San Diego Comic-Con has transitioned to an online format this year. With the coronavirus pandemic rendering live events impractical, the 2020 edition of the iconic pop culture convention will be accessible from home, utilizing video conferencing for participation. Dubbed Comic-Con@Home, this year’s event marks a shift in San Diego Comic-Con’s typical practice, as all panels will be available online for free, eliminating the need for badges or viewer limitations, thereby allowing fans worldwide to engage with the content.
However, due to the ongoing uncertainty stemming from COVID-19, many studios have chosen to sit out this year’s event. As productions have either stalled or faced delays, major players like Marvel, Lucasfilm, Paramount, Sony, and Universal will not be present. WarnerMedia’s DC Entertainment has opted to host its own event in August. This situation has meant that the upcoming panels are predominantly focused on television series rather than films.
Despite these challenges, Comic-Con@Home promises to deliver exciting content. The following panels are anticipated to feature significant announcements, previews, or trailers, and video embeds will be available on YouTube. Bookmark this page to catch the major happenings from Comic-Con@Home; however, the videos are currently set to “private” and will go live around the event’s commencement.
Comic-Con 2020 dates and schedule
Comic-Con@Home will take place from Wednesday, July 22 to Sunday, July 26. The event features hundreds of panels over the five days, which can be explored in the official schedule. To streamline your experience, here are some of the most significant panels to look out for.
Thursday, July 23
Star Trek
Time: 10am PDT (10:30pm IST)
The expanded Star Trek television universe will kick off the Thursday lineup, spanning Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Picard. The stars of Discovery are expected to perform a table read of the season 2 finale and possibly tease a trailer for season 3. Meanwhile, Mike McMahan, the creator of Lower Decks, along with the voice cast, will provide an “extended first look” at the debut episode, and the cast of Picard will discuss the first season with hints regarding the upcoming season.
His Dark Materials
Time: 1pm PDT (Friday 1:30am IST)
Executive producers Jane Tranter and Jack Thorne will join a selection of cast members, including Dafne Keen and Lin-Manuel Miranda, to reflect on season 1 of their adaptation of Philip Pullman’s acclaimed trilogy. They will also share insights on what viewers can expect in the second season.
Amazon’s Utopia
Time: 1pm PDT (Friday 1:30am IST)
The adaptation of a British original by Gillian Flynn will delve into a group searching for a graphic novel manuscript that uncovers a vast government conspiracy. Flynn will be present with the cast, including John Cusack and Rainn Wilson, during this Comic-Con@Home session.
The New Mutants
Time: 2pm PDT (Friday 2:30am IST)
The film has faced numerous delays, from production difficulties to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given its status as the only superhero film in this year’s lineup, there’s speculation that it may be announced for a Disney+ release. Writer-director Josh Boone will join cast members, including Maisie Williams and Anya Taylor-Joy, for the panel.
The Boys season 2
Time: 3pm PDT (Friday 3:30am IST)
Having already released a trailer for the upcoming season, the panel will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the series. Executive producer Eric Kripke will participate alongside the cast, which includes Karl Urban and Erin Moriarty, with special guests including Seth Rogen.
Friday, July 24
The Walking Dead
Time: 1pm PDT (Saturday 1:30am IST)
This panel will spotlight an upcoming standalone episode titled “A Certain Doom,” focusing on the concluding battle of the Whisperer War. Showrunner Angela Kang and numerous cast members, including Norman Reedus and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, are set to appear.
This is one of three panels regarding The Walking Dead series, with others centered on Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond scheduled around it.
Marvel’s Helstrom
Time: 3pm PDT (Saturday 3:30am IST)
The new live-action Marvel series on Hulu features characters Daimon and Satana Hellstrom, who are reimagined as children of a serial killer rather than the devil. With the future of Marvel Television in question, the panel is expected to include a trailer as the show is set to premiere in October.
Paul Zbyszewski and the cast will be discussing the series during the session.
Saturday, July 25
The Simpsons
Time: 11am PDT (11:30pm IST)
Despite the pandemic, season 32 of The Simpsons is moving forward, and the panel will share insights into how the team has adapted their work practices in response to COVID-19 restrictions. Participants will include Al Jean and Matt Selman, among others.
For All Mankind
Time: 2pm PDT (Sunday 2:30am IST)
As the Comic-Con@Home panel concludes, attendees will get an exclusive first look at season 2 of the Apple TV+ series, while also revisiting highlights from the first season. Creators Ronald D. Moore and Matt Wolpert will be joined by key cast members.
Lovecraft Country
Time: 4pm PDT (Sunday 4:30am IST)
With J.J. Abrams and Jordan Peele at the helm, this HBO adaptation explores themes of race and horror through the eyes of a Black protagonist in the 1950s. A teaser has been released, but viewers can expect a full trailer during the panel, featuring the showrunner and main cast.
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