.), Valerie Alexander (screenwriter), Carina Schulze (Chatrone), Charlie Chu (editor, Oni Press), Lindsay Rostal (game producer, The Odd Gentlemen), Jennie Kong (VP, Miller PR), and your moderator Dan Evans III (freelance development exec, Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters) will take an idea from conception through production for various media. This process will include creating a pitch document, obtaining agents, and getting a pitch meeting. The panelists will explain, through hypothetical example and humorous stories, the process that new creators should adopt to make their way through the creative battleground of the entertainment industry. Knowing that each project is unique, there will be a Q&A to allow the audience to really hone in on the solutions to obstacles they may encounter. Also on hand is Brendan McFeely (IP lawyer, Kane Kessler) to give creators insight on protecting their ideas as they navigate Hollywood. Room 5AB

12:00-1:00 Cartoon Network and Dreamworks Animation: DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk—Picking up where the critically acclaimed feature film How to Train Your Dragon left off, this weekly animated series follows the continuing adventures of master dragon trainer Hiccup, his faithful dragon Toothless, and his friends on Berk. Dragon training reaches new heights as our heroes unlock secrets about their dragons, explore wild frontiers, and discover new dragon species, all while battling fierce enemies they never dreamed existed. Come get a first look at the series, which premieres this fall on Cartoon Network, and hear from some of the talented dragon trainers who helped bring it to life. Room 6A

12:00-1:00 Machinima: The Future of Entertainment—Machinima has become one of the most talked about entertainment destinations in the world. Serving over 1.6 billion video views a month, the network has established itself with quality content and passionate viewership and is now considered the leading brand for the gaming generation. Don’t miss out on this panel with exclusive footage from Machinima’s new channel, Machinima Prime, which focuses on thrilling episodic content, including the much anticipated tentpole series Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn. Be a part of mind-blowing discussions on the next wave of content creation and the new development paradigm. Catch guests from Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, the Machinima Prime Channel, and the Machinima Network. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

12:45-1:45 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2—Summit Entertainment presents a sneak peek at the highly anticipated conclusion of The Twilight Saga films. This is a must-see for fans interested in the story’s final chapter. You will be shown exclusive footage from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2 and be treated to a cast and filmmaker Q&A session providing details on the epic finale. Hall H

1:00-2:00 100th Anniversary of Tarzan and John Carter of Mars—He wrestled lions, poachers and ran through fire barefoot without a stunt-double or CGI. Actor Ron Ely will discuss filming Tarzan in the jungles of Latin America with writer Mark Evanier and Burroughs illustrator Tom Yeates. Also featuring David Lemmo, co-author of the new book, Tarzan: His First 100 Years. How Ancient Literature Became Modern Mythology and Created an Ape-Man Mecca in Southern California, coming from Angel City Press in 2013. Plus a 100-years of Tarzan and John Carter slide show included. Room 8

1:00-2:00 Voltron: Form Blazing Fans!—The classic animated TV series and toys that introduced the world to wild robot lions and a giant combining hero returns to SDCC. Celebrate Voltron memories with some of the Defender’s biggest fans, including Alex Albrecht (Diggnation, Project Lore podcast), Rob Bricken (ToplessRobot.com), Clare Grant with Team Unicorn (Geek and Gamer Girls), and other secret celeb guests. Plus an update on the live-action movie produced by Atlas Entertainment (The Dark Knight Rises); exclusive comic book reveals and announcements from VIZ Media with Traci Todd (senior editor, VIZ Media), Brandon Thomas (writer, Voltron, Dynamite Entertainment); and Voltron Classics toy info from Mattel’s Scott Neitlich (marketing manager, MattyCollector.com). Win big Voltron prizes, “Form the Head” with Voltron and be ready to share your own Voltron story. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

1:30-2:30 Self-Publishing: Exploring the E-Frontier—The best time in the history of the world to be a writer is today. Mark O’Bannon (author of The Dream Crystal), E. C. “Feo Amante” McMullen Jr. (author of the science fiction collection Perpetual Bullet), Jimmy Diggs (freelance writer for Star Trek DS9 and Voyager), and Marc Scott Zicree (Space Command, Star Trek TNG and DS9, Babylon 5, Sliders, The Twilight Zone Companion) show you what it takes to self-publish your book or film. Join them and discover a new golden age for writers and filmmakers. Moderated by O’Bannon. Room 4

1:30-2:30 Hasbro: Transformers Brand—Aaron Archer (vice president, Hasbro Design) and Jerry Jivoin (director, Global Transformers Brand) discuss the hottest Transformers topics including the Transformers Prime and Transformers Rescue Bots TV series, action figures, video games, comics, theme park rides and more. Attendees will also get sneak peeks at upcoming action figures and brand news. Jerry and Aaron will also host some Q&A for your burning Transformers questions. Roll out! Room 24ABC

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Jim Silke—With a career that spans comics, movies, design, and fine art, Comic-Con special guest Jim Silke has done it all. Silke talks about his past, present, and future work in this Spotlight event.Room 9

2:05-3:05 Walt Disney Studios: Frankenweenie, Oz The Great and Powerful, and Wreck-it Ralph—Walt Disney Studios hosts a Q&A panel featuring the imaginative director of Frankenweenie, Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland); a special look at the world of Oz The Great and Powerful with director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man trilogy); and the illustrious voice cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Wreck-It Ralph, including John C. Reilly (Step Brothers) and Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program), and director Rich Moore (Futurama). Hall H

2:30-3:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #4: The Dark Knight Rises: Is Batman Broken?—He’s strong, smart, and heroic. He’s the Dark Knight we want on our side, but is Batman also out of his mind? Caught between Catwoman and Bane as Christopher Nolan’s Batman movie trilogy comes to its end, will Batman break? Psychologists Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight) and Robin Rosenberg (The Psychology of Superheroes, What’s the Matter with Batman?) discuss Bruce Wayne’s relationships, strengths, weaknesses, and potential diagnoses and ask executive producer Michael Uslan (The Dark Knight Rises), comic book writers Len Wein (Batman) and Steve Englehart (Detective Comics), and Catwoman herself, actress Lee Meriwether (Batman: The Movie), exactly how healthy it is for an orphaned billionaire to spend his nights fighting crime while dressed like a bat. Does the Dark Knight have bats in his belfry? Room 26AB

3:00-4:00 1982: It was 30 Years Ago Today-Greatest Geek Year Ever!—It’s time to stand up and cheer the greatest geek year ever-three decades later-and the editors of Geek Magazine and guests are here to tell you all about it on this nostalgic trip down memory lane in which they go back to the future. Geek editors Jeff Bond and David E. Williams are joined by screenwriter Ashley E. Miller (Thor, X-Men: First Class), director Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise, The Hills Run Red), writer Steve Melching (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Transformers: The Series), Steve Kriozere (V.I.P., Elvis Van Helsing), Bill Hunt, Todd Doogan and Dr. Adam Jahnke (The Digital Bits, Geek), and Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise, Femme Fatales, Castle) to discuss the year that gave us Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Blade Runner, E.T., Tron, Poltergeist, Conan: The Barbarian, The Road Warrior, The Thing, Liquid Sky (Liquid Sky? Really?!?), The Sword and the Sorcerer, Diner, 48 Hours, Dexy’s Midnight Runner’s “Come On Eileen” and many more. What’s your favorite? And can 2012 possibly compare? You be the judge. On second thought, they’ll be the judge. Moderated by Geek Magazine (geekexchange.com). Room 5AB

3:00-4:00 Hotel Transylvania—Animation superstar and 12-time Emmy nominee Genndy Tartakovsky, who previously created Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Sym-Bionic Titan and Star Wars: Clone Wars, makes his directorial debut this year with Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania. Join Genndy for an exclusive sneak peek at footage from Hotel Transylvania and an exciting look behind the scenes of this very unique project, which boasts a hilarious voice cast.

Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of his best friends — Frankenstein and his bride, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Werewolf family, and more — to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday. For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem – but everything could change for the overprotective dad when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis.Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

3:15-4:15 Low Budget/Big Genre: Making it Fun—Script developers, producers, writers, and actors discuss lower-budget genre movies and some of the tools they use to make them so much fun that people keep coming back for more. Panelists include writer/director Eric Forsberg (Syfy, The Asylum, Active Entertainment), Micho Rutare (development executive, The Asylum), actress Gabriel Womack (Triassic Attack, Copperhead), Mark Beltzman (Re-Animator, the Musical), Karen Goodman Forsberg (producer and co-founder, Big Bear Horror Film Festival), and Bill Lundy (writer, Silent Warning, Alien Siege on SyFy; head of Scriptwriters Network). Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

3:25-4:25 CZ12—Jackie Chan & JJ Productions Limited are happy to bring you Jackie Chan’s upcoming classical full-action feature movie CZ12, which is produced and directed by Jackie Chan. The movie stars Jackie Chan, Kwone Sang Woo and with a special guest appearance by Oliver Platt. It is filmed in multi-territories including China, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vanuatu, Australia, and Latvia. Trailers will be presented and a Q&A will be held for the film. Hall H

3:30-4:30 Spotlight on Tim Bradstreet: 25 Years on the Edge of Fantastic Illustration—Comic-Con special guest Tim Bradstreet (The Punisher Max, Hellblazer, Vampire: The Masquerade) discusses his career in RPGs, comics, and film. Join Tim for this onstage interview and Q&A session moderated by Tom Racine (Tall Tale Radio). Room 4

4:00-5:00 Character Design in Entertainment: From Script to Sculp—When it comes to behind-the-scenes special features and “The Art of Making…” reference books for movies, gaming, and entertainment, oftentimes we only get a brief glimpse of what went into the design of a production. Leading creature and concept designer Neville Page (Avatar, Star Trek, Tron, Super 8, and most recently Prometheus) goes in-depth about the specificity of character development, from script interpretation to full design execution, referencing select work from some of the spectacular films he has worked on. You will not only see the final resolve, but the roughest of sketches. A thorough Q&A will be a big part of the presentation. Room 7AB

4:30-5:30 Masters of the Web—The annual gathering of some of the most prominent and influential film pundits on the web discuss the film industry, writing for film online, film fandom, and a whole lot more. Moderated by star of the new Lionsgate film Dredd, Karl Urban (Star Trek, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King), with special surprise cast members from the film. Panelists include Mike Sampson (ScreenCrush.com), Jen Yamato (MovieLine.com), Mali Elfman (ScreenCrave.com), Erik Davis (Movies.com), Steve “Frosty” Weintraub (Collider.com), Grae Drake (Fandango.com), Jenna Busch (Cocktails with Stan Lee), and Edward Douglas (ComingSoon.net), and hosted by John Campea (AMC Theatres). AMC is generously providing free movies passes to all attendees of the panel this year! Room 24ABC

4:45-5:45 The Expendables 2-Real American Heroes—Sylvester Stallone and the legendary cast of the sequel to 2010′s smash hit film preview the real-deal muscles, weapons, skills, and explosions that went into making a film even bigger and badder than the original. Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Dolph Lundgren, Jean Claude Van Damme, and Arnold Schwarzenegger will join the panel discussion. Hall H

5:00-6:00 Blu-ray Producers 2012—Bill Hunt, Todd Doogan, and Dr. Adam Jahnke of The Digital Bits.com and Geek Monthly discuss the process of making great Blu-ray special editions with producers Charles de Lauzirika (Prometheus, The Amazing Spider-Man), Cliff Stephenson (The Hunger Games, The Expendables 2), and Robert Meyer Burnett (Star Trek: The Next Generation-Seasons One and Two), as well as Warner Home Video’s senior VP of theatrical catalog marketing George Feltenstein. Audience participation is encouraged. Room 5AB

5:00-6:00 The Most Dangerous Women at Comic-Con—Actresses, stuntwomen, creative cosplayers, outspoken bloggers, and groundbreaking comic book creators-which women are the movers and shakers on the convention scene? Who are the innovators breaking barriers in the world of fandom? To discuss these game changers, Action Flick Chick Katrina Hill (GeekNation, MTV Geek) has assembled a team of women dangerous in their own right: Leah Cevoli (Robot Chicken), Holly Conrad (Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope), Adrianne Curry (Stan Lee’s World of Heroes), Abbie Heppe (Respawn Entertainment), Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Kristen Nedopak (Skyrim: To Lydia with Love), Milynn Sarley (GeekNation’s Lairs), Stephanie Thorpe (ElfQuest: A Fan Imagining), and Patricia Tallman (Night of the Living Dead, Babylon 5). With moderator Bonnie Burton (SFX Magazine). Room 7AB

6:00-7:00 The Character of Music—Composer and executive producer teams discuss the dynamics of music in film and television. Blake Neely (Arrow), Chris Lennertz (Revolution, Supernatural), Joseph Trapanese and Charlie Bean (TRON: Uprising), and Nathan Johnson and Rian Johnson (Looper) discuss their working relationship, how music plays a character in their stories, and the intense process of scoring their projects. Moderated by Anne Cecere, director of film and TV relations of BMI, and Chandler Poling, founder of White Bear PR. Attendees will get a sneak peek into their work and receive fun giveaways. Room 5AB

6:00-7:00 Monsterverse Horror Comics: Bela Lugosi Demands Flesh and Blood!—Monsterverse Entertainment executives Kerry Gammill (Superman, Stargate, The Outer Limits) and Sam F. Park (Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave) discuss the horror transmedia company’s current and future projects in print, mobile apps, interactive games, and Hollywood, along with Henry Mayo (Ted, Tarzan, The Mummy). Creators Robert Tinnell and Neil Vokes (Flesh and Blood) will discuss future plans for their award-winning (Ghastly Award-Best Horror GN 2011) graphic novel series along with its cover artist Dan Brereton (Nocturnals, The Last Battle). Q&A session to follow. Room 8

6:00-7:00 The Science of Science Fiction: Canon Fodder—Aliens, robots, wormholes, superheroes…there’s more than a little science in all of these, but how can that science be kept straight and consistent across multiple movies and seasons of TV shows? Panelists Jon Spaihts (writer, Prometheus), Jane Espenson (producer/writer, Battlestar Galactica, Caprica), Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller (writers, Thor, X-Men: First Class), Jaime Paglia (producer/writer, Eureka), and Dr. Kevin Grazier (science advisor, Battlestar Galactica, Defiance), talk about the ups and downs of respecting the science in ongoing science fiction TV and movie series. Moderated by Dr. Phil Plait (writer/host, Phil Plait’s Bad Universe, Discover magazine’s Bad Astronomy blog), and courtesy of The Science and Entertainment Exchange, a program of the National Academy of Sciences. Room 25ABC

6:00-7:00 RiffTrax Live—Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett (RiffTrax.com, Mystery Science Theater 3000) return to Comic-Con to perform another live, hilarious riff to a classic short. Join the riffers for fun, laughs and the latest news about their upcoming “Manos” The Hands of Fate and Birdemic live shows, playing for only one night each in select movie theatres nationwide this August and October. RiffTrax.com is the site where MST3K-style humor meets mainstream movies, TV shows and vintage shorts. At RiffTrax they don’t make movies, they make them funny! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

6:15-8:15 The Virtual Drive-In—Come with us again to those thrilling days of yesteryear where one of the few places you could see offbeat genre films was at your local drive-in, huddled safely in your car as the summer sky darkened around you. At least that was the germ of an idea that gave birth to this panel last year, and the reception by those fans who attended was so positive they’re doing it again. So, welcome to the second edition of the Virtual Drive-In, where you will preview three twisted tales by some talented filmmakers who will all be appearing on the panel to discuss their work and take your questions. Moderated by Robert Meyer Burnett. The featured films are:

Branded — A dark and mind-bending journey into a surreal, dystopian society where mega-corporations have unleashed a monstrous global conspiracy to get inside our minds and keep the population deluded, dependent and passive. One man’s quest to unlock the truth behind the conspiracy will lead to an epic battle with the hidden forces that really control our world. Appearing on stage is director Jamie Bradshaw. Crave – Aiden (Josh Lawson) fantasizes about a better life away from his gruesome job as a crime scene photographer working alongside his detective friend Pete (Ron Perlman)-a heroic life where he falls in love with the perfect woman and dispenses justice on the hard streets of Detroit. When he meets the alluring young Virginia (Emma Lung) and steals a gun from a crime scene, the line between his darkest fantasies and reality begins to blur, with deadly consequences. This visually arresting psychological noir begins its festival run with its world premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival and continues on to other festivals around the world. Appearing on stage: Josh Lawson (House of Lies) and director Charles de Lauzirika, with other guests to be announced. Coldwater – “Make sure the past isn’t watching you.” Andre agrees to help out his friend Robert by taking over a housesitting job at an unusual house nestled in the heart of Coldwater Canyon. As the day turns into night, Andre experiences strange things that lead him to believe he is not alone and that someone or something is watching him. Appearing in person are writer/director Dave Parker (The Hills Run Red) and star Ivan Djurovic (24).Hall H

7:00-8:00 LIVE PodCRASH with That Chris Gore—Chris Gore (G4TV’s Attack of the Show, Film Threat founder) is also a comedian, is the creator of some exciting upcoming animated shows and is currently making waves with his podcast PodCRASH. Chris has been called a renaissance nerd and now he will present a very special live edition of his podcast at Comic Con. Expect the content to be rated #GSFW-Geeky, Sexy, Funny, and Weird. Expect some very special guests to crash this panel. Room 5AB

7:00-8:00 Inside The Batmobile—No vehicle has ever captured fans’ imagination like the Batmobile. Be the first to see an exclusive Comic-Con, 22-minute sneak peek at the upcoming documentary The Batmobile, an in-depth examination of its many incarnations and impressive history. A panel discussion will follow the screening featuring distinguished Batman experts George Barris, designer of the famed 1966 Batmobile; Andy Smith, builder of the modern-day Dark Knight “Tumbler”; respected producer/author Michael Uslan (The Boy Who Loved Batman); Ralph Cirella and Jon Hein, hosts of GEEKTIME! Sirius-XM Howard 101; Batmobile designer Tim Flattery (Batman Forever); Batmobile builder Charley Zurian (Batman Forever, Batman & Robin); and a few surprise guests. Stay to the end, when a drawing among all panel attendees will determine which lucky five fans can sit in a Batmobile — which is on display all weekend in the “Batcave” between Hall H and the Hilton Bayfront Room 6DE

