Comedy Central announced the details of its many event and panel participations at Comic-Con next week, so if you’re a fan of South Park, Futurama and Brickleberry or just want to catch comedian Patton Oswalt in concert (that’s Remy from Ratatouille to you!), you’ll need to take some notes:
The schedule includes panels from Ubisoft’s “South Park: The Stick of Truth” videogame on Thursday, July 18 from 6:00-7:00 p.m., “Brickleberry” on Friday, July 19 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and “Futurama” on Saturday, July 20 from 12:00-12:45 p.m.
Partying will commence on Friday, July 19 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. with “Comedy Central Comedy-Con,” a free, first come, first served (21+) event at Float at the Hard Rock Hotel. Fans will have the opportunity to interact with Blake, Adam, Ders and Kyle from “Workaholics,” Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele from “Key & Peele,” David Herman, Tom Kenny, Natasha Leggero, and Jerry Minor from “Brickleberry,” comedian Chris Hardwick, among others.
On Saturday, July 20, COMEDY CENTRAL will be taping an original one-hour stand-up special with Patton Oswalt at Spreckels Theatre located at 121 Broadway in downtown San Diego. Tickets to the 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. tapings are available at www.spreckelstheatre.net.
Thursday, July 18: South Park: The Stick of Truth panel (room 6BCF)
6:00-7:00 p.m. The creators of “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone will discuss their upcoming Ubisoft videogame, “South Park: The Stick of Truth.” Parker and Stone will talk role playing games, their vision for an interactive “South Park” adventure and creating “The Stick of Truth,” the epic quest to become… cool.
Friday, July 19: Brickleberry panel (room 25ABC)
6:00-7:00 p.m. Creators and executive producers Waco O’Guin and Roger Black, executive producer Zac Moncrief, along with David Herman (“Office Space”), Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePants”), Jerry Minor (“Anchorman”) and Natasha Leggero (“Community,” “Burning Love”) will be on hand to exclusively premiere an episode from its upcoming second season which debuts on Tuesday, September 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, followed by a Q&A panel discussion.
Saturday, July 20: Futurama panel (Ballroom 20)
12:00-12:45 p.m. An epic panel for the ages will celebrate the show’s latest and greatest final season. On hand will be most or all of Futurama‘s legendary voice cast comprised of Billy West, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille, David Herman, Phil LaMarr, and Lauren Tom, performing never-before-heard scenes from the upcoming “Last Episode Ever.” Plus, executive producer David X. Cohen, creator Matt Groening and a cartooning showdown to the death!
Rendering solution producer Chaos Group will join forces with various vfx industry artists to present two special events at SIGGRAPH in Anaheim on July 24. The panels will offer production run-downs of commercial spots, television shows, game cinematics, and vfx-laden blockbusters such as Star Trek Into Darkness, Oblivion and Iron Man 3. SIGGRAPH attendees will also see a sneak preview of Chaos Group’s next major release: V-Ray 3.0.
“V-Ray Day at SIGGRAPH” will be held at the SIGGRAPH expo center (room 203A) on Wednesday, July 24. Its exclusive presentations will feature supervisors from ILM, Digital Domain, Method Studios, Scanline VFX, Pixomondo and Zoic Studios and will show off the ways V-Ray continues to support VFX artists. This event will be held in two sessions and will be open to all SIGGRAPH attendees.
At the Chaos Group/Trinity3D booth at the Expo floor, Chaos Group will be previewing V-Ray 3.0 and holding master classes in Phoenix FD and V-Ray for Maya (booth 110). Together with partners NVIDIA (booth 803) and BOXX Technologies (booth 659), the Chaos Group team will also be demonstrating the latest advancements in V-Ray RT.
Participation in two Birds of a Feather sessions (BoF) will give Chaos Group’s development team a chance to unearth some of V-Ray’s 3.0 key technical aspects. In the first session, V-Ray creator Vlado Koylazov will share details about deep compositing support in V-Ray 3.0 (22 July 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., room 213B); while Chaos Group developer Ivan Mavrov will demo Open Shading Language support at an OSL BoF session (22 July 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Hilton Anaheim – Malibu).
“V-Ray User Event – Los Angeles” is a post-SIGGRAPH event that will be hosted at The Gnomon School of Visual Effects. Starting at 6 p.m. on July 26, artists from Pixomondo will demonstrate how V-Ray was used on Oblivion and Star Trek Into Darkness while Blur will highlight the game cinematics of Batman: Arkham Origins and The Elder Scrolls Online. This event is open to the public .
“We can feel the momentum growing in our community, and the artwork we are seeing speaks volumes about the talent our users are unleashing,” said Lon Grohs, VP of business development at Chaos Group. “It’s going to be exciting to reveal some of our latest developments at SIGGRAPH, and see where they take us next.”
Request a promotional code for a free pass to the SIGGRAPH exhibition floor at siggraph2013@chaosgroup.com. The pass will grant you access to the Chaos Group booths and room 203A where V-Ray Day will be held.
More details are coming in every day about Disney’s big fan event D23, planned for August 9-11 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Today it was announced that Disney Consumer Products will offer a close-up look at a wide range of interactive experiences and merchandise that celebrate Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters.
Disney fans will have the chance to follow their favorite products from “sketch to shelf” and learn how Disney Consumer Products extends storytelling from character and content extension to product development through featured discussions, art and sculptures and final product displays. Among the attractions:
Celebrating Disney, Marvel and Star Wars:
Disney Junior Fun Spot – Get a sneak peek of brand-new toys before they hit store shelves this fall and enjoy special giveaways while supplies last.
Disney Princess Ariel-Themed Sephora Pop-up Shop – Sephora Pro artists and manicurists will give attendees the royal treatment with products from the Disney Ariel Collection by Sephora.
The Mystical World of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen – See feature animation art concepts, storyboards, unreleased film clips, and products from the mystical world of Frozen, the daring comedy-adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios releasing in November 2013.
Steamboat Willie Redux – Attendees will enjoy the history and timelessness of the most cherished Disney character through this graphically re-interpreted mash-up of the pioneering 1928 cartoon short, Steamboat Willie.
Spider-Man’s Ultimate Innovation – Fans can check out products on the cutting edge of product innovation and design featuring one of the most popular Super Heroes in the world, Spider-Man, in Marvel’s first-ever appearance in the DCP showcase at the D23 Expo.
Star Wars at the D23 Expo! – For the first time at the D23 Expo Star Wars fans can have access to experiences created for them by Lucasfilm and Disney. Darth Vader: The Evolution of a Villain, located in the DCP pavilion, showcases the development of the iconic villain from early concepts to striking realization. Crash Course in the Force: Star Wars Saga 101, presented by Lucasfilm’s resident authority Pablo Hidalgo at Stage 23, will give Star Wars newbies and experts alike a thorough grounding in all matters of the Force and the Star Wars legacy.
Fans will have the opportunity to participate in other immersive experiences, including: Find Your Voice with The Little Mermaid, a karaoke experience celebrating the music from the film; Journey through the Art of Tink, a gallery where Disney artists, designers, illustrators, and animators from around the world have re-imagined our magical, sassy and feisty fairy, Tinker Bell; What Makes a Puppet a Muppet?, which will help fans learn what it takes to create a Muppets “plush” and then create your own; Take a Ride with Disney/Pixar’s World of Cars and Disney’s Planes, which explains how the highly collectible diecast vehicles are made; Assembling The Avengers Franchise, an exclusive tour through the history of The Avengers and the chance to see the latest The Avengers products; and I heart Mickey & Minnie, a rarely seen collection of beloved Mickey Mouse toys, apparel, and accessories from past decades, along with a showcase of Minnie Mouse-inspired fashions from around the globe.
