Informed Art - Comic-Con Revealed

The Mummy cast greets the Comic-Con crowd.

Universal had a jam-packed and star-studded lineup for the Comic-Con crowd on Saturday. First up was its August 1^st release, “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.” Reprising his role as Rick O’Connor, Brendan Fraser was joined on stage with fellow cast members Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford and Isabella Leong. When asked what it was like to finally get to do the fight that Asia has been longing for between her and Jet Li, Yeoh said that it was hard for her and Li to not laugh when facing off on the set. Li said the reason he took the role was because it was a chance to play the villain, and that the money wasn’t bad either. He also added that the fights for this film were very easy for him because most of them took place on a motion-capture stage. Fraser blushed when Yeoh said that the movie was a great opportunity to work with a great cast, especially the adorable Fraser. Bello, who recently turned 40 (and still looks stunning), said the film was like a dream come true, because she got into acting so she could become Indiana Jones and never thought she’d get the chance to be in an action film at this point in her career. Fraser said that he believes that the success of the franchise comes from the central love story and possibly some really great CGI. Fans were treated to a clip from the film, which featured three very large CG Yeti and the powerful scream of the Dragon Emperor.

Death Race’s Tyrese Gibson and Joan Allen listen to cinema legend Roger Corman.

Universal next brought out the cast of the re-imagining of “Death Race,” which includes Jason Statham, Ian McShane, Tyrese Gibson, Joan Allen and Natalie Martinez. Accompanying the actors on stage were director Paul W.S. Anderson and the director of the original “Death Race 2000” Roger Corman, who said until Anderson came along with this film, “Death Race” was one of his films that he felt shouldn’t be remade. Anderson was proud to boast that the clip he had to show had no CG in the car stunts, but any fan with a knowing eye could tell that one very painful stunt at the end certainly had some CG assistance. Allen, who isn’t known for films like this one, said it was the page-turner script that made her interested in joining the project. When fans discovered it was Statham’s birthday, two fans got to the mic and started a round of “Happy Birthday” for the actor. Not too many people ever get 6,500 people singing “Happy Birthday” to them all at once and Statham looked very pleased with the gesture.

Drag Me to Hell director Sam Raimi.

Director Sam Raimi makes his return to horror in 2009 with “Drag Me To Hell.” Joining the “Spider-Man” director on stage were stars Alison Lohman, Justin Long and Dileep Rao. The story follows Lohman’s character Stephanie who is cursed by an old crone who she denies a loan to. Raimi shared with the fans two clips from the clip – one of which featured a spooky floating CG handkerchief and the other a curious CG fly that investigates Lohman nose and mouth while she sleeps. The footage was so new that the actors hadn’t seen it before, spurring them to rush from their seats to the edge of the stage to eagerly watch the clips along with the fans. Just like one would expect from a Raimi horror film, the scares are mixed with a good dose of humor. However, the fans were disappointed when Raimi revealed that due to scheduling conflicts Bruce Campbell will not be appearing in the film.

Closing the hour and a half panel was director Brad Silberling with the big screen adaptation of 1970s cult classic TV series “Land of the Lost.” Star Will Ferrell couldn’t make the event, but did appear in a very funny faux satellite feed from the El Cortez hotel in San Diego. Cast members that were on hand included Anna Friel, Danny McBride, and Jorma Taccone, along with original series creators Sid and Marty Krofft. Marty Krofft said that at this point in his career it’s amazing to have his work being translated to the big screen and encouraged all in the audience to never give up on your dreams no matter how old you get. Silberling ensured the audience that Sleestaks and dinosaurs would be making appearances in the film. A Sleestak actually made an appearance on stage for the fans. The director said that the Kroffts were ecstatic to see thirty Sleestaks on the set when they could only afford three at one time on the original series. The panel closed with a teaser for the film, featuring Ferrell talking to the camera as a CG drooling dinosaur peers over his shoulder.

Williams (l) and Howard talk Bolt.