7:00-8:00 History of the Modern Zombie—Zombie Research Society hosts a panel of leading zombie experts moderated by ZRS founder Matt Mogk (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Zombies). Panelists include Max Brooks (Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z), Scott Kenemore (Zen of Zombie, Zombie, Ohio), Aaron Sagers (CNN Geek Out, entertainment writer, TV host), Steven Schlozman, M.D. (zombie autopsies, Harvard Medical School), and Bradley Voytek, Ph.D. (University of California, San Francisco). Join them for a spirited discussion about the evolution and impact of the modern zombie, and get all your pressing questions answered before it’s too late! Room 7AB

7:15-8:15 A New Generation of Spike and Mike Animation—See the greatest short animations the world has to offer: one hour of award-winning, artistic, funny, and entertaining short animated films from around the world. See winners from the 2012 Annecy Animation Festival in France, such as Second Hand and Friendsheep. MeetSpike of the Spike and Mike Festival of Animation and Gary Sohmers, the “King of Pop Culture” and Antiques Roadshowcelebrity. Free Spike and Mike DVDs handed out while supplies last. Room 6BCF

7:30-10:30 Superhero Kung Fu Extravaganza—Celebrate 15 years of the craziest, coolest, comical, and most cheer-worthy Asian action film fight scenes ever witnessed by human eyes! This time promises to be one of the most lunatic laugh-n-thrill fests yet, with the best (and worst) the East has to offer. As always, award-winning writer, consultant, professor, World Martial Art Hall of Famer, and Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Movie scripter Ric Meyers is your host, welcoming guest stars such as Comedy Film Nerd podcasters Graham Elwood and Chris Mancini, independent action film idol Eric Jacobus, and even the legendary actor, choreographer, stuntman, and movie icon James Lew (and maybe even more). 15th time’s the charm. Don’t miss this one! Room 6A

7:30-8:30 Famous Monsters of Filmland: Stake of the Union 2012—The world’s first monster fan magazine invades Comic-Con again this year. Publisher Philip Kim and executive editor Ed Blair are on hand to discuss the future of the magazine, including covers, digital issues, film and TV projects, and more. Special panelists include Bela Lugosi Jr.; Jeff Moor, and Allen Steelgrave of ESP Guitars on their top-secret project with FM; Todd Masters (True Blood) on celebrating 25 years of makeup excellence with his company MastersFX; and many surprises. Room 24ABC

8:00-11:00 Hall H and Ballroom 20 Thursday Panel Playback—Didn’t get into either Hall H or Ballroom 20 today? We feel your pain! In this three-hour block, Comic-Con will rebroadcast some of the day’s popular panels from those two giant rooms. Best of all, those in attendance will get to vote on what they want to see. It’s democracy at its finest AND it’s a second chance to see these panels. (Please note: these playbacks will include only the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.) Room 25ABC

8:00-9:00 Kickstart Comics: Come Meet New Publisher Kickstart Comics!—An in-depth look at new and upcoming releases from Kickstart Comics, plus a discussion of the company’s TV and feature plans with sister company Kickstart Productions, as well as Q&A with Kickstart creators. Also get a sneak peek at the upcoming film Bounty Killer. Plus: giveaways of graphic novels. Room 26AB

8:00-9:00 The Image Revolution Documentary—Twenty years ago, the seven biggest artists in comics created a company that revolutionized comics. Now, director Patrick Meaney (Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods) and producer Jordan Rennert (Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts) are telling the company’s story in a new documentary produced by Sequart and Respect Films. Get a first look at the film, and talk about the highs and lows of Image history with a couple of special guests. Moderated by F. J. De Santo (The Spirit). Room 32AB

8:30-10:00 Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog Sing-Along—Join the fun as the California Browncoats screen Internet sensation Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog-coming back with call back sheets so you can play along during the screening. Enter our costume contest: horrible prizes awarded to the best version of each character from the show. DO NOT BOUNCE. Room 6BCF

8:30-10:30 Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope—San Diego Comic-Con premiere screening of the ultimate fanboy documentary from executive producers Stan Lee, Joss Whedon, Harry Knowles, and Thomas Tull. Q&A to follow with director Morgan Spurlock (Warrior Poets) and special surprise guests. Ballroom 20

Friday, July 13

The highlight of the day has to be the Sony panel, which will give us a glimpse of the highly anticipated Total Recall and Looper films. I am personally crestfallen that I am going to miss the Firefly reunion panel. Other than that, there seems to be a big focus on Star Wars and strong women both in front and behind the camera—two worthy Comic-Con subjects. And that Stripped documentary looks interesting.

10:00-11:00 Comic-Con Film School 102: Production—Day 2 of this four-day course on microbudget moviemaking focuses on the specifics of production, from shooting techniques, lighting on the cheap, and crew positions you need (and don’t need) to costuming, props, and set decorating for as little money as possible. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer/star, Paula Peril-Midnight Whistle), Nick Murphy (writer/director, Pizza and Bullets), Jack Conway (writer/producer, Fear News), Vera Vanguard (producer/star, GothGirl), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica). Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

10:30-12:00 Comic Book Law School 202: Royalties, Residuals and (No) Regrets—With record-setting box office returns comes renewed interest in comic book and popular culture properties. Don’t be dazzled by the prospect of having your name up on the big screen or big potential paydays without the legal background necessary to understand what the contract actually says. And even the most brilliant negotiators cannot hope to succeed without an understanding of the business models used by the companies making an offer. Noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the acclaimed The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, is back and ready to tackle a number of the more advanced issues facing authors, artists, and designers, particularly once they’ve “broken through” and have started publishing and selling (and maybe merchandising or media, too). This second Comic Book Law School session addresses some of the complicated issues surrounding marketing properties and creative ideas, including: transfers and licensing of rights; production, merchandising, and distribution agreements; and the key things you should know when Hollywood comes knocking. This interactive seminar gives attendees the opportunity to participate in the discussions as Lovitz (ably assisted by entertainment attorney Mona Metwalli) covers various means for profiting from creative works and explores the many important elements that form the foundation of every contract (and time permitting, maybe participate in a mock contract negotiation). This year they are joined by CPA/CFF Dean Bower, who will be presenting tales of Hollywood and big business audits. (Note: The Comic Book Law School seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for 1.5 credits of California MCLE.]) Room 11AB

10:45-11:45 ParaNorman: Behind the Scenes—Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Travis Knight, Chris Butler, and Sam Fell discuss making their new stop-motion-animated comedy thriller, ParaNorman, made in 3D. Never-before-seen footage will be shown from the Laika movie that Focus Features is opening nationwide on August 17. Panel will be moderated by Dave Karger (Entertainment Weekly). Hall H

11:00-12:00 Hasbro: Star Wars—Hasbro’s Derryl DePriest (VP, global brand marketing), Jeff Labovitz (director, global brand marketing), Michelino Paolino (senior director, product design), Brian Merten (senior manager, product design), Adam Pagano (senior art director), and Erik Arana (Star Wars product designer) discuss the popular Hasbro Star Wars line. Attendees will also get a sneak peek at upcoming, never before seen items. The panelists will also host some Q&A for your burning Star Wars action figure questions. Room 7AB

11:00-12:00 Avatar Press: Hero Worship in Film and Comics—Zak Penn, screenwriter and director extraordinaire, discusses his long career in bringing comic superheroes to film. From his work with Marvel’s mutants on X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand, to the development of his Alphas television series for Syfy, to his countless other big-screen successes (including Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, and the summer’s biggest blockbuster, The Avengers), he’ll cover it all. Also, Scott Murphy (writer on Star Wars: The Clone Wars) will join Zak on stage to discuss Hero Worship, their groundbreaking new superhero comic published by Avatar Press. Room 24ABC

12:00-1:00 A Quirky Point of View: The Fun Star Wars Books of Matthew Reinhart and Jeffrey Brown—New York Times bestsellers Matthew Reinhart (Star Wars: A Galactic Pop-Up Adventure) and Jeffrey Brown (Darth Vader and Son) discuss writing and illustrating the world of Star Wars for two generations of fans. Matthew will discuss the joys and challenges of creating Star Wars pop-up vehicles, aliens, droids, and Jedi, while Jeffrey will discuss finding inspiration in fatherhood for his humorous graphic novel that puts a new spin on the classic saga. Moderated by author Pablo Hidalgo (Star Wars: Head to Head). Room 7AB

12:30-1:30 Judge Dredd 35th Anniversary—It’s an exciting year for Judge Dredd-not only does he turn 35 but he has a big-budget movie coming, a brand-new IDW series launching, and more. IDW’s Chris Ryall, Dredd movie concept artist Jock, 2000 AD’s Matt Smith and Ben Smith, and some very special guests join moderator Douglas Wolk to announce the creative team of IDW’s series, talk about the return of the Dark Judges, and much more. Room 8

12:30-1:30 Firefly 10-Year Anniversary Reunion—Calling all Browncoats to unite! It has been 10 years since the crew of the Serenity took flight in the now infamous show Firefly. Science Channel will reunite, for the first time ever, Captain Mal Reynolds and the crew from the ship. Join Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Sean Maher, Summer Glau, and many more for a trip down memory lane, some special surprises, and exclusive Science Channel giveaways. SHINY. Ballroom 20

1:00-2:00 From Imagination to Screen-The Art Department of Industrial Light & Magic—Creative director David Nakabayashi and the art directors of ILM — Christian Alzmann (Cowboys & Aliens, The Last Airbender), Yanick Dusseault (Star Trek 2, The Avengers), Alex Jaeger (Pacific Rim, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), and Aaron McBride (Noah, Battleship) — discuss the legacy of ILM’s first art director, Ralph McQuarrie. The team will also cover some of the most memorable moments to come through their department during the company’s history, spanning over 35 years and more than 350 films. Room 7AB

1:15-2:15 From Fanboy to Filmmaker: A Case Study on How to Make a Successful Animated Film-Learn how one filmmaker turned a poem he wrote to his kid sister into an international cinematic sensation by enlisting his childhood heroes — Back to the Future‘s Christopher Lloyd, Academy Award winner Kathy Bates and musical legend Neil Young — to tell a seven-minute, animated love story, now being developed as a major motion picture. Follow the journey of this hand-drawn animated film from the living room to the Cineplex, and learn how you can leverage your creative project to launch the life you want to lead. Featuring writer/director Jonah D. Ansell, composer Chris Thomas, art director Eric Vennemeyer, lead animator Abe Dieckman, and a screening of the animated film Cadaver, hailed by MTV as “darkly beautiful.” Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

2:00-3:00 Star Wars Origami—Master folder Chris Alexander (Star Wars Origami) will demonstrate and teach the master folding techniques to make Star Wars origami figures. Attendees will fold an exclusive Comic-Con model along with other art from the movies. Materials included. Room 7AB

2:00-3:00 ASIFA: Hollywood’s State of the Industry—What do the pros think of the animation scene today? Is 2D ever coming back? Is there a Stop-Motion Renaissance? How do I get a job? Panelists include Tom Sito (Beauty and the Beast, Shrek), Jamie Kezlarian Bolio (Lion King, The Illusionist), James Parris (Spider Man, Benjamin Button), Ramin Zahed (editor Animation Magazine), Josh Scherr (Uncharted III: Drakes Deception, Jax & Daxter), and a stop-motion animator from Laika’s upcoming ParaNorman. Join the discussion! Room 32AB

2:15-3:15 Tron: Uprising—Disney XD is bringing the Grid to Comic-Con! Join the noteworthy voice cast Elijah Wood (Beck), Bruce Boxleitner (Tron), Emmanuelle Chriqui (Paige) and Tricia Helfer (The Grid), along with executive producer/director Charlie Bean and consulting producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (Once Upon a Time, LOST), to see exclusive footage and find out everything you want to know about this ground-breaking animated series. The panel will also feature never-before-seen clips of Disney XD’s turbo-charged original series Motorcity and a sneak peek of the upcoming animated series Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja. The panel will be moderated by Daily Variety film editor Josh Dickey. Room 6A

3:00-4:00 Walt Disney Animation Studios: Wreck-it Ralph: The Art of Story—Join Walt Disney Animation Studios story artists Nancy Kruse (Wreck-It Ralph, The Simpsons), Leo Matsuda (Wreck-It Ralph, Princess and the Frog), Raymond Persi (Wreck-It Ralph, The Simpsons), Lissa Treiman (Wreck-It Ralph, Tangled) and Josie Trinidad (Wreck-It Ralph, Tangled), and writers Phil Johnston (Wreck-It Ralph, Cedar Rapids) and Jennifer Lee (Wreck-It Ralph) as they discuss the art of story for the upcoming feature Wreck-It Ralph, in theaters November 2nd. Room 6DE

3:00-4:00 The Future of Star Wars Publishing: Dark Horse & Del Rey—Find out what’s coming up in the Expanded Universe of Star Wars publishing. Editors Randy Stradley and Dave Marshall from Dark Horse Comics discuss what’s next for Agent of the Empire, Dawn of the Jedi, Lost Tribe of the Sith, and Darth Maul, as well as reveal a new secret title that’s on the horizon. From Del Rey Books editors Frank Parisi and Erich Schoeneweiss, along with author Troy Denning (Apocalypse), look at new novels coming later this year from fan-favorite authors Timothy Zahn and Aaron Allston, as well as give a peek into 2013. Also on the panel is Jennifer Heddle, senior editor at LucasBooks. Moderated by author Pablo Hidalgo (Star Wars: The Essential Reader’s Companion). Room 7AB

4:00-5:00 Motion Picture and Television Illustrators of the Art Directors Guild—Film starts with an idea that must be brought to life by a team of creative men and women. The illustrators and storyboard artists use their skills and imaginations to develop the transcendent visuals of the big screen, be it adventure son distant worlds or earthly hovels. Meet the artists as they discuss their craft and answer questions: moderator Tim Burgard (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Benton Jew (G.I. Joe: Retaliation), Dave Lowery (Oz the Great and Powerful), Derek Gogol (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise), Trevor Goring (Real Steel), and Chris Baker (War of the Worlds). Room 24ABC

4:05-4:35 Screen Gems: Resident Evil: Retribution—In Resident Evil: Retribution, we learn more about Alice’s mysterious past as she continues to hunt those at The Umbrella Corporation responsible for the T-virus outbreak, a chase that takes her from Tokyo to New York, Washington and Moscow, culminating in a mind-blowing revelation that will force her to rethink everything she once thought to be true. Aided by newfound allies and familiar friends, including the return of Michelle Rodriguez as Rain Ocampo, Alice must fight to survive long enough to escape a hostile world on the brink of oblivion. Appearing in person: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Oded Fehr, Boris Kodjoe, Mika Nakashima and writer/director Paul W. S. Anderson. Please join them for a preview and discussion of this highly successful film franchise, based on the popular video game series, and watch never before seen footage from the latest installment, Resident Evil: Retribution, in state-of-the art 3D. Hall H

4:15-5:15 Entertainment Weekly: Powerful Women in Pop Culture (aka Women Who Kick Ass!)—Fan-favorites Kristin Bauer van Straten (True Blood), Sarah Wayne Callies (Walking Dead), Kristin Kreuk (Beauty and the Beast), Nikki Reed (Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2), and Anna Torv (Fringe) open up about the power and privilege of playing characters that have redefined the rules for women. Basically, a discussion with women who kick ass. Moderated by EW‘s Lynette Rice. Ballroom 20

4:35-6:35 Sony: Total Recall, Looper, and Elysium—

Total Recall-Welcome to Rekall, the company that can turn your dreams into real memories. For a factory worker named Doug Quaid (Colin Farrell), the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his ordinary existence. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man. The line between fantasy and reality gets blurred and the fate of his world hangs in the balance as Quaid discovers his true identity, his true love, and his true fate. Based on Philip K. Dick’s classic story “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale,” this brand new take on some of his most visionary ideas is directed by Len Wiseman, who will join stars Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, and Bryan Cranston on stage. Looper-In the futuristic action thriller Looper, time travel will be invented-but it will be illegal and only available on the black market. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target 30 years into the past, where a “looper”-a hired gun, like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)-is waiting to mop up. Joe is getting rich and life is good…until the day the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) for assassination. Writer/director Rian Johnson will join Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emily Blunt to discuss the film. Elysium-Ever since writer-director Neill Blomkamp broke through with his first feature film, District 9, people have been wondering what he has in store for an encore. Be a part of the first audience anywhere to get a first look at his new movie, Elysium, as stars Matt Damon and Jodie Foster join Neill and producer Simon Kinberg on stage.Hall H

5:00-6:00 Sci-fi That Will Change Your Life—Sometimes science fiction does more than mangle your eyeballs with awesome explosions — it can also make you think. Come discuss the year’s most brain-expanding sci-fi with io9 staffers Annalee Newitz, Cyriaque Lamar, and Charlie Jane Anders, plus amazing guests Phil Plait (writer/scientist, Bad Astronomy), Deric A. Hughes (producer/writer, Warehouse 13), and Sarah Kuhn (writer, One Con Glory). Room 7AB

5:30-6:30 Dark Horse: Joss Whedon—Long before directing the biggest superhero film in history, Joss Whedon rewarded fans the world over with some of the most compelling characters and plotlines in the history of comics, television, and movies. Here’s your chance to find out what he has in store for us next, and hear exclusive insight into Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the ever-expanding number of titles in Dark Horse’s line of Season 9 comics. Ballroom 20

5:30-6:30 Berserk—At long last, the dark fantasy epic Berserk, by creator Kentaro Muira, comes to the silver screen! Join Dark Horse Comics and VIZ Media in a rare interview with Eiko Tanaka, founder and CEO of Studio 4°C (Tekkonkinkreet, Animatrix, Batman). Find out what it really takes to transform this stark manga into an animated feature. Room 32AB

6:00-7:00 Hermes Press: Buck Rogers: Past, Present, and Future— Be the first to see Howard Chaykin’s new Buck Rogers. Howard Chaykin (American Flagg, Time^{2/sup>,Black Kiss}) premieres his new concept design for Hermes Press’s new Buck Rogers comic book series. Chaykin, Daniel Herman (publisher, Hermes Press), Flint Dille (Transformers and G.I. Joe), and Erin Gray (Wilma Deering from the Buck Rogers TV show) will discuss the history of the character, the classic TV show, the tie-in comic books, and the all-new version of this iconic feature, along with a Q&A session. Room 4