Disney Publishing’s Stage 28 presentations and signings include:
Ridley Pearson and The Kingdom Keepers Insider App Quest (Presentation: Friday, Aug. 9 – 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Signing: 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m., Talent Round Up).
Dave Bossert Remembers Roy E. Disney with special guest Roy P (Presentation: Friday, Aug. 9 – 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Signing: 2:45 – 3:45, The Dream Store).
Disney Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar Presents…Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms (Presentation: Friday, Aug. 9 – 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Signing: 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Talent Round Up).
If watching hours of G-rated kids cartoons is making you crave some genuinely hilarious and very adult entertainment, then you may turn your attention to Transfurter, the new toon created by Joe Croson, whose writing credits include Adult Swim’s Superjail.
This Flash-animated show follows the outrageous adventures of a loveable NSFW hotdog prostitute, who tries to answer any question the internet dares ask him. The toon is directed by Croson, Bob Fox and Chris Burns and animated at New York’s Exit 73 Studios. You can meet the team at www.transfurter.com or watch the first season of videos here:
Transfurter
Just be forewarned. This toon is strictly produced for grown-ups!
CBeebies has prebought the first season of Beakus Studio’s new preschool series Toggle. The 52 x 5″ series will launch in 2015.
The new toon is described as an inventive, unique and fun toon about a trio of young, creative creatures called the Toggles – who live together in a big forest and have fun playing and exploring. To help them solve everyday problems they create a new character by combining colorful shapes they find in the magical ‘Toggle Top’ (a wide open glade that’s their canvas for creative play).
Toggle was created by children’s author/illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson (Limelight Larry, Smile) who was also the art director on Charlie and Lola, and Steve Smith, veteran animation director and producer whose work has garnered awards around the world including a BAFTA, a British Animation Award and Annecy Crystals. Smith runs Beakus studio which recently created the animation for the first season of CBeebies short-form series called Numtums.
“Leigh and I are thrilled to receive the CBeebies seal of approval for Toggle,” says Smith. “The show speaks to pre-school children without ignoring their parents, encouraging creativity and interaction, and we can’t wait to start production!”
Union Media is the international distributor for the show. For more info visit www.beakus.com.
Just in time for Halloween, everyone’s favorite devil doll will be making a comeback. Universal will release Curse of Chucky, the sixth film in the popular horror franchise on DVD/Blu-ray on October 8. Timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of writer/director Don Mancini’s thriller, the new movie is produced by David Kirschner and features the inimitable Brad Dourif as the voice of the demonic doll, Brad’s daughter Fiona Dourif as the lead, A Martinez and Danielle Bisutti.
The Blu-Ray Combo Pack allows fans to view Curse of Chucky on the platform of their choice. It includes a Blu-Ray disc, a DVD, and Digital including Ultraviolet. Additionally, Chucky: The Complete Collection Limited Edition is also available on Blu-ray and DVD on October 8, 2013 in the U.S. For the first time ever, Chucky fans can experience all six movies in one awesome set, including Child’s Play, Child’s Play 2, Child’s Play 3, Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky and Curse of Chucky.
The special Blu-ray release includes a featurette titled Living Doll: Bringing Chucky to Life, which focuses on the award-winning work of animatronics company Alteria and how they brought Chucky to life; a look at the life and times of the possessed doll called Voodoo Doll: The Chucky Legacy, storyboard comparisons, deleted scenes, gag reel, a doc about the making of the new movie, and feature commentary by writer/director Don Mancini, puppeteer Tony Gardner and star Fiona Dourif.
We reported yesterday that Welsh animation house Dinamo Productions went into administration last week. According to C21, David Hill and Steve Wade, from Cardiff-based business recovery specialist Begbies Traynor, have been appointed joint administrators of the company. The administrators are now seeking new production partnerships and financing to help the studio get back on its feet.
“The decision comes after a challenging few years for the animation industry in the UK as a whole and the on-going commitment to a large production facility has become a burden on the company’s finances,” reads a statement from the administrators. “We are looking forward and exploring options where the Dinamo brand will continue to produce and develop content collaboratively with UK and international partners.”
Although all 27 Dinamo employees have been laid off, the administrators said that other employment has been found for many of them. The studio was founded in 2004 by MD Owen Stickler with Aron Evans and worked on popular children’s shows such as Rastamouse and The Abadas.
Last week, it was reported that French animation studio Moonscoop entered into a judicial recovery procedure entered into administration to move forward with its business. Today, the team at U.S.-based Moonscoop issued a clarification to let the industry know that they and their subsidiary VOD outlet Kabillion are not affected by these events.
“We want to state clearly and emphatically to ensure no misconstruing of information that the U.S.-based Moonscoop LLC and Kabillion are independent and stand-alone entities in our production and corporate operations, financing and rights ownership,” stated Mike Young, Moonscoop LLC’s CEO, and Liz Young, president.
“Furthermore, while Moonscoop France has an equity interest in our companies, we are a completely separate group and are both operationally and financially sound. We are busy with a robust production slate as well as several exciting new projects. Our key intellectual properties include the international hit animated preschool series Chloe’s Closet, now in season two production and licensed in over 100 territories worldwide, Dive Olly Dive!, Hero:108, Growing Up Creepie, Pet Alien and Todd World. Our current new series production slate also includes Sabrina Secrets of a Teenage Witch, an iconic franchise of Archie Comics Publications. We also produce Lalaloopsy, based on the enormously popular MGA doll line and an instant ratings hit on Nickelodeon since its debut in March.”
U.S. based Moonscoop LLC holds an 84% ownership of Kabillion, a network and multi-media marketing platform racking up more than 6 million views a month. Recently, Kabillion partnered with Saban Brands to launch the Vortexx Channel on the VOD Network.
Over the weekend, the full four-day schedule for Comic-Con in San Deigo was released. Here are some of the main highlights, broken down by movie-related and TV-centric programs:
FEATURES
THURSDAY, JULY 18
Thurs., 10:30am-11:30am, Room 6A, The Anatomy of Superhero Music: Composer Marco Beltrami with director James Mangold (The Wolverine), composer Brian Tyler with director Shane Black (Iron Man 3), composer Henry Jackman (X-Men: First Class, Captain America: Winter Soldier) with director Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class), composer Christopher Lennertz (Marvel: Agent Carter), composer John Debney (Iron Man 2, Sin City) and music supervisor Dave Jordan (The Avengers)-discuss the creation of the musical voice behind the hero.
Thurs., 11a.m.-12p.m., Video Games to Movies: Is the Golden Age Upon Us?: Panelists include Adrian Askarieh (Hitman, Agent 47), Tim Miller (Blur Studios, attached to direct Deadpool feature), Justin Marks (producer, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li), Patrick J O’Brien (VP of EA Entertainment, currently developing films based on Need for Speed, Dead Space, Mass Effect and Dante’s Inferno), C. Robert Cargill (Sinister, Dreams and Shadows, Queen of Dark Things, Deus X), and moderator Ben Fritz of The Wall Street Journal.
Thurs., 11:45a.m.-12:45p.m., Room 6A, Dreamworks Animation Filmmaker Focus: Moderated by EW’s own Anthony Breznican, Dreamworks chief creative officer Bill Damaschke and directors David Soren (Turbo), Rob Minkoff (Peabody & Sherman), and Dean DeBlois (How to Train Your Dragon 2) discuss putting a great story through the animation process and onto the screen.
