Informed Art - Comic-Con Revealed

Hilgenbrink, Monk and Parker.

The final panel in Hall H for Thursday was Dark Castle, highlighting the new direct-to-DVD horror film, “The Hills Ran Red,” “Ninja Assassin” and “RocknRolla. For “The Hills Ran Red” producer Joel Silver introduced actors Tad Hilgenbrink and Sophie Monk, along with director Dave Parker. The film follows a group of horror fans who seek out a mysterious legendary horror film, which they discover has never stopped filming. The filmmakers showed the audience the trailer, which they guarantee will fulfill gore fans need for the red stuff.

Rain, Harris and McTeigue.

Next up was “Ninja Assassin,” director James McTeigue’s follow-up to “V for Vendetta.” The film, produced by Silver and the Wachowski Bros., stars Korean pop sensation Rain and Naomie Harris (“28 Days Later”), who were both at the Con. Many of the attendees swooned over Rain, who had help fielding the English questions with the help of an interpreter. Silver unveiled the first action-packed trailer, which also features a high gallon count on the red stuff as well. Rain told the fans that he really hopes that his big Hollywood debut will be a hit. Silver added that he had long wanted to make a ninja picture, but needed to find a way to bring it into the 21^st century.

Piven, Butler, Richie, Ludacris & Elba.

Closing the panel was the debut trailer for Guy Richie’s next film, “RocknRolla.” In addition to Richie, the actors on the panel included Gerard Butler (“300”), Jeremy Piven (“Entourage”), Ludacris (“Crash”), and Idris Elba (“The Wire”). Many of the fevered fans in the audience we there hoping to see Butler take his shirt off. Silver and many of the actors stressed that this film is equal or even better than Richie’s earlier work on “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch.” The trailer they showed highlighted the same mix of violence and humor that was signature to those two films. All the actors commented on how well the script was written and how perfectly Richie has the film envisioned in his mind. When asked about a memorable moment on set, Butler recalled getting sick and having Richie’s wife Madonna give him a B12 shot in the bum.

Rock comforts director Fickman when photographers want solo pics of Gugino.

Disney planned panel for Thursday was for “Race to Witch Mountain.” The panel kicked off with a rough trailer with some scenes not featuring completed visual effects. Filled with more action, this version of the franchise is far more 21^st century. Featured on the panel were stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Carla Gugino, and director Andy Fickman. Johnson charmed the crowd as usual, joking and kidding with the fans who had questions. The fans were very glad to hear that the original stars Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann have a much bigger role in the film than a cameo.

Closing the panel was a special preview of the “Tron” re-imagining. The clip, which will not be seen by other viewers for another year, features two cyclists racing in the computer world, leaving glowing trails behind them like in the original film. Later an aged Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn shows up in a look out point watching over the scene. The chase ends with one biker killing the other with the victorious cyclist being a younger version of Bridges’ Clu. The fans were ecstatic.

Pattinson, Stewart, and Lautner instantly become Comic-Con icons.

Summit Pictures just left Hall H shaken. It started with the upcoming sci-fi film “Push,” showing the trailer and a few clips. On the panel were stars Chris Evans (“Fantastic Four), Camilla Bell (“10,000 B.C.), Djimon Hounsou (“In America”) and director Paul McGuigan. Dakota Fanning was set to appear but was stuck in traffic for 7 hours due to an accident. She did make a quick appearance at the end of the panel just to say sorry to the fans. The film deals with a group of young American ex-pats with telekinetic and clairvoyant powers that are on the run from the U.S. government. Next director Alex Proyas (“Dark City”) came out to talk about this next sci-fi film “Knowing,” starring Nicolas Cage. In the film, Cage’s teacher character finds a time capsule, which contains some scary predictions about the future. Proyas, known for his smart sci-fi, said that the film is based on science not psychic faux-science.

But the real reason people were on hand was for “Twilight,” based on Stephenie Meyer’s mega-selling book series. The fans, some of which waited outside since 1:30 pm Wednesday, screamed constantly as the cast stepped on stage. Featured on the panel, with Meyer and director Catherine Hardwicke, were Kristen Stewart (Bella), Robert Pattinson (Edward), Cam Gigandet (James), Edi Gathegi (Laurent), Rachelle Lefevre (Victoria) and Taylor Lautner (Jacob). The cast members could barely answer questions due to the roar of the crowd and the sheer force of the reception from the fans, which sent many of the male cast members into blushing embarrassment. Fans asked the handsome young cast questions such as their favorite scenes and whether they wore boxers or briefs. The reaction from the crowd was one of the most intense receptions I’ve ever seen at Comic-Con. One fan did ask whether it would beat “The Day the Earth Stood Still” at the box office and Robert said, “what do you guys think?” The scream from the crowd seemed to answer the box office potential.

Keanu comes to the Con.

Thursday at Comic-Con started out dramatically with the giant curtain lining the back wall of Hall H giving way and slowly descending to the ground. Luckily no one was hurt in the incident. This technical malfunction delayed the first panel by nearly 45 minutes. But it was worth the wait for the fans.

The first film previewed was “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” The panel included stars Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly, and director Scott Derrickson, helmer of “The Exorcism of Emily Rose.” The actors talked about how they dealt with their characters, with Reeves having his alien character learn to be human over the course of the film. In addition to an extended trailer, they showed two clips that showed Reeves’ Klaatu being interrogated and turning the scene on his interrogator. The other clips featured a bonding moment between Klaatu and Jaden Smith’s Jacob character.

Wahlberg, Kunis, Ludacris, and Moore.

Next the fans got two clips from the big screen adaptation of “Max Payne.” Coming on stage were stars Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, and Ludacris, along with director John Moore (2006’s “The Omen”). Along with the clip, the studio shared the trailer on the new improved HD screens in Hall H. Wahlberg said he actually read the script for the film before playing the game and was attracted to the role for the chance to kick ass again. With the cheers and hoots from the adoring fans, Wahlberg joked that he understands why the New Kids on the Block are getting back together.

Hugh Jackman makes a surprise visit.

Closing the first panel, the fans got a surprise with the appearance of Hugh Jackman aka Wolverine. Fans got the first look with a rough trailer for the film that debuts May 1, 2009. In the crowd was Wolverine creator Len Wein, who Jackman credited his career too. He was so excited to meet the creator he left the stage and entered the crowd to shake the man’s hand, bringing a roar from the crowd.