6:00-7:00 Girls Gone Genre—Listen to and talk with women who write, read, game, and perform in arenas that are statistically dominated by men. What happens when traditionally “male” genres are reinvented by female writers and embraced by female fans? Sex and the City (or for that matter, Girls), it ain’t. Meet the women who like to play with trucks and Barbies. And Wolverine action figures. And flux capacitors. Panelists: Marti Noxon (Buffy, Angel), Jane Espenson (Battlestar Galactica, Torchwood), Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body), Deborah Ann Woll (True Blood), Angela Robinson (True Blood) and Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead, The Terminator). Room 7AB

6:00-7:00 Optimus Prime: Up Close and Personal—The incomparable Larry King, one of the most recognized broadcast interviewers in the world, goes one-on-one with voice actor Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), a talent who is practically synonymous with Comic-Con itself. In this panel, “The King of Interviews” salutes the beloved Cullen and takes attendees through the actor’s early days on the original 1984 animated TV series Transformers Generation One, the three box office smash Transformers movies, and his current work on The Hub TV network’s Daytime Emmy Award-winning animated series Transformers Prime from Hasbro Studios. Audience Q&A to follow. Room 23ABC

6:30-7:30 Designing for the Undead—Costume designers guild members Chrisi Karvonides (costume designer, American Horror Story, Carnivale), Audrey Fisher (costume designer, True Blood), and Alexander Welker (costume designer, Grimm) and costume illustrator Imogene Chayes (True Blood, American Horror Story) talk about creating all those great paranormal television characters we know and love. Room 32AB

7:00-8:00 Blade Runner 30th Anniversary Celebration—In 1982, Blade Runner, director Ridley Scott’s classic adaptation of SF master Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was released to theaters and forever changed the face of cinematic science fiction. Filmmaker, BR expert, and acclaimed author Paul M. Sammon (Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner) hosts a 30th anniversary celebration of this influential masterpiece. Sammon (who was present throughout BR’s filming and met Philip K. Dick) will interview numerous BR cast and crewmembers, including BR art director David Snyder and BR: The Final Cut producer Charles de Lauzirika. Be there to meet these and other very special BR guests. Room 6BCF

7:00-8:00 Stripped: The Comics DocumentaryIt’s the documentary film that comic strip fans have been waiting for. Stripped sits down with the world’s best cartoonists to talk about how comic strips work, why they’re so loved, and how artists are navigating this dicey period between print and digital. Set to music by Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band), and with notable interviews from Jim Davis (Garfield), Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics), Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins (Penny Arcade), Kate Beaton (Hark A Vagrant), Bill Amend (Foxtrot), Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), Jeannie Schulz (Charles M. Schulz Museum), and over 70 others-this film will be an incredible experience for comics fans. Join the directors, twice Eisner-nominated Dave Kellett and twice Sundance-nominated Frederick Schroeder, and editor Ben Waters for exclusive sneak peeks of the film, a Q&A, and news of one secret participant that comics fans will go nuts for. Room 25ABC

7:30-8:30 Resident Evil: Damnation Worldwide Trailer Premiere, 7-Minute Sneak Peek, and Filmmaker Q&A—The next action-packed installment in the Resident Evil franchise continues. Fans will have the opportunity to watch the worldwide 2D trailer premiere (in English) of Resident Evil: Damnation, the all-new, 3D sequel to the full-length CG animated feature Resident Evil: Degeneration, based on the Resident Evil (known in Japan as Biohazard) series of games. Fans will also get an exclusive look at the first 7 minutes of the Japanese theatrical version of the film, followed by a Q&A with Hiroyuki Kobayashi (Japanese producer of the Resident Evil franchise) and Makoto Kamiya (Resident Evil: Damnation director). Room 5AB

7:30-8:30 Moving to the Web: Be Your Own Producer—Actors Yuri Lowenthal (Ben 10), Tara Platt (Resistance: Burning Skies), Phil Morris (Smallville), and Stephanie Thorpe (Elfquest: A Fan Imagining) and director Steven Calcote (Shelf Life) discuss how producing content for the web has liberated them from an often obstructive studio system. Room 26AB

8:00-9:00 Meet the New Geek Roundtable—What happened to Geekdom’s most diverse podcast? Hear what the group has been doing in the last year and a half. Hilarious stories, heartwarming anecdotes, and the usual rants that the show is famous for. Meet the cast, which will have some of the same old faces and a few new ones to entertain and educate. Show host Ned Cato Jr., executive producer Jesse Lopez, and a cast of thousands will challenge your geek cred. Prepare for the geekiest panel at Comic-Con. Room 4

8:00-9:00 The Vacationeers are a Disaster—It’s a Disaster is a new end-of-the world comedy from the twisted minds of The Vacationeers comedy group. The film-which also stars Julia Stiles, David Cross, America Ferrera, and Erinn Hayes-is about four couples gathering for Sunday brunch unaware that the apocalypse is happening outside their door. It recently world premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival to rave reviews (The Hollywood Reporter calling it “the funniest film of recent vintage”). Writer/director Todd Berger along with actors Jeff Grace, Kevin M. Brennan, Blaise Miller, Rachel Boston (In Plain Sight, American Dreams) and Erinn Hayes (Children’s Hospital) will be on hand to look back at some of the comedy group’s favorite sketches and give an exclusive sneak preview of the film. Moderated by Kate Erbland of Film School Rejects. Room 6BCF

8:00-9:30 The Totally Rad Show Live: 5-Year Anniversary—Hosts Alex Albrecht (Four Points), Dan Trachtenberg (Portal: No Escape), and Jeff Cannata (Weekend Confirmed) bring their Webby and Podcast Award-winning geek culture show back to Comic-Con for the fifth year. Join the guys for an explosion of movie, video game, TV, and comic book news and reviews, and see what makes this Revision3 show such an Internet phenomenon. Room 24ABC

8:00-11:00 Hall H and Ballroom 20 Friday Panel Playback—Didn’t get into either Hall H or Ballroom 20 today? We feel your pain! In this three-hour block, Comic-Con will rebroadcast some of the day’s popular panels from those two giant rooms. Best of all, those in attendance will get to vote on what they want to see. It’s democracy at its finest AND it’s a second chance to see these panels. (Please note: these playbacks will include only the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.)Room 25ABC

8:30-9:30 Space Command: Bold Adventures in the Far Reaches of Space—Science fiction legends Marc Scott Zicree (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Doug Drexler (Battlestar Galactica), Neil Johnson (Humanity’s End), Michael Reaves (Star Wars, Batman), and Ian McCaig (Star Wars) premiere footage from the highly anticipated epic adventure series that spans 200 years of Galactic History. Stars Doug Jones (Pan’s Labyrinth), Katherine McEwan (Humanity’s End), Christina Moses (Star Trek New Voyages), and Amber Benson (Buffy) discuss their roles. The visionary team gives you an early look at the stunning character design and visual effects, plus the epic score from David Raiklen. Inspired by heroic science fiction of the ’50s. A revolution in film funding and distribution, made by A-list creators for the fans free from studio restrictions. Room 5AB

8:30-9:30 Toy Masters and the 25th Anniversary of Masters of the Universe—To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the release of the live-action He-Man feature Masters of the Universe, the “Seacrest of Sci-Fi,” Robert Meyer Burnett (Femme Fatales, Hills Run Red, Free Enterprise) brings you a powerful discussion of Toy Masters, the first ever feature-length documentary on the worldwide phenomenon that inspired an entire generation of children and became a billion-dollar franchise. The film features interviews with the key creative personnel behind every version of the bestselling toy line and all incarnations of Masters of the Universe on television, film, stage, and print, tracing the inception and ups and downs of the fantasy juggernaut. Everyone involved in the 30-year history of this historic franchise makes appearances in the film, including such genre figures as J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5, Thor), Richard Edlund (Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark), William Stout (Conan The Barbarian, Pan’s Labyrinth), Lou Scheimer (Filmation), Michael Westmore (Star Trek franchise), Don Glut (The Empire Strikes Back, Transformers Animated), and even Dolph Lundgren, who played He-Man in the live-action film. Panel participants include Roger Lay, Jr. (director/producer), Cory Landis (producer), Gary Goddard (director), J. Michael Straczynski (writer), Mark Taylor (visual designer, Masters of the Universe toy line 1980s), Ted Mayer (visual designer/product engineer, Masters of the Universe toy line 1980s), Jack and Leslie Wadsworth (live-action He Man and She Ra, Masters of the Universe: Power Tour), and a special surprise guest! Room 26AB

Saturday, July 14

This is the big day at SDCC. We got your Django Unchained. We got your Warner Brothers panel (Will there be more comic movie stuff beyond just Man of Steel?). We got your Marvel Studios panel (Will it be Guardians of the Galaxy? Black Panther? Both? Neither? Something else?). We got your Kevin Smith Q&A!

I do love the fact that the Rodenberry panel, which is scheduled against the Warner Brothers panel, is using a “WIN A FREE IPOD!!!” marketing gimmick to try to get people in. It the Comic-Con version of a Flash web ad!

Also love that the Twilight phenomenon is so vast and powerful that even its fan fiction garners a panel at Comic-Con. Does Jacob kiss Edward first, or the other way around? Find out here!

10:00-11:00 After Earth—Enter the world of After Earth with an in-depth panel that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the universe of the upcoming film and comic book. With the film now in post-production and set to hit theaters next June, screenwriter Gary Whitta (Book of Eli) and director of photography Peter Suschitzky (The Empire Strikes Back) will discuss the making of the film. They will be joined by comic book artist Beni Lobel (Spanish horror comic anthology Cthulu; G.I. Joe comic books; Torchwood: Web of Lies motion comic), and writers Robert Greenberger (Iron Man, Batman, and Hellboy novels) and Michael Friedman (Star Trek and X-Men novels) — the creators of the comic book After Earth: Innocence, which will introduce Kitai and Cypher Raige (played by Jaden and Will Smith in the After Earth film). Also joining the panel is Eisner Award winner Peter David (Star Trek novels and comic books; The Incredible Hulk), who is writing the After Earth prequel novel and also created the After Earth bible with Greenberger and Friedman.

In After Earth, one thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind’s new home. Legendary General Cypher Raige (played by Will Smith) returns from an extended tour of duty to his estranged family, ready to be a father to his 13-year-old son, Kitai (played by Jaden Smith). When an asteroid storm damages Cypher and Kitai’s craft, they crash-land on a now unfamiliar and dangerous Earth. As his father lies dying in the cockpit, Kitai must trek across the hostile terrain to recover their rescue beacon. His whole life, Kitai has wanted nothing more than to be a soldier like his father. Today, he gets his chance.Room 6A

10:00-11:00 Activision Panel Featuring Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Video Game Talent—Legendary Transformers voice talent and game experts at developer High Moon Studios come together in one epic panel to discuss their roles in the upcoming Activision video game Transformers: Fall of Cybertron. Panelists include Peter Cullen (voice of Optimus Prime), Gregg Berger (voice of Grimlock), Nolan North (voice of Cliffjumper), and Matt Tieger (High Moon Studios game director). They’ll give everyone an inside look into bringing your favorite characters to life in the making of the video game, as well as answer the questions you’ve been dying to ask. Room 7AB

10:00-11:00 Film and TV Production Designers of the Art Directors Guild—In collaboration with a highly skilled art department, the production designer lays out the design plan that will guide a small army of illustrators, set designers, decorators, carpenters, sculptors, painters, and artisans of every sort in creating small worlds to warm the heart and entire civilizations to fire the imagination. Designers include Suzuki Ingerslev (True Blood), Bill Creber (original Planet of the Apes), Rick Heinrichs (Dark Shadows), Thomas Walsh (Vampires), Dominic Watkins (Snow White and the Huntsman), and moderator John Muto (Terminator 2:3D). Room 25ABC

10:00-11:00 Attack of the Show—G4′s Attack of the Show is your ambassador to the information age-from the technology you want, what you watch, listen to, and play to what the world is talking about right now. Whether it comes from 140 characters, from a 30-second video, or straight from the mouths of today’s trendsetters, visionaries, and pop-culture icons, panelists will tell you what is happening, why you should care, and what will happen next. Candace Bailey, Sara Underwood, Matt Mira, Blair Butler, Attack of the Show executive producers Vinny Rutherford and Joshua Brentano, along with special guests, bring you the closest thing to being on a LIVE Attack of the Show, an interactive Comic-Con panel! You’ll also get a chance to grill the hosts and producers and find out the dirty secrets and television tricks behind Attack of the Show. With over 1,000 shows to choose from, there’s got to be something you wanna know! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

10:00-11:00 Comic-Con Film School 103: Working with Actors and a Crew—Day 3 of this course on microbudget moviemaking deals with how to direct actors, organize a crew, and keep them all happy without anybody making any money. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer/star, Paula Peril-Midnight Whistle), Nick Murphy (writer/director, Pizza and Bullets), Jack Conway (writer/producer, Fear News), Vera Vanguard (producer/star, GothGirl), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica) and actors Susan Smythe, Brian Stevenson, Kat Steel, and Brad Upton. Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

11:00-12:00 Geek & Sundry—Felicia Day (The Guild, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog), Wil Wheaton (Big Bang Theory, Eureka), director Daniel Strange (Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis), and the cast of The Guild — Vince Caso, Jeff Lewis, Amy Okuda, Sandeep Parkih, and Robin Thorsen — make some big announcements and offer an exclusive sneak peek at what’s to come. Moderated by Kim Evey (producer, Geek & Sundry). Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

11:30-12:30 Save the Date: Your New Favorite Film—This may be the first comic book film that isn’t based on an actual comic book; instead, Save the Date uses the style and sensibility of indie comics by renowned graphic novelist Jeffrey Brown as a jumping off point to tell a contemporary story of the trials, pain, and happiness of modern love. Explore the challenges and advantages of working in film versus comics with cartoonist/screenplay co-writer Jeffrey Brown (Clumsy, Darth Vader and Son), director Michael Mohan (One Too Many Mornings), and producers Jordan Horowitz (The Kids Are All Right) and Michael Roiff (Waitress), and discover how the cast has been influenced and inspired by comics and geek culture, with Lizzy Caplan (Party Down), Alison Brie (Community, Mad Men), Martin Starr (Freaks & Geeks, Party Down), Geoffrey Arend (500 Days of Summer), and Mark Webber (Scott Pilgrim). Join them for a lively session moderated by Noel Murray (The A.V. Club). Room 5AB

11:30-12:30 Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained—The Weinstein Company presents a sneak peek at the highly anticipated new film from acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino. Fans will get to see exclusive footage from Django Unchained and take part in a special discussion with Tarantino and the cast. You won’t want to miss this! Hall H

12:00-1:00 The Naked Truth About Tarzan and Jane: The First 100 Years of Spectacular Tarzan Imagery, and One of Literature’s Best-Loved Couples as They Enter Their Second Century— Bestselling novelist Robin Maxwell (Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan) and author Scott Tracy Griffin (Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration) gather with illustrator Joe Jusko (The Art of Joe Jusko) to discuss these iconic literary characters. Join them for a presentation and Q&A session hosted by Jim Sullos, president of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Incorporated, the official licensing entity for Tarzan and John Carter of Mars. Room 25ABC

12:00-1:00 Twilight Fan Fiction Group—This year writers Sweetlolapops (We Were Here, Summer of Salt), Conversed (Twinned), Tkegl (Cutless), MeraNaamJoker (Miror Quaenam Sis Tam Bella), Shoefreak37 (A Light Exists in Spring), WriteOnTime (Breaking News), and moderator Kimpy0464 (The Nightingale Journals) are on hand for laughs and fun at the Twilight Fan Fiction Group. They’ll answer questions about the challenges and joys of writing derivative fiction in Twilight fandom and how to keep it fun. Room 28E

12:00-1:00 Nerdist Channel—Chris Hardwick (the host of BBC America’s The Nerdist and AMC’s Talking Dead) and some very-relevant-to-your-interests talent from the Nerdist Channel on YouTube will engage in lively conversation about the current channel lineup and upcoming shows and specials, and also reveal some exclusive footage and surprise announcements about the future of Nerdist Industries. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

12:30-1:30 Celebrating 50 Years of Mars Attacks—They’re back! Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mars Attacks. To help to commemorate this milestone, Topps licensees Abrams ComicArts, IDW Publishing, Mezco Toyz, and more gather in this panel. Find out what’s new with Mars Attacks, including the first-ever book compilation of the infamous science fiction trading card series, new comics, and toys! Panelists include Charles Kochman, editorial director of Abrams ComicArts; Greg Goldstein, president and COO of IDW Publishing; and Adam Levine, licensing manager of The Topps Company. Room 8

12:45-1:45 Open Road Films: End of Watch and Silent Hill: Revelations 3D—Global exclusive! Catch an early look at the highly anticipated action film End of Watch, with special guests Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña who play police officers patrolling the meanest streets of south central Los Angeles, and writer/director David Ayer (Training Day). Also, based on the groundbreaking video game franchise from Konami, Silent Hill: Revelation 3D is the sequel to the hit film Silent Hill. Experience the world premiere of 3D footage from an unparalleled horror experience with special guests Adelaide Clemens (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Kit Harington (HBO’s Game of Thrones), director Michael J. Bassett, and producer Samuel Hadida. Hall H

1:00-2:00 Cartoon Voices I—Audiences flock each year to moderator Mark Evanier’s panels of folks who supply the voices of your favorite animated characters. They demonstrate their craft and tell who they are and how they got into that bizarre line of work, and you’ll hear a voice session happen right before your ears. This year’s Saturday gathering features Matthew Mercer (ThunderCats, Resident Evil 6), Debi Derryberry (Jimmy Neutron, Monster High), April Winchell (Lilo & Stitch, The Legend of Tarzan), Steve Blum (Transformers, The Super Hero Squad Show), Jim Ward (The Avengers, The Fairly OddParents), Jack Angel (Toy Story 3, G.I. Joe), and the legendary Chuck McCann. Room 6BCF

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski—Joe has been coming to SDCC for decades (despite popular requests) with news and announcements. If all goes as it should between press-time and this panel, he will be making the most important announcement of his career (no, not his retirement-despite popular requests). If all does not go as it should, he will be giving a talk about migratory bird patterns. So come roll the dice with J. Michael Straczynski! Room 7AB

2:00-2:30 Trailer Park I—See the latest in trailers from your upcoming soon-to-be-favorite films, including some in 3D (glasses provided, but please give them back as you exit the hall). Hall H

2:30-5:00 Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Preview Their Upcoming Lineups—

