A funny thing happened to me this year at Comic-Con.  After running around all day for back-to-back panels, I found myself with a spare hour before my next commitment.  It was a beautiful, sunny day (compared to the usually dreary Seattle where I live) so I decided to walk over to the park between the convention center and the Hilton hotel.   Keep in mind, this is the third year in a row I have attended Comic-Con, so imagine my surprise when I looked up to discover the crystal blue marina, just steps away from all the activities.  It occurred to me that in all my experiences at this event, I had never slowed down enough to really stop and enjoy my surroundings.

In a nutshell, this is the perfect way to describe the vibe at this year’s Comic-Con. The pace was a bit slower and there was room to walk through the main floor of the convention center without feeling like a herd of cattle.  It seemed like there were fewer people dressed in costumes, but the ones who did dress up really took the time to perfect their characters.   From my perspective, everyone I encountered, from the fans to the celebrities, appeared to be in good spirits and took the time to enjoy the moment.

Here are a few of my favorite moments:

• Josh Jackson getting a standing ovation when he made a surprise appearance at the “Fringe” panel.  It looks like he will indeed be featured next season.  He stated “I think the Peter we see this season will be a very different man than we’ve met before”.  Hint, hint: he was dressed as an observer.
• At the end of the “Alcatraz” press panel, I asked director Jack Bender (who also directed “Lost“) what was the name of the man in black.  He answered “Barry”.
• Running into the legendary film director Werner Herzog.
• Attending the star-studded world premiere of Cowboys & Aliens.  In addition to Jon Favreau, Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde, we spotted Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Johnny Galecki, Danny DeVito, and Joel McHale.
• Riding the elevator with a pair of Clone Troopers.  These were the most impressive costumes I saw this year.
• Interviewing Taylor Lautner on the terrace of the empty Petco Park.  Regardless if you’re a Twilight fan, he’s a genuinely gracious young man who seems humbled by his success.
• Spotting Alexander Skarsgard at the Wired Café.  No further explanation is necessary.
• Listening to director Frank Darabont and make-up/special effects wizard Gregory Nicotero describe how they cast for zombies for “The Walking Dead”.  Nicotero said, “There are two kinds of people in the world.  One sings with a hairbrush in the front of the mirror, and the other does the zombie walk.  I look for the latter.”
• At the “Warehouse 13” panel, a young fan asked Allison Scagliotti if she was on “Drake & Josh”.  She didn’t seem too thrilled by the question but stated “You know, IMDb is a great resource for those types of questions.” Go team!
• Stumbling across a group of people dressed as superheroes relaxing in the shade by the Marriot.  When they noticed us smiling at them, they started to get up, but my co-worker Arno stopped them and said, “Even superheroes need a break.”

See you next year!

I just left a special presentation of The Darkest Hour, director Chris Gorak’s follow-up to the underseen Right at Your Door. Summit Entertainment is keeping a lid on this sci-fi survival tale for good reason: it looks too promising to spoil with a flood of advanced footage.

Gorak has worked with writer Jon Spaiths (who has a bit of a say in Prometheus) and producer Timur Bekmambetov (and his visual effects team) on a Russia-set story of people — Emile Hirsch, Rachel Taylor, Joel Kinnaman, Olivia Thirlby, and Max Minghella — who survive a global alien attack where our energy supplies are the primary target. The hook for me was when Gorak said he hopes the film turns the genre on its head since it proffers a scenario where the daytime is scarier than the night. Combine that with Bekmambetov’s instantly engaging visuals and seemingly humanistic story elements, and I’m happy to feel my sense that the film might be a unique take on the overworked alien-invasion premise seems on point. In other words, this movie cannot be breezily dismissed as Battle: Russian Federation.

The trailer, which I will remain tight-lipped about, was as promising as the set photos and storyboards we glimpsed. And we were told the trailer will be out within the next few weeks. Welcome back to the big big-screen, Emile Hirsch; we’ve missed you.

Today at Comic-Con, most of the talk was about a little film called Breaking Dawn.  While we were here, we took this opportunity to chat with Taylor Lautner about his other upcoming film,  Abduction. Not only is this action thriller his first starring role, it’s also the debut release from his production company, Tailor Made.

