San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) will return to its roots this year. The double strike of screenwriters and now of actors has brought Hollywood to a halt. SDCC, one of the main film and television events of the summer, will be without panels from many of the most anticipated films and series of the upcoming years.
The first to announce its withdrawal was one of the most eagerly awaited: Marvel Studios. The Disney-owned company announced that it would not occupy the famous Hall H to present its new projects including "The Marvels," "Deadpool 3" and "Captain America: Brave New World." Nor will the company make announcements for series such as the controversial "Secret Invasion" or the long-awaited second season of "Loki."
Marvel was soon joined by other companies. Days later, Universal Pictures, HBO, Sony Pictures, Netflix and Lucasfilm, among others, announced that they would also not participate in the well-known convention. DC Studios did stay on, as new CEO James Gunn was eager to attend an event that meant so much to him. However, a few days ago, Gunn announced that the strikes by screenwriters and actors would also prevent them from attending SDCC: "I won't be there this year, but probably next year I will," he replied to a fan who asked him if he would ultimately be attending the event.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Shortly thereafter, DC Studios’ parent company, Warner Bros. Pictures (along with Legendary), also cancelled one of the most anticipated panels, "Dune Part 2," the sequel to the feature film starring Timothée Chamalet. In fact, he, Zendaya and Florence Pugh were scheduled to attend the event to promote the film. However, when the strike was called, they canceled their appearance to promote the feature film. The news was announced by The Hollywood Reporter journalist Borys Kit on Twitter:
Item: Due to #SAGstrike actions, Legendary has pulled out of Comic-Con, cancelling a panel that would have brought out cast & footage of DUNE PART 2.
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) July 14, 2023
Legendary also canceled the surprise panel it had lined up for San Diego Comic-Con attendees. The same that would serve to present one of the most anticipated films,
"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" which would feature Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry.
Not long after, Amazon Studios joined in on the cancellations and announced that the second season of "Wheel of Time" would also not be present at SDCC. Along with it, other productions such as the spin-off of "The Boys," "Gen-V," would also be skipping the event, as well as "Jury Duty":
The Wheel of Time's SDCC panel and autograph signings have been cancelled following SAG going on strike.
✊ We support the actors and the writers, who all deserve fair compensation for their work. Be steadfast. #WGAStrong #SAGAFTRAStrong
5/https://t.co/qDUcKmxSqB pic.twitter.com/BBKDwoblMC— Wiki of Time || The Wheel of Time TV series wiki (@Wiki_of_Time) July 15, 2023
Television networks such as Fox and ABC also canceled their participation in the well-known convention. Panels from the 25th anniversary of "That's 70 Show" (Fox) and "Abbott Elementary" will also not be held at SDCC:
#JuryDuty, Legendary Entertainment, #AbbottElementary, and more join the list of cancelled #SDCC panels: https://t.co/eXGsBQXxbl
— SDCC Unofficial Blog (@SD_Comic_Con) July 14, 2023
Those who will be present at San Diego Comic-Con
All is not lost. Some panels will indeed attend the famous Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. One of them will be the movie "Red Sonja." Millenium Media confirmed that the first trailer of the feature film will be screened at the event. In addition, the panel will serve to celebrate the character's 50th anniversary, as reported by CBR:
The beloved She-Devil With a Sword's story began in comics in 1973, and now 50 years later she remains the greatest sword-and-sorcery female heroine of them all. She's hacked and slashed her way into the hearts of fantasy and comics fans all around the world. An incredible range of writers and artists have taken on her stories in her native comics medium, including the likes of Roy Thomas, Frank Thorne, Gail Simone, Mirka Andolfo, Mike Carey, Michael Avon Oeming, Jim Zub, Louise Simonson, Mark Russell, Alex Ross, Mel Rubi, and countless more.
Some panels from animated series are also expected. "Futurama" (which is set to return after years off the air), "American Dad!," "Family Guy," "Bob's Burgers," "The Great North," "Rick and Morty," "Invincible" and "Solar Opposites," as well as the "John Wick" spin-off, "Ballerina," the "Star-Trek Universe" special, the second season of "Good Omens" and the new installment of "What We Do in the Shadows."
Also expected to return is one of the most anticipated reunions, "The Walking Dead Universe," although it will be without participation from the cast:
This Friday…#SDCC #TWDUniverse pic.twitter.com/Y41CNBhpVN
— The Walking Dead World (@TWalkingDWorld) July 19, 2023
SDCC spokesman David Glanzer isn't worried. According to Los Angeles Times, hotel bookings are still full, and they haven't detected any fan drop-outs for the event. For that reason, he doesn't see the studios' absence as a problem: "It's not uncommon for Marvel, and other studios, to miss Comic-Con from time to time. But we always look forward to their return in the future."
