First, let’s get this out in the open: initial reports said that Supernatural and Smallville will have their panels on Sunday so don’t freak out that the shows aren’t included in the first two days.
Other than that, Friday’s schedule looks amazing. Although my TV favorites aren’t on the list, my movie favorites are. There a a couple more timing conflicts and I’m guessing that people are going to have to make some tough choices. When in doubt, stick with Whedon, Rodriguez, Cameron and Jackson.
Below are my picks for Friday’s schedule. Once again, it was hard to narrow down the list. Check out the full schedule here.
Check out the other schedules: Thursday Saturday Sunday
10:00-12:30 Warner Bros.– Join WB for a look at their much anticipated slate of upcoming genre films, including Where The Wild Things Are, The Book of Eli, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Box, Jonah Hex, and Sherlock Holmes. Hall H
Reason: Where the Wild Things Are. Duh.
10:30-11:30 Meet The Guild— Come chat with the creators and performers from the hit online video series The Guild. Felicia Day (Codex), Vincent Caso (Bladezz), Jeff Lewis (Vork), Amy Okuda (Tinkerballa), Sandeep Parikh (Zaboo), and Robin Thorsen (Clara) talk about the series and answer questions from the audience. They’ll also give attendees a sneak peek at Season 3 coming to Xbox LIVE this fall, plus a bonus Comic-Con exclusive video! Room 5AB
Reason: I loved Felicia Day in Dr Horrible and she’s great in this web series. Check it out.
11:30-12:30 AMC: The Prisoner— Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ), Jamie Campbell-Bower (Sweeney Todd, The Twilight Saga: New Moon), Lennie James (Jericho), writer Bill Gallagher, and Vlad Wolynetz (VP, production, series & movies for AMC) discuss the making of AMC’s miniseries The Prisoner, a re-imagining of the 1960s cult classic by the late Patrick McGoohan, premiering in November on AMC. Join Jim, Jamie, Lennie, Bill and Vlad for a one-on-one Q&A session and an official sneak preview of the six-part mini-series The Prisoner. Room 6BCF
Reason: You can’t not go see the guy that played Jesus.
11:45-12:45 FlashForward— Be among the first to see exclusive, never-before-seen footage and scenes from upcoming episodes of ABC’s new show FlashForward presented by David S. Goyer (Batman Begins), Brannon Braga (24), and Marc Guggenheim (Eli Stone). Joining them on the panel are cast members including Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love) and John Cho (Star Trek). And look for a surprise guest that you won’t want to miss! Room 6A
Reason: The ABC upfront look at FlashForward looked great. I’d love to see some more footage.
11:45-12:45 Caprica/Battlestar Galactica: The Plan— The present meets the past as the makers of Battlestar Galactica deliver the highly anticipated Syfy original series, Caprica and the 2-hour event, Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, directed by Edward James Olmos. This is your chance to get the inside scoop on these exciting projects and see two generations of Adamas on stage together for the first time. Executive producers Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, and Jane Espenson sit down with Caprica star Esai Morales (Joseph Adama) and Battlestar Galactica‘s Edward James Olmos (Admiral William Adama), director of The Plan, to reveal the truth about these two new chapters in the mythology of BSG. Ballroom 20
Reason: I’m really upset that this isn’t split up into two panels. BSG: The Plan and Caprica deserve equal time.
1:00-2:00 The Big Bang Theory Screening and Q&A– Bazinga! Your favorite scientists and girl-next-door are back as The Big Bang Theory returns to Comic-Con with a special screening and Q&A with the show’s creators and stars. Come chat with executive producers Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men) and Bill Prady (Dharma & Greg), as well as series stars Johnny Galecki (Roseanne), Jim Parsons (Garden State), Kaley Cuoco (Charmed), Simon Helberg (Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog), and Kunal Nayyar (NCIS). From Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television, The Big Bang Theory airs Mondays at 9:30 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season is released on DVD September 15. Ballroom 20
Reason: It’s awesome and it will definitely be picking up some Emmy nominations.
1:45-2:45 Robert Rodriguez– Join famed director Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids) for a first look at his upcoming family film Shorts, followed by Q&A. Room 6DE
Reason: First of all, why are the referencing him as the director of Spy Kids? Stop it. Seriously. Robert Rodriquez is a genius. The genius that did Sin City, From Dusk Till Dawn, and Planet Terror. Drop everything to go hear this man speak.
2:15-3:00 24— The Fox series 24 is coming off its most critically acclaimed season in years. Stars Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub and new cast members Anil Kapoor and Katee Sackhoff join showrunnner Howard Gordon and the producers of the Emmy-winning series for a special sneak peek at the heart-stopping premiere episode of Season 8 Ballroom 20
Reason: 24 is going to get a reboot and I’m really pumped about it. I would love to go hear about Anil Kapoor and Katee Sackhoff‘s new characters. I’m a bit sad that Freddie Prince Jr. isn’t listed. That would have been amusing.