IMDb: We thought that perhaps you may be the youngest action star. Do you know if that’s true?

Taylor Lautner: (laughing) I don’t know, am I considered an action star? That’s great to hear.  I really look up to actors like Matt Damon and Tom Cruise and they definitely had their go at the action realm.  But what I love most about them is they are known as the action guys, but they aren’t just the action guys. They have challenged themselves to so much.  Even in their action movies, there were incredible characters.  I think Abduction is similar to that and I can’t wait for people to see it.

IMDb: So you considered a few other projects you were considering such as Northern Lights and Stretch Armstrong, what made you pick this project?

Lautner: It’s a funny story.  I had a general meeting with one of the producers two years ago.  He pitched me a lot of ideas from scripts and at the very end of the meeting he said, ‘I have one other project but it’s literally just a pitch.’ He told me two lines of what it was about and I said ‘that is the best idea I have heard yet.  Let me know when you get a script.’  A year went by and I didn’t hear anything on it. Then, randomly, I was at the Super Bowl and I got a call from my agent and he asked if remembered the project Abduction.  He sent the script overnight to Miami and I read it all in one night. The next morning I called everyone and said this has to be my next project.

IMDb: So did they end up writing the script specifically with you in mind?

Lautner: Well, yes I think after that original meeting when I showed him I was interested enough, a script was written but that was just the first draft.  Then I came on board and my production company did as well.  There was a lot of development and several more rounds of scripts.  But it turned out great.

IMDb: Is this your first producing credit?

Lautner: Yes, Abduction is my production company’s [Tailor Made] first movie. I have always been interested in the development process.  It’s great to be able to build the movie from the ground up, and work the characters and be along for the journey.  It’s been a lot of fun.

IMDb: As a first-time producer, were you surprised by the process and everything that goes into making the film?

Lautner: I think that producing makes you realize how much work goes into a project before the cameras roll.  It took a year to get the script and several months to re-tweak it.  Plus casting, getting the whole team together, and then, that’s when the cameras start rolling.  And, once they stop rolling, then there’s post-production.  It never stops! It’s a very long process and a lot of hard work but it’s definitely worth it in the end when you watch the movie and you can remember everything that went into it.

IMDb: As an actor, were you able to take off your producer hat and trust that everything was getting done?

Lautner: Absolutely. A major help with that was our director John Singleton.

IMDb: How did he get involved with the project?

Lautner: He was just the right guy for it. He was super passionate about the film from the beginning. He really took me under his wing and we went through a film school together.  He made me watch a lot of movies–

IMDb: Which movies?

Lautner: We studied some of my favorite actors in roles similar to [my character] Nathan in Abduction.  We watched Tom Cruise in Minority Report.  We watched Harrison Ford in The Fugitive.  It was great because I was able to study them in ways they went about taking on those roles and tried to bring some of that to Abduction.

IMDb: This was a very physical role and you’ve been doing karate since you were very young.  What other types of training did you do to prepare for the role?

Lautner: There was a lot of physical training.  Three months before we started filming, I started taking boxing.  So I boxed, motorcycle training, wrestling, and my martial arts helped a little bit with the fight training.  It was extremely physically challenging which was a lot of fun.

IMDb: What was your favorite part of the filmmaking process?

Lautner: It would probably be working with everyone I had the opportunity to work with.   I had an incredible cast: Sigourney Weaver, Alfred Molina, Lily Collins, Maria Bello, and Jason Isaacs.  I was so fortunate and I couldn’t have done it without all of them.

IMDb: So you are here at Comic-Con for the second time for that other movie you have coming out.  Over the last three years, so much has changed with the whole Twilight craze.  Now that this chapter is about to end, what is it you want to take with you?

Lautner: I am incredibly thankful for this franchise.  It has given all of us the opportunity to go off and do what we love and things we are passionate about.  I wouldn’t have been able to make Abduction if it wasn’t for the Twilight Saga.  I am thankful for that and the relationships we took from the series.  We’ve made lifelong friendships and that’s super important to me.

