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 The biggest attraction of the four-day event, kicking off on
Wednesday, is expected on Friday when Disney hosts a panel for
its new "Star Wars" film "The Force Awakens".
The movie, the first of a new trilogy in one of the top grossing
franchises of all time, is due for release worldwide in
December.
The "Star Wars" panel is expected to serve up sneak peeks and a
possible appearance by veteran cast member Harrison Ford, who
has been unable to promote the film since the March crash of a
vintage plane he was piloting.
No other major studios are hosting panels on Friday as the first
new "Star Wars" movie in 10 years is likely to dominate the
news.
What began as a cult gathering of comic book fans 35 years ago
has become an increasingly important platform for Hollywood's
film studios to promote their superhero and science-fiction film
franchises, often up to a year ahead of their releases.
"Comic Con is absolutely central to what pop culture has become
now because we're living in the age of superheroes," Sean Smith,
executive editor of Entertainment Weekly said of the gathering,
which draws more than 100,000 people to San Diego annually.
On Saturday, Warner Bros will showcase its "Batman v Superman:
Dawn of Justice" film, due for release in March 2016, with the
full cast led by Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill being seen
together for the first time.
Fans are also hoping for an appearance from the summer 2016
"Suicide Squad" movie, with an ensemble cast led by Will Smith
and Jared Leto.
20th Century Fox is expected to present the cast of its
superhero mutant franchise "X-Men: Apocalypse," due in theaters
May 2016, and next February's R-rated anti-superhero movie "Deadpool"
starring Ryan Reynolds.
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This year, Disney's Marvel Studios, Sony Pictures and Paramount
Pictures are sitting out the big Comic-Con panels, as none have
relevant movies to promote.
"Studios make the decision that if they're going to Comic-Con, they
have to bring their A-game," said Smith.
"If you don't come with something that's going to get people
excited, it could actually backfire ... It's not cheap to make a
splash at Comic-Con."
As Comic-Con has grown, it has spilled to the surrounding areas of
the convention center, with studios and TV networks finding new ways
to engage with fans.
Paramount, for example, is sponsoring pedi-cab rides for its
upcoming horror comedy "Scout's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse," in
which people can be chased by zombies across the streets of San
Diego, said Erik Davis, managing editor at movie reviews and
ticketing site Fandango.
"Studios are making people aware of these movies by making them a
part of the experience of the movie," Davis said.
(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy, editing by Jill Serjeant and Christian
Plumb)
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