Friday and Saturday are Comic Con's two biggest days. And 2008 is really shaping up to be something quite special. We recently got word of what and whom you can expect to see on those days. Friday will be Star Wars day, with six special programs that revolve around the long-standing sci-fi property. And Saturday will offer you a first look at Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins as well as Pixar's latest projects. Here is a list of film and TV panels happening on Saturday just for you:
Saturday, July 26
10:00-11:30 The Black Panel '08
This is not the year to miss the Black Panel, and you know why! Featuring Method Man (The Wu Tang Clan), Reggie Hudlin (president, B.E.T.), Denys Cowan (B.E.T. Animation, "The Origin of the Joker"), Rusty Cundieff (director, Chappelle's Show, Fear of a Black Hat) John Dokes (Marvel Comics), Dwayne McDuffie (Milestone Media, Justice League, Ben 10), and Faith Cheltenham (Tor.com). This is the definitive panel for what's up in black and hip-hop culture-and what a year it has been! Look out for some surprise guests. Hosted by Michael Davis (The Underground, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Black People, But Were Afraid to Ask). Room 5AB
10:00-11:00 Marvel: Iron Man: Armored Adventures Animated Screening
Tony Stark, heir to a billion-dollar corporation, lives a life of luxury, free to pursue his chief interests-seeking extreme thrills, solving scientific mysteries and creating mind-boggling inventions. But everything goes horribly wrong when a tragic accident robs Tony of his father and nearly costs him his own life. Now dependent on his own impressive technology for survival and dedicated to battling corruption, Tony must reconcile the pressure of teenage life with the duties of a superhero. Inside his remarkable invention, Tony Stark is geared for high-speed flight, high-tech battles and high-octane adventure! He is Iron Man. Meet Josh Fine (Marvel Studios), Christopher Yost (head writer), and others involved with this exciting new animated series and watch an episode of Iron Man: Armored Adventures before its Nicktoons 2009 premiere. Room 6CDEF
10:00-11:00 Nickelodeon's The Fairly OddParents: Past, Present, and Future
Help celebrate the 7 years of The Fairly OddParents magic, as creator Butch Hartman (Danny Phantom), co-executive producer and story editor Scott Fellows (Johnny Test), and writer Kevin Sullivan (Danny Phantom) share some of their favorite moments from the past-and give you an inside look at the future of the series! You'll also be treated to an exciting live table-read performed by the stars of the show: voice of Timmy, Tara Strong; voice of Cosmo, Daran Norris; voice of Wanda, Susanne Blakeslee; and voice of Mark Chang, Rob Paulsen. Moderated by Rich Magallanes, executive director for Nickelodeon. Room 7AB
10:00-10:45 Futurama Secrets Revealed!
Join Futurama creator Matt Groening and executive producer David X. Cohen in a mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, fact-checking panel extravaganza! Appearing with Matt and David are series regulars Billy West (Fry, Professor Farnsworth, Dr. Zoidberg, Zapp Brannigan), Katey Sagal (Leela), John DiMaggio (Bender), and Maurice LaMarche (Kif, Morbo). And if that's not enough, enjoy color commentary from Eric Kaplan (co-executive producer, writer) and lots of insider straight dope from producer Claudia Katz and director Peter Avanzino of Rough Draft Animation. Plus, don't miss out on your chance to see the sneak peek of "Bender's Game," the all-new feature-length Futurama adventure, crash-landing on store shelves this November! Ballroom 20
10:15-11:15 Ben 10: Alien Force and The Secret Saturdays Sneak Peek
Join über-cartoon-creator-genius Glen Murakami and his crew as they discuss their hit new Cartoon Network show Ben 10: Alien Force. It's your chance to get the inside story on all the new alien heroes-and, of course, all the bad guys! Accompanying Glen are story editor Dwayne McDuffie and voice talents Yuri Lowenthal (Ben), Ashley Johnson (Gwen), Greg Cipes (Kevin), and Dee Bradley Baker (Aliens). And that's just half the excitement! Jay Stephens will also be on hand to talk about his mysterious and cool new show The Secret Saturdays. Room 6A
10:15-11:15 Spotlight on Ralph Bakshi
On par with such auteurs as Walt Disney, Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, and art spiegelman, Comic-Con special guest Ralph Bakshi redefined animation and became a hero to countless generations of fans and filmmakers. His name is synonymous with the great tradition of American cartooning. Bakshi is responsible for such memorable films and television shows such as Fritz the Cat (the first X-rated animated feature film), The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse, Spider-Man, Heavy Traffic, Wizards, Cool World, and Lord Of the Rings, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Join Ralph Bakshi for a rare, in-person appearance as he discusses his legendary career. Moderated by Jon M. Gibson and Chris McDonnell, co-authors of Unfiltered: The Complete Ralph Bakshi, the only book chronicling the career of one of the pioneers of animation. Room 6B
10:45-11:30 The Simpsons
Entering into their record setting 20th season, The Simpsons debuted their first feature film in July 2007, grossing over $500 million worldwide. "The Simpsons Ride" opened in May 2008 at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and Hollywood, California to great success. Now join the creative team behind this historic show and get the inside scoop on the upcoming season! Featuring Matt Groening (creator and executive producer); Al Jean (executive producer and head writer); Matt Selman (executive producer); Michael Price (co-executive producer); Matt Warburton (co-executive producer); Don Payne (consulting producer); Carolyn Omine (consulting producer); Mike Anderson (supervising director) and David Silverman movie and TV series director). Ballroom 20
