Forget Cannes, forget the Oscars. For us, San Diego Comic Con is the biggest event of the year. When it comes to finding out about the upcoming films, TV, and games we love, San Diego is the place to be, but if you weren’t lucky enough to get tickets to Comic Con International 2016, we’ve got the next best thing. We’ll be covering everything right here on 12DOVE so you know about all the new footage, announcements, and interviews at the same time as everyone else. Follow us on the site and social media to get the real Comic Con experience, and tweet us at @GamesRadar if you have any questions or requests.
Comic Con is still over a week away so for now, let’s talk about everything we hope to see at the convention. Some movies we know will be there spilling details about what we can expect (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), while others we just hope to find out a bit more about (Spider-Man: Homecoming). And let’s not forget that our TV addictions will be making an appearance in the form of The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones (I’ll try and find out who Negan killed. I promise). Plus, some of this year’s biggest and most interesting games will be making an appearance and dropping more than a couple of announcements, from Overwatch’s new hero to some fresh Gears of War 4 reveals. Read on and find out what we hope/pray/predict we’ll find out from this year’s SDCC.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
James Gunn recently confirmed that the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel will be making an appearance at Comic Con and with shooting recently wrapped, expect plenty of tidbits. Will we see some first footage? I really hope so. When the first Guardians made an appearance at SDCC 2014, it was only a week into shooting and we still saw a pretty impressive teaser reel, so hopefully we’ll get even more this time around. It would be rude otherwise, right? Personally, I’m also hoping the director will drop some hints as to what’s made it onto the soundtrack of the sequel as well. I’m still listening to the first one on repeat...
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Marvel skipped last year’s Comic Con, but they have confirmed they’ll be returning this year, which means we can expect to find out more about their upcoming movies. Obviously, everyone’s excited for Spider-Man: Homecoming but with the 2017 release date still some way off, we might be in for a disappointment. Then again, he’s already caused quite a stir with his Captain America: Civil War debut, so surely Marvel won’t keep us waiting for another look at Tom Holland’s web-slinger? For my own part, I’ll be trying to track down someone who can tell me about the cast. There’s been so many new cast announcements recently but we actually know very little about who they’re all playing.
Doctor Strange
Another Marvel movie which will probably put in an appearance at SDCC is Doctor Strange and given that it’s a lot closer to release than Spider-Man we’ll probably get a second trailer. Not everyone loved the first one so will we see some changes made to the tone and style of the movie in the new footage at Comic Con? Maybe. Either way, I’m not passing up the opportunity to meet Benedict Cumberbatch. And yes, I’ll ask about Sherlock too.
The Walking Dead
With Game of Thrones finished for another season, it’s time to turn our attention back to the other TV show we’re obsessed with - The Walking Dead. AMC’s zombie-killing series will be at Comic Con and if it follows the patterns of previous year, we should get a look at the first trailer for season 7 (*squeals*). I think it’s too much to hope that it will give away that cliff-hanger ending, but I will be watching every single moment like a hawk to make sure you know every hint, tip, and suggestion about the upcoming season. Plus, Fear the Walking Dead should also be making an appearance if you’re a fan of the spin-off show.
Star Trek Beyond
The third movie in the Star Trek rebooted franchise - Star Trek Beyond - will be holding its premiere at Comic Con this year, so expect plenty of ooo-ing and ahh-ing at what will no doubt be an impressive spectacle. I’m hoping to bring you plenty of pictures from the star-studded red carpet and will even try to talk to some of the cast so let me know what you want to find out. I also suspect that there will be a fitting tribute to Anton Yelchin who sadly passed away recently, and possible the legendary Leonard Nimoy as well.
Star Wars: Rogue One
While most of the big news about Star Wars will be at Star Wars Celebration (just a week before Comic Con), I still expect Rogue One to make an appearance. SDCC is kinda a big deal after all. So what will they show us? Frankly, your guess is as good as mine. Some new footage would definitely be a welcome treat after that incredible first trailer, and hopefully the cast and crew will be in attendance to talk about their characters and the story. I promise, I will do my absolutely best to tackle Felicity Jones to the ground (if she’s there) and interrogate her about Jyn Erso.