Thurs., 1:10pm-2:20pm, Hall H Europa Report: This panel features the film’s crew and cast, alongside scientists involved with a NASA concept for a real robotic spacecraft, the Europa Clipper, designed to investigate the mysteries of Europa, including whether it has the elements to support life. Participants include Sebastian Cordero (director, Rage and Chronicles), Bear McCreary (composer, Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead ), producer Ben Browning, and actress Karolina Wydra, alongside JPL scientists Steve Vance and Kevin Hand.
Thurs., 2:30p.m.-3:30p.m., Hall H, Entertainment Weekly’s The Visionaries: Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man 2, 500 Days of Summer), Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), and Edgar Wright (The World’s End, Shaun of the Dead) lead this master class on the art of filmmaking and a wide-ranging discussion about the future of film.
Thurs., 3:50p.m.-4:50p.m., Hall H, Ender’s Game and Divergent: Summit Entertainment presents a special sneak peek at the highly anticipated film adaptation of the beloved, award-winning novel Ender’s Game. Fans will be shown all-new, exclusive footage and treated to a Q&A with stars Harrison Ford, Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, and Abigail Breslin, along with producer Roberto Orci (Star Trek Into Darkness) and director Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine). The panel will also feature the first footage ever seen of the futuristic thriller based on the #1 New York Times best-selling novel, Divergent. Cast and filmmakers will complete a Q&A sharing details of the project’s transition from book to film. Panelists will include novelist Veronica Roth, director Neil Burger, and cast members Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Miles Teller, Maggie Q, Ansel Elgort, Mekhi Phifer, Ben Lamb, Ben Lloyd-Hughes and Christian Madsen.
Thurs., 7:15p.m.-8:15p.m., Room 6BCF, Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation: Featured are 15 international, critically acclaimed animated short films, including Oscar nominees and winners. Entries include Bill Plymptons new film Drunker Than a Skunk, Pound Dogs, Dumb Ways to Die, and many more.
FRIDAY, JULY 19
Fri., 10:00am-11:00am, Hall H, The World’s End: Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost Reunited: The director and stars of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz have joined forces for a third movie-and it’s “Barmageddon,” their biggest yet. As ever, they’re as happy to be here as you are. So expect candid chatter and spirited surprises as they take the wraps off their new comedy, which Focus Features is opening nationwide in the U.S. on August 23.
Fri., 11:15am, Hall H, Veronica Mars Special Video Presentation and Q&A. Join cast members Kristen Bell, Francis Capra, Enrico Colantoni, Percy Daggs III, Jason Dohring, Ryan Hansen, Chris Lowell, Tina Majorino and Krysten Ritter along with producer and director Rob Thomas in a panel moderated by Entertainment Weekly‘s Jeff Jensen. Fresh off the set of the film that was funded by over 90,000 devoted fans through Kickstarter, attendees will have an opportunity to see exclusive footage, hear details about the production, and ask the cast and producers questions about this upcoming movie.
Fri., 12:15pm, Hall H, Kick-Ass 2 and Riddick: Universal Pictures presents an all-star panel featuring talent from two of its highly anticipated summer films. In attendance will be stars and filmmakers from the action-comedy Kick-Ass 2. Attending from Riddick will be the action-adventure’s star/producer Vin Diesel (Fast & Furious 6), along with actors Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) and Dave Bautista (The Man with the Iron Fists) and Riddick‘s writer/director David Twohy (The Fugitive).
Fri., 3:30pm, Room 24ABC, The Long and Winding Trek: Living Long and Propsering – From ‘The Cage’ to Darkness: Get ready to boldly go as this panel of ultimate Treksperts discuss the past, present, and future of the Star Trek franchise as it comes out of Darkness and boldly heads toward its 50th anniversary in 2016. What can we expect in the next sequel? Will a new television series warp onto the airwaves soon? And who will play Janet Lester? Inspired by the bestselling cover story in GEEK magazine, Scott Mantz (chief film critic, Access Hollywood), David A. Goodman (Futurama, Federation: The First 150 Years, Star Trek: Enterprise), Robert Meyer Burnett (ST: TNG Blu-ray Special Editions), and moderator Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise, Femme Fatales) are joined by a few special surprise guests.
Fri., 3:45, Room 5AB, Wolves. A sneak peek at David Hayter’s directorial debut, the action werewolf thriller Wolves, followed by a Q&A panel with David Hayter (X-Men, X2, Watchmen) and stars Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones) and Lucas Till (X-Men:First Class).
Fri., 5:30pm, Room 24ABC, Welcome to the New Age: Top costume illustrators from the Costume Designers Guild IATSE Local 892 talk about their latest projects and the changing world of illustration in the digital and 3D age, followed by a Q&A. Featured panelists are Keith Christensen (Man of Steel, Star Wars 7, Tomorrowland), Phillip Boutte Jr. (Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Man of Steel), Constantine Sekeris (Star Trek, G.I. Joe: Retaliation), Alan Villanueva (Oz, the Great & Powerful, Ender’s Game, Defiance), and Christian Cordella (Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier, Oblivion, 300: Rise of an Empire). Moderated by author Peter Clines (Ex-Heros, Ex-Patriots).
Fri., 5:45pm, Room 6BCF, Making Roger Rabbit: 25th Anniversary: The making of Who Framed Roger Rabbit is revealed with a world class panel of animators led by legendary producer Don Hahn and featuring a special appearance by the voice of Roger Rabbit himself, Charles Fleisher. The panel includes animation masters Andreas Deja and James Baxter, animator/writer/historian Tom Sito, and special effx wizard Dave Bossert, along with incredible clips and stories from the making of this classic film.
Fri., 6:15pm, Ballroom 20, Dark Horse: Joss Whedon: Joss Whedon has rewarded fans the world over with some of the most compelling characters and plotlines in the history of comics, television, and movies. Here’s your chance to find out what he has in store next, and get exclusive insight into Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, and much more!
Fri., 6:30pm, Hall H, At the Drive-In Featuring Metallica: Join all four members of Metallica, one of the most influential rock bands in history — James Hetfield (vocals, guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), Kirk Hammett (guitar, background vocals), and Robert Trujillo (bass, background vocals) — along with director/writer Nimród Antal (Kontroll) and producer Charlotte Huggins (Journey to the Center of the Earth) for the world premiere of the theatrical trailer, poster, and an exclusive preview of footage, followed by a discussion on the making of this groundbreaking 3D motion picture. Metallica Through the Never stars Metallica and rising star Dane DeHaan (The Amazing Spider- Man 2) and combines a bold narrative and a spectacular never-before-seen live performance of the band’s most iconic songs created exclusively for the film, which will be released by Picturehouse in North America on September 27, exclusively in over 300 IMAX 3D Theatres, and will expand into additional theaters on October 4.
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Sat., 10a.m.-11a.m, Room 29A, Behind the Creatures: Kirk R. Tatcher (Return of the Jedi, Gremlins, Star Trek IV, The Muppets) and Tony McVey (The Dark Crystal, Return of the Jedi, Gremlins, The Phantom Menace) relive their greatest behind-the-scenes stories from your favorite movies, including the Rancor that never was and Captain Kirk’s surprise. Moderated by Sean Murphy.
