Team Empire sets off to sunny San Diego this week on a pilgrimage to Geek Mecca. We refer, of course, to Comic-Con. We’ll be covering the Con through every medium known to man (news, blogs, photos, video, twitter and inception) but to whet your appetite, here are the ten movies scheduled for the Con that we just can’t wait to feast our eyes on.
What is it? Greg Mottola’s road trip comedy about a pair of Brit geeks (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost) who encounter a friendly alien that’s recently broken out of Area 51.
What can we expect? Anything would be a boon at this point, given that the image here is virtually the only thing we’ve seen so far. The trailer debut and a chunk of footage seems likely – not to mention a potentially great panel interview from the film’s mirthsome cast – but we’re holding out for our first glimpse of Paul himself.
When’s the panel? Saturday afternoon.
What is it? Martin Campbell’s adaptation of the long-running DC Comic book about test pilot Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) who gets his hands on a natty green ring, which bestows upon the wearer great power (and great responsibility).
What can we expect? Reynolds in costume, for a start. There has only been one image of GR himself thus far, so footage of the Lantern in action would be nice. An extended trailer seems likely, too, though whether they can do a better job than the now legendary fan-made offering remains to be seen.
When’s the panel? Saturday morning.
What is it? Exactly what it sounds like: a film that pits alien invaders against the residents of the Old West as Jon Favreau adapts the graphic novel series of the same name.
What can we expect? Are you kidding? There will be cowboys! Fighting aliens! What’s not to love? Of course we said the same thing about Vikings fighting Indians and the result was Pathfinder, but still…
When’s the panel? Saturday afternoon.
What is it? Guillermo Del Toro-produced horror about a young girl sent to live with her father (Guy Pearce) and new girlfriend (Katie Holmes), only to discover that a number of malevolent creatures have also taken up residence in their residence. And they want her BRAINS! Actually, they probably don’t, but we can’t imagine they just want to hold hands.
What can we expect? Scares, frights, jumps and heebie-jeebies. It’s a remake of a made-for-TV yarn but early word is that it’s well worth keeping an eye on.
When’s the panel? Friday afternoon.
What is it? Sequel to the 1982 sci-fi film, which picks up 27 years after game designer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) disappeared inside the digital world, never to be seen again. World of Warcraft players (and their families) should be wholly familiar with the concept.
What can we expect? This will be Tron Legacy’s third consecutive appearance at the Con, so we’re holding out for something truly spectacular. You can bank on a hefty dose of light cycle racing, Frisbee duelling and assorted computer-based action – all in bright, neon colours and glorious 3D.
When’s the panel? Thursday morning
What is it? Forsooth! ‘Tis Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of ye olde comic featuring the titular Norse god of thunder.
What can we expect? A decent footage reel with shots of Asgard, Odin, Loki and the Warriors Three in their future-medieval look costumes, Thor twirling Mjolnir and possibly even a look at the Destroyer himself. Not that we’ve seen it or anything.
When’s the panel? Saturday evening.
What is it? Zack Snyder’s long-awaited project about an institutionalised girl who conjures an alternate reality inside her mind. Or, to quote Snyder himself: “It’s Alice in Wonderland with machine guns”.
What can we expect? Put simply? A panel full of hot ladies! Snyder’s cast is populated in the most part by the aesthetically pleasing end of the fairer sex, which is never a bad thing. Some mind-bending visuals and bone-crunching fights in fantastical landscapes will doubtless be revealed as well.
When’s the panel? Saturday morning.
What is it? Touted as Black Hawk Down meets Independence Day, this is a hard-hitting war drama about a platoon of Marines locked in combat with invading aliens on the streets of, yes you guessed it, downtown LA.
What can we expect? Michelle Rodriguez and Aaron Eckhart are joining director Jonathan Liebesman for the panel and while we’ve seen zippity doo-dah of the film so far, we can’t wait to clap our eyes on some footage.
When’s the panel? Thursday morning.
What is it? Are you serious? It’s Joe Johnston’s adaptation of the tentpole Marvel character, with Chris Evans wielding the red, white and blue shield.
What can we expect? Well, given that they only started shooting a couple of weeks ago there almost certainly won’t be any footage on show, but we expect Evans will do his best to make up for that. More importantly, though, we expect Marvel will use this panel to cement final details for the Avengers movie, hopefully including casting announcements and maybe even some special appearances.
When’s the panel? Saturday evening.
What is it? Possibly the coolest property of the year, it’s Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Brian Lee O’Malley’s superhip comic series about a geeky kid who falls for a girl and must subsequently do battle with her seven evil exes.
What can we expect? A visual and auditory assault as Wright pays homage to retro games, funky music and proves that he’s way cooler than you are. There’s literally nothing about this film we don’t want to see!
When’s the panel? Thursday evening.