10:45-11:45 Heroes: Exclusive First Look at "Villains" and Q&A with the Entire Cast, Tim Kring, and Tim Sale
Heroes chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. Watch an exclusive first look at "Chapter 3: Villains." Moderated by co-executive producer/comic book writer Jeph Loeb, participating in a Q&A session with creator Tim Kring, comic book artist Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween), and the cast: Jack Coleman (H.R.G.), Greg Grunberg (Matt Parkman), Ali Larter (Niki Sanders), James Kyson Lee (Ando Masahashi), Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura), Hayden Panettiere (Claire Bennet), Adrian Pasdar (Nathan Petrelli), Zachary Quinto (Sylar), Sendhil Ramamurthy (Mohinder Suresh), Dania Ramirez (Maya Herrera), Cristine Rose (Angela Petrelli), and Milo Ventimiglia (Peter Petrelli). Hall H
11:00-12:00 Watching the Watchmen
Author and artist Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) and Entertainment Weekly writer Jeff Jenson discuss the hugely anticipated Watching the Watchmen with the book's designers Chip Kidd (Mythology, Jurassic Park, Batman Collected) and Mike Essl. Hear Dave Gibbons' account of the genesis of Watchmen in this exclusive interview and Q&A session! Includes a presentation of rare material from the upcoming book. Room 7AB
11:00-12:00 Hellboy
Mike Mignola (Hellboy) and his long-suffering editor Scott Allie are joined by Josh Dysart (BPRD 1946) to talk and answer questions about recent events in the Hellboy books, the future direction of the series, and the first new comic Mike's drawn in three years. Also, an announcement about the newest artists to join the team. Room 8
11:30-12:30 B.E.T. Animation
Don't get up, it's time for the second part of the Black block! Panelists include Reggie Hudlin (president, B.E.T.), Denys Cowan (senior V.P., B.E.T. Animation), Eric Rollman (president, Marvel Animation), Cort Lane (Marvel Animation), John Romita Jr. (way too many credits!) and some surprise guests who you will not want to miss. The Black Panther announcement was just the beginning... Room 5AB
11:30-12:30 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Screening and Q&A
Back for a second year at Comic-Con, the producers and stars of this hit action-adventure drama will debut the trailer for season two and answer questions from fans during this one-hour session. Executive producers Josh Friedman (War of the Worlds), John Wirth (The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.) and James Middleton (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) will be joined by returning series stars Lena Headey (300), Thomas Dekker (Heroes), Summer Glau (Serenity), Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills, 90210) and Richard T. Jones (Event Horizon), as well as new series regulars Garret Dillahunt (No Country for Old Men) and musician Shirley Manson (Garbage). Produced by C2 Pictures in association with Warner Bros. Television, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles returns for a second season September 8 and airs Mondays at 8:00 PM ET/PT on FOX. Room 6A
12:00-1:00 Lost
If the most recent season finale was any indication of things to come, you will not want to miss this panel. Co-creator/executive producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Carlton Cuse will discuss season 4 of Lost, leading up to the season finale. They will answer your questions and maybe even offer up some surprises of their own. Hall H
12:30-1:30 ABC Family'sKyle XY: Q&A with the Cast and Producer and First Look at Season Three
Kyle XY actors Matt Dallas (Babysitter Wanted) and Jaimie Alexander (Rest Stop [Unrated]) and producer Julie Plec (Scream 3) give fans a sneak peek at the exciting new season, in which lives are saved, secrets are exposed, and hearts are broken, as Kyle discovers that being a hero doesn't come without a price. Room 5AB
12:45-1:45 Exclusive Q&A with the writers of The Office
Meet the writers of the EmmyAward-winning comedy The Office and hear them talk about their favorite episodes, characters, and fun behind-the-scenes stories. Moderated by cast member Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute), panelists include executive producer/showrunner Greg Daniels (The Simpsons) and writers Jennifer Celotta (Andy Richter Controls the Universe), Michael Schur (Saturday Night Live), B.J. Novak, Lester Lewis (The Larry Sanders Show), Gene Stupnitsky (Year One), Lee Eisenberg (Year One), Mindy Kaling (Matt and Ben), Justin Spitzer (Scrubs), Ryan Koh (various commercials), and Anthony Ferrell (The Audacity). Room 6A
1:00-2:00 Dollhouse
When news broke that Joss Whedon was returning to television with a vehicle for Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum Eliza Dushku, legions of fans around the world rejoiced. Although most will have to wait until January to learn more about the exciting new project, Comic-Con fans will hear it straight from Joss and Eliza in person! Ballroom 20
1:15-2:00 Warner Bros. Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins
In the highly anticipated new installment of The Terminator film franchise, set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in has been altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet's operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind. Hall H
2:00-3:00 Attack of the Show!
