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Comic-Con Gives the Fans What They Want
Michelle Ryan, Skeet Ulrich, Masi Oka and Matt Dallas by Sean Smith/jpistudios.com
At the 38th Annual Comic-Con International, fans of the sci-fi and fantasy genres proved they're no longer on the fringe. The mammoth convention, held this past weekend at the San Diego Convention Center, attracted more than 125,000 people, and in a nod to the fact that the event has gone far beyond comic books, it has billed itself as "celebrating the popular arts." Movie studios and TV networks packed huge rooms with rabid fans eager for exclusive scoop and swag.
On the first day it was officially confirmed that Zachary Quinto, Heroes' slithery villain Sylar, will indeed be playing Spock in the next Star Trek movie (opening Dec. 25, 2008). Director J.J. Abrams made the announcement during a Paramount Pictures panel, and in a symbolic passing of the ears, Leonard Nimoy, who originated the role on TV and in previous movies and will play an elder Spock in Abrams’ movie, joined the discussion. "People have been asking me why I’m doing this movie," Nimoy said. "We have a great director and a wonderful actor playing young Spock. The answer is it was logical."
Quinto agreed. "It’s really incredible. To be a part of something so iconic with the support of the man who created the role is a true honor," he said. "I certainly intend to bring my own spin on [Spock], and with these guys I’m sure I’ll be able to find that.”
With regards to casting Captain Kirk, Abrams said the role is still up for grabs. As for finding a part for the original Kirk, William Shatner, Abrams said, “We’re desperately trying to figure out a way to put him in this movie. The truth is it needs to be worthy of him.”
Lost executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse talked about the return of Harold Perrineau as the traitorous Michael, news that had been forced out by cranky reporters a day earlier at the Television Critics Association press tour. Perrineau was on hand at Comic-Con, and while no one would reveal how Michael returns, they did tell fans that Perrineau would be a series regular in Season 4 (premiering in February), and his return would be near the start of the season. Also planned for next year is more on Libby's (Cynthia Watros) backstory, who Michael accidentally killed in Season 2. But otherwise, scoop was kept to a minimum, with Lindelof and Cuse ringing bells anytime they felt one of them was revealing too much.
TV Guide’s Hot List panel brought together stars and producers from several popular shows. Matt Dallas of Kyle XY seemed awestruck by the magnitude of the 'Con. “It’s really motivating to interact with the fans,” he said. There was no better example of just how powerful fans can be than Jericho, which CBS canceled then revived after an impassioned fan campaign. Skeet Ulrich, who plays the show’s hero Jake and had only finished filming scenes for the new season at 2 in the morning, humbly said, “I wouldn’t be sitting here if not for [our fans]. Thank you.”
To ensure that fan support is solidified early on, NBC gave big pushes to Bionic Woman and Chuck. Though the shows don’t debut until the fall, both already had major awareness with the Comic-Con crowd. At the TV Guide panel, Bionic star Michelle Ryan said the response so far has been “brilliant. I hope it lives up to everyone’s expectations.” A screening and panel for Chuck, which leading man Zachary Levi described as “The Bourne Identity meets The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” received wild cheers. “I’m so ridiculously happy to be here right now,” a genuinely overwhelmed Levi said. “You guys are awesome.”
The entire Heroes cast appeared and got a rock-star welcome. Fan favorite Masi Oka played to the crowd and even showed his geek cred when he helped fix a faulty speaker on stage. The franchise’s big news was the announcement that another Comic-Con demigod, Kevin Smith (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), will write and direct an episode of next year’s spin-off, Heroes: Origins. After thunderous applause when he arrived on stage, Smith gushed about being a fan of the show, which he says has mastered “the art of the cliff-hanger.” It’s not yet known what his episode will be about (the spin-off is an anthology of standalone installments featuring previously unknown characters coming to grips with their special abilities), but he said, “I don’t want to be the guy who ruins Heroes.”
Executive producer Tim Kring was effusive in his gratitude to the Comic-Con fans, who last year gave the show its first major buzz. At TV Guide’s Hot List panel he acknowledged the power of the cult fans: “This audience was always there, ready to become a mainstream audience.”
Other highlights from San Diego:
• Lois & Clark star Dean Cain will revisit his Superman roots when he guest-stars as a villain on the fourth episode of the new season of the CW’s Smallville.
• Lucy Lawless returns as cylon D’Anna for at least two episodes of the final season of Sci Fi Channel's Battlestar Galactica next year.
• After gaining a second wind in repeats on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, Futurama will return from cancellation with four straight-to-DVD movies. The first, Bender’s Big Score (on sale Nov. 27), features “nudist Internet scammers who want to take over Earth,” according to executive producer David X. Cohen.
