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.