Attack of the Show! is G4's irreverent interactive daily live "variety" show that paves the inside track to today's entertainment, technology and pop culture. Hosts Kevin Pereira, Olivia Munn, comic book expert Blair Butler and show producers give fans a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how this show brings tech-obsessed viewers all the up-to-the-minute news on Internet culture, technology, comic books, gadgets, live events and more. Get a glimpse of a day in the life of a daily tech show. Room 3
2:15-3:15 Battlestar Galactica
Last year, Battlestar Galactica took San Diego by storm. Now the best show on television returns to Comic-Con for a panel filled with excitement, laughter, and a sneak peek into the final revelation. Focusing on the character relationships that give this hit series its power, this exclusive panel sheds new light on the ties between Humans and Cylons and provides valuable insight into the adventure ahead. Panelists include cast members Tricia Helfer, James Callis, Michael Trucco, and Katee Sackhoff and executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, along with moderator Kevin Smith. Ballroom 20
2:30-3:30 Disney Pixar: Bolt and Up
For superdog Bolt, every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue, at least until the cameras stop rolling. Be the first to see exclusive animation as directors Chris Williams and Byron Howard present the new 3D comedy-adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios!
Then it's UP: From the inventive storytellers that have taken you into the worlds of space, toys, and superheroes comes the extraordinary adventure that will take you to a lost world where anything can happen, and everything will. Meet director Peter Docter ("Monsters, Inc.") as he presents the first-ever look at Disney Pixar's new animated 3D adventure comedy, UP.
Hall H
3:30-4:30 Chuck Screening and Q&A
Chuck executive producer Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl), co-creator Chris Fedak, and stars Zachary Levi (Less Than Perfect), Yvonne Strahovski (Gone), Joshua Gomez (The Invasion), Sarah Lancaster (Everwood), Ryan McPartlin (Super Capers), and Adam Baldwin (Serenity) return to Comic-Con for a Q&A to discuss the People's Choice Award-nominated action-comedy, and to screen an exclusive series highlight reel debuting new footage from the upcoming second season. Produced by College Hill Pictures, Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television, Chuck airs Mondays at 8:00 PM on NBC. Ballroom 20
3:45-5:15 Universal: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and Death Race
Universal Pictures presents key cast members, filmmakers, and previously unseen footage from its upcoming slate, including Summer 2008's The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and Death Race. Additionally, the studio will showcase talent and materials from 2009 films such as Land of the Lost and more. Hall H
4:00-5:00 Lost Podcast with Jay and Jack
Jay Glatfelter and Jack Glatfelter have one of the oldest and biggest podcasts dedicated to ABC'S Lost with The Lost Podcast. Learn about the huge, dedicated online community for TV's most mind twisting drama. Join Jay and Jack for this special interview and Q&A session! Room 24A
4:45-5:45 SCI FI Eureka
SCI FI's hit summer series returns for its triumphant third season on Tuesday, July 29 (9:00 pm/8:00 pm Central). But first, fans can experience the quirky fun of America's smartest little town up close and personal by joining the cast and executive producers of Eureka for an exclusive Comic-Con discussion. Panelists include cast members Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, and Joe Morton plus co-creator and executive producer Jamie Paglia, executive producer Charlie Craig, and Tony Optican, SVP for original programming, SCI FI. Room 6CDEF
4:45-5:45 Fringe Q&A and Trailer Screening