Legendary Pictures: Pacific Rim-From acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ epic sci-fi action adventure Pacific Rim. When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes — a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi) — who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse. Pacific Rim also stars Idris Elba, Ron Perlman, and Charlie Day. Warner Bros. Pictures: Man Of Steel The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey-From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Jackson returns to Middle-earth in an adventure that begins 60 years before the events depicted in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The first of two films adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien’s enduringly popular masterpiece, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows titular Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who-along with the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and a band of 13 Dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage)-is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. The film’s ensemble cast includes Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lily, and Andy Serkis as Gollum. Hall H

3:00-4:00 Roddenberry Presents—Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry (CEO, Roddenberry Productions), Trevor Roth (head of development, Days Missing), and Tory Mell (producer/writer: White Room: 02B3) are taking the name that created Star Trek and bringing it to levels not seen since the original days of the genre-changing television show. Join them for new exciting Roddenberry news and a sneak peek at the sci-fi short White Room: 02B3, followed by a Q&A with director Greg Aronowitz. Moderated by Frank Meyer (producer, Fresh Ink on G4. Also, giveaway of a new iPad! Room 7AB

3:00-4:00 Indiana Jones Fan Group—Grab your fedora and dust off your Aldens, the Indyfans are back! Brandon Kleyla gathers the troops once again as they discuss all things Indiana Jones! Attractions, Blu-rays, toys, impersonation contest, you name it-if it’s Indy, they’ll cover it! Room 28E

4:00-5:00 Heroic Visions: Sergei Eisenstein’s Nevsky from Screen to Panel—Pioneering filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein developed many storytelling techniques that revolutionized film and have influenced comics. The new graphic novel by Ben McCool and Mario Guevara based on his classic motion picture Alexander Nevsky not only presents a timeless story of heroic deeds but highlights the way film and comics interact and influence one another. Writer Ben McCool (Choker, Nevsky), historian Steve Saffel, director/writer Scott Tuft (Severed), and some very special guests explore visual storytelling through the ages. Hosted by Russ Films. Room 23ABC

4:15-5:15 EPIX Originals: William Shatner and Roger Corman—Two legends of the entertainment world take to the Comic-Con stage to preview their latest projects. Get a gander at the EPIX Original movie, Roger Corman’s first-ever made in 3D, Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader, in which a meek college co-ed is transformed into a gigantic cheerleader. Then take a sneak peek at William Shatner‘s Get a Life!, an EPIX original documentary based on Shatner’s hugely popular book, in which he examines the cultural phenomena of Star Trek, its fan-following, and his own role within it. To top it all off the panel will be moderated by “Mr. Comic Book Men” himself, Kevin Smith. Room 6A

5:00-6:00 Costume Designers and Illustrators: From Concept to Reality—Join a discussion with the creative minds that help bring your favorite sci-fi, fantasy and comic book characters to life on the big screen through the art of costume design and illustration. Learn how Costume Designers Guild members Shawna Trpcic (The Cabin In The Woods), Monique Prudhomme (Underworld Awakening), and Varya Avdyushko (Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter) and costume illustrators Christian Cordella (Snow White, Hunger Games, Thor), Constantine Sekeris (Green Lantern, Thor, Star Trek), Phillip Boute Jr. (Man of Steel, Star Trek, Hansel & Gretel, Twilight), Brian Velenzuela (Star Trek, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), and Rosi Gabl (xXx, Mission To Mars) take costumes from concept to reality. Room 24ABC

5:15-5:45 Trailer Park II-Once more with feeling! See the latest in trailers from your upcoming soon-to-be-favorite films, including some in 3D (glasses provided, but please give them back as you exit the hall). Hall H

5:30-6:30 Spotlight on John Scalzi—Comic-Con special guest John Scalzi (Redshirts) talks about his latest work, his upcoming novel, video game, and film projects, takes questions and generally tries to amuse the hell out of you for an hour. With him as moderator/interviewer/conspirator: Wil Wheaton (Tabletop). It’ll be the most fun you can have while respirating. Room 7AB

6:00-7:00 CCAS Panel: Spiritual Themes In Comics—The always lively CCAS panel examines spiritual themes in both contemporary comics and pop culture in general, with a special nod this year to Ridley Scott’s Prometheus. Join Wayne Gardiner (Crucidel Productions), Sergio Cariello (The Action Bible), Leo Partible (The Action Bible), moderator Buzz Dixon (Savage Angels), and others for this fascinating analysis. Room 4

6:00-7:00 Adobe Photoshop: Insights from the Photoshop Team and Pro Artists—Photoshop’s Daniel Presedo, Chris Cox, and Nikolai Svakhin are joined by artists Brian Haberlin (Witchblade, Anomaly) and Bill Sienkiewicz (Marvel, DC) to discuss Adobe Photoshop, the industry standard in digital imaging. It’s used by professionals worldwide for design, photography, video editing, and more. Prepare for a lively discussion and Q&A. Adobe will be giving away two copies of Photoshop Extended CS6. Room 11AB

6:00-7:00 Marvel Studios: Iron Man 3—Producer Kevin Feige and special guests provide an inside look at the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hall H

7:00-8:00 Building Props for Sci-Fi in the 21st Century—Sci-fi props already have the advantage of a sharp aesthetic, but in this day and age, how do you take sci-fi prop making and the replica making that tends to follow to the next level? Andy Gore (QMx), Jack Kenney (Warehouse 13), Andy Siegel (Avatar, The Amazing Spiderman, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), John Eblan (Star Wars Episodes II and III), and Nick Robatto (Doctor Who, Torchwood) discuss how your favorite props are made, from concept to execution. The panel will discuss the impact of accelerated production schedules and technology on how TV and movie props are conceived and created. You will also learn the various types of prop making, from working props and digital modeling to 3D printers and the use of advanced materials. Room 24ABC

7:15-9:15 Comi-Kev: Q&A with Kevin Smith—For like the millionth year in a row, Saturday at Comic-Con’s not over ’til the fat lady sings…and that fat lady is @ThatKevinSmith! Taking the the Hall H stage like he takes the desserts off your lunch tray, the guy in the hockey jersey will A all of your Qs! Query about Comic Book Men, Spoilers, SModcast.com, his book Tough Sh*t, Jay & Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie, his Fat Man on Batman podcast, or just ask him about stuff he’s got nothing to do with! But get ready to listen because this fatty is chatty! Warning: Kevin Smith throws around adult language like it’s clever. It’s not, but he loves it. A lot. Hall H

8:00-9:00 Star Wars Trivia Panel—Think you know all about the galaxy far, far away? Want to win valuable prizes? Hosts and San Diego Star Wars Society co-founders Linda Crispien and Brendan Prout put you to the test! The San Diego Star Wars Society has challenged fans at Star Wars Celebration III and Comic Con International for 11 years with intriguing trivia. The games begin with a kids round, where kids 12 and under are eligible to play. The remainder of the games are open to all ages. Do you have what it takes to win? Come to this panel to find out…and may The Force be with you! Room 23ABC

8:00-9:00 Make It So: What Interface Design and Science Fiction Can Learn From Each Other—Chris Noessel (co-author, managing director, and practice lead for Interaction Design at San Francisco software design agency Cooper) and Nathan Shedroff (co-author, program chair of MBA Design Strategy Program at California College of the Arts) share material from their forthcoming Rosenfeld Media book, due in August, that uses video clips of interfaces from sci-fi movies and television shows to trace the lines of influence between design in sci-fi and design in the real world. Room 24ABC

8:00-11:00 Hall H and Ballroom 20 Saturday Panel Playback-Didn’t get into either Hall H or Ballroom 20 today? We feel your pain! In this three-hour block, Comic-Con will rebroadcast some of the day’s popular panels from those two giant rooms. Best of all, those in attendance will get to vote on what they want to see. It’s democracy at its finest AND it’s a second chance to see these panels. (Please note: these playbacks will include only the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.)Room 25ABC

9:00-10:00 Tromatize Yourself—This year’s Troma panelists reveal their secrets on branding, or how to market yourself, your art, and your ideas in your quest to make a creative living. Troma president and creator of The Toxic Avenger Lloyd Kaufman is joined by a panel of indie experts, including Mick Garris (Masters of Horror), Ron Jeremy (film actor), Anina Bennett and Paul Guinan (Boilerplate), Chris Brandt (Independents), Pat Swinney Kaufman (New York Film Commissioner), and moderator Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics). Also: special screening of Brand Your Own Damn Self, starring Stan Lee, a 12-minute video lesson that will premiere at this panel! Stan wrote the foreword to Lloyd’s book Sell Your Own Damn Movie. Parental advisory: This panel may not be appropriate for all ages. Troma Entertainment is Reel Independence! Room 9

Sunday, July 15

After all the excitement of Saturday, Sunday is typically the cool down day of the convention. It does feature the Children’s Film Festival and that Drew Struzan documentary looks interesting. But, best of all, Sunday gives you several opportunities to see a panel by Mark Evanier. You should definitely do so.

10:00-5:00 San Diego International Children’s Film Festival—The San Diego International Children’s Film Festival presents creative, exciting, and imaginative short films from around the world-animation, live action, and documentary-good for all ages, all day. Enjoy films from the U.S., Canada, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Spain, and beyond. Animators and filmmakers will talk about their work, how kids can make their own films, and careers in animation and filmmaking throughout the day. Room 9

10:00-11:00 Comic-Con Film School 104: Postproduction—The final day of the comprehensive course on microbudget moviemaking revolves around what to do after your movie is shot. Panelists will go over the basics of postproduction on your home computer, as well as what software to use for editing, graphic design, sound design, and visualFX, and finally, what to do with your film when it’s finished. Panelists for the class include Valerie Perez (producer/star, Paula Peril-Midnight Whistle), Nick Murphy (writer/director, Pizza and Bullets), Jack Conway (writer/producer, Fear News), Vera Vanguard (producer/star, GothGirl), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica). Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

11:05-11:55 Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival Awards—The films have been shown, now it’s time to award the recipients of the 2012 Comic-Con Independent Film Festival with their trophies and recognition! Comic-Con’s Gary Sassaman talks to this year’s trio of judges — Steven-Charles Jaffee (winner of last year’s CCI: IFF best documentary award for Gahan Wilson: Born Dead, Still Weird), journalist Borys Kit (The Hollywood Reporter), and filmmaker Kyle Newman (Fanboys) — about the films and presents prizes and trophies to the winners. Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

11:30-12:45 Cartoon Voices II—It’s the second of two panels this weekend featuring folks who supply the voices of your favorite animated characters. Moderator Mark Evanier will interrogate them about how they do what they do, ask them how they came to do what they do, and make them demonstrate what they do. Their ranks this time will include Dee Bradley Baker (American Dad, SpongeBob SquarePants), Rob Paulsen (Pinky and the Brain, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Audrey Wasilewski (The Garfield Show, My Life as a Teenage Robot), Fred Tatasciore (Kung Fu Panda, The Hulk), Gregg Berger (The Garfield Show, Transformers), and Misty Lee (The Garfield Show, Spider-Man). Room 6A

12:00-1:00 California Browncoats Meet-Up—Stop by to hear a few announcements, play a few games, and share a few stories about how everyone found their inner Browncoat. There’s no better way to share the 10th anniversary of Firefly, and it’s a lot more practical than starting a fight in an Alliance-friendly bar on U-day. Room 32AB

2:00-3:00 501st Costuming 101: Dressing to Serve the Empire!—This panel describes the essentials about what it takes to create a costume that meets the standards of quality for entry into the 501st Legion. It will provide an overview of what is involved in creating a costume, the different costume categories, and how much time is involved in creating a costume that is screen accurate. A panel of experts will describe, display, and demonstrate tips and techniques used for their costume specialty. They will also share information about the mission of the 501st legion. Room 24ABC

3:00-4:00 Behind the Music with CW3PR: Composers and Singers on Creating the Perfect Sound for TV and Film— Singer and composer collaborations are essential to the creation of poignant and thrilling moments in TV and film. Learn how these dynamic collaborations work and how a singer’s voice can amplify an original score from composers Trevor Morris (The Borgias), Danny Jacob (Phineas and Ferb), and Robert Duncan (Castle), singers Lisbeth Scott (True Blood) and Laura Dickinson (Phineas and Ferb), and others. Moderated by Phineas and Ferb creators Jeff “Swampy” Marsh and Dan Povenmire.TBA Room 7AB

3:00-4:30 The Business of Cartoon Voices—Have you ever been interested in a career doing voices for animated cartoons? Every year, voice director Mark Evanier (The Garfield Show) gathers together experienced actors and folks involved in casting and hiring and presents an informational panel on how the business works and how to avoid the most common mistakes of aspiring voice performers. The odds are against you, but they might get a little better if someone speaks the truth to you about what to expect and why. Room 25ABC

3:30-5:00 Starship Smackdown All*Stars: InterGalactic 3D Edition—The must-see panel of Comic-Con, brought to you by the new Geek Magazine, as featured on National Public Radio, returns for another action-packed year as the greatest spaceships in the history of the universe converge in the ultimate cosmic conflagration for the highly-coveted Smackdown title in Comic-Con’s most scholarly and erudite panel. Will the Enterprise once again defeat an Imperial Star Destroyer? Can the Serenity make mincemeat out of the Battlestar Galactica? In space, can anyone hear you scream on the Prometheus and can you actually get cell reception in the TARDIS? And what exactly is the “Captain’s Courageous” lightning round anyway? Join our panel of expert spaceshipologists as they outwit, outplay and outphaser, starring Chris Gossett (The Red Star), Ashley E. Miller (X-Men: First Class, Thor), Steve Melching (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Transformers), Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise, The Hills Run Red), Kay Reindl (Millennium, Twilight Zone), and the Gene Rayburn of the stars, moderator Mark A. Altman (Femme Fatales, DOA: Dead Or Alive), along with some surprise guests. End your weekend with the geekiest and most beloved panel of all time in this or any other dimension, known or unknown. All new ships, all new quips as the Smackdown beams down to San Diego for its final mission. Courtesy of the all-new Geek Magazine. Room 6A

3:45-4:45 Drew: The Man Behind the Poster—Screening a premiere clip from the feature-length documentary about movie poster artist Drew Struzan, which includes exclusive interviews with George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Michael J. Fox, Frank Darabont, Guillermo del Toro, Steven Spielberg, and many others. Followed by a Q&A panel that will include artist Drew Struzan, actor Thomas Jane, director Erik P. Sharkey, producer Charles Ricciardi, composer Ryan Shore, co-cinematographer and supervising editor Greg Boas, editor Jeff Yorkes, Stephen Saffel of Titan Books, and Zach Martin of Skywalker Sound Studios. Room 5AB

4:00-5:00 15 Years Since Philosopher’s Stone: Harry Potter Fandom in 2012—Seven books from J. K. Rowling — or ten, depending on how you count — plus hundreds of thousands of fanfics. Eight studio movies — plus dozens of popular fanfilms, musicals, and songs. One theme park — but soon there’ll be three or more! An international museum exhibition — and piles of fan-made shirts, crafts, fanart, CDs and DVDs. An encyclopedic website — and fancons, fan-made wikis, and history courses on the impact of the Harry Potter fandom. We’ll look back at 15 years of Harry Potter fandom and try to predict — better than Trelawney! — where we go from here. Room 6DE

4:00-5:00 A Cross-Generation Collaboration: The Inside Scoop of a Comic-Con Success Story—In 2009, a nine-year-old San Diego artist and award-winning film critic Perry Chen (Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest) met Oscar-nominated animation legend Bill Plympton (Guard Dog) at Comic-Con and drew a “Hot Dog” next to the one Plympton drew for him from his acclaimed animation series. A year later, Perry was hired to work on an animation short, Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest, about a young Holocaust survivor (actress Ingrid Pitt’s story), under the guidance of Plympton. The rest is history. A panel of the creative team, sponsors, and distributor, including Perry Chen (animator), Kevin Sean Michaels (director), Bill Plympton (storyboard and character design), Zhu Shen (producer), Karina Bessoudo (Toon Boom Animation, vice president of marketing and communications), Douglas Little (Wacom, public relations), and Linda Olszewski (Shorts International co-head of worldwide acquisition), share the amazing behind-the-scenes story: how a first-time child animator’s film got sponsorship from leading animation companies, went on to premiere at the 2011 Comic-Con and LA Shorts Fest, won multiple film festival awards, was featured in Animation magazine and on 2011 Animation Show of Shows, qualified for an Academy Award, touched many hearts, and secured worldwide distribution by Shorts International, the distributor of Oscar-nominated shorts and other outstanding short films. This lively panel, moderated by Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) will share tips and lessons learned not only about getting started with animation, but also how to identify and secure corporate sponsorships; how get your film produced, marketed, and distributed; and how to select the right film festivals for your film. Room 7AB

When it was announced that the sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine would take place in Japan, comic book fans were hopeful that it meant that one of the seminal works in the character’s comic book history, the 1982 Wolverine miniseries by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, would be adapted for the big screen. When Hugh Jackman, in San Diego to promote his upcoming film Real Steel, announced that the Silver Samurai was going to be the main villain in the sequel, called The Wolverine, it caused websites such as /Film to say that the film was “fully based” on the Wolverine miniseries.

I say, not so fast. Because the character of the Silver Samurai doesn’t even appear in the original miniseries.

The 1982 Wolverine miniseries played a fundamental role in expanding the character and making him as popular as he became. The miniseries establishes that Wolverine had a girlfriend living in Japan by the name of Mariko Yashida. When Mariko fails to respond to any of his attempts to get in contact with her, he travels to Japan where he find out that Mariko is married to another man, a marriage arranged by her father, Lord Shingen, who has taken control of the Japanese underworld.

Knowing that Logan/Wolverine will never let Mariko be married to an abusive man who she doesn’t love, Shingen sends his team of ninjas to assassinate him. Logan joins up with a female martial arts expert by the name of Yukio. Yukio seems to be fighting the same enemies that Logan is fighting, but he soon finds out that she is not exactly what it seems.

The book is important in the history of Wolverine because it marks the occasion when the character got his bestial nature under control and also introduced Asian influences into his back story. It’s an interesting story in and of itself, and Shingen makes for a powerful villain (he defeats Wolverine in combat at least once during the series).

However, the Silver Samurai doesn’t appear in the miniseries at all. He does appear in the ipso facto sequel to the miniseries, which ran in Uncanny X-Men #172-173. In those issues, the X-Men (whose line-up at the time included Nightcrawler, Colossus, Storm, Kitty Pryde, and Rogue) have come to Japan for the wedding of Logan and Mariko. The Silver Samurai, who is Mariko’s half-brother, Keniuchio Harada, has also come to Japan to stake his claim of leadership of Shingen’s criminal empire (****SPOILER ALERT!****Shingen dies at the end of the Wolverine miniseries). Mariko refuses because Harada is a criminal and she wants to clear the family’s name.

