Upon going through the screenplay, Ryan Reynolds noticed that the Green Lantern Corps. oath was written differently. He didn’t hesitate to bring it to attention, saying, “‘You cannot get the oath wrong! We had a meeting about this . . . this is where (the fans) will murder you.”
I was hesitant on a Green Lantern film until the Comic-Con panel, and then this incident showing how much Ryan Reynolds wants to make sure the movie is done right for the fans has me stoked for it. He really has become an actor that every woman and geek loves.
After the panel for Thor came to a close, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige told us that he knows it’s getting late, but there’s a quick surprise he wants the audience to see. The lights dimmed and a video began to play with a voice over by Samuel L. Jackson.
“And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth’s mightiest heroes and heroines found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, the Avengers were born.”
Samuel L. Jackson then hit the stage much to the audience’s delight. He approached the podium and said that there’s a group he wants to introduce us to — he began his role call: Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man.
With all of them on stage, Robert Downey Jr. took over the podium and introduced the audience to Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk. He went on to introduce Joss Whedon as the director.
The crowd went completely nuts for the cast and director of the Avengers. Downey was barely able to contain himself, giggling and saying that he can’t help himself. He was too excited. Joss Whedon went on to say that he had a dream his whole life, but it wasn’t this good. He told the audience that he’s afraid he’ll blow it and needs our support. Whedon and the cast were given a standing ovation.
Marvel Studios really wanted to bring something special for Comic-Con, and they brought something very memorable. Days ago I said that the panel for Captain America: The First Avenger was one of the landmarks for Comic-Con this year, but the surprise role call for the Avengers is the landmark for Comic-Con.
Director Kenneth Branagh went on stage and immediately geeked out about seeing references to Thor in the footage we saw earlier in Captain America: The First Avenger. He then told the audience that Thor is his favorite American comic book character and went after the project the moment it became available. He said he feels comfortable directing Thor since it deals with a lot of the same issues as his film Henry V; mainly family issues, war, and politics.
Joining Branagh for the panel were cast members Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Kat Dennings, and Clark Gregg.
To prepare for the role of Thor, Chris Hemsworth read Norse mythology and Thor comics to gain an understanding of the character and the world he’s immersed in. Joking, he said he gained muscle by lifting Thor’s hammer . . . a lot.
When asked about Asgard as opposed to the real world, Branagh and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige decided to show instead of tell — presenting footage much to the audience’s overwhelming approval. Asgard had a very ethereal feel with rich environments. It looks like it does the comic justice. The footage was immersing and is shot in 3D, and it really works well with the feel of the film. The crowd loved every minute of the footage we were shown.
Reprising his role as Agent Coulson, Clark Gregg told a story about delivering the line in Iron Man 2 about going to New Mexico, but at first didn’t know what the significance was until Feige told him that it’s the location where Thor is. He went on to tell the audience that he loves that he’s practically “the glue of the Marvel Universe”. Suffice to say, the audience cheered during the footage when the Destroyer is on screen followed by an agent of SHIELD asking Agent Coulson, “One of Stark’s?” and his nonchalant reply, “I don’t know — that guy never tells me anything.”
Branagh decided to go with the classic hammer for Thor and promises that there will be surprises for Thor fans, alluding to Donald Blake. One surprise we were treated to was seeing both Thor and Loki in their helmets from the comic books, which is a nice touch no one was expecting. Thor is turning out to be a very fun film, and the panel was a success getting the audience pumped for it.
The panel for Captain America: The First Avenger brought out director Joe Johnston, and actors Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving. Johnston went on to explain that they only began filming five days ago, but they really wanted to share footage with us. He cued the clip and World War II propaganda footage played superimposed on Captain America’s shield. As it ended, it showed Chris Evans in the costume turning towards the camera — the audience went crazy. The title showed, then we suddenly see Captain America throwing his shield at the camera — thunderous applause from the crowd.
What we saw was a costume test, but from our reactions, they’re very much on track with its direction.
Chris Evans wasn’t shy about talking about some people’s apprehension about him portraying Captain America, but he believes that if the movie is good, people will be accepting of him. Evans feels the pressure, but he’s trying not to think about how big the scope is due to the character being one of the biggest names in Marvel Comics — saying he might have a panic attack if he thinks about it too much. He went on to say that he really likes the costume and hopes to do the character justice.
Hugo Weaving refused to do his German accent, but did inform the audience that he’s been working with the Red Skull mask. It’s a series of lightweight pieces on his face, enabling him to convey emotions — though in V for Vendetta he’s proven that he doesn’t need his facial expressions to emote.
The president of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige wanted to show us rough footage despite it still having the time-stamp on it. It begins with Hugo Weaving as Johann Schmidt (before he becomes Red Skull) leading a group of Nazi soldiers to open a sarcophagus, looking for something that belonged to Odin. The jewel in the sarcophagus ends up being a fake, but it doesn’t affect Schmidt who quickly finds it in a secret compartment on a wall.
The feel of the footage felt a lot like Indiana Jones, which is exciting to me. After all, the movie does entirely take place during World War II, and it’s a perfect fit. Hugo Weaving is very effective as the antagonist with a demanding screen presence. And the footage we were shown was already tying in with Thor,furthering the universe Marvel Studios is creating with their films. The audience went crazy for it. It’s a highly anticipated film and one of the landmarks for Comic-Con this year.
Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern panel kicked off with director Martin Campbell who went on to bring out stars Ryan Reynolds, Mark Strong, Blake Lively, and Peter Sarsgaard. Reynolds was wearing a Green Lantern ring which many in the audience were quick to notice.
Campbell referred to the EW cover of Green Lantern while describing the costume. It’s done entirely in CG, and he informed the audience that it’s still a work in progress and it’ll look really cool in the finished product.
The teaser of the movie had a cosmic feel, traveling to the home planet of the Green Lantern Corps. and showed glimpses of them. A scene was shown of Reynolds brandishing the ring and conjuring a giant, green fist knocking out a bunch of guys. We didn’t see Reynolds in the costume — most likely because it’s still being worked on.
During the Q&A a boy asked Reynolds to recite the Green Lantern oath, who was more than willing and got into character gravely performing the monologue. The boy was in awe and reacted by making a fist up at Reynolds displaying his Green Lantern ring. Reynolds in return made a fist back and pretended that their rings were at odds. He then proclaimed that the child is so cute and he wants to give him an autograph. The audience cheered for the kid — I’m sure it’ll be a very cherished memory for him.
At the close for the panel, Ryan Reynolds told the attendees that he had kept the ring during production and hasn’t parted with it, but he felt that Comic-Con was the perfect place to pass it down. He had us reach under our chairs, and a lady who found the paper Reynolds described earned the ring from the man himself. It was a successful panel and got all of us stoked for the film.
The panel for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was entertaining, with a lot of the reason being the director himself, Edgar Wright. He called each cast member out on stage while forcing them to describe their feelings in one word — and had an obsession to ask the audience in attendance if they love chocolate.
After all the cast members at hand were situated, Wright informed the attendees that there’s two very special guests that he wanted to introduce — he then announced Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. They walked on stage with arms victoriously raised while the crowd erupted with uproarious cheers. Just before shaking hands with the director, Wright then informed the audience, “And they will not be in the movie . . . nor are they special guests.” Pegg and Frost acted disappointed and sad, pathetically walking backstage while the lights dimmed — with “Aww!” from the crowd in unison.
Edgar Wright then finally introduced the star of the film, Michael Cera — who came out in a crude Captain America costume; it was a way to tease cast member Chris Evans who couldn’t make it to the panel due to filming Captain America, and the fans ate it up.
Asked of when he first heard of Scott Pilgrim, Edgar Wright answered that he first caught wind of the comic in 2004 when it came out and instantly fell in love with it. He got in talks with the creator Bryan Lee O’Malley (who participated in the panel) and began work to bring a film adaptation of the comic into fruition.
Wright then went into detail about the fight scenes being approached as video game levels; and that the actors were trained by the likes of accomplished stuntmen — one namely being Brad Allen.
Michael Cera talked about a kiss scene and how he was worried about it — since it was a kiss with another guy — so Edgar Wright did the sensible thing and took him aside and casually kissed him on the lips and said, “See? That isn’t so bad!” Wright then cut in, jokingly adding, “I bet Stallone didn’t kiss any of his cast members!”
At the end of the panel Edgar Wright informed us that the film is shot in 2D and that tickets will be at regular price; the audience cheered; then he excitedly said, “So see it twice!” which garnered louder cheers. The panel came to a close when Wright announced that those in attendance who have a 1-Up button will get to see a screening with him and the cast.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
I was meaning to write new posts everyday during Comic-Con, but frankly, it just isn’t possible unless it’s quick tidbits. Then by the time I get home I’m too exhausted to write — but trust me, I’m putting together some posts for my few readers to check out that I’m working on with what ever free time I have. It’ll be worth it. Maybe.
Yesterday was preview night for Comic-Con, but it didn’t feel like it at all. Downtown was congested with traffic and parking lots were quickly filling up; there were droves of people walking to and from the convention center. It was already packed when I got inside with a friend. It became a physical feat for us to reach the meeting spot with another friend. It felt like a normal day at Comic-Con . . . and it was only preview night.
We eventually got to the Marvel booth, which had a life-size version of Odin’s throne. There was a queue for posters, so being the comic nerds we are, we got in line. We reached the front and were handed the Thor posters of the art pieces I wrote about yesterday. Score. We asked if they’ll be giving away the Captain America posters as well — we were told that they’ll be handed out later; to check back later. Naturally we headed back to the booth and glanced over the table — they were handing out the Captain America posters. We booked it to the end of the line; one of my friends lightly shoved a kid out of the way. What can I say? It’s exclusive posters and we must have them. So yes, I now have both posters — mission accomplished. I’m ecstatic over it.
What feels like forever ago, preview night at Comic-Con was more of a way to pick up our badges and take a quick look around the floor. There were hardly any booths set up and many were still in the process of getting ready. Yesterday, it felt like an actual Comic-Con day; all the booths were open for business. Today the real fun begins. God help us all.
Upon going through the screenplay, Ryan Reynolds noticed that the Green Lantern Corps. oath was written differently. He didn’t hesitate to bring it to attention, saying, “‘You cannot get the oath wrong! We had a meeting about this . . . this is where (the fans) will murder you.”
