Harold Perrineau Jr. as Michael on LOST.
© ABC
The Five Biggest Announcements from the San Diego Comic Con
By: Stephen LackeyDate: Sunday, July 29, 2007
The San Diego Comic con has become the place for major announcements in pop culture whether it be from Hollywood or from independent comics. The big show has come and gone so I wanted to recap the announcements that really got me the most excited.
5. Iron Man was one of those characters I really liked when I was younger, and even today I appreciate his deep story arc but his individual comic series (outside The Avengers) hasn’t been good for some time, one man’s opinion. So when the announcement came from Marvel at Comic Con that writer/director John Favreau would be writing a four issue mini series for the character I was thrilled. Favreau seems to have a real love for the character and based on what I’ve seen and heard about his film, retelling of Shellhead’s story he seems to have a good grasp on the character. I really hope he’s able to do for Iron Man what Joss Whedon has done for The X-Men in his series The Astonishing X-Men.
4. Zachary Quinto will be playing a young Mr. Spock in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot. When I heard he was recasting the main parts from the original series to start from scratch I was skeptical. I felt like I’d rather just see an all new story with an all new take. At the same time, as many of you know I’m an unabashed Abrams fan, so I had faith. I actually think Zachary is an interesting choice. While I can see what Abrams is going for as gar as general look Zachary has a darker feel (I’d say that even if he hadn’t just played Sylar in season one of Heroes). I wonder if Abrams has some plan for the darker tone that Zachary is sure to bring to the film?
3. I know many of you gave up on LOST last season after a weak first six episodes. Well, honestly that was your big loss because the series came back like gangbusters. At the lost panel at the con the producers revealed that one big unfinished story will find its way back to the series when it returns in January. That’s right Michael is coming back. I always wondered what became of him and Walt after that last scene where they appeared to be leaving the island. Subsequent episodes of the series proved that Ben doesn’t make a habit of actually letting people leave the island.
2. While Marvel has been getting most of the big press for Civil War DC has really been churning out major events of their own, starting with 52 and now the Countdown series. The big announcement came from them that everything they’ve been doing is building to a major last series where we can expect death’s of main characters. The name of this new series you ask? Well, it’s Final Crisis. Their really isn’t much more to say other than let the filling of my hold box and the emptying of my wallet begin!
1. Whether you are excited about this announcement may depend on your age and your first experience with the Indiana Jones franchise. For me, this series of films made nearly as big an impact as the original Star Wars films. At the con, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford dramatically revealed that original Jones love interest, and easily the best of all the films, Karen Allen will be returning to her character Marion Ravenwood. It feels right, like the story has come full circle. Indiana is an old man and it’s time for him to finish his adventures and he returns to the one woman able to keep up with him for one last ride. This is my most anticipated film for next year, as much as I love Iron Man, this is the one.
For me these five announcements made the whole con. There were many others, but these are the big ones. What got you the most excited? Anything that’s not on my list?
Monday
KYLE XY (ABCFAMILY, 8PM EST) What’s the Frequency Kyle?
Stephen gets a second chance to make amends after his father suffers from a stroke.
BIZARRE FOODS WITH ANDREW ZIMMERN (TRAV, 9PM EST) Taiwan
OK, it isn’t really a sci-fi series but it is weird. This dude finds the strangest, usually most disgusting looking, foods to eat around the world. I caught it one night when I was up late flippin’ past infomercials and thought I’d just mention it.
Tuesday
ON THE LOT (FOX, 8PM PST)
The filmmakers make shorts and two must go!
EUREKA (SCIFI, 9PM PST) Games People Play
Well everyone in the town seems to disappear (based on the preview) other than Carter and Zoë.
ROOM 401 (MTV, 10PM PST)
A prank show where people get scarred. Well, it’s on TV!
Wednesday
LEPRECHAUN: BACK TO THE HOOD (BET, 8PM PST)
Aw Hell yeah, the Leprechaun goes to the hood in the installment of the venerable franchise. There’ll be cheesy jokes and even cheesier effects all with an urban flair!
RESCUE ME (FX, 10PM PST) Seven
A devastating fire has a profound effect on the crew, Tommy wrestles with his feelings about the baby; Alicia returns with a proposition for Franco; Lou makes a tough decision about Teresa. Wow, the summaries that I find for this series really make it feel like a soap opera. I need to check it out and see what the hype is about.
Thursday
WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPER HERO? (SCIFI, 9PM PST)
This week the heroes are tested with their first encounter with a super villain!
BURN NOTICE (USA, 10PM PST) Unpaid Debts
Michael is hired to take a boat from Jamaican gangsters and discovers ten million bucks stashed onboard. A CSS agent tries to make Michael back off his investigation of the burn notice.
MIND CONTROL WITH DARREN BROWN (USA, 10PM PST) Lying Car Salesman
Darren attempts to control the minds of three used car salesmen and there’s an exploration of phantom limb syndrome.
Friday
DOCTOR WHO (FOX, 9PM PST) Evolution of the Daleks
The Dalek plot is revealed with the rebirth of Dalek Sec in 1930’s New York as Martha deals with trouble atop the Empire State building. The Doctor also considers an alliance that could change the Dalek timeline.
PAINKILLER JANE (SCIFI, 10PM PST) Thanks for the Memories
A Neuro contacts Jane after her boyfriend and her colleague both can’t recall who she is. Jane learns that the Neuro can take and store other people’s memories so she gives her memories to him as a precaution during the investigation.
Saturday
FANTASTIC FOUR ANIMATED SERIES (TOON, 9:30PM PST) Strings
I thought I’d throw this in here and ask if anyone is watching this. I dig the FF comics and mostly liked the movies….
THE BEAST OF BRAY ROAD (SCIFI, 9PM PST)
This film is basically about a werewolf ravaging Wisconsin. Look for bad dialogue and cheesy special effects. Fun for all!
Sunday
JOHN FROM CINCINNATI (HBO, 9PM PST) His Visit: Day Eight
What only eight episodes? AS strange as this series has been I have high expectations for the finale. Expect few answers and plenty more cryptic questions.
THE 4400 (USA, 9PM PST) No Exit
So, the alliances begin quicker than I thought. A lockdown at NTAC traps everyone, including Jordan and his people forcing an alliance.
THE DEAD ZONE (USA, 10PM PST) Outcome
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