This installment is great, and does feature a kickin’ battle between Silver Samurai and Wolverine, but it’s not likely to make it to the screen in exactly as it appears in the comics. For one, Silver Samurai isn’t the main villain of the piece. He’s working with Viper, a green-haired woman who is in charge of Hydra at the time of the story. And since Hydra is an aspect of Marvel not owned by Fox, instead owned by Marvel Studios as evidence by its use in Captain America: The First Avenger, it’s likely the Viper character will be altered in some way or removed completely.

And while the only X-Men other than Wolverine who play a part in story are Storm and Rogue (the team was poisoned by the Viper and Silver Samurai, Rogue’s metabolism counteracted the poison, and Storm didn’t drink it, the rest are in the hospital for the majority of the two issues), the characters are quite different than their film versions. The comic book Rogue at the time was a reformed villain who came to the X-Men to help control her powers. The lack of trust between her and Wolverine is a big part of the story and what helps make it great.

On top of all that, these two issues play a part in the overreaching arc of the series where the illusion casting telepathic mutant known as Mastermind is using his illusions to create suspicion and distrust amongst the X-Men. Mastermind is a heretofore unseen character in the film franchise and while his overall plan does not need to be known to enjoy the story, his involvement is essential to the plot of these two issues. It’s doubtful that they would expend the screen time needed to introduce the character in this film.

So, therefore, the inclusion of the Silver Samurai in The Wolverine pretty much guarantees that it won’t be “fully based” on the Chris Claremont and Frank Miller miniseries. Heck, I even doubt that we’ll see him in his shiny silver armor in the film. So the question is where he will fit in?

Shooting is set to begin in October with a planned Fall 2012 release.

It’s about that time again. Time for the San Diego Comic Convention. The criticism of the con is that it has become less a comic con and more a movie con. As the list of panels below indicates, that criticism might be justified.

The below is a list of every movie related panel being put up at Comic-Con. This includes workshops, comic book panels that deal with films, and behind the scenes panels as well as the promotional panels you have come to expect. If you are going to comic con and love movies, there is bound to be something here that will be to your liking.

For each day, we’ll point out what we think are a few highlights. But before we do, here are some general points to keep in mind:

• Go early if you want to see your panel: There is no clearing of the rooms in between panels. For the big halls such as Hall H and Ballroom 20, this means if you want to see a panel at 3 pm, you’ll probably have to camp out the night before. Seriously. I am not joking. Even for panel put in smaller rooms, you should think of arriving at least a half hour before hand. Remember, you’ll only be let in if someone leaves. Take that into consideration.
• The convention is huge: It used to be hard to get from one panel to another when all of the events were in the two-tiered convention center itself. Now, panels and screening are being presented at the neighboring hotels, the Hilton and the Marriot. Keep in mind that it will be almost impossible to get from one panel in one location to another panel starting any less than a half hour later in another venue.
• Plan ahead and have back-ups: You will probably have a panel you wanted to see that you will not get into. Luckily, there are a lot of interesting panels that run concurrently. If you have something to fall back on, you should enjoy the show that much more.
• Take a chance on something under the radar: Everyone wants to go to the Amazing Spider-Man panel. But there are also panels on storyboarding and scoring films that might be even more interesting to film buffs. Broaden your horizons.

Now, to the list:

Thursday, July 21

Highlights:

• FilmDistrict Studio Panel: This studio put out the much acclaimed and buzzed about film, Insidious. Might be interesting to see if they are a one trick pony.
• 20th Century Fox Panel: The content is TBA, but you can probably assume that The Rise of the Planet of the Apes, In Time, the Star Wars 3-D releases, Prometheus and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter will be covered. Maybe more, maybe less, but there’s enough films on that list that’s worth a look.
• Entertainment Weekly: The Visionaries: A discussion with Jon Favreau and Guillermo del Toro on the Future of Pop Culture: The Entertainment Weekly panels are always solid, and these two men are nothing but interesting.
• Writing Movies for Fun and Profit: Thomas Lennon and Ben Garant are funny as heck, and their “how-to” book is slightly different than the norm.

10:00-11:00 Planet of the Apes in Comics Present and Past—Planet of the Apes has come back to comics this year, thanks to BOOM! Studios. Current Planet of the Apes comics editor Ian Brill and writer Daryl Gregory talk about the new series, along with Tom Mason, who served as Malibu Comics’ creative director and oversaw the last big Apes explosion. Learn what’s next for Planet of the Apes and secrets behind the past of this comic franchise. Room 5AB

10:00-11:00 TheOneRing.net: Hobbit Talk—From the decade-old and perhaps most influential fan site on the Interwebs (and a consistent breaking news source), staff vets Clifford Broadway (Quickbeam) and Larry D. Curtis (MrCere) take a good, hard look at the latest from the two Hobbit films’ production. Since this isn’t a studio affair, you’ll get the street-level latest (authorized and unauthorized) as well as spy reports, rumors, and even informed opinions. Surprise guests are a possibility; audio and visuals are a given with a Q&A and all sorts of fun. Room 7AB

10:00-11:00 Kinect Star Wars Panel—Enter the Galaxy with studio head Jorg Neumann (Kinect Publishing) and lead producer Craig Derrick (LucasArts) as they discuss the highly anticipated title with USA Today’s Mike Snider, sharing new game play from the iconic Star Wars universe, revealing an all-new mode, and unveiling an exciting announcement. All attendees will receive a limited-edition poster. Room 32AB

10:00-11:00 Comic-Con Film School 101: Preproduction and Screenwriting—Comic-Con Film School is back for another four-day, nuts and bolts class on how to make a movie for very little money using available video technology and desktop postproduction software. Whether you’re shooting your first cyberpunk short or that story about the leather-clad girl who hunts aliens, this course will take you from script to final product so that you too can enter your own movie into the CCI-IFF. This first class covers the specifics of preproduction on the cheap, including screenwriting, casting, scheduling, location scouting, crewing-up, and getting equipment for nothing. Panelists for the class include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (writer/producer of Fear News), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica). Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

11:00-12:00 Obsession: How TV and Movies Go from Fascination to Phenomenon—There are some shows and films that we watch. And there are others that we obsess over. We talk about them at work the next day. We join the fan websites. We wear the T-shirts. But what does it take to turn a series or movie into something special that we can’t live without? This panel from BuddyTV.com examines that topic from all points of view: the writers and producers who create the projects, the actors who star in them, and the fans who consume them. Panelists include Chase Masterson (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Yesterday Was a Lie), Skyler Samuels (The Nine Lives of Chloe King), Allison Dubois (Medium), Mel Lowry (ChuckTV.net, True-BloodTV.net, NiceGirlsTV.com), Karen Bailey (vice president of production, Starz Channel), Zack Stentz (writer, Fringe, Thor, X-Men: First Class), Amy Berg (co-executive producer, Eureka; supervising producer, Leverage), and Deric Hughes and Benjamin Raab (executive story editors, Warehouse 13). Room 23ABC

11:15-12:15 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1—Summit Entertainment presents a sneak peek at the highly anticipated next chapter of The Twilight Saga. This is a must see for fans interested in the story’s final chapters. You’ll see exclusive footage from The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1 and be treated to a filmmaker and cast Q&A session providing details on the first half of the epic two-part finale. Hall H

12:15-1:00 Focus on Rick Baker—The multi-Oscar winning master of makeup effects will take us on an overview of his remarkable career with a special emphasis on his work with director Barry Sonnenfeld on Men In Black 1 & 2, as well as a first look at some of his creatures and makeup for the upcoming Men In Black 3. Appearing on stage: Rick Baker in conversation with Geoff Boucher of the Los Angeles Times’ Hero Complex. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

12:45-1:45 Animation Showcase—Sony Pictures Animation plunges Hall H into a 3D animation universe with previews of upcoming films with Aardman, the home studio of Wallace and Gromit, as they make their first trip across the pond to Comic-Con to present a first look at two of their upcoming animated feature films:

Arthur Christmas — The 3D, CG-animated family comedy Arthur Christmas, an Aardman production for Sony Pictures Animation, at last reveals the incredible, never-before seen answer to every child’s question: “So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?” The answer: Santa’s exhilarating, ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole. But at the heart of the film is a story with the ingredients of a Christmas classic — a family in a state of comic dysfunction and an unlikely hero, Arthur, with an urgent mission that must be completed before Christmas morning dawns. Producer Peter Lord and co-writer Peter Baynham discuss the animated film.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits — In the 3D, stop motion-animated The Pirates! Band of Misfits, Hugh Grant, stars in his first animated role as the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain — a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side (Martin Freeman, Brendan Gleeson, Russell Tovey, and Ashley Jensen), and seemingly blind to theimpossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) to the much coveted Pirate Of The Year Award. It’s a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Along the way they battle a diabolical queen (Imelda Staunton) and team up with a haplessly smitten young scientist (David Tennant), but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure! Director/producer Peter Lord will be live on stage to talk about the movie.

Hall H

1:00-2:00 Archaia Entertainment: Immortals, the Graphic Novel—Before you watch Relativity Media’s epic 3D film Immortals when it opens on November 11, dive into Archaia’s prelude graphic novel, Immortals: Gods and Heroes, coming in September! Featuring original tales that expand on the movie’s characters and written and illustrated by some of the top names in comics, Immortals: Gods and Heroes promises to prepare you for the visionary film directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall). Editor Nate Cosby (Jim Henson’s The Storyteller) and contributors Dennis Calero (X-Factor), F. J. DeSanto (The Spirit), David Mack (Kabuki), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Jim McCann (Return of the Dapper Men), Ben McCool (Captain America), and some surprise guests give you a sneak peek at the graphic novel, plus provide some cool behind-the-scenes info of its production. Meet the two winners of the “Become Immortal” contest, whose likenesses will be drawn into the book. Plus, everyone in attendance will receive a voucher for a cool Immortals: Gods and Heroes giveaway at the Archaia booth! Moderated by Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy. Room 32AB

2:00-3:00 The Pitching Hour—Jermaine Turner (director, Disney/ABC Cable Networks Group), Zach Schiff-Abrams (executive producer, Fourth Wall Studios), Valerie Alexander (screenwriter), Charlie Chu (editor, Oni Press), Carina Schulze (Chatrone), Matthew Cohen (video game developer), Lindsay Rostal (producer, The Odd Gentlemen), and moderator Dan Evans III (freelance development executive, Robot & Monster) take an idea from conception through production for various media. This process will include creating a pitch document, obtaining agents, and getting a pitch meeting. The panelists will explain, through hypothetical example and humorous stories, the process that new creators should adapt to make their way through the creative battleground of the entertainment industry. Knowing that each project is unique, there will be a Q&A to allow the audience to really hone in on the solutions to obstacles they may encounter. Also on hand is Brendan McFeely (IP lawyer, Kane Kessler) to give creators insight on protecting their ideas as they navigate Hollywood. Room 5AB

2:00-3:00 Napoleon Dynamite—Original cast members from the hit indie film including Jon Heder, Tina Majorino, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries, Sandy Martin, Diedrich Bader and executive producer Mike Scully (The Simpsons) present a new series following your favorite awkward teenager like you’ve never seen him before — animated! Join us for a sneak peek at never-before-seen footage of the newest member of FOX’s Animation Domination lineup and a “sweet” Q&A session. Room 7AB

2:00-3:00 FilmDistrict Studio Panel—FilmDistrict, the new studio that brought you Insidious, celebrates two upcoming features: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, a Guillermo Del Toro production starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce, and Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, and Christina Hendricks. Exclusive footage will be presented and a Q&A will be held for both films. Hall H

2:00-3:00 Warner Premiere: H+ and Mortal Kombat: Legacy—From producer Bryan Singer (X-Men, X2, X-Men: First Class, Superman Returns) comes a Comic-Con exclusive first look at H+, the forthcoming Warner Premiere/Dolphin Entertainment web series directed by Stewart Hendler (Sorority Row) and written and created by John Cabrera and Cosimo De Tommaso. H+ takes place in a near-future world where a tiny and stunning new piece of technology lies at the center of a dark and epic mystery. Then, Mortal Kombat: Legacy, a hit web series with over 35 million views, takes the stage for a panel discussion with director Kevin Tancharoen (Mortal Kombat: Rebirth), Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager), Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight), Darren Shahlavi (Sanctuary), Peter Shinkoda (Falling Skies), and Matt Mullins (Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight). Fans will see — for the first time — the long-awaited final Mortal Kombat: Legacy episode! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

2:30-3:30 The Character of Music with BMI and White Bear PR—Composer and executive producer teams discuss the dynamics of music in film and television. Dan Licht and Sara Colleton (Dexter), Jeremy Zuckerman, Benjamin Wynn, and Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino (Avatar the Last Airbender), and Noah Sorota and Mark Verheiden (Falling Skies) discuss their working relationship, how music plays a character in their stories, and the intense process of scoring their projects. Moderated by BMI’s director of film & TV Relations Anne Cecere. Attendees will get a sneak peek into their work and receive fun giveaways. Room 6A

2:30-3:30 Hasbro Transformers Panel—Would you like to see what’s new with Transformers? The marketing and design teams responsible for the current Transformers: Dark of the Moon line present all the latest toys at this panel. Also, see a sneak peek into the 2012 line. Includes Q&A time. Room 24ABC

3:00-4:00 State of the Geek Report: From Avatar to Zardoz—The world’s foremost geeksperts once again converge at Comic-Con to discuss the state of contemporary sci-fi, fantasy, and horror cinema and television, ranging from the superhero smackdown of the summer of 2011 to the future of 3D films to why we’ll never have a summer as good as 1982 again. Screenwriter Ashley E. Miller (Thor, X-Men: First Class), director Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise, The Hills Run Red), writer Steve Melching (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Transformers: The Series), Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise, DOA: Dead Or Alive), and Bill Hunt (The Digital Bits), along with guests, discuss the past, present, and future state of the genre, brought to you by the new Geek Monthly. Room 5AB

3:15-4:30 20th Century Fox—At past Comic-Cons, 20th Century Fox has previewed Independence Day, X2, Avatar, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. You won’t want to miss the excitement this year, as Fox presents first-looks at some of its most-anticipated pictures of 2011 and 2012. Hall H
3:30-4:30 Star Wars: The Old Republic : Join Us, It Is Your Destiny—BioWare and LucasArts are creating the most immersive MMO experience you’ve ever played with Star Wars: The Old Republic. Hear from BioWare developers as they discuss development of a story-driven MMO, debut new gameplay footage, and perhaps spring a few surprises along the way. Exclusive reveals, giveaways, guests, and Q&A! Room 6BCF

3:30-4:15 For Big Talent, Multi-Platform Is the New Multiplex—Learn why action, thriller, and sci-fi stars are migrating to emerging platforms as filmmakers create original, compelling digital productions. From upcoming Vuguru projects The Booth at the End, Nuclear Family, Off Season, and The Millionaire Tour, Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings), Ray Wise (Twin Peaks), Xander Berkeley (Nikita), Rick Fox (Oz), Kyle Rankin (Infestation), and Christopher Kubasik (The Booth at the End) offer a lively discussion. Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

4:00-5:00 Masters of the Web—Some of the most prominent and influential film pundits on the web discuss the film industry, writing for film online, film fandom, and a whole lot more. Panelists include Peter Sciretta (Slashfilm.com), Anne Thompson (Thompson on Hollywood), Jen Yamato (Movieline.Com), Scott Beggs (FilmSchoolRejects.Com), Sasha Perl-Raver (Movieweb.com), Vic Holtreman (Screenrant.Com), Jenna Busch (Moviefone), and Mike Sampson (JoBlo.Com), hosted by John Campea (AMC Theatres). Room 5AB

4:45-5:45 Robert Rodriguez’s Quick Draw Productions—Be the first to get a sneak peek at Robert Rodriguez‘s upcoming films. Robert presents Quick Draw’s new slate featuring special guest collaborators. He will also show exclusive material from his latest top-secret project. Hall H

5:00-6:00 2011-2012: The Golden Age of Blu-ray?—With such titles as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Ben-Hur, Jurassic Park, Jaws, Citizen Kane, Lawrence of Arabia, Titanic, and Raiders of the Lost Ark on the way, could this be Blu-ray’s Golden Age? Panelists Bill Hunt, Adam Jahnke, and Todd Doogan of The Digital Bits.com, along with BD producers Charles de Lauzirika (Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Amazing Spider-Man, Prometheus, Crave) and Cliff Stephenson (Rambo, The Expendables, Crank 2, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance), Warner Home Video’s George Feltenstein (senior vice president, theatrical catalog marketing) and othere discuss the subject, hold Q&A, and offer giveaways. Room 5AB

5:00-6:00 Harry Potter Fandom Panel—The final Harry Potter film is in theaters now — how many times have you seen it? How many times have you read the books, written or read fanfic, checked out fanart, macros, fanfilms, musicals, and vids, listened to Wrock, played Quidditch or watched a game, or participated in the terrific projects organized by the HP Alliance? Have you visited Pottermore, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or the traveling Harry Potter Exhibition? Where has the Harry Potter fandom been, and where are they flying to next? Melissa Anelli (The Leaky-Cauldron.org, Harry – A History), Kathryn Mudgway (International Quidditch Association), Joey Richter (“Ron” in A Very Potter Musical/Sequel), Andrew Sims (Mugglenet, Hypable.com), Andrew Slack (TheHPAlliance.org, Imagine Better), and moderator Heidi Tandy (FictionAlley, Ascendio2012/HPEF) discuss all this and more. Room 25ABC

6:00-7:00 Arcana Comics: A Look at One of the World’s Largest Graphic Novel Publishers—Sean Patrick O’Reilly (Clockwork Girl), Josh Blaylock (Devil’s Due), Erik Hendrix (SideShows), Mike Kalvoda (Banshee), Brooke Burgess (Becoming), Matt Wilson (Scrooge & Santa), and Ryan Colucci (Harbor Moon) take you through some of the amazing talent coming out of one of the world’s largest graphic novel producers. With over 150 graphic novels released, find out what the publisher currently has coming in the near future and get a sneak peak at the 3D animated feature film Clockwork Girl, Arcana’s slate of interactive apps, and more. See how independent publishers make their mark in the comic book industry and blur the lines between mediums, Arcana style. Attendees will get free comics and the first in a series of Arcana Universe posters. Room 23ABC