Sat., 10:45a.m.-1:15p.m., Hall H, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Preview:
Legendary Pictures: Godzilla – An epic rebirth to Toho’s iconic Godzilla, this spectacular adventure pits the world’s most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity’s scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence. Gareth Edwards directs Godzilla, which stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, and Juliette Binoche, with David Strathairn and Bryan Cranston. The screenplay is by Max Borenstein, Frank Darabont, and Dave Callaham. Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni are producing with Mary Parent and Brian Rogers. Alex Garcia and Patricia Whitcher are the executive producers, alongside Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira. The film is from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures.
Legendary Pictures: Seventh Son – The fantasy action adventure Seventh Son takes audiences to a time long past, where evil is about to be unleashed. Jeff Bridges stars as Master Gregory, a Falcon Knight who imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore) years ago. Now escaped, she seeks vengeance, and Gregory has only until the next blood moon to train a new apprentice (Ben Barnes), the seventh son of a seventh son, to fight a dark magic unlike any other. Oscar nominee Sergei Bodrov directs an international cast that includes Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Olivia Williams, Antje Traue, and Djimon Hounsou. The film is from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures.
Warner Bros. Pictures: 300: Rise of an Empire – From producer Zack Snyder, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures present a new chapter in this epic saga, based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel Xerxes and told in the same breathtaking visual style as the blockbuster300. Directed by Noam Murro, 300: Rise of an Empire takes the action to a fresh battlefield-on the sea-with a cast of both new and returning stars, led by Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Hans Matheson, David Wenham, and Rodrigo Santoro. Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, and Bernie Goldmann produce, with Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad again collaborating on the screenplay.
Warner Bros. Pictures: Gravity – From director Alfonso Cuarón comes the sci-fi Thriller Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, alongside veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney). On a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes, leaving them completely alone-tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further into the terrifying expanse of space.
Warner Bros. Pictures: The LEGO Movie – From directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller of 21 Jump Street comes the first ever full-length theatrical LEGO adventure, The LEGO Movie, about a perfectly average LEGO minifigure named Emmet who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which he is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared. The original 3D computer animated story stars Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, and Alison Brie, with Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman.
Sat., 1:35p.m.-2:35p.m., Hall H, Lionsgate featuringI, Frankenstein and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire:I, Frankenstein stars Aaron Eckhart and Yvonne Strahovski appear with film director/writer Stuart Beattie and graphic novel author/writer Kevin Grevioux. Plus, the cast of the highly anticipated second installment of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire comes to Hall H for the first time. Panel moderated by Fandango chief correspondent Dave Karger. Never-before-seen footage is showcased from both films. Includes Q&A opportunity.
Sat., 4:15p.m.-5:45p.m., Hall H, 20th Century Fox: Program TBA.
Sat., 6p.m.-7p.m., Hall H, Marvel Studios Thor: The Dark World and Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier: Marvel Studios president and producer Kevin Feige and many surprise guests provide an inside look at the ever-expanding Marvel cinematic universe.
Sat., 9p.m.-10p.m., Room 9, Troma: Return to Nuke ‘Em High: A live and uncut discussion with panelists working in cinema and the film festival, with Troma president and creator of The Toxic Avenger Lloyd Kaufman, along with Steven Paul (Ghost Rider), Judah Friedlander (30 Rock), Pat Swinney Kaufman (New York film commissioner),Zack Beins (Atom the Amazing Zombie Killer) and Ron Jermery (30 Rock). Moderated by Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics). See clips from the Troma/Starz upcoming theatrical release Return to Nuke ‘Em High Vol. 1. Troma Entertainment is Reel Independence!
SUNDAY, JULY 21
Sun., 11:05am-11:55am, Marriott Hall 2, Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival Awards: The films have been shown, now it’s time to award the recipients of the 2013 Comic-Con Independent Film Festival with their trophies and recognition! Comic-Con’s Gary Sassaman talks to this year’s trio of judges – Alex DeMille (winner of last year’s CCI-IFF Judges’ Choice award for The Absence), journalist Geoff Boucher (senior writer at Entertainment Weekly and the force behind EW.com’s CapeTown) and acclaimed award-winning actress Kathy Najimy (Sister Acts 1 & 2, Hocus Pocus, Rat Race) — about the films and presents prizes and trophies to the winners.
TELEVISION PANELS/SCREENINGS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 (PREVIEW NIGHT)
Warner Bros. Television Screenings: Almost Human, The Originals, The Tomorrow People, The 100
THURSDAY, JULY 18
Intelligence (CBS, new show). Attending: Josh Holloway, Marg Helgenberger, Meghan Ory and EPs Michael Seitzman, Rene Echevarria and Tripp Vinson. Panel to follow pilot screening. (10-11 a.m., Ballroom 20)
MAD screening and Q&A. Attending: Producers Kevin Shinick and Mark Marek. (10:15a.m.-11:15 a.m., room 6DE)
35th Battlestar Galactica Celebration. Panelists include: Richard Hatch, Michael Nankin, Dr. Kevin Grazier, Michael Angeli, writer/producer Kevin Murphy, Michael Taylor, and Paul Leonard. (10:30a.m.-11:30a.m., Room 6CF)
Star-Crossed (CW, new show). Panelists include Matt Lanter, Aimee Teegarden, Grey Damon and EPs Adele Lim, Meredith Averill, Josh Appelbau, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg. Panel to follow pilot screening. (11 a.m.-noon, Ballroom 20)
Beauty and the Beast (CW). Panelists include Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan joining EPs Jennifer Levin and Sherri Cooper. (Noon-12:45 p.m., Ballroom 20)
Annoying Orange (Cartoon Network). Panelists include Dane Boedigheimer, Toby Turner, iJustine, Tom Kenny, Rob Paulsen, Tom Sheppard, Gary Binkow and Conrad Muontgomery. (12:45-11:45, 6DE)
Psych. Panelists include James Roday, Dulé Hill, EP Steve Franks. Moderated by guest star Cary Elwes. (1:00p.m.-2:00p.m., Ballroom 20)
Nick Re-Mix (Nickelodeon). Panelists include: Hey Arnold creator Craig Bartlett, The Adventures of Pete and Pete creators Chris Viscardi and Will McRobb, Sanjay and Craig creators Jay Howell and Jim Dirschberger, and Breadwinner creators Steve Borst and Gary Doodles. (2-3 p.m., Room 7AB.)
Sherlock. Panelists include exec producer Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and producer Sue Vertue. (2:15p.m.-3:15p.m., Ballroom 20)
The Blacklist (NBC, new show). Panelists include James Spader, Megan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff and EPs Jon Bokenkamp, John Eisendrath and John Fox. (3 p.m., Room 6A)
Murder Police (Fox).Panelists include creators David Goodman and Jason Ruiz, as well as Will Sasso, Chi McBride, Peter Atencio and Justina Machado, who voice the characters. (3p.m.-4p.m., 25ABC)
The X-Files 20th Anniversary (Fox). Panelists include Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny; plus, Chris Carter, David Amann, Vince Gilligan, Howard Gordon, Darin Morgan, Glen Morgan, John Shiban and Jim Wong. (3:30 p.m.-4:30p.m., Ballroom 20.)
