SDCC 2013 -- Marvel Rules (Part 2): Captain America Winter Soldier; Thor Dark World; Tom Hiddleston Wins Cosplay as Loki; Avengers Age of Ultron

Earlier on Marvel took the stage at Hall H and revealed more than I am hoping for. I was secretly hoping Marvel to announce the cast of Avengers 2 (aka Avengers: Age of Ultron), but seeing they have a few things to release before they wrap phase II with Avengers, I completely understand and still in love with Marvel. Don't announce anything else until I get to SDCC next year!

I cannot think of a better way to start this. Marvel has a history of blowing Hall H's roof off the planet -- the announcement of the cast of Avengers, RDJ danced his way in to Hall H with the Iron Man hand, and now Tom Hiddleston's appearance in character. There is something different and something to talk about every year!

Tom Hiddleston has shown us THIS IS HOW YOU DO COSPLAY! I thought Andrew Garfield's in full Spidey costume yesterday was admirable, but Tom took this to the next level! Can anyone top that? No! The crowd went nuts! LOKI LOKI LOKI LOKI!!!!!! 



I didn't want to have dinner and chant all night! He's turned me! LOKI LOKI LOKI LOKI LOKI LOKI!!!!!! Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman weren't there, which to me was disappointing. But Tom Hiddleston's introduction as Loki was more than enough for me to forgive the cast for not being there! I know Thor the Dark World will be good. It can't go wrong! 

Then, it was the Captain America Winter Soldier panel. While there weren't any major spoilers that I didn't know about, I am impressed by the cast's commitment for being there. I make no apology when I say I need more Chris Evans and Scarlett Johannson now! They are so adorable and pretty. It isn't the first time they work together. Happiness!!! 

Tom is like.. what's wrong with you people? You came unprepared?

I NEED THIS!

There are a number of [SPOILER] photos from the set. I NEED TO WATCH THIS MOVIE NOW!!! More wrap up can be read at ComicBookMovie.

And of course, the next big news is the announcement of the title of the next Avengers movie! it's not Avengers 2, technically it is, but it has been named AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON. IGN has this really good reaction piece with a bit of history of Ultron. The guys always talk about Cap, Thor and Guardians. 



There is no announcement of cast for AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, but I think with Thor and Cap are waiting in the wing to take off, to announce the cast will be a bit premature.  

 

SDCC 2013 -- Marvel Rules (Part 1)

Fans have completely lost it! I know I would if I was in the audience. I would loose my voice, my soul, my integrity, my shit.  

Marvel knows what they are doing and how to do it. There are many things I want to cover, but let's do this chronologically and start with Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Agent Carter and Guardians of the Galaxy. I'll have the Thor and Cap stuff in Part 2. 

The S.H.I.E.L.D panel took place on Friday. Seeing all the tweets is enough to get my to cloud eleven, I can't imagine what I'd do if I was in the audience. Joss Whedon announced to the audience during the panel that they were to see the entire pilot of the TV series. Why wouldn't anyone loose their shit?

The TV series premieres on September 24 on ABC. As expected, no one was allowed to film anything during the panel, or a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent would take them out. Here are a few reactions from Twitter. 

Buzzfeed has a comprehensive analysis on the pilot. If you don't want spoilers, don't read it. My reaction from watching the TV promo alone is that the show looks expansive to produce. If Marvel does this right, this can go on for years! We will see familiar faces -- Coulson and Hill. With How I Met Your Mother coming to an end, I hope Cobie Smulders (Agent Maria Hill) will become a regular on S.H.I.E.L.D. She is a familiar face on TV and Hill was pretty good in Avengers and convincing as an S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Put Samuel L Jackson on and I will kneel before the TV every week!

It is a Marvel thing, we can expect characters and stories integration. It's only logical and it's a smart move. I think it is a big challenge to have RDJ, Chris Evens and Chris Hemsworth or Scarlett Johannson to guest star on the TV series, but they aren't the only heroes, there are so many superheros in the Marvel universe, why wouldn't you want to expand and build the future of pop culture?