J. J. Abrams (Lost), Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman-the team behind Mission: Impossible III, Alias, and the upcoming Star Trek feature-join fellow Fringe executive producers Bryan Burk (Cloverfield) and Jeff Pinkner ((Lost), as well as stars Anna Torv (The Pacific), Josh Jackson (Shutter), and John Noble (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King), for an exclusive Q&A about one of the most anticipated new television series of the fall season, a drama that will thrill, terrify and explore the blurring line between science fiction and reality. The session will kick off with the screening of a trailer for the series. Television Week deputy editor and columnist Joe Adalian moderates. From Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Fringe premieres September 9 and airs Tuesdays at 9:00 PM on FOX. Ballroom 20
5:00-6:00 Join The Fight: Starship Troopers 3: Marauder
Join Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers), Jolene Blalock (Star Trek: Enterprise) and writer/director Ed Neumeier (writer of Starship Troopers and RoboCop) for a preview of the third installment in the wildly popular Starship Troopers franchise. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment invites you to "Join the Fight" and take part in an audience Q&A that will be recorded for download over Blu-ray's BD-Live network. Bring your Bluetooth phone and access exclusive content beamed directly to your handset during the panel! Room 7AB
5:00-7:00 Stargate Offworld Fandom Gathering
The iris is open! Experience the essence of Stargate fandom during this two-hour fan gathering! Marcia Patterson invites you to step through the gate with Stargate fans from around the universe to share trivia, games, giveaways, hot news, discussions, fanworks, filk singing (familiar tunes with Stargate lyrics), and other Stargate Offworld Fandom surprises! Learn the basics of collecting and see some actual props fans have acquired from the show/movie. You'll have fun with both alien and SG costuming and there'll even be an impromptu costume contest! Joining Marcia from Stargate Offworld Fandom are Martin A. Smith and Jennifer Carey, and from SciFiHero.net, Dean Newbury. Room 24A
5:30-7:00 Sony: Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans, Quarantine, Pineapple Express
See the exclusive first look at footage and meet the stars of Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans. The third film in the popular Underworld franchise delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian (Michael Sheen), emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, the beautiful vampire Sonja (Rhona Mitra), in his battle to free the Lycans from their brutal enslavement. On stage to take your questions will be Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen and director Patrick Tatopoulos. Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans is in theaters everywhere January 23, 2009.
Quarantine: Television reporter Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) and her cameraman (Steve Harris) are assigned to spend the night shift with a Los Angeles fire station. After a routine 911 call takes them to a small apartment building, they find police officers already on the scene in response to blood-curdling screams and soon learn that a woman living there has been infected by something unknown. After a few of the residents are viciously attacked, they try to escape only to find that the CDC has quarantined the building. Phones, Internet, television and cell phone access have been cut off, and officials are not relaying information to those locked inside. When the quarantine is finally lifted, the only evidence of what took place is the news crew's videotape. Quarantine opens in theaters everywhere October 17.
Pineapple Express: Frankly, if we tell you almost anything about the plot to this action/comedy, we probably wouldn't even be allowed to be here, so let's just say that producer Judd Apatow will be on stage with the gang in tow-director David Gordon Green, Seth Rogen (star and co-writer), James Franco, DannyMcBride, Amber Heard, and Evan Goldberg (co-writer)-to show you how they've taken this particular genre to new highs. Also, be sure to ask Seth and Evan about their upcoming The Green Hornet film.