Wilfred (FX). Panelists include Jason Gann, Fiona Gubelmann, Dorian Brown and EPs Eli Jorne, Reed Agnew and David Zuckerman. Panel will follow a screening. (4-5 p.m., Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront)
Teen Wolf (MTV). Panelists include Tyler Posey, Dylan O’Brien, Tyler Hoechlin, Crystal Reed, Holland Roden, Daniel Sharman and new stars Max and Charlie Carver, as well as EP Jeff Davis. (6-7p.m., Ballroom 20)
South Park (Comedy Central). Panelists include EPs Trey Parker and Matt Stone. (6-7 p.m., Room 6CBF)
The Heart, She Holler (Adult Swim). Panelists include Patton Oswalt, Amy Sedaris, John Lee, Alyson Levy and Heather Lawless to participate. (6-7 p.m., Room 25ABC)
Dexter (Showtime). Panelists includeMichael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas, and James Remar. Also appearing are executive producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Scott Buck, and Manny Coto. (6:30-7:30pm, Hall H)
Hannibal (NBC). Panelists include EP Bryan Fuller, Hugh Dancy, David Slade and Martha De Laurentiis. (6:45-7:45 p.m., Room 6A)
FRIDAY, JULY 19
The Big Bang Theory (CBS). Panelists include EPs Steve Molaro and Bill Prady. (10-11a.m., Ballroom 20)
Regular Show and Adventure Time (Cartoon Network). Both series will have back to back panels. (10a.m.-noon, Indigo Ballroom)
The 2013 Black Panel. Panelists include Wayne Brady, Orlando Jones, Tatiana El-Khouri, John Jenning, Tony Rich, and David Walker. Moderated by Michael Davis. (10-11:30am, 5AB)
Defiance (Syfy). Panelists include Grant Bowler, Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran, Jamie Murray and Jesse Rath. EP Kevin Murphy will also appear. (10.30 a.m., Room 6A)
The Legend of Korra (Nickelodeon). Panelists include executive producer and creator team Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino and co-executive producer Joaquim Dos Santos as well as voice actors Janet Varney, David Faustino, and P. J. Byrne. (11:15-12:15 p.m., Ballroom 20)
Veronica Mars. Panelists include Creator Rob Thomas and stars Kristen Bell, Enrico Colantoni, Ryan Hansen, Jason Dohring, Tina Majorino, Krysten Ritter, Chris Lowell, Percy Daggs III and Francis Capra. (11:15a.m.-noon, Hall H)
Nikita (CW). Panelists include Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca, Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Devon Sawa and Noah Bean, as well as EP Craig Silverstein. (11:30-12:30p.m., Room 6BCF)
Helix (Syfy). The Ron Moore drama will make its Comic-Con debut. (11.45 a.m.-12:45p.m., Room 6A)
The Venture Bros. (Adult Swim). Panelists include Jackson Publik, Doc Hammer, and Patrick Warburton. (12:15-1p.m., Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront)
Bones (Fox). Panelists include Creator/EP Hart Hanson, EP Stephen Nathan and star David Boreanaz. (12:30-1:30p.m., Ballroom 20)
The 100 (CW). Panelists include Eliza Taylor, Thomas McDonell, Marie Averopoulos and Henry Ian Cusick, and EPs Matthew Miller and Jason Rothenberg. (12:45-1:45p.m., Room 6BCF)
Childrens Hospital (Adult Swim). Panelists include Rob Corddry and EPs David Wain and Jonathan Stern, as well as co-stars Lake Bell, Erinn Hayes, Ken Marino and Rob Huebel. (1-1:45 p.m., Indigo Ballroom)
The Walking Dead (AMC). Panelists includeAndrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, David Morrissey, Chad Coleman and Scott Wilson, as well as new showrunner Scott Gimple, and EPs Gale Anne Hurd, Robert Kirkman, Dave Alpert and Greg Nicotero. Moderated by The Talking Dead host Chris Hardwick. (1:35-2:30p.m., Hall H)
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC). Panelists include Joss Whedon, Marvel’s head of TV Jeph Loeb and more guests TBA. (1:45-3p.m., Ballroom 20)
NTSF:SD:SVU (Adult Swim). Panelists include Paul Scheer, Karen Gillan, Jon Stern, Curtis Gwinn, June Raphael, Martin Starr, and Brandon Jackson. (1:45-2:30 p.m., Indigo Ballroom)
The X-Files with Chris Carter. Panelists include Chris Carter, IDW’s Chris Ryall and Denton Tipton, X writer Joe Harris. (1:45-2:45p.m., Room 5AB)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon). Panelists include executive producers Ciro Nieli and Peter Hastings, as well as cast Sean Astin, Greg Cipes, Rob Paulsen, Mae Whitman and Kevin Michael Richardson. (2:15-3:15 p.m., Room 6A)
The Eric Andre Show and Hot Package (Adult Swim). Panelists include Eric Andre, Hannibal Buress, Derrick Beckles. (2:30-3:15 p.m., Indigo Ballroom)
Game of Thrones (HBO). Panelists scheduled to include John Bradley, Emilia Clarke, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Fairley, Kit Harington, Rose Leslie, and Richard Madden. (2:50-3:45p.m., Hall H)
Haven (Syfy). Panelists include Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant, Eric Balfour, Adam Copeland and Colin Ferguson. (3-4p.m., Room 6DE)
The Following (Fox). Panelists include Kevin Bacon, Shawn Ashmore and Valorie Curry join EPs Kevin Williamson and Marcos Siega. (3:15-4p.m., Ballroom 20)
Robot Chicken (Adult Swim). Panelists include Seth Green, Matthew Senreich, Douglas Goldstein, Tom Root, Breckin Meyer, Zeb Wells and Geoff Johns. Adult Swim’s Keith Crofford will moderate. (3:15-4:00p.m., Indigo Ballroom Hilton Bayfront)
Sleepy Hollow (Fox). Panelists include EPs Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (Fringe) and Len Wiseman, as well as series leads Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie. Panel to follow screening. (3:30-4:30p.m., Room 6A)
Almost Human (Fox). Panelists include Karl Urban and Michael Ealy, as well as EP J.H. Wyman. (4-5p.m., Ballroom 20)
Bob’s Burgers (Fox). Panelists include H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal and Larry Murphy. (4-5p.m., Indigo Ballroom Hilton Bayfront)
Falling Skies (TNT). Panelists include Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Connor Jessup, Colin Cunningham, Sarah Carter, Doug Jones and EPs Remi Aubuchon and Greg Beeman. Wil Wheaton will moderate. (4:30-5:30p.m., Room 6BCF)
The Paranormal and Extraterrestrial Squad (CWTV.com). Producers Milo Ventimiglia, Russ Cundiff and creators/stars John Dale and Michael Hobert introduce the digital series. (4:45-5:45p.m., Room 5AB)
Archer (FX). Panelists include H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Chris Parnell Amber Nash and Lucky Yates, as well as EPs Adam Reed and Matt Thompson. (5-6 p.m., Indigo Ballroom)
China, IL (Adult Swim). Panelists include Brad Neely, Daniel Weidenfeld, Hannibal Buress. Jonah Ray will moderate. (5-6p.m., Room 25ABC)
TV Guide Magazine Fan Favorites. Panelists include The Vampire Diaries‘ Candice Accola, True Blood‘s Kristin Bauer, The 100‘s Henry Ian Cusick, Revolution‘s Giancarlo Esposito, Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD‘s Clark Gregg, The Walking Dead‘s Danai Gurira, Teen Wolf‘s Tyler Hoechlin, The Originals‘ Joseph Morgan and Ironside‘s Blair Underwood. (5:15-6p.m., Ballroom 20)
Vikings (History). Panelists include Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, George Blagden, Gustaf Skarsgard, Jessalyn Gilsig, as well as EP Michael Hurst and History network’s Dirk Hoogstra. (6-7 p.m., Room 6A)
Brickleberry (Comedy Central). A full new episode of season two will debut, with an introduction from creators and EPs Waco O’Guin and Roger Black. (6-7p.m., Room 25ABC)