Marvel isn't falling into the trap of writing only a few characters, like Superman and Batman to DC, otherwise things will eventually grow tired and will be done to death. What I am saying is, you won't see two Supermans running separately on the big screen and on TV at the same time, you won't see disintegration in the franchise. I hope they will somehow integrate Spiderman into Avengers. Everything is being as well planned as possible. Marvel has the same guy heading the whole initiative -- Joss Whedon. Enough said!

I am even more excited Channel Seven -- an Australian TV network -- is fast-tracking the TV series in September!!

When I got home last night, Batman Forever was on TV. I used to love the Batman franchise, but as I become more and more aware of characters and stories in pop culture, the more I grow tired of characters who are the cliche love interests in superheroes or James Bond movies. I hate them. Oh save me. Oh shut up! I was watching Chase Meridian in Batman Forever and I couldn't stand her! I guess it wasn't forever after all!

Female as love interests are so poorly written in pop culture sometimes and it reflects how our society operates. But if you look at strong female characters like Peggy Carter, Black Widow, Sarah Walker (Chuck), Dana Scully, Buffy and Hillary Clinton (wait.. what?)... I immediately look at the world differently. You don't have to fit in and do what everyone else does. Kick it in the ass babes!

What was I going say? Oh yes, Agent Carter is not gone, in fact she is still very much integrated into the story of Captain America. The Marvel One Shot: Agent Carter will focus on the tracking down the mysterious 'Zodiac'. You will see Dominic Cooper (aka Howard Stark) reprising his role. This can be seen in the Iron Man III DVD and Blu-ray. I think Hayley Atwell should reprise her role in a Peggy Carter spin-off. There's at least 70 years of material there! Will we finally get to see Howard and Peggy have fondue? There should totally be a spin off on THAT!

Guardians of the Galaxy is not something I think about all the time. In fact, this is the first time I talk about it. I know zero about this team of interstellar heroes that protect the galaxy. That's pretty big, right? I think the idea sounds so big, I need to make this as a side project. Cast include Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Benicio del Toro, John C. Reilly and Glenn Close. You can read more about the panel at IGN. The cast flew in from London just for this panel. 

With Thor The Dark World, Captain America: Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron coming up, my blogging schedule is pretty full on, but I am still very interested in seeing Guardians and where the story goes. It looks like pretty bad ass!

Updated: SDCC 2013 -- Program Schedule Released

Can you feel it? SDCC 2013 is happening TODAY! This is going to be another insane year, one that I hope no one stabs anybody anywhere with a pencil.

I love these shows but I am also glad I am not there to queue up and be squashed. Not only I have to get my mind in the right place, if I am going, I also need to be physically fit and dress up. Too much work! If you are going, have fun and may the force be with you!

Below is my schedule. I have set my alarm to get up nice and early in the morning to follow all the tweets and excitement. For a completely insane schedule, go to the official site for details.  

May the force be with you all. Live long and prosper. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17  
6:00pm -- 10:00pm Ballroom 20

Pilot screenings:
Almost Human (stars Karl Urban)
The Tomorrow People (stars Mark Pellegrino, Robbie Amell)
The 100 (stars Henry Ian Cusick)
The Originals will have a special screening including unseen footage.

THURSDAY, JULY 18

The X-Files 20th Anniversary (3:30pm -- 4:30pm, Ballroom 20)
Panellists: Chris Carter, David Amann, Vince Gilligan, Howard Gordon, Darin Morgan, Glen Morgan, John Shiban and Jim Wong joined by Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.

FRIDAY, JULY 19
 
The World's End: Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost Reunited (10:00am -- 11:00am, Hall H)
Panellists: Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

The Walking Dead (1:35pm -- 2:30pm, Hall H)
Panelists: EPs -- Scott Gimple, EPs Gale Anne Hurd, Robert Kirkman, Dave Alpert and Greg Nicotero. Cast -- Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, David Morrissey, Chad Coleman and Scott Wilson.