The second best thing to come out of this morning’s Breaking Dawn: Part 1 press panel and Hall H presentation was to realize how self-assured Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have become as the world documents their every professional and personal move. The best part? Elizabeth Reaser‘s heretofore unheard sense of humor. Here’s a quick rundown of the best lines from the mouth of Esme Cullen:

“Maybe if the White Stripes were playing and it was a safari tent.” — When asked if she would ever wait in line for something like the Twihards outside Hall H.

“Which uncomfortable shoes am I wearing today?” — In response to the question of how she kept track of which movie was being shot.

“I liked the international vampires – the nutty Romanian guys.” — Her favorite new characters in Breaking Dawn.

“I’ll miss the weird normalcy of getting up at 4AM … going to crafty [craft service] to get rice crackers and jalapeno jack cheese.” — What she’ll miss about filming the series.

“I’d love to do voice-over acting because you can wear, like, sweatpants.”

I hope the humor translates to this page. Reaser has a straightforward delivery that could be wicked in a comedy film, hard R or otherwise. Maybe she could team up with Melissa McCarthy and Wendi McLendon-Covey and remake 9 to 5.

Neuroses usually instilled in your average superhero character have preceded Comic-Con 2011, as bloggers and industry watchers over the past few weeks have cried out a list of movies and studios that wouldn’t be making the annual trip down to San Diego. Before touching down in southern California, the event was already a disappointment for some. For sure, Marvel’s dialed-down presence creates a major void, and the absence of The Hunger Games, The Hobbit, and other major 2012 releases is curious, but this year’s movie offerings are far from anemic; maybe this could be a year where a lesser known movie breaks through or a new career is launched. And with presentations from the Spider-Man reboot to Prometheus, Ridley Scott’s apparent Alien universe spin-off, all that earlier chatter about a weak movie roster feels disproportionate to what lies ahead from Preview Night to the last day of the ‘Con.

And at the risk of being sensationalist: something tells us we might get a surprise visit from a certain hobbit, his dwarf friends, and Peter Jackson since the production is on a break from shooting.

That proclaimed, here’s a quick rundown of what has my interest as we head into Preview Night:

Immortals: Tarsem‘s visual direction is always welcome, and I’m hoping his mythical action/fantasy can overwrite my memory of Clash of the Titans. I also want to see what Henry Cavill, aka the new Superman, looks like up close.

Breaking Dawn – Part 1: While the Twilight movies do little for me, I have truly loved watching its Beatlemania effect over Con-goers since 2008. If ever there were an example of Comic-Con’s raison d’être, it’s the relationship between Bella, Edward, Jacob, and the fans who cram into Hall H to shriek their love for Stephenie Meyer’s characters. With the franchise approaching its end, I’m looking forward to this panel and the first-day frenzy it will create on Thursday.

The aforementioned Prometheus: If more Ripley isn’t an option, I’m more than willing to follow Ridley Scott, Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, and the rest of his amazing cast back in history — all the way to the “beginning of time” per Scott himself. Of course a trailer will be revealed, right? And I’m just realizing I’ve never heard Ms. Rapace speak English.

Drive: I can’t recall a better reviewed movie from the festival circuit over the past year (one that’s getting a major release, that is). Herein, Ryan Gosling announces himself as an action star and Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn traffics in ’70s masculinity with an ’80s aesthetic, from what I’ve read.

The Amazing Spider-Man: What primed me for this curious reboot was Andrew Garfield‘s performance in Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1974. And though I’m unsure of the extent of Emma Stone‘s role as Gwen Stacy, she’s the most welcome female presence on the superhero screen since Michelle Pfeiffer. Just please don’t make their romance too quirky, Marc Webb.

Free screenings: Attack the Block, Cowboys & Aliens, and Captain America (mostly to see The Avengers trailer).

