August 13th, 2014

The San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone while the Boston Comic-Con wrapped things up this weekend.  Yet, I can't help but wonder... That's it?

Each year I count down the days to The Con, eagerly awaiting to read the headlines, see the cosplay photos, receive an outpour of texts and tweets from my nerdy friends, and tune into Live internet shows that bring news straight from the floor to me.  This year however, I feel like unless you were actually there, you didn’t hear too much about what went down.  It certainly lacked the usual major studio surprises and shocking comic plot twists, but there were some things worth nerdgasming over.  From District 13 all the way to another Galaxy there was just enough to wet our nerdbud pallets (that is an actual thing).  Here are our top 5 favorite announcements to come out of this year’s Comic-Con.

5.  Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Listen… I know most of us are not getting our hopes up on this one.  I was on board when they first announced this film, and I was even on board when they announced Ben Affleck as Batman.  It wasn’t until I heard Jesse Eisenberg was casted as Lex Luthor that my faith in the film began to deteriorate.  Eisenberg is great as a brooding, fast-talking, eye darting, character. But as the bad and bold Lex Luthor…? I have my doubts.  I was really hoping the Batman v Superman panel would bring it at Comic-Con but again felt let down.  Aside from the new take on Wonder Woman’s traditional costume, now reminiscent of Xena Warrior Princess, there wasn’t any major news announcements.  It wasn’t until one brave soul captured the teaser trailer that my faith was restored…at least a little bit.

If you’re familiar with the panels at Comic-Con you know it’s a huge no-no to take your phone out during the presentation of trailers.  Security trolls the aisles to make sure no footage is leaked that the studio doesn’t want out there yet.  But here we can see our first glimpse at the film.  (http://movies.cosmicbooknews.com/content/watch-batman-vs-superman-comic-con-trailer-1).  The coolest part of this footage is Batman’s suit looks very similar to Frank Miller’s comic version in The Dark Knight Returns.  Does this mean we can we expect to see Batman as the 55 year old crime fighter?  The movie is still two years away from hitting the theaters (the date recently was moved up) so it’s too soon to really know what to make of the film…Maybe next year’s Comic-Con can deliver what we’re all waiting for.

4.  The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

Jennifer Lawrence is back as Katniss Everdeen to take on the Capitol in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1.  The trailer was released (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InN36T7VmFE) and shows the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch convincing District 13’s President played by Julianne Moore, that Katniss is the symbol for the rebellion.  Based on the trailer, director Francis Lawrence captures the look and feel of the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy.  Katniss was reluctant to become the symbol and it’s written all over her face as she tries to convince not only herself, but the injured soldiers that she is ready to lead them and fight by their side.  From the teasers we know Peeta and Johanna are by President Snow’s side…so it will be interesting to see where the director split the book in half.  Will we see Peeta reunited with Katniss in the first installment of the Mockingjay?       

3.  Air

Robert Kirkman, the brains behind The Walking Dead, finally debuted his trailer for Air.  The sci-fi thriller stars Norman Reedus from AMC’s The Walking Dead alongside two-time Oscar nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. The two play custodial workers in an underground facility that houses a cryogenically frozen society.  In typical Kirkman fashion, the setting is in a post apocalyptic world; Earth’s atmosphere is destroyed and Hounsou and Reedus are the only hope of restoring humanity; however their struggle with sanity puts risk to ever restoring life on Earth.  

Check out the chilling trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb2fuFUwbRg
 
2.  The Walking Dead

Speaking of Kirkman and Reedus, the trailer for The Walking Dead Season 5 was released and we pick up right where we left off…trapped in a train car with a really…REALLY pissed off Rick Grimes.  If you thought last season brought it, this season looks like it is going to be even bigger and better. From the trailer it appears Rick makes a deal with the devil, the leader of Terminus, in order to save his life and the lives of the members of his group.  Their mission: Work together to get Eugene to Washington, D.C. to cure whatever is causing the zombie apocalypse and give the world back to the living.  For anyone who has questioned Rick’s ability to lead in the past I do believe he will prove you wrong in this upcoming season.  Check out the trailer here and make sure you watch until the end…Remember Beth?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4GAs9TJVjM

1.  Guardians of the Galaxy 2

First of all, if you haven’t seen the first Guardians of the Galaxy do yourself a favor and see it immediately.  I recommend the IMAX 3D experience, but go with whatever your heart tells you.  

We can usually count on Marvel to make some sort of mind-blowing announcement at Comic-Con. This year however they played their hand differently.  There was no big announcement like who will play Dr. Strange or if Hulk is getting his own movie but they did reveal that there will be a sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy.  Even before seeing the film we knew this had to be the case.  Marvel has so many films in the pipeline, why stop now, especially with a film like Guardians of the Galaxy.  Marvel didn’t reveal much but we do know James Gunn will also direct the sequel, set to premiere on July 28, 2017.  At the end of the first film we know Nebula is somewhere on the loose, Drax still yearns to seek revenge against Thanos, Yondu knows who Starlord’s father is, and what is up with The Collector and his need for the Infinity Stones?  There is also a rumor that the exploded cocoon seen at the end in The Collectors destroyed facility actually contained Adam Warlock…which leaves fans to believe he may make an appearance in the second film.  Inevitably I think this will play out but Marvel has yet to confirm any of this.

So, what was your favorite piece news or teaser trailer to come out? Are you hoping to see any big surprises later this year at the New York Comic-Con?  Leave your thoughts below in the comment section!

By Mackenzie Portfolio