Orphan Black (BBC America).Panelists include Tatiana Maslany, Jordan Gavaris and Dylan Bruce, as well as EPs Graeme Manson and John Fawcett. (7-8 p.m., Room 7AB)
Adam and Jamie Look Toward the Future (Mythbusters, Discovery). Panelists include Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman (7-8p.m., 6BCF)
Banshee (Cinemax). Panelists include EP Greg Yaitanes, EP Jonathan Tropper and stars Antony Starr, Ivana Milicevic, Hoon Lee and Lili Simmons. (7:15-8:15p.m., Room 6A)
Husbands: The New Marriage. Panelists include creators Jane Espenson and Brad Bell, director Jeff Greenstein, and co-stars Alessandra Torresani and Sean Hemeon, as well as upcoming guest star Amy Acker. (8-9p.m., Room 7AB)
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Bates Motel (A&E).Panelists include Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Olivia Cooke and Nestor Carbonell, and EPs Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin. (10-11a.m., Room 6A)
Hasbro Studios: My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. (10-11a.m., Room 25ABC)
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (ABC).Panelists include executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. (10:15-11a.m., Ballroom 20)
Marvel Television Presents. Panelist will be Marvel’s head of television, Jeph Loeb. (10:30-11:30a.m., 6BCF)
Gravity Falls (Disney Channel). Panelists includecreator and executive producer Alex Hirsch, creative director Michael Rianda, and series stars Jason Ritter and Kristin Schaal. (11a.m.-noon, 7AB)
Once Upon a Time (ABC). Panelists include exec producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz and cast members Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Robert Carlyle, Josh Dallas, Emilie de Ravin, Colin O’Donoghue, and Michael Raymond James. (11-11:45a.m., Ballroom 20)
How I Met Your Mother (CBS). Panelists include Josh Radnor, Cobie Smulders, Jason Segel, Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan. (noon-1p.m., Indigo Ballroom Hilton Bayfront)
Futurama (Comedy Central). Panelists include Billy West, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille, David Herman, Phil LaMarr, and Lauren Tom. Plus executive producer David X. Cohen and creator Matt Groening also appear. (12-12:45p.m., Ballroom 20)
The Simpsons (Fox). Panelists include creator Matt Groening, executive producer Al Jean, supervising director Mike Anderson, and consulting producer David Silverman. (12:45-1:30p.m., Ballroom 20)
The Originals (CW). Panelists include Joseph Morgan, Claire Holt, Phoebe Tonkin, Charles Michael Davis, and EP Julie Plec. (1-2p.m., Indigo Ballroom Hilton Bayfront)
Family Guy (Fox). Panelists include Seth Green, Alex Borstein and surprise guests. (1:45-2:30, Ballroom 20)
American Dad (Fox). Will include world premiere of a song from the never-before-seen Christmas episode. (2:30-3:15, Ballroom 20)
Grimm (NBC). Panelists include David Giuntoli, Silas Weir Mitchell, Russell Hornsby, Reggie Lee, Sasha Roiz, Bitsie Tulloch, Bree Turner, Claire Coffee and EPs Todd Milliner, David Greenwalt, Jim Kouf and Norberto Barbara. A special preview of NBC’s upcoming drama Dracula will also be screened. (2:40-3:50, Room 6BCF)
Entertainment Weekly’s Women Who Kick Ass. Panelists include the Fast and Furious franchise’s Michelle Rodriguez, Orphan Black‘s Tatiana Maslany, and The Walking Dead‘s Danai Gurira.(2:55-3:55p.m., Hall H)
Pinky and the Brain 20th Anniversary Voice Reunion. Panelists include Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche, and dialogue director Andrea Romano (3-4p.m., Lyceum)
True Blood (HBO). Panelists include Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgård, EP Brian Buckner , Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Nelsan Ellis, Deborah Ann Woll, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Joe Manganiello, Anna Camp, Michael McMillian, and Rob Kazinsky. (3:30-4:15p.m., Ballroom 20)
Being Human (Syfy). Panelists include Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath, Sam Huntington, Kristen Hager and EP Anna Fricke. (4 p.m., Indigo Ballroom)
Person of Interest (CBS). Panelists include EPs Jonathan Nolan and Greg Plageman and cast members TBA. (4-4:45p.m., Room 6BCF)
The Vampire Diaries (CW). Panelists include Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham, Candice Accola, and EPs Julie Plec and Caroline Dries. (4:30-5:15p.m., Ballroom 20)
Revolution (NBC). Panelists include EP Eric Kripke and cast members TBD. (4:50-5:50, Room BCF)
Warehouse 13 (Syfy). Panelists include Eddie McClintock, Joanne Kelly, Saul Rubinek, Allison Scagliotti, and EP Jack Kenney. (5-6 p.m., Indigo Ballroom)
Rick and Morty (Adult Swim). Panelists include Dan Harmon, Justin Roiland, Ryan Ridley, Spencer Grammer, and Kari Wahlgren. (5-5.45 p.m., Room 25ABC)
Arrow (CW).Panelists include Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards, Colton Haynes, and EPs Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim and Andrew Kreisberg. (5:15-6p.m., Ballroom 20)
Adult Swim Presents. Panelists include Dave Willis and Ned Hastings preview the return of Aqua Teen TV Show Show and Squidbillies along with guests from series Superjail, Metalocalypse, Mr. Pickles and more. (5:45-7p.m., 25ABC)
The Tomorrow People (CW). Panelists include Robbie Amell, Mark Pellegrino, Peyton List, and EPs Greg Berlanti, Phil Klemmer and Danny Cannon. (5:55-6:55p.m., Room 6BCF)
Strike Back (Cinemax). Panelists include Philip Winchester, Sullivan Stapleton, Dougray Scott, Milauna Jackson and writer Michael J. Bassett. (7-8p.m., 6DE)
Lost Girl. Panelists include Kris Holden-Ried, Ksenia Solo, Zoie Palmer, and executive producers Jay Firestone and Emily Andras. Moderated by producer Vanessa Piazza.(7:15-8:15p.m., Room 6BCF)
SUNDAY, JULY 21
LEGO Legend of Chima. (10-11a.m., 24ABC)
Supernatural (CW). Panelists include Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, Mark A. Sheppard, and EPs Jeremy Carver and Robert Singer. (10-11a.m., Hall H)
Breaking Bad (AMC). Panelists include EP Vince Gilligan, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, R. J. Mitte, and Bob Odenkirk. (11:15-12:15p.m., Hall H)
Teen Titans Go! (Cartoon Network). Panelists include voice cast Greg Cipes and Scott Menville, as well as producer Aaron Horvath. (11:45-12:45p.m., 6BCF)
BBC America’s Doctor Who 50th Anniversary. Panelists include Matt Smith, Jenna Coleman, EP Steven Moffat, David Bradley and Mark Gatiss. (12:30-1:30p.m., Hall H)
Community (NBC). Panelists include Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Jim Rash, Ken Jeong and EPs Dan Harmon and Chris McKenna. (1:50-2:45p.m., Hall H)
Under the Dome (CBS). Panelists include Dean Norris, Mike Vogel, Rachelle Lefevre, and EPs Neal Baer and Brian K. Vaughan. (2.15-3.15 p.m., Room 6BCF)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX). Panelists include Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito. (3-3.50 p.m., Hall H)
Sons of Anarchy (FX). Panelists include creator Kurt Sutter and stars Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal, Ron Perlman, Maggie Siff, Kim Coates, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan, Theo Rossi, Dayton Callie and Jimmy Smits. (3.50-4.30 p.m., Hall H.)