2:30-3:30 Focus Features: 9— Focus Features and Comic-Con present an exclusive look inside director Shane Acker’s animated fantasy epic 9, the feature-length expansion of his short film of the same name. Directors Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov are among the feature version’s producers. The action-packed adventure–opening nationwide 9/9/09–takes place after our world fell to pieces, when a group of “stitchpunk” creations must summon individual strengths well beyond their own proportions. While showcasing a stunning steampunk-styled visual brilliance, 9 dynamically explores the will to live, the power of community, and how one soul can change the world. Join Shane Acker, Tim Burton, Timur Bekmambetov, and actors Elijah Wood and Jennifer Connelly LIVE for this panel presentation! Hall H
Reason: Tim Burton.
3:00-3:45 Bones— Showrunner Hart Hanson and stars David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel are on hand for a discussion of what’s on deck for Booth and Brennan, hot on the heels of this year’s much talked-about season finale in which the pair finally wound up between the sheets. Ballroom 20
Reason: I’m dying to hear what’s to come for my favorite TV couple.
3:15-4:15 Eureka— Eureka is back this summer with all new episodes, and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Allison Blake), Erica Cerra (Jo Lupo), Neil Grayston (Douglas Fargo), and Jaime Paglia (executive producer/co-creator) are stopping by to let you in on the fun. Moderated by Josh Gates (Destination Truth). Room 6BCF
Reason: It premieres tonight and is a great summer TV show.
3:45-5:00 Sony Pictures Entertainment: Legion and District 9– Sony Pictures Entertainment and Screen Gems introduce two great new movie projects exclusively to Comic-Con attendees!
Legion–When the last angel falls, the fight for mankind begins. Having lost faith in the human race, a legion of angels descend to Earth to bring about the Apocalypse. Humanity’s only hope lies in a group of strangers trapped in a desert diner and the Archangel Michael himself (Paul Bettany). Appearing on stage: Paul Bettany (A Beautiful Mind, The DaVinci Code), Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights, Supernatural), Tyrese Gibson (Transformers, Death Race), Doug Jones (Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and Abe Sapien in Hellboy), and director Scott Stewart (helming his first feature film after working on VFX for Sin City, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, and Iron Man, among many others). From Screen Gems.
District 9–Peter Jackson makes his eagerly and long-awaited first visit to Comic-Con to introduce you to the world of District 9, which focuses on a world in which extraterrestrials have become refugees in South Africa. Thirty years ago, aliens made first contact with Earth. Humans waited for the hostile attack or the giant advances in technology. Neither came. Instead, the aliens were refugees, the last survivors of their home world. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa’s District 9 as the world’s nations argued over what to do with them–as well as their powerful technology and advanced weaponry that can only be activated by Alien DNA. Please join Peter Jackson as he gives fans a first look at scenes from District 9 and takes your questions along with director Neill Blomkamp and star Sharlto Copley. From Sony Pictures Entertainment
Hall H
Reason: Adrianne Palicki and Peter Jackson in one go? Two sides of my nerdy brain are erupting right now.
4:00-5:15 Dollhouse— Join Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon and star/producer Eliza Dushku for a no-holds-barred Q & A about what they have planned for season 2, after they unveil a special screening of the never-before-seen “Epitaph One” episode of the Fox hit, which releases on DVD just four days later. Ballroom 20
Reason: First, can I just say how pumped I am that Dollhouse got renewed. I’m so excited to see what Joss has in store for us this year.
5:15-6:00 Joss Whedon– After the Dollhouse presentation, stick around for 45 minutes of information and Q&A with Joss Whedon about his upcoming Dark Horse Comics projects! Ballroom 20
Reason: More with Joss Whedon? Yes, please.
6:15-7:15 TV Guide Magazine: Sci Fi Hot List– TV Guide magazine takes an in-depth look at some of the most buzzed-about new and returning TV series, featuring the hottest talent from in front of the camera and behind the scenes. TV Guide executive editor Craig Tomashoff moderates this panel that offers the inside scoop, along with special surprises. Scheduled participants include Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Zachary Levi (Chuck), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), Scott Peters (executive producer, V), Rebecca Romijn (Eastwick), Kevin Williamson (executive producer, The Vampire Diaries), Scott Wolf (V), John Cho (Flash Forward), Marc Guggenheim (producer, Flash Forward), Allison DuBois (the real person behind Medium), and others. Ballroom 20
Reason: I’m not terribly sold on this idea but I will say that I’d love to hear Kevin Williamson speak and I hope someone throws in a Dawson’s Creek question.
6:30-7:30 Entertainment Weekly: The Visionaries– A discussion with iconic filmmakers James Cameron (Avatar) and Peter Jackson (District 9) on the Future of Film–EW moderates an in-depth conversation with these two cinematic giants about the art of film narrative and how technology and global culture will alter the art of on-screen storytelling in the next 20 years. Hall H
Reason: I am, however, sold on this idea. James Cameron and Peter Jackson giving me a look at the future of film? Awesome.
Sorry I couldn’t help narrow down your choices much. I tried. So shout back, who are you guys looking forward to seeing most?
– Kim Wetter, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image Coutesy of FOX)
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
