San Diego was abuzz with news from major motion pictures and TV shows, plus special appearances and meet-and-greets with top talent.
A 'Fantastic' 'Potterverse Sequel set for Fall
Warner Bros. Pictures' "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" is the second of five all new adventures in J.K. Rowling's "Wizarding World." At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. In an effort to thwart Grindelwald's plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student, Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided "Wizarding World."
The film features an ensemble cast led by Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, Poppy Corby-Tuech, with Law and Depp. It hits theaters on Friday, Nov. 16.
Depp surprised fans by showing up in full Gellert Grindelwald attire.
Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in Warner Bros. Pictures' fantasy adventure "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Photo ©2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.)
'Aquaman' Revs Up DC Fans
From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas: "Aquaman," starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime - one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be ... a king.
The film also stars Amber Heard ("Justice League") as Mera, a fierce warrior and Aquaman's ally throughout his journey; Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe ("Platoon," "Spider-Man 2") as Vulko, council to the Atlantean throne; Patrick Wilson ("The Conjuring" films) as Orm/Ocean Master, the present King of Atlantis; Dolph Lundgren ("The Expendables" films) as Nereus, King of the Atlantean tribe Xebel; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Netflix's "The Get Down") as the vengeful Black Manta; and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman ("The Hours," "Lion") as Arthur's mom, Atlanna; as well as Ludi Lin ("Power Rangers") as Captain Murk, Atlantean Commando; and Temuera Morrison ("Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones," "Green Lantern") as Arthur's dad, Tom Curry.
Wan directs from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick ("The Conjuring 2") and Will Beall ("Gangster Squad," TV's "Training Day"). The story is by Wan, Geoff Johns and Will Beall, based on characters from DC; "Aquaman" was created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger. The film is produced by Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, with Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Jon Berg, Johns and Walter Hamada serving as executive producers.
The film is set to hit theaters in 3-D, 2-D and IMAX on Dec. 21.
"Aquaman" (Logo ©2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.)
Shyamalan Reunites Iconic Characters in 'Glass'
M. Night Shyamalan brings together the narratives of two of his standout originals: 2000's "Unbreakable," from Touchstone, and 2016's "Split," from Universal-in one explosive, all-new comic-book thriller: Glass.
From "Unbreakable", Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn as does Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, known also by his pseudonym Mr. Glass. Joining from Split are James McAvoy, reprising his role as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the multiple identities who reside within, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the only captive to survive an encounter with The Beast.
Following the conclusion of "Split," Glass finds Dunn pursuing Crumb's superhuman figure of The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the shadowy presence of Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men.
Joining the all-star cast are "Unbreakable's" Spencer Treat Clark and Charlayne Woodard, who reprise their roles as Dunn's son and Price's mother, as well as Golden Globe Award winner Sarah Paulson ("American Horror Story" series).
This riveting culmination of his worldwide blockbusters is produced by Shyamalan and Blumhouse Production's Jason Blum, who also produced the writer/director's previous two films for Universal. They produce again with Ashwin Rajan and Marc Bienstock, and Steven Schneider and Kevin Frakes, who executive produce. Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum also serve as executive producers.
A Blinding Edge Pictures and Blumhouse production, "Glass" will be released by Universal Pictures in North America on Jan. 18, 2019, and by Buena Vista International abroad.
"Glass" key art (©Universal Pictures. All rights reserved.)
Everything is Awesome as 'Lego Movie' gets Sequel
The much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, global box office phenomenon that started it all, "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part," reunites the heroes of Bricksburg in an all-new, action-packed adventure to save their beloved city.
It's been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: Lego Duplo invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild. The battle to defeat them and restore harmony to the Lego universe will take Emmet, Lucy, Batman and their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds, including a strange galaxy where everything is a musical. It will test their courage, creativity and "Master Builder" skills, and reveal just how special they really are.