6:00-7:00 Her Universe: What Women Want in Their Female Sci-Fi Heroes—In the early days of sci-fi, female characters were the designated damsels in distress. Thankfully, today a new generation of creative minds are molding the strong, intelligent, and powerful female roles we see in some sci-fi films, TV shows, comics and other media. What are the differences between past sci-fi adventures with female characters and today’s feminine heroes that women can really connect with? How do you create truly interesting and unique female characters in the sci-fi universe? How are they different from their male counterparts? As the voice of a strong female role model, host Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) wants to bring this conversation to the forefront. Join Ashley for a dynamic panel of creative minds from television, film, and comics to explore this timely topic, featuring Dave Filoni (supervising director, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Chris Sanagustin (SVP development and current programming for Universal Cable Productions), Bryan Q. Miller (executive story editor, Smallville; writer, DC’s Batgirl), Betsy Mitchell (editor-in-chief, Del Rey Books), Melinda Hsu Taylor (writer/producer, Lost, Medium; supervising producer, Touch), and Gail Simone (writer, DC’s Birds of Prey, Secret Six, Wonder Woman, and the new Batgirl comic). Room 25ABC

6:00-7:00 Entertainment Weekly: The Visionaries: A discussion with Jon Favreau and Guillermo del Toro on the Future of Pop Culture—EW moderates an in-depth conversation with Jon Favreau (Cowboys & Aliens) and Guillermo del Toro (Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark), two filmmakers at the forefront of bringing geek culture to the masses and making blockbuster art out of pulp fiction. They will discuss their inspirations, their current work, and how they strive to put a personal stamp on blockbuster entertainment. Plus: How is new technology changing the way stories are produced and viewed? And what do they think the pop culture universe will look like a decade from now? Moderated by Jeff “Doc” Jensen. Hall H

6:30-7:30 So, You Want to be a Sci-Fi Journalist?—For many it would be a dream job. Editors and columnists from leading genre magazine SFX reveal their tricks of the trade, from reviewing movies to getting the best interviews. Dave Bradley (SFX editor-in-chief), Richard Edwards (SFX deputy editor), Tara Bennett (author and SFX‘s East Coast editor), Joseph McCabe (associate editor of FEARnet.com and SFX‘s West Coast editor) and Bonnie Burton (author, SFX columnist and senior editor for Starwars.com) take questions and discuss their experiences in writing about sci-fi for a living. Room 4

6:30-7:30 Shocker Toys: The Real Scoop—Geoff Beckett and crew discuss the past 10 years of accomplishments by Shocker Toys, going from a small block figure sold at local shows in New Jersey to five toylines and a worldwide fanbase with retail chain store support. They’ll talk of some of the pitfalls, bumps in the road, and challenges as well. They’ll announce new series and licenses and future toylines, engage in a Q&A with fans, and offer toy and comic book giveaways. You can expect many great guests from the comics, toy, and entertainment industries, answering your questions and listening to your suggestions. Room 24ABC

7:00-8:00 Writing Movies for Fun and Profit—Meet Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!, The State, I Love You, Man) and Robert Ben Garant ( Reno 911!, The State, Bob’s Burgers). Sure, you love their cult TV shows, but the movies they’ve written — Night at the Museum I & II, The Pacifier, etc — have made over a billion dollars at the box office. Their new book Writing Movies for Fun and Profit will teach YOU the secrets of the studio system and everything you need to know to break into the film biz and start earning piles of money by SELLING OUT. Join them for an informative and irreverent Q&A. Room 5AB

7:00-8:00 Robotech Industry Panel—Robotech creative director Tommy Yune and Robotech.com webmaster Steve Yun showcase the latest animated and live action Robotech productions. Room 6DE

7:00-8:00 History of the Modern Zombie—Experts discuss the history and evolution of the modern zombie, from its first appearance in George Romero’s 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead to the most recent work being done in zombie science, survival, and pop culture today. Panelists include Max Brooks, bestselling author of World War Z and Zombie Survival Guide; Matt Mogk, head of the Zombie Research Society and author of Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Zombies; Steven Schlozman, M.D., Harvard Medical School psychiatrist and author of The Zombie Autopsies; Scott Kenemore, bestselling author of Zen of Zombie, Z.E.O., and Zombie, Ohio; James Lowder, bestselling author of Prince of Lies and editor of Triumph of The Walking Dead; and Bradley Voytek, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley neuroscientist and author of Scanning the Zombie Brain. Room 7AB

7:30-8:30 Jeffrey Catherine Jones: The Documentary—Filmmaker Maria Cabardo is joined by artists Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra: Assassin), Mark Bodé (Cobalt 60), Rick Berry (Sparrow #6, Double Memory), Robert Wiener (Donald M. Grant Publisher), George Pratt (Batman: Harvest Breed), and Louise Simonson (Superman, X-Factor) for a preview and discussion of her upcoming documentary feature Better Things: The Life and Choices of Jeffrey Catherine Jones. Using interviews with Jones and a wide range of family, friends, and colleagues, the film explores the late artist’s fascinating, challenging life and unique journey through the worlds of comics, illustration, and fine art. Moderated by John Butler. Room 4

7:45-10:45 Superhero Kung Fu Extravaganza—The 14th annual event is the best one ever! First there’s the World Premiere of Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Movie, plus exclusive trailers of 2012 releases. But that’s not all. “Martial Art Movie Master” Ric Meyers (Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Book) will also have the coolest fight scenes from the best 2011 films, as well as his usual array of surprise guests and freebies. Bring your friends and significant others so they can find out why you love this genre so much! Room 6A

8:00-9:00 H. P. Lovecraft in Comics and Film—“That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons, even death may die.” Famous words penned by H. P. Lovecraft, regarded by critics and fans alike as “Master of the Weird Tale.” A horror writer from the early days of pulp magazines, his work inspired thousands of writers, artists, musicians, game designers, and filmmakers. Explore a few of the works influenced by the Great Old Ones and get a sanity-smashing peek into the latest Lovecraftian comics and movies. With Adam Byrne (The Strange Adventures of H. P. Lovecraft), Andrew Leman (co-founder of the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society), Michael Alan Nelson (Fall of Cthulhu), and Frank H. Woodward (Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown). Moderated by Aaron Vanek (The H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival). Room 9

8:00-11:00 Hall H and Ballroom 20 Thursday Panel Playback—Didn’t get into either Hall H or Ballroom 20 today? We feel your pain! In this three-hour block, Comic-Con rebroadcasts some of the day’s popular panels from those two giant rooms. Best of all, those in attendance will get to vote on what they want to see. It’s democracy at its finest and it’s a second chance to see these panels. (Please note: these playbacks will include only the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown.)Room 25ABC

8:15-9:15 Garth Ennis‘s Stitched Movie World Premiere—Legendary comic book writer Garth Ennis (Preacher, Crossed) has written and directed his first-ever short film, Stitched, a visceral tale of terror. Meet the film’s cast, monsters, producers, and Mr. Ennis himself. Learn behind-the-scenes secrets during the Q&A. See a sneak peak at the Ennis-penned ongoing Stitched comic book series. And thrill to the horror of Stitched in its one-night only Comic-Con viewing! Room 6DE

8:30-10:00 Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog—Sing along with your fellow fans at this screening of the original three acts of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog hosted by the California Browncoats, complete with callbacks! Dr. Horrible stars Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Nathan Fillion (Castle, Firefly), and Felicia Day (The Guild) and was written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon (Dollhouse), Zack Whedon (Fringe), and Maurissa Tancharoen (Dollhouse). Room 6BCF

8:30-11:30 Star Wars Fan Movie Awards—Celebrating its tenth year, the Star Wars Fan Movie Awards are always entertaining, and often studded with surprises. Each year the top prize — the George Lucas Selects Award — is chosen by Star Wars writer/director George Lucas. Finalists wait with anticipation to learn who will win industry and audience recognition, as well as the coveted Star Wars-themed trophies. Hosted by David Collins, this promises to be a night of entertainment that fans won’t want to miss! Ballroom 20

Friday, July 22

Highlights:

• Epix Pictures: The Captains: William Shatner moderated by Kevin Smith. With Avery Brooks as a bonus. Winning.
• Paramount: The Adventures of Tin-Tin: Will Spielberg be there? Jackson? Maybe, maybe not. But they will probably have footage from one of the most intriguing films in our near future.
• DreamWorks: Fright Night: This remake looks more interesting than it has right to be.
• Sony: Ghost Rider, Total Recall and The Amazing Spider-Man make this the panel that could make or break those movies. Also of interest, seeing if Colin Farrell leaves the dias in-between his two panels.
• RiffTrax Live: A must see, especially if you were a MST3K fan.

10:00-11:00 LEGO Star Wars—A behind-the-brick look with the LEGO Star Wars team at how the epic Star Wars story comes together with the creativity and imagination of the LEGO brand. Additionally, be among the first to hear about a special LEGO Star Wars entertainment event, and meet Emmy award-winning writer Michael Price. Also includes Q&A time. Room 7AB

10:00-11:00 Comic-Con Film School 102: Production—Day 2 of this four-day course on micro-budget movie-making focuses on the specifics of production, from shooting techniques, to lighting on the cheap, to crew positions you need (and don’t need), to costuming, props, and set decorating for as little money as possible. Panelists for the class include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Vera Vanguard (writer/producer of Goth Girl), Edward G. Negron (director of Safehouse), Jack Conway (writer/producer of Fear News), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica). Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

10:15-11:15 Epix Pictures: The Captains—William Shatner is joined by fellow Star Trek captain Avery Brooks to present a preview of the EPIX Pictures original documentary produced and directed by Shatner, in which he travels the world to interview all the actors who’ve played Starfleet captains. This lively discussion and Q&A session is moderated by Comic-Con fave Kevin Smith. Room 6BCF

10:30-12:00 Comic Book Law School 202: When Hollywood Takes a Shining…—Don’t reach for the ax — use the legal line! Noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the acclaimed The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, is ready to tackle a number of the more advanced issues facing authors, artists, and designers, particularly once they’ve “broken through” and have started publishing and selling (and maybe merchandising too). This second Comic Book Law School session addresses some of the complicated issues surrounding marketing properties and creative ideas, including transfers and licensing of rights; production, merchandising, and distribution agreements; and the key things you should know when Hollywood comes knocking. This interactive seminar gives attendees the opportunity to participate in the discussions as Lovitz (with an assist by entertainment attorney Mona Metwalli) covers various means for profiting from creative works and explores the many important elements that form the foundation of every contract (and time permitting, maybe participate in a mock contract negotiation). With in-depth discussions about the options and opportunities for profit, as well as the problems and pitfalls that go hand in hand with each decision, you can’t afford to miss this seminar. Note: The Comic Book Law School seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for 1.5 credits of California MCLE.]Room 30CDE

11:00-12:00 Hasbro Star Wars—Hear the latest from the Hasbro Marketing and Design teams — Derryl DePriest and Jeff Labovitz (Hasbro Marketing), Michelino Paolino and Mark Boudreaux (Hasbro Design) — on the exciting Star Wars lineup for the rest of 2011, and get a special sneak peek into some 2012 secrets. Room 7AB

11:00-12:00 Radical Publishing—Radical will announce its imprint deal with Sam Worthington’s production company, Full Clip, and introduce the writers and artists working on those projects. Panelists include Sam Worthington (Avatar), John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz (Full Clip Productions), Rick Remender (The Last Days of American Crime), Joshua Dysart (Unknown Soldier), Leonardo Manco (Hellblazer), and Radical Studios president Barry Levine. Room 24ABC

11:00-12:00 Paramount: The Adventures of Tin-Tin—TBA Hall H
11:30-12:30 Comic-Con How-To: Filmmaking by the Seat of Your Pants with Matt Haley and David Walker—The creators of the Internet viral hit Blackstar Warrior show how they pulled off the impossible, with no time and no money, but canny organizational skills and a love of professional filmmaking. Producer/director Matt Haley most recently illustrated the “Badass” book series for HarperCollins and the forthcoming How to Win a Fight from Penguin/Gotham. Writer David Walker is the author of Darius Logan: Super Justice Force, co-authored the book Reflections On Blaxploitation, and directed such films as Black Santa’s Revenge. Room 28DE

11:45-12:45 Nickelodeon & DreamWorks Animation: Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness—The bodacity continues as Po the panda punches his way onto a new animated series. Executive producer Peter Hastings and supervising producers Randy Dormans band Gabe Swarr present an exclusive sneak peek into the new series by Nickelodeon and Dreamworks. This panel will also include select moments with voice cast members Mick Wingert (Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special), James Hong (Kung Fu Panda 2), Kevin Michael Richardson (Penguins of Madagascar), and John DiMaggio (Penguins of Madagascar), followed by a screening. Moderated by Megan Casey, executive in charge for Nickelodeon. Room 6A

12:15-1:15 Relativity Media: Raven and Haywire—Two fantastic films from Relativity Media debut in this Hall H presentation.

Raven — The film is a gritty thriller in which Edgar Allan Poe joins forces with a young Baltimore detective to hunt down a mad serial killer who’s using Poe’s own works as the basis for a string of brutal murders. Raven stars John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe, Luke Evans, and Alice Eve and is directed by James McTeigue.

Haywire — An electrifying tale of espionage and betrayal. A female covert ops specialist who works in the deadly world of international operatives strikes back after discovering she’s been double-crossed by someone close to her in the agency. Mixed martial arts superstar Gina Carano makes her feature film — and Comic-Con — debut, starring and performing her own high-adrenaline stunts. Also appearing is director Stephen Soderbergh.

Hall H

12:45-1:45 Legendary Pictures: Preproduction Preview—Legendary Pictures holds its first-ever Comic-Con panel and shares an early look at some of the movies on the company’s upcoming film slate. Fans will be able to access Legendary’s plans, garner sneak peeks at their movies in preproduction, and hear from filmmakers and cast members from the upcoming Pacific Rim, Seventh Son, Paradise Lost, and Mass Effect. Panel participants include Jeff Bridges, Bradley Cooper, Guillermo del Toro, Ben Barnes, Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Alicia Vikander, Alex Proyas, Sergei Bodrov, Travis Beacham, Mark Protosevich, and Casey Hudson. Room 6BCF

1:00-2:00 Mattel: Mattypalooza 2011: Masters of the Universe Classics, DC Universe, Ghostbusters, Voltron, and More!—Are you a Matty Mattel fan? Head over to this year’s Mattypalooza to get all the latest info on your favorite Mattel collector lines and MattyCollector.com. Featuring a special Q&A with Mattel toy designers Bill Benecke and Brandon Sopinsky, Mattel brand managers Scott “Toy Guru” Neitlich, Danielle McLachlan, Rhobyn de Jesus, and Natalie So, and guest starring The Four Horsemen. As a bonus, Matty, the original Mattel collector, may even make a live appearance to reveal secrets for the upcoming Masters of the Universe 30th anniversary! New toys will be shown for the first time! Room 25ABC

1:30-2:30 Screen Gems: Underworld 4 and Attack the Block—Screen Gems presents two big new movie previews to Comic-Con fans!

Underworld 4brings a stunning new dimension to the epic battle between Vampires and Lycans as the first film in the franchise to shoot in 3D. Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrior Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find that humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species. Appearing in person are Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, Len Wiseman (producer and director of Underworld andUnderworld: Evolution), and directors Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein.

It’s the inner city vs. outer space from the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Attack the Block follows a gang of tough inner-city kids who try to defend their turf against an invasion of savage alien creatures, turning a South London apartment complex into an extraterrestrial warzone. This is the film you’ve been hearing about since its debut at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin where it won the Midnight Screening Audience Award. Funny, frightening, surprising, wildly entertaining and winning rave reviews across the country. Appearing in person will be director Joe Cornish and producer Edgar Wright.

Hall H

2:45-3:45 DreamWorks: Fright Night—Colin Farrell (The Way Back), Anton Yelchin (Star Trek), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad), Imogen Poots (Jane Eyre), Dave Franco (Charlie St. Cloud), director Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl), and screenwriter Marti Noxon (I Am Number Four) take the dais to give fans a taste of the horrific fun to come in DreamWorks Pictures’ 3D reimagining of the classic horror film. Hall H

3:00-4:00 Famous Monsters of Filmland—FM publisher Philip Kim, editor Ed Blair, Mark Dooley (Zombie Lane), and other celebrity horror guests and artists discuss the future of the world’s first monster fan magazine. Learn about FM‘s coming journey into the world of comic books, its expansion into the world of digital publishing, and other special projects and partnerships in the works. The panel will also reveal future FM covers and offer a Q&A where fans can interact and share thoughts on their visions for FM. Room 32AB

3:30-4:15 The Military in Film—The Armed Forces of the United States have been featured in film and television over the last century. How does the real military support the entertainment industry? U.S. Army Lt. Colonel John Clearwater (Avengers, Hawaii Five-O), U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Colonel Jason Johnston (Battle: Los Angeles, Avatar), U.S. Navy Lt. Michael Smith (Battleship, NCIS), U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel Francisco “Paco” Hamm (Transformers, Iron Man 2), and U.S. Coast Guard Commander Sean Carroll (The Adjustment Bureau, Deadliest Catch) offer an in-depth discussion and Q&A session. Moderated by U.S. Air Force veteran Jon Huertas, actor on ABC’s Castle and HBO’s Generation Kill and chairman for SAG Armed Forces Task Force. Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

4:00-5:00 The Boy Who Loved Batman—Dreams can come true, but some of them can bloody your knuckles. That’s an apt description of what it took film producer Michael Uslan to fulfill his dream of making a dark and gritty Batman movie in 1989. Join Uslan, executive producer of Batman, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises, as he tells columnist Tony Panaccio of the lifelong odyssey that led him to launch one of the most successful film franchises of all time. Room 4

4:00-6:30 Sony—Sony returns to Hall H with a stellar lineup of films and talent, including:

Ghost Rider-Spirit of Vengeance — After blazing a trail around the globe in the worldwide hit Ghost Rider, Nicolas Cage returns as Johnny Blaze in Columbia Pictures’ Ghost Rider-Spirit of Vengeance. Still struggling with his curse as the devil’s bounty hunter, Blaze is hiding out in a remote part of Eastern Europe when he is recruited by a secret sect to save a young boy (Fergus Riordan) from the devil (Ciaran Hinds). At first, Johnny is reluctant to embrace the power of the Ghost Rider again, but it is the only way to protect the boy — and possibly rid himself of his curse forever. Live on stage: directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank) and stars Nicolas Cage, Idris Elba, and Johnny Whitworth.