Disney followed “Terminator Salvation” with its next two animated features from Walt Disney Animation and Pixar. Directors Chris Williams and Byron Howard took the stage to introduce the fans to 20 minutes of footage from “Bolt.” The first clip was an episode from the TV series that stars Bolt, voiced by John Travolta. In the episode, Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus) and Bolt fight Dr. Calico’s henchmen on a race to the airport. The action-packed sequence highlighted Bolt’s many TV powers, which includes a sonic bark. The extended sequence wasn’t finished, featuring animation in varying stages from storyboards to final renders. In the next clip, Bolt, who believes that the show he stars on is real, is tormented by the two cats on the series that know the series is fake. The cat voiced by Deidrich Bader stood out as a nice comic touch. The final sequence comes from later in the film when animal control has captured Bolt and his new companions Mittens the cat and Rhino the hamster. Bolt is beginning to understand that he doesn’t have superpowers, but feels that he still needs to try and be the hero. Williams did share the fact that the film has between 5-15 patents pending in regards to its new innovations in bringing a brushstroke look to CG animation.

Docter gives Pixar fans the first look at Up.

Next up was “Up” from Pixar. Director Pete Docter unveiled the first uncompleted footage from the highly anticipated film, which made the perfectionist very nervous to show. The lead character is unlike any Pixar has worked with before. Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Ed Asner) is a 78-year-old man, who sets off on an adventure to Venezuela in his house lifted by balloons. Docter told the audience that some of the animation legends that inspired the film included Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston and storyman Joe Grant. Docter showed the audience the fantastical early sequence where Carl escapes from the orderlies that want to send him to an old folks’ home by taking to the skies. Docter revealed that Carl’s journey is to honor his wife Elle’s desire to travel the globe, a goal she didn’t get to fulfill before her death. Docter also showed another sequence from the film, featuring the character Russell, an overly eager scout who’s only missing his “helping the elderly” badge in his massive collection. The clip features Carl and Russell, tethered to the floating house, walking through the jungles of South America when someone needs to go to the bathroom. From the footage shown, this feature film is truly like nothing else the studio has ever done. And Docter said the greatest compliment that he receives about the film is that people really don’t know where they are going with it. He called “Up” the crowing achievement of his career. Pixar has also launched the “Up” website at www.disney.com/up for fans who missed Comic-Con to get a glimpse of the new film as well.

A fan dressed like the T-1000 got a rare chance to join the cast of Terminator Salvation on stage.

The first big film of Saturday at Comic-Con was McG’s “Terminator Salvation,” which brings the franchise into the future after judgment day. While star Christian Bale couldn’t make it due to his “Dark Knight” promotional commitments, McG did call him on the phone right before debuting the first full trailer for the film. The trailer featured only practical effects, which McG said the film relies on heavily. Next up was the cast, including Sam Worthington, Moon Bloodgood, Anton Yelchin, Bryce Dallas Howard and Common.

McG threw out questions to the audience and was impressed with some of the fans’ enthusiasm, inviting attendees dressed like Sarah Connor and the T-1000, and an Arnold Schwarzenegger impressionist to join the cast on stage. McG assured fans that he went back to James Cameron to discuss the film to make sure they stayed true to the spirit of the franchise. Yelchin, who played a younger version of Michael Biehn’s Kyle Reese, said he went back to the original “Terminator” and studied Biehn’s performance. McG told the fans that you’ll see where Reese learned some of his survival moves, some of which came from observing the machines.

The entire Heroes cast came to Comic-Con to thank the fans for their support.

After waiting in a line that wrapped around the San Diego convention center down to the bay, Saturday at Comic-Con kicked off with “Heroes” in Hall H, the first time that a TV series took a spot in the big hall. Co-exec producer Jeph Loeb warmed up the crowd for the entire cast showed up to greet the fans. Then show creator Tim Kring treated the faithful to the first episode of the new season. Fans quickly discovered the identity of who shot Nathan at the end of the last season. Sylar pays Claire a visit and some other cast members discovered new powers. Additionally, a previously-thought-to-be-dead character makes a big return.

As for the visual effects, bullets froze in midair, while a new speedy character left a trail behind her as she speed past Hiro. A main character has their skull cut open revealing their brain at the hands of Sylar. Finally Hiro takes a trip to the future where he witnesses a devastating explosion in Tokyo and discovers new electrifying powers from someone unexpected.

The cast fielded a few questions from the excited crowd and Milo Ventimiglia allowed a seeing impaired fan to see him for the first time in her life, coming down into the crowd to greet her. Masi Oka sword fought with a fan dressed like his character Hiro in ancient samurai garb.