Reprising their starring roles from the first film are Chris Pratt as Emmet, Elizabeth Banks as Lucy (aka Wyldstyle), Will Arnett as Lego Batman, Nick Offerman as Metal Beard, and Alison Brie as Unikitty. They are joined by Tiffany Haddish, Stephanie Beatriz and Arturo Castro as, respectively, new characters Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi, Sweet Mayhem and Ice Cream Cone.
"The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" is directed by Mike Mitchell ("Shrek Ever After," "Trolls," "Sky High"). It is produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Roy Lee, the team behind the "Lego" film franchise since "The Lego Movie" debuted in 2014.
"The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" opens nationwide in 2-D and 3-D on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019.
'Chuck' Star Zachary Levi Stars in 'Shazam!"
David F. Sandberg ("Annabelle: Creation") directs New Line Cinema's "Shazam!," the origin story that stars Zachary Levi (TV's "Chuck") as the titular DC superhero, along with Asher Angel (TV's "Andi Mack") as Billy Batson, and Mark Strong (the "Kingsman" movies) in the role of supervillain Dr. Thaddeus Sivana. Peter Safran (upcoming "Aquaman," "The Conjuring" and "Annabelle" films) serves as the film's producer.
We all have a superhero inside us; it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson's (Angel) case, by shouting out one word - Shazam! - this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult superhero Shazam (Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard. Still a kid at heart -inside a ripped, godlike body - Shazam revels in this adult version of himself by doing what any teen would do with superpowers: Have fun with them!
Can he fly? Does he have X-ray vision? Can he shoot lightning out of his hands? Can he skip his social studies test? Shazam sets out to test the limits of his abilities with the joyful recklessness of a child. But he'll need to master these powers quickly in order to fight the deadly forces of evil controlled by Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Strong).
"Shazam!" also stars Jack Dylan Grazer ("IT") as Billy's best friend and ultimate superhero enthusiast, Freddy, part of the foster family that includes Mary, played by Grace Fulton ("Annabelle: Creation"); Darla, played by Faithe Herman (TV's "This is Us"); Eugene, played by Ian Chen (TV's "Fresh Off the Boat"); and Pedro, played by Jovan Armand (TV's "Hawaii Five-O"). Cooper Andrews (TV's "The Walking Dead") and Marta Milans (TV's "Killer Women") play foster parents Victor and Rosa Vasquez, with Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou ("Blood Diamond") as the Wizard.
Firmly set in the DC universe but with his own distinctly fun, family-centric tone, the screenplay is by Henry Gayden, story by Gayden and Darren Lemke. "Shazam" was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck.
A New Line Cinema production, "Shazam!" is set for release on April 5, 2019.
From left: Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman and Zachary Levi as Shazam in New Line Cinema's action adventure "Shazam!" It's a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Photo ©2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved)
'MonsterVerse' Expands with New 'Godzilla' Film
Following the global success of "Godzilla" and "Kong: Skull Island" comes the next chapter in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' cinematic "MonsterVerse": "Godzilla: King of the Monsters," an epic action adventure that pits Godzilla against some of the most popular monsters in pop culture history.
The film was directed by Michael Dougherty ("Krampus"), and stars Oscar nominees Vera Farmiga ("Up in the Air," "The Conjuring" films), and Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai") and Sally Hawkins ("Blue Jasmine"), both reprising their "Godzilla" roles; Kyle Chandler ("The Wolf of Wall Street," "Manchester by the Sea"); Millie Bobby Brown ("Stranger Things") in her feature film debut; Bradley Whitford ("Get Out"); Thomas Middleditch (HBO's "Silicon Valley"); Charles Dance (HBO's "Game of Thrones"); O'Shea Jackson Jr. ("Straight Outta Compton"); Aisha Hinds ("Star Trek Into Darkness"); and Golden Globe nominee Zhang Ziyi ("Memoirs of a Geisha," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon").
The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan and his ultimate nemesis: the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species—thought to be mere myths—rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity's very existence hanging in the balance.