30 Minutes or Less — From Ruben Fleischer, the director of Zombieland, comes the action comedy 30 Minutes or Less. In the movie, Nick (Jesse Eisenberg of The Social Network and Zombieland) is a small town pizza delivery guy whose mundane life collides with the big plans of two wannabe criminal masterminds (Danny McBride and Nick Swardson). The duo kidnap Nick and force him to rob a bank. With only a few hours to pull off the impossible task, Nick enlists the help of his ex-best friend, Chet (Aziz Ansari). As the clock ticks, the two must deal with the police, hired assassins, flamethrowers, and their own tumultuous relationship. Talent in attendance includes director Ruben Fleischer and stars Aziz Ansari, Nick Swardson, and Michael Peña.

Total Recall — Welcome to Rekall, the company that with one little implant can turn your dreams into real memories. For a factory worker named Doug Quaid (Colin Farrell), the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his ordinary existence. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man. With the line between fantasy and reality blurred and the fate of his world hanging in the balance, Quaid goes on the run to discover his true identity, his true love, and his true fate. Based on Philip K. Dick’s classic story “I Can Remember It for You Wholesale,” this new take on some of his most visionary ideas is directed by Len Wiseman and stars Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, and John Cho, all of whom will be appearing.

The Amazing Spider-Man — The Amazing Spider-Man is back on the big screen, shot in 3D for the first time, and will be swinging into your neighborhood on July 3, 2012. Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, and Martin Sheen, as well as Sally Field, and directed by Marc Webb, The Amazing Spider-Man‘s new creative team will be taking a whole new direction in the unfolding saga of everyone’s favorite web-slinger. Appearing in person are producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach, director Marc Webb, and our own Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy — Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone.

Hall H

4:15-5:00 Independent Filmmakers Postproduction Panel Discussion—You may know Avid as the company that makes the tools used to create your favorite feature films, TV shows, and music: Media Composer and Pro Tools. In a crazy (yet practical) twist, the folks at Avid have decided to make a movie of their own. The result: Agent MX Z3RO, a 15-minute indie movie that’s meant to be a fun throwback to the ’70s “shoot-em-up” action spy genre — think Eastwood meets Connery. Why’d they do it? Mainly because it’s difficult to secure demo material that they can use — without restriction — to teach filmmakers and postproduction pros the same tools and workflows used across the industry to help them succeed. Meet the director/writer, producer/writer, film editor, and sound supervisor who created the film. Join the discussion about the challenges facing indie filmmakers. and get some information about the tools and tips that can make your project look and sound the best it can be and ultimately more successful. Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

5:00-6:00 Motion Picture and Television Illustrators—Nowadays a movie starts with an idea expressed in words or images. The men and women who turn these ideas into worlds of visual reality, be it a distant world of pure imagination or an earthly hovel, are the storyboard artists and illustrators. Panelists who will discuss their craft and answer questions include moderator Hank Mayo (Ghostbusters 2), Tim Burgard (Thor), Ricardo Delgado (John Carter of Mars), Robin Richesson (I Am Number Four), and Josh Nizzi (Transformers 3). Room 23ABC

5:30-6:30 Bandai Entertainment—With K-ON!, Tekken: Blood Vengeance, Gundam 00 the Movie, and The Disappearance of Haruhi Movie, Bandai Entertainment has a stellar lineup of eclectic anime titles for 2011. Join Bandai’s Robert Napton, Loy Fruel, and some other notable guests for this informative hour that will feature news, trailers, Q&A, and giveaways. Room 5AB

5:30-6:30 Evolution of Transformers—This panel will travel from the earliest Transformers G1 crash landing on earth to the Headmasters evolution in Japan to the beastly battles and arrive at the modern day. It is a look at the Transformers TV/ DVD journeys, including elements consistent throughout and opposing forces in Transformers lore. Panelists examine character development, weaponry, and weaknesses in Transformers More Than Meets The Eye, the Headmasters/Super-God Masterforce/Victory, and Beast Wars. Moderated by Matt Proulx (Hasbro Studio) and including Rik Alvarez (Hasbro), Brian Ward (Shout Factory), and others. They will provide a users’ guide to all the history you need to start your fan obsession, along with some long-held secrets valuable to those fans already entrenched. Room 8

6:00-7:00 Hermes Press / Dark Shadows The Classic Series and the New Tim Burton Film—Lara Parker (Angelique from Dark Shadows), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans and Josette DuPres from Dark Shadows), Jim Pierson (consulting producer for the new Dark Shadows film), and Daniel Herman (publisher, Hermes Press) talk about the classic show, the comic book, and print tie-ins and reveals up-to-date news and some surprises about the upcoming Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp, along with a Q&A session. Room 4

6:00-7:00 Girls Gone Genre—Come talk with women who write, read, game, and perform in arenas that are statistically dominated by men. What happens when traditionally “male” genres are reinvented by female writers and embraced by female fans? Sex and the City it ain’t. Meet the women who like to play with trucks and Barbies. And Wolverine action figures. And flux capacitors. Moderator Jenna Busch is joined by panelists Marti Noxon (screenwriter/producer, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Mad Men, Fright Night), Gale Anne Hurd (producer, The Walking Dead, Terminator, Aliens), and Marjorie Liu (writer, X-23, Daken: Dark Wolverine, Black Widow, Dirk & Steele novel series). Room 25ABC

6:30-7:30 Can Fantasy Survive on Europe Alone?—A panel discussion on diversity in comics, film, and science fiction by some of the shakers and movers in their respective fields, including New York Times bestselling American comic book writer Josh Dysart (Unknown Soldier), award-winning film director/comic book writer Greg Pak (Incredible Hulk), and international award-winning science fiction novelist Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death). Fictional Frontiers radio show host Sohaib Awan moderates. Room 24ABC

6:45-7:45 RiffTrax Live—Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett (RiffTrax.com, Mystery Science Theater 3000) return to Comic-Con to perform another live, hilarious riff to a classic short! Join the riffers for fun, laughs, and the latest news about their upcoming Jack the Giant Killer live show, a one-night event playing in select movie theaters nationwide in August. RiffTrax.com is the site where MST3K-style humor meets mainstream movies, TV shows, and vintage shorts. At RiffTrax they don’t make movies, they make them funny! Room 6DE

6:45-7:30 At the Drive-In—Come with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear when one of the few places you could see some offbeat genre films and a slew of trailers was at your local Drive-In. We’re trying something new at Comic-Con this year by giving some up and coming genre filmmakers an evening berth to preview their upcoming films. Moderated by writer/director Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise). As San Diego gets darker tonight, so will Hall H as we welcome our first guests to the Virtual Drive-In:

Grave Encounters — Locked in an actual abandoned mental hospital, the crew of a ghost-hunting reality show find themselves trapped in a psychotically endless and deadly labyrinth. Written and directed by The Vicious Brothers, Grave Encounters, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, takes the found footage horror genre to a terrifying new level. Appearing on stage: The Vicious Brothers.

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil –Tucker and Dale are two best friends on vacation at their dilapidated mountain house, who are mistaken for murderous backwoods hillbillies by a group of obnoxious, preppy college kids. When one of the students gets separated from her friends, the boys try to lend a hand, but as the misunderstanding grows, so does the body count. Tucker & Dale Vs Evil has been a hit on the festival circuit, debuting at Sundance, and winning the Midnight Audience Award at SXSW, the Jury Prize for First Feature at Fantasia, the Best Director award at Fantaspoa, and the Best Motion Picture Award at Sitges. Confirmed panelists include Eli Craig, Alan Tudyk, and Tyler Labine.

Hall H

7:00-8:00 Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts—Get a first look at the upcoming feature-length documentary chronicling the life and work of one of comics’ greatest writers, Warren Ellis. The film features extensive interviews with Ellis himself, as well as with key collaborators, and reveals the inextricable links between Ellis’s life, work, and philosophy. Moderated by executive producer F. J. De Santo (The Spirit), the panel features director Patrick Meaney (Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods), DP/producer Jordan Rennert (Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods), and a special guest! Room 7AB

7:00-8:00 Making Genre Movies from the Pen Up—Do you want to know how genre movies are conceived, selected, developed, and produced? Do you have an idea for a film that you would like to do yourself? This panel of genre movie makers will cover the main steps: how to come up with a salable idea (including “mockbusters” and the next “mega” franchise), what the process is to develop a story into a script, and what you need for a successful low-budget genre shoot (including special makeup effects, past celebrities with B-movie star potential, and how to market as you go). Moderator Eric Forsberg (Alien Abduction, Snakes on a Train, Mega Piranha) is joined by panelists Tom Devlin (special makeup effects artist), Griff Furst (creative director for Active Entertainment), Karen Goodman (stage director, film producer, Night of the Dead, Torture Room), and Christopher Olen Ray (son of famed filmmaker Fred Olen Ray, director, Mega Conda, Almighty Thor) to show clips and trailers and engage in a Q&A. Room 23ABC

7:00-8:00 Sushi Girl—Sushi Girl chronicles the story of five friends who reunite six years after a diamond-job-gone-wrong to eat sushi off a naked girl. Sure enough, the thieves can’t help opening old wounds in an attempt to find their missing loot, and all mayhem ensues. This film marks the return to the big screen for Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and Noah Hathaway (Neverending Story) and also features cast members Tony Todd (Candy Man), James Duval (Donnie Darko), Andy Mackenzie (Shoot ‘Em Up), David Dastmalchian (The Dark Knight), and Cortney Palm (Sunday Morning High). The legendary Sonny Chiba (Kill Bill) also stars. Kern Saxton (Deader Living Through Chemistry) directed and co-wrote with Destin Pfaff (Millionaire Matchmaker). Producers Neal Fischer (Fight Club) and Suren Seron (Forever Plaid) and moderator Ted Stryker (KROC) round out the panel. Meet the entire cast and creators and witness the world premiere of the official trailer, followed by Q&A session. Room 25ABC

8:00-9:30 The Totally Rad Show: Live—Hosts Alex Albrecht (Diggnation), Dan Trachtenberg, and Jeff Cannata (Weekend Confirmed, Reviews on the Run) bring their Webby and Podcast Award-winning geek culture show back to Comic-Con for the fourth straight year. Join the guys for an explosion of movie, video game, TV, and comic book news and reviews, and see what makes this Revision3 show such an Internet phenomenon. Room 7AB

8:00-11:00 Hall H and Ballroom 20 Friday Panel Playback—Didn’t get into either Hall H or Ballroom 20 today? We feel your pain! In this three-hour block, Comic-Con rebroadcasts some of the day’s popular panels from those two giant rooms. Best of all, those in attendance will get to vote on what they want to see. It’s democracy at its finest and it’s a second chance to see these panels. (Please note: these playbacks will include only the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.)Room 25ABC

10:15-12:00 Encore Screening: Batman: Year One—Warner Home Video, Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Animation offer a second opportunity to see Batman: Year One, along with a chance to see a few special Comic-Con exclusive trailers for upcoming Warner Bros. films, videogames, and Blu-ray/DVD releases. Ballroom 20

Saturday, July 23

Highlights:

• Universal Pictures: Snow White and the Huntsmen: The Snow White film that pulled into the early lead.
• An Early Evening with Kevin Smith: Smith is more exciting and interesting just doing these things than some directors are with a billion dollar budgets.

10:00-11:00 Steampunk Influences on Mainstream Media and Entertainment—Phil Foglio (Girl Genius), Kaja Foglio (Girl Genius), Greg Broadmore (WETA), Lon Muckey and Aaron Ginn-Forsberg (Mantecoza), and Thomas Willeford (Brute Force Leather) discuss the appeal of the Steampunk aesthetic and the reasons for its increasing popularity in media, the arts, and the entertainment industry, including literature, graphic novels, costuming, props, prosthetics, Internet, and film. Room 23ABC

10:00-11:00 Motion Picture and Television Production Designers—In collaboration with a highly skilled art department, the production designer lays out the designs that will guide a small army of decorators, carpenters, sculptors, painters, and artisans of all sorts, to bring into existence those fantastic worlds that fire everyone’s imagination. Panelists include moderator John Muto (Terminator 2:3D), Cece DeStefano (Alias), Jim Bissell (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol), Edward Thomas (Torchwood, Dr. Who), and Greg Melton (The Walking Dead). Room 25ABC

10:00-11:00 Comic-Con Film School 103: Working with Actors and a Crew—Day 3 of our course on micro-budget moviemaking deals with how to direct actors, organize a crew, and keep them all happy without anybody making a dime. Panelists for the class include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Vera Vanguard (writer/producer of Goth Girl), Jack Conway (writer/producer of Fear News), Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica), and actors Susan Smythe, Brian Stevenson, Kat Steel, and Brad Upton. Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

10:30-12:00 Comic Book Law School 303: To Tweet or Not to Tweet—And other important questions facing creators and business owners each day in our uber-connected world. Creators aren’t the only ones facing potential problems and issues — publishers, distributors, retailers, and even the ultimate consumers can find themselves facing legal issues they never expected. Infringements, misuse, tarnishment, dilution, knockoffs, lawsuits, satires, parodies, fair use, blogs, podcasts, tweets, and cybersquatters are just some of the many potential problems that may arise once creative works and products become accessible to others. Noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the sold-out The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, addresses some of the more advanced (and often complicated) issues facing the creative community, particularly in light of the ever-expanding worlds of new media. And this time, he’s not alone, as attorneys David Branfmanb, David Lizerbram, and Marc Greenberg join him toshare insights into some of the more interesting and cutting-edge legal issues faced by the creative and business communities. Plus, time permitting, they’ll discuss recent legal decisions and pending cases that are likely to affect the field of popular culture and how they might play an important role in your creative and business plans. Note: The Comic Book Law School seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for 1.5 credits of California MCLE.]Room 30CDE

11:30-12:30 Top Cow: We Create…Excitement—Join Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri (The Darkness, X-Men/Dark Avengers: Utopia), president Matt Hawkins (The Darkness II: Confession), and publisher Filip Sablik (Last Mortal), along with a bevy of Top Cow creators, for the most dynamic, news-packed hour at Comic-Con! Be the first to get exclusive news about the future of the Top Cow Universe, the announcement of the 2011 Pilot Season titles and creative teams, and a metric truckload of Top Cow film and television announcements. Plus special surprise guests and a free gift for every attendee! Room 8

11:45-12:45 TWIXT: Francis Ford Coppola and Dan Deacon—Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and acclaimed musician Dan Deacon present sequences from Coppola’s latest film, TWIXT, and involve the audience in a dress rehearsal of the completely unique and innovative way they plan on performing it. Plus a Q&A session. Hall H

12:00-1:00 Terry Moore—Cartoonist Terry Moore fills you in on the latest news about his upcoming new series, Rachel Rising, as well as updates on the Echo movie and plans for celebrating the 20th anniversary of Strangers in Paradise in 2013. Room 9

12:00-1:00 The Art of Adapting Comics to the Screen—It’s a landmark summer for comic-based films and with millions of dollars and the reputations of the properties being adapted at stake, it’s important to examine the process by which these films come to life. Moderator Jeff Goldsmith (host of The Q&A with Jeff Goldsmith podcast) interviews screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (co-writers of Cowboys and Aliens) and Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (Captain America) as they shed light on their unique screenwriting habits and process of adaptation. Room 23ABC

1:00-2:00 Designing the SuperHero Costume: Costume Designers, Costume Illustrators and Superhero Costume Builders—Costume designers work with costume illustrators to translate graphic artists’ renderings into wearable, functioning, cinematic costumes. Hear the inside stories from the people who bring the superhero costume to life. Moderator Deborah Nadoolman Landis (member of Costume Designers Guild, Local 892, costume designer, Raiders of the Lost Ark, director of the David C. Copley Center for Costume Design at UCLA) is joined by costume designers Christine Bieslin-Clark (co-costume designer, Tron: Legacy) and Ellen Mirojnick (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra), Christian Beckman of Quantum FX, Inc. (specialty costume fabricator, Tron: Legacy, Watchmen), costume manufacturers Mary Ellen Fields of Bill Hargate Costumes (Iron Man 2), and Marilyn Madsen (Star Trek TV series), and costume illustrators Constantine Sekeres (Thor, Green Lantern) and Christian Cordella (GI Joe 2: Cobra Strikes, Captain America: The Last Avenger). Room 23ABC

1:00-2:00 Relativity Media: Immortals—Visionary director Tarsem Singh transports viewers in this epic tale of treachery, vengeance, and destiny in this stylish and visually spectacular 3D action adventure. The brutal and bloodthirsty King Hyperion and his murderous Heraklion (Mickey Rourke) rampage across Greece in search of the long lost Bow of Epirus. With the invincible Bow, the king will be able to overthrow the Gods of Olympus and become the undisputed master of his world. As village after village is obliterated, a stonemason named Theseus vows to avenge his mother, who was killed in one of Hyperion’s brutal raids. When Theseus meets the Sybelline Oracle Phaedra, her disturbing visions of the young man’s future convince her that he is the key to stopping the destruction. With her help, Theseus assembles a small band of followers and embraces his destiny in a final, desperate battle for the future of humanity. Stars Henry Cavill, Stephen Dorff, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, Kellan Lutz will participate in this panel alongside producers Gianni Nunnari and Mark Canton. Hall H

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Garth Ennis: Crossed, Stitched, and Beyond—Superstar writer and Comic-Con special guest Garth Ennis has created quite a home for himself at Avatar Press with the runaway success of Crossed, a brutal, uncompromising vision of a world overrun by pure, sadistic evil. As the Crossed comic series grows into a fearsome franchise featuring the hottest talents in the industry (David Lapham, Si Spurrier, Jacen Burrows), Ennis has expanded into film work, writing and directing Stitched, a chilling horror tale that premieres at Comic-Con and continues in an ongoing monthly comic book. Join Garth as he discusses his future plans with Avatar. Room 6DE

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski—Comic-Con special guest J. Michael Straczynski (Thor movie and comic, Superman Earth One, World War Z movie, Babylon 5) talks about…well, we’re never quite sure. He’s fairly incomprehensible. Have you heard him? Stunning, really. Can’t make out a word. We imagine he’ll be talking about writing for movies, TV, comics and so on, but honestly, he could be talking about hydroponics for all we can tell. Translators may be provided if we can ever figure out what language he’s speaking. Room 7AB

