2010 Comic-Con Recap: What's Next On The Big Screen?

"Article first published as 2010 Comic-Con Recap: What's Next On The Big Screen? on Blogcritics.org

The San Diego Comic-Con can only be described as super cool, a four-day convention in which professionals, exhibitors, and guests present their latest products to the media and audience. They present the very latest in comic books, science fiction and fantasy material, video games, toys, and a long "etcetera." I am going to focus on the best of the upcoming movies that have been presented during the convention.

Day 1, July 22

The first day of the event started big, really big. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (a.k.a Brangelina) had panels that day and as you can imagine everybody wanted to see the couple together once more (a few days prior to this event, Brad and Angelina attended together the premiere of Salt). Well, Brad Pitt (or more to the point, cardboard cut-out Brad Pitt) was sitting in between Tina Fey and Jonah Hill during the press conference for the animated movie Megamind, in which the aforementioned actors lend their voices to the main characters. The one and only who was flesh and blood in San Diego was Angelina Jolie, looking fierce and gorgeous in black leather, presenting her latest spy thriller/action movie, Salt. If you ask me, Angie is the best action actress, no doubt about it! She's always convincing as a spy.

The day continued with a panel that lots of people attended, Tron: Legacy. Jeff Bridges, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen, and Garrett Hedlund talked about the new version of 1982's Tron. Even though the new trailer was online a few hours before the panel, the official presentation of the trailer took place during the conference and now you can enjoy it:

We could also witness the return of Sylvester Stallone to the big screen since the latest Rambo installment in The Expendables (action granted, of course). Other movies coming down the line include Scott Pilgrim vs. The World with Michael Cera and Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick, and Red. Now Red really got my attention. First off, the title is a play on words: it's not the colour but an acronym for Retired Extremely Dangerous and the guys thus described are Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman, Mary-Louise Parker, and Dame Helen Mirren shooting a big gun. You need more incentives to check this one out?

Day 2, July 23

Nicolas Cage hit San Diego to present Drive Angry 3D, a movie where Cage's character chases the men who killed his daughter (haven't we seen that before?). Also in our future is the low-budget Skyline which alert us that aliens are coming again to invade us, and Super with Rainn Wilson, Liv Tyler, and Nathan Fillion.

Producer Guillermo del Toro, along with director Troy Nixey, presented Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, a remake of the 1970s TV film of the same title, starring Guy Pearce and Katie Holmes. The second day at Comic-Con climaxed with the presentation of another highly anticipated movie, The Green Hornet, directed by Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind's Michel Gondry and starring Seth Rogen (who also wrote the screenplay), Cameron Diaz, and Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz. Check out the trailer:

Day 3, July 24

If day one was big, we could all expect a big finale for day three. Heroes, heroines, vampires, wizards, you betcha! Meet our heroes: Green Lantern, Thor, and Captain America — or Ryan Reynolds, Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Evans. The three movies will be released next year; the two first are in post-production, and Captain America is still filming. By the way, did you know that Kenneth Branagh is the director of Thor? I cannot wait to see this movie — I really miss Branagh behind the camera, his Shakespeare adaptations to the big screen are simply exquisite.

Meet our heroine, Alice. What's not to love about Alice? Fierce, powerful, always ready to bring down the plans of the Umbrella Corporation and wonderfully played by lovely Milla Jovovich (who made it in time to San Diego after her flight got canceled). The fourth installment of the Resident Evil franchise, this one is called Afterlife and promises us the undead, plenty of action, and the opportunity to watch it in IMAX 3D. Check out the cool trailer:



Vampires couldn't miss the opportunity to be presented at Comic-Con. No Cullens this time, but still vampires. Let Me In is the Hollywood remake of 2008's excellent Finnish film, Let the Right One In, and stars Kick Ass's Chloe Grace Moretz and Richard Jenkins. Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, and director Jon Favreau also visited Comic-Con in order to talk about Cowboys & Aliens, still in production. Harry Potter lovers also got the chance to see a sneak preview of the very last movie of the saga, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows. As you know, the movie is going to be presented in two parts. The first half will be released this November and the second next summer. Be patient, it's almost here!

Day three came to an end with the official announcement of the impressive cast of The Avengers. Joss Wheldon will be helming the project and starring are Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton / Hawkeye) and Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk).

Comic-Con is a four-day event but the fourth day is dedicated to kids. The big panels take place in the first three days. Not bad considering the great quality and interest level of all the panels. 2010 Comic-Con, thank you for a wonderful preview of what the studios have in store for us in the next months. See you next year!

What do you think of this year's movie offerings? Which films are you really looking forward to seeing?