The long 4th of July weekend proved to be a really sweet time for Gru and the rest of the clan from Despicable Me 2. The Universal/Illumination title, which began its run in U.S. theaters on July 3, ruled the box office in the number one spot and brought in a spectacular $82.5 million during the three-day weekend, and a total cume of $142.1 million for the overall holiday period. The pic also posted the biggest 5-day opening for an animated film and the top 3-day animated opening in July.
The movie, which is directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, continues to dazzle in global territories as well. According to Deadline.com, the combined international cume of the movie is currently at $293.2 million and is on its way to hit $300 million through Sunday. The sequel’s opening is among the top animated openings of all time in every market. Plus, the movie has yet to open in 18 more territories.
Meanwhile the Minions are also wreaking havoc on the itunes, Amazon and Google’s Play store. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first Despicable Me movie from 2010 was the No. 1 movie download on iTunes and Amazon as of Friday morning. The film is available to rent (starting at $2.99) and buy ($9.99) on both sites. Despicable Me was also the No. 9 rented title on Google Play ($2.99).
Sitting at the No. 4 spot, Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University also continued to attract large family audiences to theaters. The pic, which opened on June 21st, has made $216.1 million domestically and over $400.5 million globally.
Here’s the estimated top 10 U.S. box office chart for this past weekend:
Sadly as we were getting ready for the long weekend, we got word that two major children’s animation companies have gone into administration. French/U.S. animation studio Moonscoop appointed an administrator on June 20, according to French business information site Societe.com. Moonscoop, which has a studio in Paris and another in LA through its acquisition of Mike Young Productions in 2006, is behind such popular animated series as Code Lyoko, Chloe’s Closet, Geronimo Stilton, Dive Olly Dive and Casper’s Scare School.
Also experiencing major financial difficulties is Wales-based Dinamo Productions, the animation studio which has worked on shows such as Rastamouse and Abadas. The company filed for insolvency on June 26, per U.K. business directory Companies House. Administrator Begbies Traynor is handling the matter. Dinamo was founded in 2004 by Owen Stickler and Aron Evans.
European children’s media production and distribution company Planeta Junior has signed a deal with Italy’s Rainbow to manage the licenses in Spain for four of its key animated series, Mia and Me, Winx Club, Pop Pixie and Huntik.
Planeta Junior’s intl. sales director Diego Ibáñez, noted, “This new agreement will enable us to expand our catalogue with new properties that are sure to be a success here in Spain.” Maurizio Distefano, exec vp and general manager of Rainbow, added, “We think Planeta Junior is the ideal partner for the distribution of these properties in Spain.”
The new LEGO Legends of Chima, which debuts this month on Cartoon Network, may be this summer’s best guilty pleasure viewing.
LEGO toys have been around since 1949, but we are seeing a completely new renaissance of interest in the famous Danish plastic interlocking bricks. As we anticipate 2014’s big Warner Bros. movie directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, let’s hear it for an engaging new CG-animated series debuting on Cartoon Network that features a complete new line of LEGO characters. Legends of Chima, which is set in a rich world inhabited by eight warring tribes of anthropomorphic animals, is just the kind of show that is bound to cast a spell on young viewers this summer. Each week, the plot thickens as the various beast clans fight over a powerful natural resource called Chi, which has the power of life and destruction. Think of it as a G-rated version of Game of Thrones, with various animals fighting for supremacy in Chima!
The series showcases some very cool CG animation produced by M2Film, one of Denmark’s leading studios. The project is led by supervising producer Ole Holm Christensen, who has also shepherded various LEGO Star Wars and LEGO Indiana Jones projects in the past few years. During a phone interview from his studio, he shared some of the key challenges and rewards of the project.
“Because of the magnitude of the show—20 x 22-minute-long episodes—we knew that this was going to be a challenging task,” says Christensen. “We had to deliver the episodes in less than two years … it is the equivalent of producing about five and a half feature films.”
LEGO Legends of Chima
Christiansen says he and his creative team enjoyed diving in to the rich world of Chima, a vast universe divided by different tribes of lions, wolves, elephants, ravens, eagles, crocodiles, gorillas, bears and rhinos. And those are just the major clans.
“It helped a lot that we were involved from the early stages of development and design,” says Christensen. “Our designers, art directors, animators, everyone couldn’t wait to sink their teeth into the project. Our art team, which is spread out all over the world, created lots of concept art of the series. The goal was to create something special that, at least in our view, was unique and hadn’t been seen before on television.”
“I think it’s the first time I’ve written a show that actually got bigger and more spectacular as it was animated,” says L.A.-based Chima writer John Derevlany, whose numerous credits include Kick Buttowski, Johnny Test, Wayside and The League of Super Evil.“Usually things get dramatically scaled back for production reasons. In the case of Legends of Chima, everything got even more epic. I think the show is quite special because it tells simple children’s stories set against incredible action scenes and a very deep, immersive mythology.”
LEGO Legends of Chima
The artists found their inspiration for the Chima world from a wide variety of sources.
“We looked at many different elements of pop culture,” says the producer. “We wanted to really raise the bar for what we can expect from CG animation on TV.”
Working with a team of over 300, spread out in various locations around the world—Denmark, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Mumbai and Bangkok, to name a few—Christensen says the project demanded a very efficient Maya-based CG pipeline and heavy render famers to push the animation forward. Once the animatics are figured out it takes about 12 weeks to produce the animation for each episode.
LEGO Legends of Chima
“We use a fair amount of time on preproduction and layout,” he points out. “The more time we spend on preproduction, the faster we’re able to hit our mark.”
“Each year the advances in technology have worked in our favorite,” Christensen adds. “Things that were impossible to do for a TV series, like creating CG water or adding believable effects shots, are taken for granted now. We can make things look better and better today, for the same amount of money we spent before.”
One area that is still a tricky one for a TV CG-animated series is creating believable hair and animal fur. Luckily, the Chima characters are designed to have that pristine sheen of the classic toys, so the animators were able to skip the fur part altogether and go with the shiny texture expected from LEGO figures. Just as it did with the hugely successful Ninjago series, LEGO is also introducing new Chima toys to coincide with the U.S. premiere of the show on Cartoon Network this summer. (CN aired three episodes of the series earlier this year, but July marks the official debut of the first season of Chima.)
LEGO Legends of Chima
Ultimately, it all boils down to providing the audience with that rare experience of visiting a place they haven’t seen before.
“Chima feels like such a vast world—there’s a grand sense of scale here. The storytelling is really top of the line. And you get to know all these different animal tribes, which all act and move differently from one another,” notes Christensen, who also admits that the sneaky wolves are his favorite Chima tribe. “I do believe that we’ve only scratched the surface.”
LEGO Legends of Chima debuts on Cartoon Network on July 10 at 8 p.m.
LEGO Legends of ChimaLEGO Legends of ChimaLEGO Legends of ChimaLEGO Legends of Chima
Fox-TV plans to introduce its audience to two of its late-night animated shows Axe Cop and High School U.S.A! during primetime on July 21. The two highly anticipated toons, which are produced at the Animation Domination High-Def studios in Los Angeles, will air during the 9:30 p.m. half-hours instead of American Dad repeats.
The block’s official premiere is officially set for Saturday, July 27, at 11 p.m. It will will now feature new originals of both series and encores of the July 21 episodes—followed by an encore of The Cleveland Show.