The Darkest Hour: Director Chris Gorak‘s follow-up to the flawed but engaging Right at Your Door is an example of a smaller film that might find traction this year. Timur Bekmambetov is the main producer behind the project, hence the Russian location. And as someone said on our message boards: it’s about time aliens invade someplace aside from the USA. Exactly how Emilie Hirsch, Rachael Taylor, Joel Kinnaman, Olivia Thirlby, and Max Minghella find themselves in the same predicament is the tip of the mystery. Meanwhile, Bekmambetov has gone viral yet again, but we’re more interested in this sci-fi/horror story than Apollo 18.

Snow White and the Huntsman: Though it is keeping a remarkably low profile, I would, in all honesty, cut in line for the merest glimpse at this reworked fairy tale, mainly because of my love for co-stars Ray Winstone and Ian McShane.

Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Spielberg: Leading separate charges, the directors will discuss their respective projects, the ghost story Twixt (I’m intrigued for myriad reasons, but hesitant) and Tintin (whose recent trailer revived my flagging interest).

And finally, what is Comic-Con without surprise appearances and unveilings? Aside from The Hobbit potential, I’m hoping for more from The Avengers — even a phone-in from Joss Whedon and crew would suffice. Since Daniel Craig and Noomi Rapace will be present, I am thinking we’re going to be treated to a deeper look at The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Chronicle is way under the radar but I sense Fox might take advantage of the open playing field to introduce their superpowered-teen mystery. Ditto these higher profile movies that are a custom fit for Comic-Con: Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, space-jail thriller Lockout, the maligned-by-bloggers Men in Black III, either Dark Shadows or Frankenweenie — or both?

What’s on your list?

When I first went to Comic-Con two years ago, I had no idea what to expect.  Sure, I’d heard about the event from numerous people but I figured it would be just like any other film festival.  Boy, was I wrong! After you spend four days in the presence of Klingons, Spider-Man, and multiple versions of Darth Vader (plus many other characters I have yet to identify) it changes you in the best way possible.  And for that very reason, I am truly looking forward to heading down to San Diego for Comic-Con 2011, from Wednesday, July 20^th – Sunday, July 24^th.   I’ll be covering mostly TV panels and events, so here’s a few things I’m looking forward to.

On Preview Night, I plan take advantage of the sneak peek pilot screenings for a few series that are scheduled to debut this fall.   I’m going to check out two of J.J. Abrams-produced series: “Alcatraz”, a drama about the infamous prison, starring Jorge Garcia, Sarah Jones, and Parminder Nagra; and “Person of Interest”, a crime-action drama written by Dark Knight writer Jonathan Nolan, starring Jim Caviezel, Michael Emerson, and Taraji P. Henson.  I will also stay for “The Secret Circle”, the CW series about a teen who moves to a new town and falls in love with a mysterious boy, only to discover they are all witches.  Oh the horror!

On Thursday, when everyone else is fighting with the Twi-Hards to get into the Breaking Dawn panel, I will be heading over to “Ringer”, a new thriller starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as a woman who goes on the run after witnessing a murder, and assumes the identity of her identical twin.  After hitting panels for “Game of Thrones,” “Dexter“, and “Awake”, I’m excited to go to Entertainment Weekly’s panel: The Visionaries: A discussion with Jon Favreau and Guillermo Del Toro on the future of pop culture, moderated by Jeff “Doc” Jensen.  Last year, they had a similar panel with J.J. Abrams and Joss Whedon, and even though the discussion never really got to the topic of pop culture, it was pretty cool to see the two filmmakers on stage together.   I certainly won’t miss it this year.

Over the next few days, when I’m not taking pictures of all the awesome costumes, I’ll be hopping from panel to panel.  I plan to catch up on some new favorite shows including “The Walking Dead” and “Falling Skies”, and discover some older shows with a new perspective.  I am looking forward to meeting Liam McIntyre, the new star of “Spartacus: Vengeance”, the renamed season two of “Spartacus: Blood and Sand“.  McIntyre stepped into the role when Andy Whitfield was forced to leave the show due to health issues and he’s got some pretty big sandals to fill.  It should be interesting to hear about the new direction they are taking the show.   I also plan to check out “Torchwood: Miracle Day”, the new drama starring “Torchwood” alumni John Barrowmen, Eve Myles, and Kai Owen, as well as Bill Pullman, Mekhi Phifer, and Lauren Ambrose.