Hall H
6:00-7:00 TV Guide
TV Guide takes an in-depth look at some of the new and returning TV series, featuring the hottest TV talent-in front of the camera and behind the scenes. TV Guide executive editor Craig Tomashoff moderates this panel offering the inside scoop, with some fun surprises. Participants include (in alphabetical order) Josh Applebaum (executive producer, Life on Mars), Jaimie Alexander (Kyle XY), Matt Dallas (Kyle XY), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (creator, The Middleman), Ronald Moore (executive producer, Virtuality), Natalie Morales (The Middleman), Jason O'Mara (Life on Mars), and Jason Smilovic (executive producer, My Own Worst Enemy), among other special guests. Room 6B
6:30-7:30 Troma, Supernatural Law, New Found Glory, Ghost in the Shell
Meet the diabolical minds behind your favorite comic books and films. George W. Bush Yale classmate and legendary Troma Studios founder Lloyd Kaufman once again mixes with the masses at this year's Troma, panel which features Batton Lash (creator, Supernatural Law), Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory band, www.moviescenester.com), and producer Steven Paul (Ghost Rider, Doomsday, upcoming Ghost in the Shell 3-D with Avi Arad and Steven Spielberg). Learn secrets about how the upcoming Ghost in the Shell 3-D got to be produced. See Lloyd and The Toxic Avenger in pages of the newest Supernatural Law comic. Hear New Found Glory's movie music. Get insights on Lloyd's creative process plus down-and-dirty secrets of filmmaking with n behind-the-scenes clips from his upcoming Direct Your Own Damn Movie DVD and from Troma's theatrical hit Poultrygeist: Night of The Chicken Dead! See exclusive footage of Toxie in Iraq! Moderating (and self-medicating as needed) will once again be Mimi Cruz from Eisner Retailer Award-winning store Night Flight Comics. Room 10
7:00-8:30 In Search of Steve Ditko Documentary
Strange & Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko author Blake Bell hosts a showing of the documentary In Search of Steve Ditko by UK television star Jonathan Ross. The hour-long documentary features such comics legends as Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, and Stan Lee discussing Ditko's work and career along Ross' journey to find Steve Ditko in New York City. Room 5AB
7:15-8:15 MythBusters Q&A and Sneak Preview
Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage of MythBusters talk about their offbeat Discovery Channel series that uses science to determine the truth behind urban legends. With backgrounds in animatronics, robotics, model building, and prototyping, Adam and Jamie will answer questions about the 300+ myths they've busted to date, show untelevised clips from their most explosive myths, and feature a Comic-Con exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming NASA moon landing hoax episode. Room 6B
7:15-8:15 Comedy Central's The Sarah Silverman Program
Sarah Silverman ("Jesus Is Magic") plays a character (aptly named Sarah Silverman) whose absurd daily life is told through narrative and an occasional song. In each episode, Sarah falls into unique, unsettling, and always hilarious predicaments, with her sister (played by real-life sister Laura Silverman, The Comeback), her geeky gay neighbors Brian (Brian Posehn, Just Shoot Me!) and Steve (Steve Agee, "Jesus Is Magic"), and dim-witted Officer Jay (Jay Johnston, Mr. Show with Bob and David) never far from her side. Silverman, Rob Schrab (Monster House), Heidi Herzon ("Jesus is Magic") and Dan Sterling (The Daily Show) are the executive producers. Join the entire cast and executive producers of the Comedy Central hit series for a Q&A session. Room 6CDEF
8:30-10:00 Marvel: Wolverine and The X-Men Animated Screening
When an explosive event shatters the lives of the X-Men and takes away their mentor, the beaten heroes walk away from it all. But then they're given a rare glimpse into the future, and see a world in utter ruin, ruled by mutant-hunting Sentinels. So now the most legendary of all X-Men takes the lead-Wolverine! Reuniting these broken heroes, Wolverine embarks on the ultimate mission-to prevent the world's destruction. To rescue us from ourselves. To save the future. Meet Boyd Kirkland (lead director), Craig Kyle (supervising producer), Greg Johnson (head writer), and others involved with this new animated series and watch the first three episodes of this epic new X-Men series before its Nicktoons 2009 premiere. Room 6CDEF
8:30-11:30 Tru Blood Presents: Comic-Con International Masquerade
Fabulous original and re-created costumes crafted by Comic-Con's talented attendees appear on stage before an audience of thousands. Outstanding costumes will be awarded trophies and cash prizes. Doors will open for audience seating at 7:45 PM, but the line will start much earlier! Tickets will be required for seating, and will be given out free to those lining up near Ballroom 20 beginning at 4:30 PM. The masters of ceremonies will be writers/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio, and halftime entertainment will be a mini-show featuring favorite comic book heroes presented by the JING Institute of Chinese Martial Arts & Culture. (Additional seating is available in Rooms 6A, 6B, and the Sails Pavilion where the Masquerade will be simulcast on the big screen.) Ballroom 20
10:00-12:00 World Premiere! The Mutant Chronicles
Special "work-in-progress" feature film screening hosted by stars Thomas Jane (Stephen King's The Mist), Ron Perlman (Hellboy II: The Golden Army), and Devon Aoki (Sin City). This is the first public showing in our hemisphere of this steampunk action-adventure. A disparate squad of former enemy soldiers undertakes a suicide mission deep into the seething heart of the otherworldly mutant scourge bent on human extinction. Unrated, uncut, unreal. Q&A with cast, director Simon Hunter (Lighthouse), and producer Edward R. Pressman (The Crow). Room 6CDEF
Stay with us as we will have full Saturday Comic Con 2008 coverage throughout the day!