Game of Thrones
I know what you’re thinking. Game of Thrones will be there? To announce what? What will we find out about season 7? Nothing I’m afraid. Tradition tells us that the Thrones cast probably will be at Comic Con, but, if they are, they basically won’t be able to talk about anything. I’m still going to turn up armed with the big questions season 6 left us with, but don’t hold your breath. The best we can hope for is that I get a selfie with Kit Harington... which would actually be kinda awesome, but only for me really. Sorry.
Justice League
On a more exciting note, we’ll probably, most definitely, maybe see some first footage from the Justice League movie. After Batman v Superman, I can’t say I’m exactly on-the-edge-of-my-seat-thrilled to see Zack Snyder’s next DC movie, but it’s still the Justice League, right? Which means we do want to see a bit more of the new Flash, Cyborg, and Aquaman, how Superman will ‘return from the dead’, and, perhaps most importantly, what lessons have been learnt from the rather underwhelming Dawn of Justice. Stay tuned and I promise to dish all the details as soon as they travel through my eyeballs.
Overwatch
The biggest known quantity at ComicCon this year - the unannounced, er, announcements may be bigger, but who knows? - we’re 99% sure that we’ll be getting an in-depth look at Overwatch’s first post-launch roster addition. Beyond that, we know little - though all clues currently point to a previously named character called Sombra - but all details will indeed drop (including, hopefully, a launch date) on Thursday, June 21.
Wonder Woman
Carrying on from the Justice League, one member we should be seeing a lot of at Comic Con is Wonder Woman, who’s solo movie hits cinemas in June 2017. We’ve already had plenty of teaser images, set photos, and even a little footage so could it be time for a trailer? If we’re lucky... but if not, we’ll definitely be seeing footage of some kind. Perhaps it’ll feature more from the supporting characters, which we’ve seen very little from so far. I for one, really want to know what’s going on with Princess Diana’s fellow Amazons in Themyscira.
Thor: Ragnarok
Honestly, I'm not sure how much we'll see of Thor: Ragnarok given that its 2017 release date is still some way off, but considering that it is filming at the moment (with Chris Hemsworth teasing us almost on a daily basis) there's a good chance we'll see some teaser footage at Comic Con. If the cast make an appearance as well, I'm going to see if we can get some specific figures on how much Hulk will be in Thor 3 - 30%? 50%? 80%?! We need to know!
Gears of War 4
We’ve seen Gears of War 4’s multiplayer. We’ve had a long, promising chat with director Rod Fergusson. We’ve seen some great campaign footage at E3. Footage that implies that yes, things are indeed going in the right direction. All of the big reveal stuff now out of the way, it’s time for the inevitable drip-feed of info in the run up to the game’s October launch, and the first stop is ComicCon. Fergusson will be there, alongside Xbox publicity-trumpet Major ‘My name is really Larry’ Nelson. Expect some surprises.
The Lego Batman Movie
This panel will only be in black… or maybe very, very dark grey. Sorry, I’m just really excited that The Lego Batman Movie will be making an appearance at this year’s SDCC. After what can only be described as a badass teaser trailer, I can’t wait to see more of Will Arnett’s dark knight, and with this movie set in Gotham, could we see a more traditional Batman story than the one from The Lego Movie? Probably not, but that’s a good thing. Fingers crossed, they unveil the big bad (or three) who will be causing trouble. Also, Wyldstyle cameo?
Doctor Who
The tenth series of Doctor Who is currently filming and while we’ll have to wait until 2017 to see it, we’re pretty sure the Doctor and co will make an appearance at Comic Con. This is the perfect chance to get to know new companion, Pearl Mackie, so let me know if you’ve any questions for her. On top of that, could we be getting an announcement that Peter Capaldi will be stepping down as the Doctor after season 10?
Street Fighter Nation
With its latest update just launched and the roster of characters for its first ‘season’ of DLC known, it’s uncertain exactly what reveals this Street Fighter panel might impart. But surprises, nonetheless, are promised. We’ll also get some updates on the ongoing Capcom Pro Tour, and - possibly, shamelessly, most exciting of all - a look at the latest wave of SF merch in production. Because who, in the world, can truly have too many chibi M. Bisons?
The Dark Tower
You’ve probably seen the teaser images and set photos that have dropped online for Nikolaj Arcel’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower, and word is, the movie will be in attendance at SDCC. Starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey, this is one dark gunslinging western we want to know more about. Fingers crossed for a footage reel!