— Reporting by Rich Sands, G.J. Donnelly and Gord Lacey
For Comic-Con photos, go here.
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Jul 30, 2007 11:31 AM
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Great report Rich, GJ & Gord! Your comments about Comic Con no longer being fringe supports what I've said on other postings after some childish behavior by reporters at the ABC press tour.
Speaking of ABC, in your section noting Harold Perrineau's return to "LOST" you say his character Michael accidentally killed Cynthia Watros' character Libby. The way I remember it, he very intentionally killed her but regretted it. This was an intense scene; what do other people think?
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Jul 30, 2007 1:09 PM
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Smike - I agree about Libby. I remember thinking when she walked in, "Uh oh, now he'll have to kill her too." And then he did. And then I screamed. And then my dog ran from the room! He had enough hesitation to know he had no other choice (don't get me started on him).
I wish I could go to Comic Con. Thanks for the great report on it.
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Jul 30, 2007 1:16 PM
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No word on Supernatural??
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Jul 31, 2007 9:25 AM
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It's about time Dean Cain was on Smallville; but truth be told, I'd only want to see him on there as either Jor-el or Zod. I really don't want to see him as just some regular human villain.
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Jul 31, 2007 10:02 AM
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Gabs - I agree, where's the scoop on Supernatural?
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Jul 31, 2007 10:39 AM
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Gabs - I agree, where's the scoop on Supernatural?
Ditto.
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Jul 31, 2007 11:42 AM
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From my memory, he did accidently kill Libby. She walked in, startled Michael, and that caused him to pull the trigger.
Libby never killed an Other unlike Ana-Lucia. I don't see why there would be order to kill her. I just don't think they cared she died, two birds with one stone.
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Jul 31, 2007 11:43 AM
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What about Supernatural? Did you guys miss the gobs of people that were there at their panel? Why does everyone keep avoiding this program? It has certainly been kept alive by the fans since the media has been giving it the shaft. Can you update those of us that only saw the pictures with the swarms of people - what else happened? Any scoops?
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Jul 31, 2007 12:00 PM
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Gabs - I agree, where's the scoop on Supernatural?
Ditto.
Ditto again!
You know, I realize that there was a tremendous amount of shows being represented at Comic Con and I understand that different people show up for different press interviews and panels. However, I also am beginning to realize that once again it is up to the fans to promote our show. Sad but true.
So ... if there is anyone reading this that would like to know how the show Supernatural's interviews and panel went I would offer you this:
www.samslaptop.blogspot.com
There you will find not only transcripts of the panel, which include TV Guide's own Craig Tomashoff hosting the panel and stating:
"It’s actually an honor to be up here moderating this one. I’ve been doing a lot of them this weekend, but I really love the show. I’m excited. The beauty of this is it reminds me of, like, as a kid, you stay up late to watch the chiller theater and all that kind of stuff, only with this show, you get the excitement without used car ads and all that kind of stuff. It’s a really entertaining show; one of the most fun that we have on TV."
You will also find articles and reports and pictures. Enjoy!
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Jul 31, 2007 12:07 PM
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Great report, folks. Just wanted to mention that Comic-Con's tagline of "celebrating the popular arts" is not new. They've been using that slogan (and covering TV and films) for about 20 years. It's just taken the media a while to notice. 
There were also great panels on Pushing Daisies and The Sarah Conner Chronicles (my two favorite fall pilots). Are you planning to post coverage of those panels also?
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Jul 31, 2007 1:14 PM
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Sorry to disappoint all the Supernatural fans. There were so many panels and we couldn't cover them all.
But Ausiello posted a big interview with exec producer Eric Kripke last week and there's lots of scoop there. Check it out.
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Jul 31, 2007 2:31 PM
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I totally get there's a lot going on at Comic-con, and you can't hit it all, but considering the HUGE fan base Supernatural has here on tvguide.com, you would have thought covering it would have been on the list. I'm just saying...
But the other coverage was great. Thanks for the update.
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Jul 31, 2007 7:35 PM
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Ya right you just couldn't get to the SUPERNATURAL panal! I mean honestly there hasn't been any promotion at all for this awesome show so I wasn't that surprised and just went to good old youtube and some fan made sites to see something on my beloved show. Ya I saw pictures and there were a lot of people at the panel so ya people actually watch the show. Please open your eyes and see that! As a fan and someone who has tried to spread the word as best I can! It would be nice to have some help from the media. I'm just saying.
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Jul 31, 2007 9:25 PM
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I also threw a Supernatural Comic-Con post up on my site if anyone wants to read it. It was great seeing Jensen but too bad JPad didn't show. I thought someone would kill when that was announced.
I'm psyched to see Libby's story come back into play. I love Cynthia Watros and hated that she was killed by Michael.
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Aug 1, 2007 8:29 AM
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