Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Comic-Con match-ups: Who won?
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (1)
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Comic-Con match-ups: Who won?
Digg This
Tweet This
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Facebook
Related News
Fan boys, and girls, gear up for Comic Con
Mon, Jul 19 2010
Related Topics
Fashion »
Entertainment »
By Borys Kit and James Hibberd
Mon Jul 26, 2010 1:46am EDT
SAN DIEGO (Hollywood Reporter) - The stakes are high at Comic-Con, the pop-culture marathon that took over the San Diego Convention Center -- and much of the surrounding town -- for the past five days.
On one side are the Hollywood studios, looking to win over the hearts and minds of geek tastemakers. On the other side are the self-proclaimed geeks, eagerly inhaling TV and movies but not quite trusting Hollywood to get all the genre fare right.
So who came out on top at this year's edition? Consider some of the epic matchups:
DC COMICS/WARNER BROS. VS. MARVEL
Both companies held forth Saturday, the biggest movie day of the convention.
Warners and DC kicked off their panel for "Green Lantern" with a series of quick shots from its tentpole about an Earthman who joins a galactic police force. Star Ryan Reynolds charmed the audience, but the presentation ran headlong into fan grumblings about the Green Lantern's costume, as depicted on a recent cover of Entertainment Weekly. "It is a work in progress and ... it will eventually look incredibly cool," director Martin Campbell, thrown on the defensive, promised.
Fans had lots of questions, but filmmakers fell back on "We can't tell you about that yet"-style responses. Not what the fans wanted to hear.
Marvel, by contrast, turned its presentation into a rock concert with music blasting over every actor's entrance, generating so much frenzy that the 6,000-plus crowd in Hall H was on its feet screaming for portions of the show.
Marvel knows that if you're appearing at the Con, it's best to give the fanboys something substantial: While "Captain America" is barely a week into production, filmmakers trotted out a good chunk of one scene, with time-code stamps still visible, that showcased the tone and look of its movie, as well as footage of Chris Evans' costume test. Both impressed.
Moving on to "Thor," which doesn't open until May 11, Marvel unveiled an extended made-for-Comic-Con trailer, which drew a response similar to the Con's first look at "Iron Man."
Marvel even staved off a tense moment -- and some boos -- when one fan brought up Edward Norton, who was dropped from playing the Hulk in "The Avengers." Marvel's Kevin Feige addressed it quickly, admitting "He's not here today," but then quoted Norton's own words, saying, "The Hulk is bigger than all of us," before adding quickly, "The panel isn't quite over yet."
A few minutes later, an all-star roster of the actors who have been cast in "Avengers" paraded out onstage -- including Mark Ruffalo, who's been recruited to become the Hulk. For that moment at least, that controversy became moot.
COMIC-CON VS. TCA
The struggle for media power between summer's two biggest TV events -- the San Diego fan convention and the Television Critics Assn. press tour -- tipped more toward Comic-Con than ever before this year, with several networks making announcements that normally would have been part of TCA: USA Network's "Burn Notice" will have a two-hour prequel movie starring cult favorite Bruce Campbell; Linda Hamilton will be joining NBC's "Chuck" next season to play the hero's mom; Felicia Day will be on Syfy's "Eureka" for 10 episodes next season, and Polly Walker is coming to "Sanctuary"; "Glee" will do a "Rocky Horror"-themed episode; and next season "The Simpsons" will welcome Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Daniel Radcliffe, Jon Hamm and Cheech and Chong as guest stars.
"SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD" VS. "THE OTHER GUYS"
Two August releases used the Con to pump up their profiles. Universal pulled out the stops for its adaptation of the cult graphic novel "Scott Pilgrim," and Columbia boosted "Guys," Will Ferrell's first movie since bombing last summer in "Land of the Lost."
Universal organized one of the convention's best panels, putting director Edgar Wright front and center to present his large cast in zippy clip packages. He then led fans to nearby theater for the first of several screenings. There also was a "Scott Pilgrim vs. Comic-Con Experience," which saw thousands line up daily for a chance to interact with the movie's stars and make silk screen T-shirts, flipbooks and videos.
"Guys" threw what arguably was the funniest presentation. Ferrell started things off by walking onstage, waving, saying hi, and kept on walking by the movie's Eva Mendes, Mark Wahlberg and director Adam McKay and right off the stage.