Marvel’s Luke Cage
Get ready to meet the third Defender, because Marvel’s Luke Cage is attending Comic Con. Well, technically you’ve already met him if you’ve been watching the superb Jessica Jones, but with Marvel getting ready to launch its third TV show with Netflix, we expect a sneak peek in San Diego. After that super teasery teaser trailer, surely we’ll be getting a full trailer? Why has Luke become the superhero he was trying so hard to avoid? Who’s he fighting against? Where is Jessica? These are questions I hope to be able to answer very soon.
Sausage Party
Can you have an emotional breakdown from watching talking and feeling food tortured and eaten? That’s something I’ll soon be able to tell you as I’ll be watching a screening of Seth Rogen’s Sausage Party at SDCC. You must have seen the trailer. Who knew animated vegetables could make you feel so much?
Sea of Thieves
Rare’s Sea of Thieves is one of this year’s most interesting console exclusives, and easily the most ‘Rare’ Rare game we’ve seen in a very long time. As such, this panel on the game’s creative design - and the company’s obvious love of piracy and skeletons - should be a lot of fun, particularly with ‘key announcements’ on the cards.
Power Rangers
It’s time to meet the new Power Rangers! If you thought that blast from the past was gone for good, you were wrong because a new Power Rangers movie is coming soon starring Pitch Perfect’s Elizabeth Banks, Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, and a whole host of fresh faces as the Rangers. I’ll try and nab the newbies for a quick interview, and yes, I promise to ask Cranston about a Better Call Saul cameo if I get the chance.
Supergirl
It’s not all about the Justice League you know, Supergirl will be at Comic Con too and hopefully talking about the new series. With rumours flying all over the place about the storylines we can expect to see in season 2, hopefully I’ll be able to weasel some details out of the cast and crew.
Gotham
Another DC inspired TV show that will be doing the rounds in San Diego this year is Gotham. With season 3 airing later this year, no doubt the cast will be looking to promote the new episodes but all we want to know if what the hell was that season 2 cliffhanger all about? With only a few teaser images released so far, perhaps we’ll see some footage?
Halo Wars 2
Developers and cast alike are going to hit this panel on the new RTS, with a major focus on the evolution and development of the Halo universe. New video footage is on the slate, as are those ever-present ‘surprises’, plus we’ll get to hear John ‘Bender, Marcus Fenix, and The Joker that one time’ DiMaggio talk in his own voice for once. Which is at least 80% less gravelly than you’re expecting.
Kong: Skull Island
If you’re thinking we really don’t need another King Kong movie right now, you might feel a little bit better knowing that Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ adaption stars so-hot-right-now-it-hurts Tom Hiddleston. The movie reportedly features the biggest Kong yet and I expect we’ll see some footage at the convention. There’s no way I’m not asking Hiddleston about all the James Bond hype though. No way.
The Man in the High Castle
If you watched the first season of The Man in the High Castle, you’ll be excited to learn that the Amazon Original will be at SDCC hopefully teasing what we can expect from season 2. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, go and watch this show now. It’s definitely an unknown gem, but probably not for long because... Comic Con.
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy 15
Have you seen that footage from the Final Fantasy 15 movie? Have you? The stuff that that is surely live-action, but is actually claimed to be CG, because computer animation tech apparently at the point where it’s about to go full-Skynet? Well you’re going to see more. A whole bunch of new footage, and the official, full trailer, to be precise.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
With season 4 on the horizon, the cast and crew of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will be at SDCC promoting the new series. How much they’ll be able to say remains to be seen, but hopefully I’ll be able to get some juicy details about which comic book storylines the new episodes are based on. Either way, I think we can expect a much darker Tremors after season 3.
The Mummy
To my complete and utter surprise, people seem quite keen on the new Tom Cruise Mummy remake, so against my better judgement, I’ll do my best to find out as much as I get about the movie at Comic Con. It does also star Kingsman’s Sofia Boutella (who might be at SDCC given that we also have the Star Trek Beyond premiere) so I feel a little better about that.
Legends of Tomorrow
Despite the lukewarm response to Legends of Tomorrow, you can expect a second season to hit your TV screens later this year. With more superheros than you can shake a stick at, I’ll endeavour to get a breakdown on what everyone’s up to at this year’s SDCC.