The 100 (12:45pm -- 1:45pm, Room 6BCF)
Panelists: Eliza Taylor, Thomas McDonell, Marie Avgeropoulos, Henry Ian Cusick, Matthew Miller, Jason Rothenberg

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1:45pm -- 3:00pm, Ballroom 20)
Panelists: Joss Whedon, Jeph Loeb

The X-Files with Creator Chris Carter (1:45pm -- 2:45pm, Room 5AB)
Panelists: Chris Carter, Chris Ryall and Denton Tipton, Joe Harris, plus a surprise guest or two!

A Game of Thrones (2:50pm -- 3:45pm, Hall H)
Panelists: David Benioff and D. B. Weiss with Emilia Clarke, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Fairley, Kit Harington, John Bradley, Rose Leslie and Richard Madden. 

Almost Human (4:00pm -- 5:00pm, Ballroom 20)
Panelists: Karl Urban, Michael Ealy, J.H. Wyman

Dark Horse: Joss Whedon (6:15pm -- 7:15pm, Ballroom 20)
Panelist: Joss Whedon

SATURDAY, JULY 20

A Conversation with Joss Whedon (10am, Nerd HQ)
This is an off site panel organised by Nerd HQ. Ticket details here.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (10:15am -- 11:00am, Ballroom 20) 
Panelists: Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz

The Tick 25th Anniversary (1:00pm -- 2:00pm, Room 23ABC)
Panelists: Ben Edlund, Chris McCulloch, Bob Polio 

Once Upon a Time (1:00am -- 1:45am, Ballroom 20) 
Panelists: Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz with Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Robert Carlyle, Josh Dallas, Emilie de Ravin, Colin O'Donoghue and Michael Raymond James.

The Originals (1:00pm -- 2:00pm Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront)
Panelists: Joseph Morgan, Claire Holt, Phoebe Tonkin, Charles Michael Davis, Julie Plec 

Being Human (4:00pm -- 5:00pm Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront)
Panelists: Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath, Sam Huntington, Kristen Hager and EP Anna Fricke will be on the panel.

Revolution (4:50pm -- 5:50pm, Room 6BCF)
Panelists: Eric Kripke (hopefully he is not flying solo, otherwise it will be awkward)

The Tomorrow People (5:55pm -- 6:55pm, Room 6BCF)
Panelists: Robbie Amell, Mark Pellegrino, Peyton List, Greg Berlanti, Phil Klemmer, Danny Cannon

Arrow (5:15pm -- 6:00pm, Ballroom 20)
Panelists: Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards, Colton Haynes, Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg

Marvel Studios: Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier 6:00pm -- 7:00pm, Hall H)
Panelists: Kevin Feige and many surprise guests

SUNDAY, JULY 21

Supernatural (10:00am -- 11:00am, Hall H)
Panelists: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Mark A. Sheppard, Jeremy Carver, Robert Singer

Note: The official program indicates fans will be treated to an exclusive video presentation featuring series highlights, and a portion of the special features from the upcoming DVD. I am guessing the gag reel?

A Conversation with Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles (July 21, 2013, 2pm, Nerd HQ) 
Panelists: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki

George R. R. Martin Discusses the Skin Trade Adaptation (12:00pm -- 1:00pm, Room 25ABC) 
Panelist: G.R.R.M 

SDCC Update -- X Files 20th Anniversary; Marvel; Thor The Dark World; Captain America Winter Soldier; Schedule Update

We are weeks away from SDCC. As a fan who can't be there, not only I am getting super excited about the event, I am also killing myself. Why am I not there this year? 

A number of updates have WOW'd me. Here is one. I am excited to hear not only Christ Carter will be there with David Amann, Vince Gilligan, Howard Gordon, Darin Morgan, Glen Morgan, John Shiban and Jim Wong, Hollywood Reporter and SDCC Unofficial Blog also confirmed Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny will be joining the panel on Thursday 18th July at 3:30 p.m. in Ballroom 20.

When I learnt X-Files will be there to celebrate its 20th Anniversary, I was secretly hoping they will announce the next movie. Whatever. To get into the mood and it is the show's 20th Anniversary this year, I quickly opened the X Files box set that has been sitting in my room for a few weeks and watched the first season, thanks for a trusted source. This is not a show I talk about, but this is a show that changed a lot of things for good during an important phase of my life.  