Dougherty directed from a script he wrote with Zach Shields. The film was produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Brian Rogers, Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni, with Shields, Barry H. Waldman, Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira serving as executive producers, and Alexandra Mendes and Jay Ashenfelter co-producing for Legendary.
A presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" hits theaters beginning May 31, 2019. It will be distributed in 3-D and 2-D and IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures, except in Japan, where it will be distributed by Toho Co. Ltd.
Cameras Rolling on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Wonder Woman 1984'
Fast forward to the 1980s as Wonder Woman's next big screen adventure finds her facing an all-new foe: The Cheetah. Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures' follow up to the superhero's first outing, last summer's record-breaking "Wonder Woman," which took in $822 million at the worldwide box office. "Wonder Woman 1984" will also be helmed by acclaimed director Patty Jenkins, and star Gal Gadot in the title role. As previously announced, the film also stars Kristen Wiig in the role of the supervillain The Cheetah, as well as Pedro Pascal. And Chris Pine returns as Steve Trevor.
Gadot and Pine were on hand to chat with fans, the latter mum on how his character will return upon presumably dying in the first film.
"Wonder Woman 1984" is set to open in theaters on Nov. 1, 2019.
Gal Gadot, above, as Wonder Woman, and Chris Pine as Steve Trevor in "Wonder Woman 1984." (Photos ©2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.)
Plus ...
Fans also got a taste of an all-new, animated webslinger. Lord and Miller, the creative minds behind "The Lego Movie," bring their unique talents to a fresh vision of a different "Spider-Man" universe, with a groundbreaking visual style that's the first of its kind. "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask. (Dec. 14).
There will be an origin story for "Transformers" favorite "Bumblebee." On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug. (Dec. 21)
Riz Ahmed, left, and Tom Hardy attended Sony Pictures "Venom" panel. (Oct. 5)
"Venom" (Cast photo by Eric Charbonneau/©2018 CTMG Inc. All rights reserved. Poster image is ©2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.)
TV
Disney Channel's "Kim Possible" stars Sean Giambrone as Ron Stoppable and Sadie Stanley as Kim Possible. (Disney Channel photo by Ed Herrera)
Iconic Teen Hero 'Kim Possible' Comes to Life
Emmy Award-winning executive producers Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley revealed the first photo of the iconic character Kim Possible, brought to life by actress Sadie Stanley in the upcoming live-action Disney Chanel Original Movie "Kim Possible." Set to debut in 2019, the movie is based on the global-hit animated series about an everyday high school girl who, in her spare time, saves the world from villains. Sean Giambrone (ABC's "The Goldbergs") stars as Kim Possible's loyal best friend, Ron Stoppable.
The live-action movie was written by McCorkle, Schooley and Josh Cagan ("The DUFF," "Bandslam"). The executive producers are McCorkle, Schooley and Zanne Devine ("I, Tonya" and "Easy A"). The movie will be co-directed and co-produced by Adam B. Stein and Zach Lipovsky (both of Disney XD's "MECH-X4").
Also starring are Alyson Hannigan ("How I Met Your Mother") as brain surgeon Dr. Ann Possible (AKA Mom Possible); Todd Stashwick ("12 Monkeys") and Taylor Ortega will play fan-favorite villains Drakken and Shego, respectively; Connie Ray ("The Big C") as grandmother Nana Possible; Ciara Wilson ("OMG!") as new high school student Athena; Erika Tham ("Make It Pop") who will play Kim's childhood frenemy, Bonnie; and Issac Ryan Brown ("Raven's Home") as teen computer genius Wade. The comedy-adventure is set to debut in 2019.
ABC Makes All-Star Return To Comic-Con
ABC brought the star power to Comic-Con with talent appearances from some of the network's most popular and exciting series.