He returned to say he was happy to be back in the "whale's vagina," quoting lines from his influential San Diego-set comedy "Anchorman," and Mendes pushed the envelope by flirting with teenage boys in the crowd. The real question is, will the movie be as funny as the panel?
3D vs. 2D
The success of "Avatar," and its 3D presentation at the Con last year opened the floodgates to an unprecedented number of panels requiring 3D glasses. At the same time, other filmmakers hyped up 2D, with battle lines drawn around the 2D-to-3D conversion process.
The "Drive Angry 3D" panel talked frankly about the challenges of shooting a non-CG-intensive movie in 3D, and the 3D "Tron Legacy" presentation had fans focusing not on the format but on the onscreen sci-fi world.
"Priest" director Scott Stewart said his movie's release has been pushed back to convert to it to 3D. "Some films have gotten into trouble for rushing it," he said before showing footage that wasn't half bad.
While Seth Rogen insisted that 3D was part of the conversation since the beginning of "Green Hornet's" development, he acknowledged that that film's footage, converted into 3D, was "by no means 100% finished." The previewed footage didn't convince a lot of the fans.
Meanwhile, such movies as "Cowboys and Aliens" and "The Expendables" boasted of their traditional 2D approach. Director Jon Favreau, who use a few of the Marvel tricks he learned promoting "Iron Man" to preside over a raucous "Cowboys" presentation, said producers considered making the movie 3D but didn't like the conversion process. "Take the money you save (without have to pay for 3D tickets) and see it twice!" he yelled to fans.
BROADCASTERS VS. TWITTER
Hoping to gain positive social media buzz, broadcasters gave Comic-Con fans an early look at the fall pilots for a quartet of shows. It's a high-wire-act -- while Comic-Con fans are fairly representative of the summer box office crowd for studios giving sneak peeks of films, they're not representative of your typical broadcast network demographics. NBC's fall drama "The Event" came up a big winner ("One word: incredible" wrote one fan), while reaction to the network's midseason effort "The Cape" was more subdued ("'The Cape' has some work to do ... but offers enough twists -- and Summer Glau -- to keep us interested"). ABC's upcoming "No Ordinary Family" received a warm reaction ("A solid pilot with a lot of excellent geek highlights") and tweets about the CW's "Nikita" reboot were a bit all over the place ("looks promising; interesting twist on previous incarnations").
GUILLERMO DEL TORO VS. "THE HOBBIT"
When director Guillermo del Toro left "The Hobbit" production at the end of May, it put the future of the two-film J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation in doubt. It also made del Toro a wanted man, with projects being thrown at the filmmaker, who already had a growing heap of personal projects in development.
As the capper to Disney's successful "Tron Legacy" presentation, del Toro appeared to announce that he is co-writing and producing "Haunted Mansion," based on the Disney attraction.
The next day, del Toro talked horror, mentorship and failings of Hollywood movies at the panel for "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark," the Miramax horror thriller he produced that comes out January 21. The scenes he showed, which echoed his critical hit "The Orphanage," chilled audiences with their moody and tense terror. He promised his next directorial effort will be revealed in the weeks ahead.
But he declined to take part in a "Hobbit" panel thrown by OneRing.net, where there was little to discuss given that "Hobbit," hobbled by MGM's financial situation, remains in limbo.
"THE SIMPSONS" VS. "FAMILY GUY"
A "Simpsons" producer took a rare public swipe at "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane.
A fan asked a question referencing MacFarlane's three successful shows that bracket "Simpsons" on Fox's Sunday night lineup ("Family Guy," "American Dad" and "The Cleveland Show"). "Seth MacFarlane has one show three times," said "Simpsons" writer/executive producer Matt Selman.
Asked about Selman's line later that afternoon, MacFarlane referenced Voltaire: "While I disagree with what you're saying, I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
"LET ME IN" VS. "LET THE RIGHT ONE IN"
Die-hard fans have been skeptical about Overture's "Let Me In," an Americanized remake of the Swedish tween vampire movie "Let the Right One In."
Its trailer, focusing on generic horror tropes, did nothing to quell fears. But Overture also previewed two extended clips, which showed the movie to be atmospheric and melancholic and, horror of horrors, true to the spirit of the original.
Director Matt Reeves took on those critics , saying he initially he didn't want to take part in the remake but changed his mind when he read the book on which the movie is based and saw he could tell a story about the pains of adolescence and about growing up in 1980s America.
