2019 SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON RECAP!
Article by Christian Navarrete
Photos by Inti Chabert and Christian Navarrete
San Diego Comic-Con – Warning! Warning!
The following information is the opinion of this individual and has no bearing on the views of Cinemast and their affiliates. That said, hopefully, they had as much fun as I did.
San Diego Comic-Con, I’m sad to see you leave, but you’ve left me with so much to process I don’t even know where to begin. I mean, we went into this year’s convention fully aware that Warner Bros. was skipping Hall H for the first time in years, and by relation D.C. Comics as well, and that fact alone had sort of taken the wind out of my sails, but looking through the itinerary, I still noticed plenty of amazing panels and talent available at this year’s con, and believe me, they certainly did not disappoint. In fact, some panels had me so overwhelmed that I’ve had to add new shows to my Netflix queue (“The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” anyone?)
And then, there was that epic Marvel panel. It was every bit as spectacular as you’d expect. It’s been covered so extensively on countless sites, though, that I’ll refrain from beating a dead horse.
Beyond the much-buzzed-about Netflix and Marvel presentations, here’s a look at a few 2019 San Diego Comic-Con panels that will leave me with long-lasting memories:
STAR TREK: PICARD
I’ve never been much of “Star Trek” fan. Only enjoying the occasional view of reruns of “The Next Generation” on Fox in the late 90’s and delving into the J.J. Abrams reboot and sequels when Adam Mast scores me some decent tickets. This despite Jean Luc Picard being the seminal captain of my generation. When Patrick Stewart‘s name was announced for Thursday morning in Hall H, the loud Jaguar roaring sound from the audience convinced me I wasn’t alone in that thinking.
The “Picard” presentation was a breath of fresh nostalgic air, allowing certain characters that we had grown to love over 20 years ago, a place where we’d get to witness their later adventures. And with the announcement that Brent Spiner, Jeri Ryan, Jonathan Frakes, and Marina Sirtis would be reprising their roles as Data, Seven of Nine, William Riker, and Deanna Troy respectively, it’s perfectly clear that the show-runners behind “Picard” are trying to please older and newer “Trek” fans alike. If that wasn’t already completely apparent, it sure was after attendees were treated to an undeniably fan-Friendly first look at “Star Trek: Picard.”
Now all I’ve got to do is get a subscription to CBS Access by next year so I can witness the further adventures of one of “Star Trek’s” most popular and cherished captains.
JAY AND SILENT BOB REBOOT
The JAY AND SILENT BOB REBOOT looks ridiculous and stupid in all the best ways, but that’s exactly what makes Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes enjoyable whenever they team up. Taking place 18 years after the first JAY AND SILENT BOB film, our heroes are back and have discovered that the movie they once drove cross country to put a stop to, has been revisited by Hollywood and will be experiencing its own reboot. Jay and Silent Bob plan on taking their show on the road again to put a stop to this blatant Hollywood reboot, but along the way Jay discovers that Justice (Shannon Elizabeth), who appeared in the first film, gave birth to a little girl she has appropriately named Millennium Falcon, and surprise! She’s Jay’s daughter!
This film looks inappropriate, which is right up my alley, but it seems to have more heart than the first go around.
I’d heard about JAY AND SILENT BOB REBOOT recently from my son who follows Kevin Smith on Instagram, but I had no idea what to make of it, or how to feel. Why would a director that I looked up to succumb to Hollywood’s need to reboot or rehash everything? Suffice it to say I needed answers, but I would only be satisfied if I could hear it from the architect himself.
As usual, Smith has a way with words, in that he can’t stop talking once you get him started (it’s a quality we both share), but through this panel, not only was he able to explain in great detail what led him to make this movie, he was also able to convince me to show up on opening day to support Jay and Silent Bob once more. And I won’t even have to leave the house because this baby is dropping on Netflix!
Not only will we get the fart jokes and inappropriate potty language we have grown to expect from Kevin and Jason, but Silent Bob himself has also promised a film with heart and ultimately it will be about the bond shared between a father and daughter. And as someone with a 3-year-old princess at home, the mere idea of this movie speaks to me on so many levels. Thank you, Kevin Smith, for renewing my faith in the Askewniverse.
TERMINATOR: DARK FATE
The TERMINATOR: DARK FATE panel was a delight. Just seeing Linda Hamilton on stage taking control of the fate of this franchise and looking as stunning, strong, and energetic as ever as the seminal badass that helped put this franchise on the map and into fanboys mechanical wet dreams was a huge thrill!
This go around we’re introduced to Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes), a new individual that a newer more enhanced breed of Terminator has traveled back in time, to our present, to murder for reasons we have yet to discover. Dani is joined by Grace (Mackenzie Davis), a soldier from the past who has been cybernetically enhanced to help Dani and her friends in the present. Along for the ride? The legendary Sarah Conner (played by the legendary Hamilton) who has been hunting and destroying Terminators and now aims to help Grace and Dani as well.
If all this wasn’t enough to sell you on this film we discover that an older T-800 Terminator model, aka Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been living in a cabin in the woods, for an undisclosed amount of time.
I am in love with everything about this movie. From casting more diverse actors (Gabriel Luna as the new Terminator) and even bringing in some faces that you probably never imagined you’d see again, such as Edward Furlong as John Conner.
James Cameron was kind enough to take time from his directing duties on the new AVATAR film to share some kind and inspiring words about TERMINATOR: DARK FATE and in doing so, the legendary filmmaker did reveal a very small peek of the AVATAR set in the background.
TERMINATOR: DARK FATE opens this November! Can’t wait!
Every year I’m left tired and overcharged with so much exciting new information and first look images, that I can’t wait to talk to other cinephiles and comic book fans about it! In short, I’m completely psyched for SDCC 2020, and if this year’s event was any indication, one should never question the Con, because there’s always something there that may just blow your mind.
Check out our coverage from past years;