On Friday, Nathan Fillion, star of new drama series "The Rookie," kicked off the festivities, signing autographs at the ABC booth on the convention floor. "The Rookie" premieres this fall.
Nathan Fillion (ABC photo by Matt Petit)
On Saturday, cast and executive producers from returning series "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and "The Goldbergs," along with new series "Whiskey Cavalier" and "Schooled," took to the convention floor to sign autographs and meet fans.
The day opened with the "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." autograph session, and fans were able to meet and interact with cast members Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, Natalia Cordova-Buckley, Henry Simmons and Jeff Ward, plus executive producers Jeff Bell and Jeph Loeb.
Taking over the ABC booth in the early afternoon was Lauren Cohan and Tyler James Williams, stars of the upcoming drama "Whiskey Cavalier." Cohan has been a series regular on "The Walking Dead" since 2011, and Williams appeared in numerous episodes during the 2014-15 season.
Finishing the day was the always-funny cast of "The Goldbergs": Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jeff Garlin, Hayley Orrantia, Sam Lerner and AJ Michalka (who also stars in the upcoming "The Goldbergs" spin-off, "Schooled," which is set in 1990-something and follows the teachers of William Penn Academy).
On Sunday, ABC concluded Comic-Con with a special appearance from "Once Upon a Time" and the new TGIF line-up: comedies "Fresh Off the Boat" and "Speechless," and game show "Child Support."
"Once Upon a Time" fan favorite Lana Parrilla jumpstarted the ABC booth on as she signed autographs and took photos with fans. Later, during the afternoon meet-and-greet session, attendees met some of their favorite stars from the new TGIF lineup, including Forrest Wheeler ("Fresh Off the Boat"), John Ross Bowie and Cedric Yarbrough ("Speechless"), and Fred Savage ("Child Support").
In addition to the meet-and-greet opportunities, the ABC booth offered fans the opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise from such series as "Alias," "Blossom," "Dinosaurs," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Golden Girls," "Home Improvement," "Once Upon a Time," "Scrubs" and "School House Rocks!"
A Greenlight for Season 2 of 'Marvel's Cloak & Dagger'
In front of 4,000-plus screaming fans, the cast and executive producers of the Freeform series "Marvel's Cloak & Dagger" announced the series has been picked up for a second season. The show will be back with 10 all-new episodes promising mayhem in spring 2019.
Onstage to deliver the good news to fans in Ballroom 20 were cast members Olivia Holt, Aubrey Joseph, Emma Lahana and Ally Maki, along with executive producers Joe Pokaski and Jeph Loeb. The panel also included a special sneak peek at the upcoming two episodes, including the finale where everything comes to a head for Tandy and Ty as the City of New Orleans is thrown into chaos. The two realize it is time they face their destiny and test their powers as "The Divine Pairing" to save the city.
Don Cheadle Stars as Donald Duck in Epic, One-Hour Season Finale of Disney's 'DuckTales'
Academy Award-nominated actor Don Cheadle ("Avengers: Infinity War," "House of Lies") will guest star as Donald Duck's intelligible voice, as a result of an inventive voicebox, in the one-hour season finale of Disney's hit series "DuckTales," Saturday, Aug. 18 (9:30-10:30 a.m. EDT), on Disney Channel,
DisneyNOW and Disney Channel VOD. The star-studded season one finale will also feature Lin Manuel-Miranda (Broadway's "Hamilton," Disney's "Moana"), Catherine Tate ("Doctor Who") and Kimiko Glenn ("Orange Is the New Black"), who reprise their roles as Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera (aka Gizmoduck), Magica De Spell and Lena, respectively. In the episode titled "The Shadow War!"
Magica De Spell is close to exacting revenge on Scrooge, so the family races against time to plan a dangerous rescue mission to save Scrooge and the city.
Cheadle said, "It's an awesome opportunity, because there are only so many roles that you look forward to playing as an actor. You've got to do your homework and bring your A-game when you're trying to voice Donald Duck."
