It is that time of year again; when hordes of fans and celebrities converge upon San Diego and for one weekend turn the city into the Mecca of geek culture. Courtesy of the Official SDCC website here is a list of some of the panels of interest to look out for over the course of San Diego Comic-Con weekend which begins Thursday 20th July and runs right through until Sunday 23rd July. But before we cover the convention's possible sci-fi (and Heroes) highlights, we have some bad news for fans of the event.
First appearing at the 2011 SDCC, Nerd HQ, founded by Chuck star Zachary Levi, has over the past six years given fans the opportunity to experience a more personal and entertaining series of panels than those offered in the main convention. Although those wishing to attend the panels must pay for admittance, monies raised from the events ticket sales are donated to the charity Operation Smile, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past six years. In past years the event has given fans countless hours of unforgettable entertainment, laughs, and heartfelt tears. Unfortunately, despite Zach's best efforts he sadly had to announce back in May that Nerd HQ cannot make it to SDCC 2017...
Also, despite thoroughly checking the schedule it seems as though both Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures will not be attending this years SDCC. Considering both Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Godzilla: King of the Monsters are currently filming this is unsurprising, but with the sequel to 2015's Jurassic World expected in theaters next June it is somewhat surprising that Universal Pictures is not promoting their movie at this year's event.
Remember - this is a list of possible highlights for the upcoming SDCC weekend, as is usually the case each year we won't know the real highlights until after the event.
Thursday, July 20th
Director of the classic Ghostbusters movies Ivan Reitman will join IDW's Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening, and Tom Waltz in an hour-long panel discussing and celebrating the treasured franchise. The panel starts at 10:15 am in Room 6DE.
The creators and cast of SYFY's critically acclaimed hit reboot of the classic '80's TV show Battlestar Galactica will reminisce, discuss and debate with fans aspects of the show. The reunion panel starts at 2:30 pm in Ballroom 20.
20th Century Fox has a mystery panel beginning 11:30 am in the events illustrious Hall H. Could this be our first look at Shane Blacks The Predator, which recently finishing filming in Vancouver and is expected to hit theaters next August. (picture from this May's Licensing Expo in Las Vegas)
Celebrating 25 years of Stargate special guests will celebrate with fans the beloved franchise while exploring the "next chapter" in the Stargate universe. The celebration starts at 6:00 pm at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.
Netflix will also be unveiling an original movie at the Horton Grand Theater at 10:00 pm. Reports suggest this panel will feature coverage of Bright (from Suicide Squad director David Ayer) and Death Note.
Friday, July 21st
Robert Kirkman and Gale Anne Hurd will join the cast and crew of The Walking Dead and its highly successful spin-off series, with a reported look forward to what the future holds. Catch up on your zombie action at 11:15 am in Hall H.
Featuring the voice of Batman Kevin Conroy, the cast and crew of the forthcoming Batman and Harley Quinn animated movie will host a panel to premiere the animated movie brought to fans by Batman: The Animated Series animation legend Bruce Timm. The premiere will screen in Ballroom 20 at 7:00 pm, with a repeat screening at 9:30 pm.
Saturday, July 22nd
Warner Bros. Pictures will be descending upon Hall H at 11:30 am, likely promoting this November's Justice League, and other DCEU Movies.
The cast and crew of the forthcoming fifth spin-off based upon Gene Roddenberry's classic 1960's TV show will host a panel introducing Trekkies to the new Star Trek: Discovery. Beam into Ballroom 20 at 2:30 pm.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and some special guests will give fans a look at what is to come for the ever growing and much coveted Marvel Cinematic Universe. As well as peeks at the forthcoming Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther movies, it is likely that fans will be treated to the first teaser trailer for Avengers: Infinity War. Fans should assemble in Hall H at 5:30 pm.
Serving as an introduction to the new Audible series The X-Files: Cold Cases, the panel will feature David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson and familiar faces from the long-running cult TV show. Uncover the truth in Room 6A at 6:45 pm.
Franchise star Casper Van Dien and the makers of the animated sequel to the iconic 1997 original, Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars, will promote and discuss the upcoming movie with fans who should march onto Room 7AB at 7:30 pm.
Sunday, July 23rd
The cast and crew of the hit British sci-fi TV show Doctor Who will offer a sneak peek at the show's Christmas special, which will mark Peter Capaldi's last episode as the enigmatic time traveler. Capaldi will be joined by co-stars Matt Lucas, Pearl Mackie and Michelle Gomez along with showrunner Stephen Moffat. This, the final Hall H panel of the SDCC starts at 2:00 pm.
Celebrated Alien novelist Alan Dean Foster will be joined by fellow Alien and Predator authors Jonathan Maberry, Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Scott Sigler and Seanan McGuire to discuss the past, present and future of the Alien/Predator extended universe. The panel begins at 3:45 pm in Room 5AB.
Additionally, throughout SDCC weekend many of the usual suspects will be in attendance including Supernatural, Big Bang Theory, and Dr. Horribles Sing Along. Movie coverage at this year's event does seem lighter than in recent years though, with many of the non-comic book based panels covering both TV shows like Defenders and Stranger Things and video games such as Overwatch and Destiny 2.