I was made aware of the fact that J.J Abrams wrote a Preface for The Complete X-Files: Behind the Series the Myths and the Movies (2008), again thanks to a trusted source. I may not mean anything then, but it totally makes me cry now that I have watched 75% of Abrams' work. It got me thinking, The X Files is so influential indeed to pop culture, writers, directors and genre shows. Every now and then you have something that changed the culture and the industry -- Star Wars being one. And on TV, you have The X Files which has influenced shows such as Lost and Supernatural. If there is a time to revisit this brilliant work of art, this is the time! 20th years on and the truth is still out there! 

Another piece of news that got me excited is that Marvel is bringing Thor: The Dark World to SDCC. Thor is my least favourite of all Marvel Avengers movies. But I still love it. When I say least favourite, I mean, I watch it less than Captain America, Avengers and Iron Man, which I watched pretty much every second week, I watched Thor is every month or every second month. Whatever.

The last but certain NOT LEAST, is that the appearance of Captain America: Winter Soldier. OMFG! Cap is my favourite of Marvel superhero. He just is! 

Captain America: Winter Soldier concept art. Source: Collider

Now, I read stuff from various sources -- Collider, Empire and SDCC Unofficial Blog -- Marvel is definitely making an appearance and will own the Hall H stage on July 20th. A lot of people are expecting a lot of things -- cast appearance, exclusive footage and the announcement of phase three stuff. There are a lot of reasonable speculations about who might be there and what Marvel might reveal. One thing for sure, it'd be very stupid of Marvel not to utilize Hall H this year and reconfirm their position in the pop culture and the market. 

Anyhoo, in light of all the updates, I have revised my schedule. PS, this is only my shortlist, so that I know when to get up and follow live tweets. For a complete schedule of TV panels, go to Hollywood Reporter for details.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

Pilot screenings:

Almost Human (stars Karl Urban)
The Tomorrow People (stars Mark Pellegrino, Robbie Amell)
The 100 (stars Henry Ian Cusick)
The Originals will have a special screening including unseen footage.

THURSDAY, JULY 18

The X-Files 20th Anniversary (3:30 p.m. Ballroom 20)
Panellists: Chris Carter, David Amann, Vince Gilligan, Howard Gordon, Darin Morgan, Glen Morgan, John Shiban and Jim Wong joined by Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.

FRIDAY, JULY 19
*Schedule and room allocation to be announced*
 
The Walking Dead (Hall H)
Panelists: EPs -- Scott Gimple, EPs Gale Anne Hurd, Robert Kirkman, Dave Alpert and Greg Nicotero. Cast -- Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, David Morrissey, Chad Coleman and Scott Wilson.

Almost Human
Panelists: Karl Urban, Michael Ealy, J.H. Wyman

The 100
Panelists: Eliza Taylor, Thomas McDonell, Marie Avgeropoulos, Henry Ian Cusick, Matthew Miller, Jason Rothenberg

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Panelists: Joss Whedon, Jeph Loeb

SATURDAY, JULY 20
*Schedule and room allocation to be announced*

Arrow
Panelists: Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards, Colton Haynes, Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg

The Originals
Panelists: Joseph Morgan, Claire Holt, Phoebe Tonkin, Charles Michael Davis, Julie Plec

Revolution
Panelists: Eric Kripke (hopefully he is not flying solo, otherwise it will be awkward)

The Tomorrow People
Panelists: Robbie Amell, Mark Pellegrino, Peyton List, Greg Berlanti, Phil Klemmer, Danny Cannon

Being Human (4 p.m. Indigo Ballroom)
Panelists: Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath, Sam Huntington, Kristen Hager and EP Anna Fricke will be on the panel.

Once Upon a Time; Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
Panellists: TBA

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Hall H)
Panelists: TBA

Thor The Dark World (Hall H)
Panelists: TBA

SUNDAY, JULY 21
*Schedule to be announced*

Supernatural (Hall H. Time TBA)
Panelists: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Mark A. Sheppard, Jeremy Carver, Robert Singer

No announcement has been made by HBO about Game of Thrones. I am sure they will be there!