2:15-3:15 IndieVest Pictures: Knights of Badassdom—In this humorous fantasy adventure from IndieVest Pictures, Joe (Ryan Kwanten) is a heavy metal rocker who’s just gone through a painful breakup with his girlfriend, Beth (Margarita Levieva). His concerned roommates (Steve Zahn, Peter Dinklage) kidnap him to their LARP (Live Action Role Playing) gathering, where he enters a realm of fantasy escapism in which pretend knights, elves, and barbarians clash with foam weaponry on a mock battlefield. When Joe’s “sorcerer” roommate (Zahn) inadvertently summons a deadly succubus that takes Beth’s seductive form, bloody reality crashes down on their fantasy world. Once LARPers start to turn up dead, the make-believe wizards and warriors must become the real-life heroes they have been pretending to be in order to conquer the evil that has been unleashed. The panel will include a Comic-Con exclusive trailer and a discussion/Q&A with stars Ryan Kwanten (HBO’s True Blood, Red Hill), Peter Dinklage (HBO’s Game of Thrones, Station Agent), Steve Zahn, pending availability (HBO’s Tremé, Saving Silverman), Summer Glau (Firefly, Serenity, The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Danny Pudi (NBC’s Community), Jimmi Simpson, pending availability (A&E’s Breakout Kings, Date Night), Margarita Levieva (The Lincoln Lawyer, Adventureland). and director Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2). Knights of Badassdom will be released in Spring 2012. Hall H

3:00-4:00 Dark Horse: Joss Whedon—Long before signing on to helm one of the most anticipated superhero films in history, Joss Whedon rewarded fans the world over with some of the most compelling characters and plot lines in the history of comics, television, and movies. Here’s your chance to find out what he has in store for us next, including a sneak peek at the brand-new Angel & Faith and Buffy Season 9 comics, plus exciting news about Buffy digital comics! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

3:15-4:00 Amazon Studios: Opportunities for Filmmakers and Screenwriters—Amazon Studios offers monthly and annual awards totaling more than $2.5 million to filmmakers and writers and is seeking top projects to produce as feature films. Learn more in a Q&A with Amazon Studios chief Roy Price, senior content manager Michael Lewis, and Amazon Studios award winners Alex Greenfield and Gary Milin. Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

3:30-4:15 Universal Pictures: Snow White and the Huntsmen—Universal Pictures is bringing the stars and filmmakers of its epic action-adventure film based on the script Snow White and the Huntsman to Comic-Con. Scheduled to appear to discuss their roles in this breathtaking new vision of the legendary tale are Kristen Stewart (Twilight), Oscar winner Charlize Theron (Prometheus), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), and Sam Claflin (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides). Director Rupert Sanders (Halo 3 campaign) and other filmmakers will also be on hand to reveal exclusive footage. Q&A session to follow. Hall H

4:00-4:45 How to Get an Audience into Your Main Character’s Shoes—Whether your main character is a hero, a villain, a sidekick, or a one-of-a-kind original, empathizing with him or her is essential if you want your audience to experience your story at a personal level. This workshop by Chris Huntley (award-winning story development consultant) gives you several surefire, practical techniques to get your audience squarely involved in your main character’s personal issues. Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

4:00-5:00 Indiana Jones Fan Group—The fans with the hats are back! Join the Indyfans as they celebrate 30 years of adventure! Director Brandon Kleyla (Indyfans) returns to discuss all things Indiana Jones, with giveaways…and you never know who may show up and join the fun! Santa Rosa Room, Marriott Marquis & Marina

4:30-5:30 The Vinyl Frontier—The Vinyl Frontier is a documentary film exploring the exciting world of designer vinyl toys. Director Daniel Zana and artists Frank Kozik, Tara McPherson, Keith Poon, and Jermaine Rogers discuss the film and their experiences working in this fascinating artistic medium. Excerpts from the film will be shown and there will be a Q&A following the discussion. Room 24ABC

4:30-5:30 Further over the Rainbow: A First Look at Dorothy of Oz— Join the author and creator, Roger Baum (great grandson of L. Frank Baum), songwriter, producers, and various cast members of Summertime Entertainment’s Dorothy of Oz, as they discuss the many angles of creating the anticipated new 2012 animated musical starring Lea Michele(Glee), Megan Hilty (Wicked, Spielberg’s Smash), Martin Short (How I Met Your Mother, Frankenweenie), and Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: TNG, X-Men). Be the very first to see the footage, hear the music, and witness a surprise new casting announcement. Q&A to follow. Hall H

5:00-6:00 Costume Designers & Costume Illustrators—Meet the men and women who are the costume designers and costume illustrators on this year’s blockbuster films. Moderator Susan Nininger (member of Costume Designers Guild, Local 892; costume designer, The Bodyguard) talks to panelists and costume designers Julie Weiss (Twelve Monkeys, The Ring), Joseph Porro (Stargate, Ultra Violet), Wendy Chuck (Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Twilight), and costume illustrators Christian Cordella (G.I. Joe 2: Cobra Strikes, Captain America: The Last Avenger), Constantine Sekeres (G.I. Joe 2: Cobra Strikes, Superman: Man of Steel, Thor, Green Lantern), Phillip Boutte (Superman: Man of Steel, Twilight Saga), and Brian Valenzuela (Super 8, Mission Impossible 4). Room 23ABC

5:45-7:30 An Early Evening with Kevin Smith—You know Comic-Con is over for the night on Saturday when the fat man sings. Kevin Smith takes to the Hall H stage for his annual Q&A. Fair warning: he works bluer than Doctor Manhattan (though, unlike Doctor Manhattan, Smith will wear clothes for this performance). Hall H

6:00-7:00 The Penny Arcade Q&A—After establishing their tiny media empire in the gaming space with PAX, PAX East, Child’s Play, Penny Arcade: The Series and the recently announced animated feature film The New Kid, Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik do their first Comic-Con panel in two years. Business, life, art, games, parenting — all topics are on the table. Room 25ABC

6:00-7:00 Photoshop in Comics, Film, and TV—Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard in digital imaging and is used by professionals worldwide for design, photography, video editing, and more. View a quick demo and meet members of the Photoshop team: Zorana Gee (Photoshop product manager), Daniel Presedo (Photoshop QE and consultant for Tracking Shot Films), Chris Cox (Photoshop engineer and industry icon), Nikolai Svakhin (Photoshop engineer), and Yuyan Song (Photoshop engineer). Then prepare for a lively Q&A. They will be giving away a free copy of Photoshop Extended CS5. Room 30CDE

6:00-7:00 Behind the Music with CW3PR: Composing Horror to Animation and Everything in Between—Join composing legends Nathan Barr (True Blood), Michael Giacchino (Super 8, Star Trek, Lost), James Levine (Glee, The Closer), Danny Jacob (Phineas and Ferb), Robert Duncan (Castle, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Brian Tyler (Final Destination 5, Hawaii Five-0), and Edward Rogers (Warehouse 13) as they discuss their pivotal role in some of today’s top film & TV projects. Special guest moderator to be revealed at panel. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

7:30-8:30 Star Trek: Between the Cracks—Larry Nemecek (TNG Companion) has lived and worked in “Trekland” for 18+ years as author, editor, interviewer, consultant, talking head, and now producer of his first documentary, The Con of Wrath. Join Larry as he rifles through 45 years of Star Trek’s “attic trunk” from the Paramount stages via his photo archives — the goofy, the what-ifs, the bizarre…and more than one new tale you’ve never heard on any DVD before. Room 7AB

7:30-8:30 The Art of the Hollywood Movie Poster—Who are the talented artists Hollywood has tapped for the creation of some of the best movie posters in recent history? Leslie Combemale (film art expert and owner, ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery) moderates a panel of artists who have worked on hundreds of movie posters and movie campaigns, including Andrea Alvin (Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Pinocchio poster artist, wife and artistic partner of late cinema art legend John Alvin), Matthew Peak (Nightmare on Elm Street poster artist, son of famed movie poster artist Bob Peak), Steve Chorney (Labyrinth, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Star Trek), James Goodridge (Inglorious Basterds, Harry Potter), and Lawrence Noble (The Empire Strikes Back 10th Anniversary, Time After Time, Flash Gordon). They will relay stories of the creation of some well-recognized and most appreciated movie posters, discuss the current atmosphere of the world of cinema art, and offer suggestions for artists who wish to take up the craft. This panel will include a short Q&A. Room 8

8:00-9:00 Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: Ishiro Honda—Film historian and author Peter H. Brothers offers a presentation marking the centennial of Japan’s famous fantasy filmmaker, Ishiro Honda, as covered in his celebrated book on the director, Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda. Peter will discuss Honda’s life and genre work and include scenes from the director’s 1963 movie Atragon! Room 9

8:00-11:00 Hall H and Ballroom 20 Saturday Panel Playback—Didn’t get into either Hall H or Ballroom 20 today? We feel your pain! In this three-hour block, Comic-Con will rebroadcast some of the day’s popular panels from those two giant rooms. Best of all, those in attendance will get to vote on what they want to see. It’s democracy at its finest AND it’s a second chance to see these panels. (Please note: these playbacks will include only the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.)Room 25ABC

8:30-9:30 Star Wars Trivia Game Show—Think you know all about the galaxy far, far away? Put it to the test! Win valuable prizes at the San Diego Star Wars Society’s 10th annual Star Wars trivia game show. The San Diego Star Wars Society has challenged fans at Star Wars Celebration III and Comic-Con International for ten years with intriguing trivia. New this year: Multimedia clues and a game round for kids 12 and under. Do you have what it takes to win? Come and find out! Room 7AB

9:00-10:00 Can DIY Filmmaking Replace Hollywood? Selling Your Own Damn Movie Without Selling Your Soul!—Troma president and creator of The Toxic Avenger Lloyd Kaufman and a panel of indie experts will tell you how to sell your own damn movie. Panelists include Brian Taylor (Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance), Steven Paul (Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance), Lance Henriksen (Aliens, The Terminator), Adam Green (Frozen), Brick (One Shot Presents), Pat Kaufman (New York Film commissioner), and Scott McKinlay (Creep Van), moderated by Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics). Plus a chance to win limited editions of the bestselling book Sell Your Own Damn Movie (Focal Press) and Poultrygeist DVDs! Please note: This panel may not be suitable for all ages. Room 9

Sunday, July 24:

Highlights:

• CCI-IFF Awards Presentation & CCI-IFF Award Winners Showcase: It might be an attempt to turn SDCC into a mini Sundance, but it is also a chance to see genre films that might be a little bit smarter than the average blockbuster.

10:00-5:00 San Diego International Children’s Film Festival—The 8th annual San Diego International Children’s Film Festival opens today, with more than 60 short films from around the world — animation, live action, and documentary — that are great for film fans of all ages. Animators, filmmakers and actors will appear throughout the day to talk about their work and give advice on education and creative careers in film and animation. Room 9

10:00-11:00 Comic-Con Film School 104: Post Production and Distribution—The final day of our comprehensive course on micro-budget moviemaking will revolve around what to do after your movie is shot. Panelists will go over the basics of post-production on your home computer, as well as what software to use for editing, graphic design, sound design, visualFX, and finally, how to burn your finished product to DVD and upload it to the Internet. Panelists for the class include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Vera Vanguard (writer/producer of Goth Girl), Edward G. Negron (director of Safehouse), Jack Conway (writer/producer of Fear News), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica). Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

11:00-12:00 Wearing Two Capes: Storyboard Artists Who Moonlight as Comic Artists—Kevin Altieri (Batman: The Animated Series), Gary Hartle (Ultimate Avengers), Dell Barras (G.I. Joe: Renegades), Jeff Wamester (Ultimate Spider-Man), Justin Copeland (Ultimate Spiderman), and moderator Frank Forte (The Super Hero Squad Show) discuss dynamic storytelling, filmmaking, and creating characters in the mediums of animation and comics. Yes, you can do both! This panel includes an audio/visual display of comic art trailers and storyboard animatic demos, plus interviews and a Q&A session. Room 4

11:05-11:55 CCI-IFF Awards Presentation— The films have been shown, now it’s time to give the recipients of the 2011 Comic-Con Independent Film Festival Awards their trophies and recognition! Comic-Con’s Gary Sassaman talks to this year’s trio of judges, Michael Gross (art director, producer, Heavy Metal, Ghostbusters), Eric Vespe (“Quint” on Ain’t It Cool News), and the producer of last year’s CCI-IFF Judges’ Choice and Best Documentary award-winner and Kevin Walsh (Marwencol), about this year’s films. Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

1:40-5:00 CCI-IFF Award Winners Showcase—Stay tuned for an afternoon of great indie entertainment as the CCI-IFF rescreens the award-winning films from this year’s Festival! Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina

2:00-4:00 Browncoats—Fans of Firefly and Serenity are welcome to join the California Browncoats. You can expect announcements about new happenings from all over the ‘Verse, including shindigs, products, and Browncoats: Redemption. Then stick around for some entertainment provided by Browncoat-friendly musician Marian Call. You never know what else might happen! Room 32AB

3:00-4:00 Keenspot 2011: Vampires and Zombies and the Moon!— Pioneering webcomics publisher Keenspot returns for their unfathomable 11th annual Comic-Con panel! Creators scheduled to appear include Benny Powell (Wayward Sons), Brion Foulke (Flipside), John Joseco (The Lounge), David Campiti (Exposure), R.C. Monroe (Out There), and tentatively, writer/director Jay Weisman (Shockwave Darkside). Additionally, Aimee Schoof (Red Giant Media), co-producer of the upcoming shot-in-3D war on the moon feature film Shockwave Darkside as well as the movie adaptation of the Keenspot webcomic Last Blood (after zombies take over the Earth, vampires must protect the last surviving humans so they can live off their blood), will bring previews and announcements about both projects. And everyone who attends will receive a free…something. Room 4

3:00-4:30 Starship Smackdown XIIX: 10th Anniversary: Ultimate Platinum Collector’s Edition—The must-see panel of Comic-Con and WonderCon returns for another action-packed year as the greatest spaceships in the history of the universe converge in the ultimate conflagration for the highly coveted Smackdown title in Comic-Con’s most scholarly and serious panel. Will the Enterprise once again defeat an Imperial Star Destroyer? Can the Serenity make mincemeat out of the Battlestar Galactica? And what exactly is the “Captain’s Courageous” lightning round anyway? Expert spaceshipologists who attempt to outwit, outplay, and outphaser include Daren Dochterman (ST: TMP Special Edition), Chris Gossett (The Red Star), Ashley E. Miller (X-Men: First Class, Thor), Steve Melching (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Transformers), Robert Hewitt Wolfe (Andromeda, Deep Space Nine), Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise, The Hills Run Red), and the Richard Dawson of the stars, moderator Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise, Femme Fatales), along with some very special surprise guests and the lovely spaceship chaperone, Madison Dylan. End your weekend the San Diego way with the geekiest and most beloved panel of all time in this or any other dimension, known or unknown. All-new ships, all-new quips for this special 10th anniversary edition! Room 7AB

3:30-4:30 Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz Premiere Screening—Be among the first Munchkins to see the live premiere screening of this unforgettable adventure as Tom and Jerry join Dorothy, Toto, and other beloved characters in a new animated retelling of the classic tale. Produced by Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Animation, Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz finds the famed cat and mouse team going paw to paw against a legion of flying monkeys on a heroic, dangerous quest to return Dorothy and Toto safely back to Kansas — because after all, there is no place like home! This exciting new story is full of heartwarming and hilarious moments and beautiful songs, including the memorable “Over the Rainbow.” Tom and Jerry & the Wizard of Oz will be available from Warner Home Video’s on Blu-Ray Combo Pack and DVD on August 23, 2011. Room 6A

3:45-4:45 The Holocaust Through the Eyes of a Child, Animated by a Child—Bill Plympton (two-time Oscar-nominated animator, Idiots and Angels), 11-year-old prodigy animator and child film critic Perry Chen, his mother Dr. Zhu Shen (producer), Karina Bessoudo (Toon Boom Animation, vice president of marketing and communications), and Kevin Sean Michaels (director) share insight and a sneak preview of the film Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest and the cross-generational collaboration that was formed to create it. The short animated film illustrates the miraculous true story of the late actress Ingrid Pitt (Where Eagles Dare) who, in 1945, escaped at age 8 from a Nazi concentration camp in Poland to later become one of the UK’s biggest movie stars. Also screening will be a trailer for the new documentary on animator Bill Plympton, Adventures in Plymptoons! Moderated by Pat Swinney Kaufman (executive director for the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture & Television Development) and Lloyd Kaufman (president/co-founder of Troma Entertainment, author of Sell Your Own Damn Movie). Room 5AB

 

Deadline: New York is reporting that Marvel has announced that not only will they be going ahead with a sequel to this year’s Thor, but also that the film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 26, 2013. The good news is Chris Hemsworth is back as the title character. The bad news is that director Kenneth Branagh will only be back in a “producing capacity.”

Thor has done more than half its $437,003,116 take from overseas ticket sales (which account for $259,561,239 of that total). You can probably chalk this up to the popularity of the concept in Europe and its truly international cast, but part of the reason might be due to Irish-born Branagh’s popularity overseas as an actor and director (he’s recently appeared on British TV in Wallander)

This is the second Marvel franchise to change directorial hands as Jon Favreau stepped down from directing Iron Man 3, handing the reins to the relatively unproven Shane Black. Coincidentally, Iron Man 3 is set to be released in May 3,2013. Favreau apparently will return as Happy Hogan in the new film.

No replacement has been named and no candidates have been mentioned. If I was a betting man, however, I’d expect an announcement, oh, sometime between July 21st and July 24th, at a little get together they hold each year in San Diego called Comic-Con.

One of the big moments of last weekend’s Sand Diego Comic Con was the screening of a five minute trailer for attendees of Marvel Studios upcoming Thor. Normally these things tend to show up online in some form of video camera-recorded bootleg versions. Overnight, though, the Thor footage materialized and it looks like it has come from an actual copy of what was presented has appeared and is making its way around the internet. I doubt that this is an official release, and it might disappear from some places, but the toothpaste is out of the tube and Marvel won’t be able to get it back in there.

I have to say that I really like what we’re seeing here. The trailer gives us a good sense of the film’s story and Thor’s character arc, hinting at how it will marry the grandeur of Asgard, home of the Norse gods, to its more Earth-bound components. Kenneth Branagh’s done some good work here, if this is anything to judge by. And clocking in at five minutes, it is a lot longer than any actual trailer that Marvel Studios may release in the near future.

In the meantime, enjoy while you can.