Fox’s ADHD block was originally supposed to be 90 minutes long—but now it will only run for an hour. The network will return the first midnight half-hour to affiliates beginning September 7.
Axe Cop is exec produced by toon veterans Dave Jeser and Matthew Silverstein (Drawn Together) and features the voice of Nick Offerman, Megan Mullaly, Patton Oswalt, Ken Marino and Peter Serafinowicz. The show is based on the original web-comic created by then five-year-old Malachai Nicolle. His brother Ethan Nicolle (29) created the comic’s art. Axe Cop was developed by ADHD president and former Adult Swim development head Nick Weidenfeld and Judah Miller (American Dad). Here is the trailer:
Axe Cop
High School USA! is created and written by Dino Stamapotoulos (Community, Moral Orel, Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole) and offers a wicked spoof of sappy high school dramas and sitcoms such as High School Musical and Saved by the Bell as well as Archie comics. The voice cast Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men) and Mandy Moore (Tangled).
High School USA!
ADHD is planning to make a big splash at Comic-Con this year. Read more about this exciting new toon block in the July issue of Animation Magazine.
Judging from its latest teaser trailer, we have a feeling LAIKA studio’s stop-motion feature The Boxtrolls is going to be one of the more innovative and original projects of 2014. The beautifully designed film, which is directed by Anthony Stacchi (Open Season) and Graham Annable, features the voice talents of Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Elle Fanning, Toni Collette, Jared Harris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade and Tracy Morgan.
The 3D film tells the tale of the Boxtrolls creatures who live underneath the charming streets of Cheesebridge, and crawl out of the sewers at night to steal what the townspeople hold most dear: their children and their cheeses. At least, that’s the legend the townspeople have always believed. In truth, the Boxtrolls are a community of lovable oddballs who are raising as one of their own an abandoned and orphaned human boy named Eggs. When the Boxtrolls are targeted by an evil exterminator who is bent on eradicating them, Eggs must venture aboveground to save them. That’s where he teams with an adventurous young girl to save not only the Boxtrolls but the soul of Cheesebridge.
It’s great to see Travis Knight and his talented team at LAIKA (ParaNorman, Coraline) continue the tradition of working on projects that push the envelope and give us top-notch entertainment sprinkled with subtle modern social messages.
Here is the latest teaser and poster for the movie, which will be released by Focus Features on September 26, 2014.
Disney Company CEO Robert Iger has added another 15 months to his contract after deciding against running for governor of California, says The Hollywood Reporter. Although Iger never publicly expressed his interest in the gubernatorial post, it was believed that he had political ambitions. Sources also said that he wanted to oversea the completion of Disney’s $3.7 billion theme park in Shanghai, which is looking at a 2016 opening date. It’s also said that Iger wanted to oversee the opening of Lucasfilm’s new Star Wars movie, which will be directed by J.J. Abrams.
Iger was originally expected to step down as CEO in March of 2015 and to serve as exec chairman until June 30, 2015. However, according to a regulatory filing, he will now stay in his current post until 2016.
The CEO’s base salary will remain unchanged and his targets, incentives and bonuses for fiscal 2016 will be the same as the ones applied in 2015. Iger earned $40 million in the most recent fiscal year (up 20% from 2011). Disney shares were up 76 percent in the same period.
Nothing says summer has officially arrived in Los Angeles better than enjoying a family concert under the stars at the city’s historic Hollywood Bowl venue. Toon lovers get a special treat this weekend when Warner Bros. presents the world premiere of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II event at the Bowl on Friday (July 5) and Saturday (July 6) at 8 p.m.
The concert will feature performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic led by Emmy-winning creator and conductor George Daugherty. Among the music planned the evening are original scores by Carl W. Stalling, Milt Franklyn and Scott Bradley based on works by Wagner, Rossini, von Suppé, J. Strauss II, Smetana, and Liszt, while iconic Warner Bros. Looney Tunes are displayed on the Hollywood Bowl’s giant new LED screens.
This 2013 edition of the concert features some of our favorite Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts on display on the big screen. There’s nothing quite like catching Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, Tweety, Sylvester, and others in this unique surrounding. Classic cartoons such as What’s Opera, Doc? (1957), The Rabbit of Seville (1950) and Duck Amuck (1953) are on tap as well as two recent 3-D, CG-animated Warner Bros. efforts—the 2011 short I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat and 2010’s Coyote Falls (both directed by Matthew O’Callaghan, with scores by Christopher Lennertz). There’s also a special appearance by “Tom and Jerry in the Hollywood Bowl!”
“A big reason that I score movies is because movie music is something I remember really fondly from being a kid,” composer Christopher Lennertz said in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times. “I would submerge myself in the characters I loved and play the music along with them. Looney Tunes was definitely a part of that.”
The Nickelodeon Group has promoted Andrea Fasulo to the post of senior VP of of retail and movie marketing. In her new role, Fasulo will be responsible for leading marketing initiatives at retail and across e-commerce channels. She will also manage the relationship with Paramount Pictures for Nickelodeon Movies, and coordinate the licensing and promotional efforts around films. She will report to Dion Vlachos, senior VP of retail sales and marketing.
Fasulo was VP of integrated marketing, movie and video games prior to this promotion. Since joining the company in 2001, she has created, managed and executed marketing and promotional partnerships across the network’s platforms. She has worked with global brand partners across diverse categories including Burger King, Pepsi, P&G, Masterfoods, Hasbro, Volkswagen and Marriott. Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Fasulo worked at Cartoon Network in the sales and marketing division.
Hugo Ozman of Twitchfilm.com reports that giant murals have been unveiled in 26 theaters across Japan today celebrating images from 21 Studio Ghibli features made between 1984 and 2013. The campaign is a tie-in marketing push for Hayao Miyazaki’s July 20 release The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu) and the fall title Takahata Isao’s The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Kaguya-hime no Monogatari). According to Ozman, the murals are about 12.8 tall and 82.7 feet wide (3.9 m X 25.2 m).
The 21 films featured in the mural are (from left to right): Ocean Waves, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Laputa Castle in the Sky, Tales from Earthsea, From Up On Poppy Hill, Porco Rosso, Grave of the Fireflies, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Princess Mononoke, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, Spirited Away, Whisper of the Heart, Pom Poko, The Wind Rises, The Cat Returns, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, Only Yesterday, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, My Neighbors the Yamadas and The Borrower Arrietty.
OK, we are now even more envious of Japanese moviegoers who get to see Miyazaki’s latest movie on the 20th of July.
Although the Universal/Illumination animated feature hasn’t opened in the U.S. yet, the film has already made over $41.5 million from only seven international territories. The pic, which will open on Tuesday (July 2nd) in the U.S. came in at No. 4 internationally. Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University is currently playing in 37 territories and brought in $44.2 million overseas.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Despicable 2 is performing better than Despicable Me, Kung Fu Panda 2, The Croods, Shrek Forever After and the last two Madagascar pics in the same seven territories. In Australia, Despicable 2 is even ahead of Monsters University.
Despicable 2 went straight up to No. 1 in the U.K., France, French Switzerland, Netherlands and Belgium and was beaten only by Man of Steel in Sweden and Australia.In the U.K., it debuted to $15.2 million, Universal’s top opening of all time and the No. 1 opening of 2013 so far. Including previews, Despicable has earned a total of $23.3 million in the U.K. and Ireland. In France, the movie has already made $8 million.
Here’s a featurette about the movie, which is directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, and showcases the voice talents of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig and Benjamin Bratt.