LOS ANGELES VS. ALIENS
Aliens will invade Los Angeles in two upcoming movies: Columbia's "Battle: Los Angeles" (which was shot in Louisiana) and Rogue's "Skyline" (a low-budget indie shot at a Los Angeles condo).
Both movies had been flying under the radar but picked up traction at the Con -- especially "Battle: LA," which showcased an embedded-with-the-Marines "Black Hawk Down"- meets-"District 9" aesthetic.
CRIME SHOWS VS. GENRE SHOWS
USA's "Burn Notice" and CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" proved one doesn't have to have a spaceship or vampires to be at Comic-Con anymore. By having fan favorites like Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park in the cast, "Five-0" packed its midsize ballroom and convinced more than a few conferencegoers to check out the reboot in the fall.
GEEKS VS. THE REAL WORLD
As the ill-fated "Jonah Hex" proved, what plays at Comic-Con doesn't always succeed at the box office. "Scott Pilgrim" and movies like Gregg Mottola's "Paul," about comic book geeks who encounter an alien, made the most of their time in the Comic-Con spotlight. And Zack Snyder's "Suckerpunch" had folks talking about its cool visual melange of genres.
But studios are becoming more aware that thunderous approval in Hall H doesn't always reach beyond San Diego's Gaslamp district. The Con is an important first skirmish but doesn't always suggest victory at the ultimate battle of the box office.
COMIC-CON FANS VS. FUNDAMENTALIST PROTESTERS
Fred Phelps, leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, had his protesters picketing the sci-fi worshipers at Comic-Con, saying fans should be reading the Bible instead. Fans in turn staged their own protest, with signs like "God Hates Jedi" and chanting "What do we want? Gay Sex! When do we want it? Now!"
COMIC CON FANS VS. EACH OTHER
It's all fun and games until somebody gets stabbed in the face with a pen. Two friends got into a fight in the cavernous Hall H over seating during Universal's "Cowboys and Aliens" presentation, and one of the men reportedly struck the other in the face with a pen. It was just a scratch, but the news made national headlines ("When nerds attack!") and within hours promoted a slew of jokes from the stage and "Don't stab me" signs.
Fashion
Entertainment
Comments
See All Comments (1) | Post Comment
Jul 26, 2010 2:14am EDT
Sounds like a geek nightmare.
Ultraworld
Report As Abusive
See All Comments (1)
Add a Comment
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Reader Feedback
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
FindLaw
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Monday, 26 July 2010 Israel, U.S. sign deal to upgrade Arrow missile shield
Furious Love Parade survivors slam organisers
Top U.S. officer warns Afghan war will get worse
|
Iran says nuclear talks after Ramadan
Iran ready to start talks on nuclear fuel swap deal: Mottaki
Profile of BP chief Tony Hayward
Al Qaeda says kills French hostage after raid
|
Venezuela's Chavez threatens to cut U.S. oil supply
|
Suspected Qaeda gunmen kill 6 Yemen troops in oil area
|
Chile denies pardon for dictatorship-era crimes
|
Taliban claim capture of US sailor, killing of 2nd
Hezbollah expects many indicted over Hariri killing
|
Bomb in central Bangkok kills 1 and wounds 10
One dead, 10 wounded in Bangkok bomb blast
One dead in Bangkok bomb blast: emergency services
'Salt' licks box office wounds, 'Inception' retains top spot
'Salt' licks box office wounds, 'Inception' retains top spot
Air India chairman expects profit by 2014-15
US 'wants more currency loosening' from China
US drone strikes kill eight militants in Pakistan
"Salt" can't shake "Inception" at box office
No layoffs planned in Air India restructuring
Migrants sell up and flee Arizona ahead of crackdown
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Salzburg Festival kicks off month of operas, concerts
US holds drills off Korea as Pyongyang talks war
Baghdad suicide bomb wounds five
Al-Qaeda says Frenchman killed after failed rescue
NGO seeks action over DR Congo 'conflict minerals'
Afghan leader calls for probe into civilian deaths
Pakistan secretly helping Taliban: report
|
US-TECH Summary
US condemns massive leak of Afghan war files
China developing gas reserves, will cut imports
Google search share slips as Baidu gains: report