Each year I’ve been to Comic-Con, there’s been few shows where I have to remind myself that I am “working” so I don’t completely geek out.  The first year it was “Lost“.  Last year, it was “Caprica” (for its association with “Battlestar Galactica”).  And this year– “Fringe”.  Anna Torv, Lance Reddick, Jasika Nicole, Blair Brown, and the always wonderful John Noble are scheduled to attend and although I’m sure they won’t give away any spoilers, I hope we at least can learn if Peter still exists!

Make sure to check back  for photos and updates throughout the week!

According to the official Comic-Con schedule’s popularity tracking right now, those planning on attending this year are most excited about “The Walking Dead” panel.

Below, check out AMC’s press release with the specific details surrounding the show’s Comic-Con presence this year:

WHAT: The cast and producers of AMC’s breakout hit series “The Walking Dead” will participate in an hour-long panel moderated by G4’s Chris Hardwick. The panel will discuss the success of season one of the series and what fans can look forward to in season two, which debuts in October. The series, which broke ratings records in its first season, is based on the comic book of the same name, created and written by Robert Kirkman.

Join the panelists for a Q&A session and an official sneak preview of season two of “The Walking Dead.”

WHO: Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually), Jon Bernthal (The Pacific) Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break), Laurie Holden (The Mist), Norman Reedus (Boondock Saints), Steven Yeun (The Big Bang Theory), Jeffrey DeMunn (The Green Mile), Series Creator, Writer, Director, Executive Producer Frank Darabont (Shawshank Redemption), Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Terminator), Executive Producer Robert Kirkman (Creator/Writer of The Walking Dead comic) and Make-up Artist and Consulting Producer Greg Nicotero

WHEN: 11:15am– Panel Event in Ballroom 20

1:30pm-2:30pm- Autograph signing at “The Walking Dead” booth #3721″

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I am thinking about Jon Favreau, who helped restoke Hall H after the widely reported altercation between two men that temporarily halted the day’s movie panels. (We apologize for misreporting on the story and have learned from the experience.) Favreau, who is at the tail end of witnessing Iron Man 2‘s worldwide dominance, unveiled footage of Cowboys & Aliens, which I understand was arguably the best-received trailer at this year’s Con. A new friend from the awesome website io9 remarked that was a genuine surprise, and that it balanced story, emotion, and aesthetics. In 2007, he was still a relatively green director, and certainly not experienced with guiding a comics superhero to the big screen. A mere 3 years later and he’s Jon Favreau: superheroic moviemaker.

*******

On villains and sidekicks: will we wind up rooting for Hugo Weaving as Red Skull over Chris Evans as Captain America? Might Kato be used to coax nonplussed Green Hornet fans back in caring about the movie?

*******

The cast announcements for The Avengers didn’t surprise, but I sense its release will be a defining moment for comic-book movies. The last time a group of superheroes came together, Halle Berry had enough power to expand her role in franchise that crashed to the ground under the direction of Brett Ratner. With Marvel at full strength and pushing into 2012 and beyond, their power might even defeat the Joss Whedon curse.

–Arno

What really stood out to me was that Comic-Con is a place for everyone, a true melting pot of diversity, attracting both the young and the old of all race and sizes.  It’s a place where families can come and share in the experience together, and not once did a see a hint of judgment.

Newly engaged Jennifer Martin and Matt Atchity

Comic-Con can also be a place for romance.  Just as I was leaving for the airport, I ran into Matt Atchity from Rotten Tomatoes and his new fiancée Jennifer Martin.   Matt had worked with a friend from Hasbro and slipped an engagement ring into a classic Boba Fett action figure.  The next day, when Jennifer came to town, he took her to the Hasbro booth and popped the question!

I have heard on more than one occasion that “Hollywood” has ruined Comic-Con.  This is only my second year at the event, and it’s impossible not to notice all of the product placement blanketing downtown San Diego, but I will go out on a limb and say that the fans will not let the event become a pure marketing tool.

And so this blog is dedicated to the fans. Here’s some of my favorite costumes from this year:

- Michelle Bryant

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