Afghans yearn for water, security in Taliban heartland
US' Geithner rejects fears of double dip recession
Israeli warplanes strike Gaza tunnels
Police: 26 killed in Afghan bus crash
Senior Khmer Rouge cadre found guilty of torture
|
Large blast heard in Afghan capital: witnesses
|
Iran ready for talks on nuclear fuel swap deal: Mottaki
Hitmen behind Mexico massacre were prisoners: government
|
Hezbollah expects many indicted over Hariri killing
Bangladesh war crimes tribunal issues first arrest warrants
Taliban say they're holding U.S. soldier and second killed
|
Australia vote race narrows after climate flop, debate
Poll advantage narrows for Australia's Gillard
Five wounded in bomb attack on Arabiya TV in Baghdad
|
'Plastiki' bottle ship completes epic Pacific voyage
Khmer Rouge prison chief sentenced to 35 years in jail
Suspended death sentence for top Chinese adviser
|
Malaysia mulls pregnant teen school to curb dumping
Hollywood drivers ratify labor deal, avert strike
Chavez threatens U.S. oil cut in Colombia dispute
|
Khmer Rouge prison chief handed 30 years in prison
Angelina Jolie wows Moscow with 'hero spy' film
US holds drills off Korea as Pyongyang talks war
China to cut crimes that carry death penalty
Khmer Rouge prison chief given 30 years in prison
KRouge prison chief found guilty by war crimes court
Seoul shares at 2 yr closing high on earnings hopes
Shares in India carmaker Maruti plunge on profit fall
Hollywood drivers ratify labor deal, avert strike
Japan export growth slows but beats forecasts
Comic-Con match-ups: Who won?
Seoul shares hit over 2 yr high on earnings hopes
Google search share slips as Baidu gains: report
|
"Mad Men" hardly a hit on Madison Avenue
China developing gas reserves, will cut imports: report
The elderly media mogul and the bisexual rockers
Kings of Leon abandon U.S. concert due to pigeon poop
Carlyle sells Taiwan TV unit for $1.9 bln
Angelina Jolie wows Moscow with 'hero spy' film
Bayreuth Festival opens with new generation at helm
S.Korea economy grows faster-than-expected 1.5pc
Autopsy tools used on Elvis removed from auction
Taiwan Formosa refinery shut after fire-spokesman
S.Korea seen buying dlrs to curb won's gains -dealers
"Toy Story 3," "Inception" lead foreign box office
Formosa says 540,000 bpd refinery shut for safety
Comic Con superheroes set to soar in 2011 and beyond
|
Kings of Leon abandon U.S. concert due to pigeon poop
|
Mad Men hardly a hit on Madison Avenue
|
Comic-Con match-ups: Who won?
|
The elderly media mogul and the bisexual rockers
|
Hollywood drivers ratify labor deal, avert strike
|
French nuns seek chart run after record deal
|
Autopsy tools used on Elvis removed from auction
|
Toy Story 3, Inception lead foreign box office
|
EU hits Iran with new sanctions, urges nuclear talks
German banks 'did not reveal full debt details'
EU launches two anti-trust probes against IBM
European stocks mixed amid stress-test doubts
Four killed in bomb attack on Arabiya TV in Baghdad
EU loses in WTO information technology row: sources
France's Sarkozy says will punish Al Qaeda killers
|
EU tightens screw on Iran with extra sanctions
|
Shi'ite rebels capture north Yemen base, 10 dead
|
Police: 26 killed in Afghan bus crash
Suicide blast near Pakistan politician kills 8
|
NATO rocket killed 45 Afghan civilians: government
|
Settlers, Palestinians hurt in West Bank clash
|
Japanese people living longer than ever: govt
Suicide blast near Pakistan politician kills 8
Philippines' Aquino promises clean government
US holds drills off Korea as Pyongyang talks war
S.Korea, US stage anti-submarine warning drill
Asia stocks rise after Europe 'stress tests'
China says oil spill under control
EU loses in WTO information technology row: sources
|
Apple to expand iPhone sales on July 30
|
King Tut's chariot heads to New York
India micro lender aims to raise $350m in IPO
Pakistani stocks end flat; rupee weakens; o/n rates down
4-5 yuan per dollar 'inevitable': Japan's China envoy
Police hunt killer of foreigners in Philippines
EU launches two anti-trust probes against IBM
|
Asia pushes higher after Europe 'stress tests'
CORRECTED
Jolie spurs Russian patriotism at Salt Moscow show
|
Snooki gets in your face in new Jersey Shore games
|
New film over U.S. teen's disappearance on Aruba
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights