Marvel Hall H SDCC 2017

In this decade, when Marvel Studios comes to San Diego Comic Con, they are the most anticipated panel of the convention. During their panel, Marvel has been known to make big casting announcements, present footage exclusive for the attendees, display concept art for films just beginning production, and overall just putting on the most entertaining show of the con.

2010 really began the start of this tradition when Mark Ruffalo was announced to play The Hulk in the upcoming Avengers film. The entire cast of The Avengers was then brought out on stage to be seen by the public for the first time.

In 2011 Marvel Studios did not have a panel, but Captain America The First Avenger did make the studio’s presence felt. The film being released that Friday at the Con was playing non-stop in downtown theaters. Attendees that went to a screening were given posters for the film that were Comic-Con exclusives.

After the success of The Avengers in 2012, Robert Downey Jr. danced down the aisles of Hall H high-fiving attendees while wearing his Iron Man glove. Edgar Wright made his last appearance to promote Ant-Man and brought the now infamous test footage of the suit in action. The scene was later used in the film, but of course updated to reflect the cast and tone put in place by new director Peyton Reed. And finally, the titles for Thor The Dark World, Captain America The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy were announced as upcoming films.

In 2013 Tom Hiddleston dressed as Loki and crashed the panel. He had put Nerdist Chris Hardwick on his knees and had 6500 audience members on their feet chanting his name. Satisfied, he proclaimed that he had his army and unveiled footage from Thor The Dark World. The cast of Captain America Winter Soldier came out and unveiled the amazing elevator fight scene showing attendees that Cap was now a badass. Finally James Gunn came out with the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy. While attendees were grateful to see the cast, they got blown away as less than 2 weeks into shooting James Gunn had assembled a trailer for the film. After that trailer played the audience lost their minds and screamed to see it one more time. And they did. From then on Hooked on a Feeling was stuck in our minds until the film’s release in August 2014.

In 2014, right before the release of Guardians of the Galaxy, they brought out the cast for Avengers Age of Ultron. Josh Brolin, wearing a giant foam Infinity Gauntlet came out to threaten the cast, but was content after receiving a rose from Robert Downey Jr.

In 2015 their absence was felt as they appeared at the new Disney-based convention D23 in lieu of Comic Con.

In 2016 they came back to Hall H with a vengeance. First they dimmed the lights. Then the expanded the Hall H screens to the max. Then extra screens descended from the raptors. Then mist erupted filling the hall. Finally a light show began as Hall H was introduced to exclusive footage of Doctor Strange. Next to promote Spider-Man Homecoming, they played a year book reel showing the Avengers cast in their High School year-books. Then the crowd was shown never before seen footage of the film almost 1 year before its release. Next we saw Thor’s “home movie” from Australia as he hangs out with his new flat mate Darrel. While there was no footage for Thor Ragnarok, we were shown concept art from the forthcoming film. Then to promote Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2, actors dressed as Ravagers stormed the Hall and paraded up and down the aisles taunting guests and causing a commotion. Then on the stage appeared Michael Rooker dressed as Yondu. He corralled the Ravagers and footage of the new film was presented including our first look at Baby Groot. Kevin Feige then pointed out that Marvel Studios had a new logo and showed off his hat. After asking if the crowd liked the logo, he announced that everyone in Hall H will be getting a hat with the new logo. Finally, the entire cast of all films were brought out on stage to welcome their newest addition as Brie Larson was announced to star as Captain Marvel.

This year attendees began lining up days in advance to get into panel. On Thursday night by 8:30pm, there were already over 300 lined up for the Saturday Hall H Panels. Now it is true that Warner Brothers presented a panel in the morning which included Ready Player One, Justice League, and Aquaman. It is also true that Netflix’s Stranger Things made is its Comic Con debut in Hall H that same day. And HBO also brought their sci-fi hit West World to Hall H. But if you were to go up and down that line and ask what everyone was willing to wait almost 48 hours to see, the greater majority proudly proclaimed Marvel.

Once Saturday evening came and panel was beginning, all attendees speculated if Chris Hemsworth or Tom Hiddleston would come dressed as their characters to promote Thor Ragnarok? Would Chadwick Boseman lead the Dora Mijae through the halls to promote The Black Panther?

As the lights dimmed, the screens lit and we see….Paul Rudd and Michael Pena. As themselves, the two actors recapped all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films with their own particular spin and flare. It is revealed that they are actually pitching the idea of joining the Marvel cast to be in their new movie Ant-Man and the Wasp. As funny as their pitch was, nothing prepared me for who they were pitching to: Michelle Pfieffer! Michelle Pfieffer is playing the legendary Janet Van Dyne, the original Wasp who in the comics was a founding member of The Avengers. Then we were shown exclusive concept art and previz from the film. We don’t know much of the plot, but we know we will see Michael Douglas as Hank Pym in the suit, Michelle Pfieffer as Janet Van Dyne in the Wasp suit, Evangeline Lilly and Paul Rudd team up in their respective suits and Giant Man; Giant Man is seen “hiding” behind a building.

Next up was Captain Marvel. Brie Larson was not in attendance, nor were any members of the cast. But it was revealed that Nick Fury will appear with TWO EYES because Captain Marvel will be taking place in the 1990’s! Captain Marvel will also boast the Cinematic Universe appearance of the alien race The Skrulls! This is leading to much speculation in the comic book fan community and you can read more of my thoughts on this in a post coming soon.

Black Panther presented next with the whole cast in attendance. Alas, no one came in costume. Marvel did show us the new trailer, which was released to the public that same night. In addition, we watched one scene in which T’Challa and his two most trusted Dora Mijae engage in a fight at a Casino where Everett Ross (played by Martin Freeman) meets with Ulysses Klaw (played by Andy Serkis) to do a vibranium exchange.

Thor Ragnarok also brought out their ensemble cast, and again sadly no one was in costume. During the panel it was revealed that Jeff Goldblum’s character The Grandmaster is brother to Benicio Del Toro’s The Collector from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. In the comics these characters are known as Elders of the Universe (the oldest living beings) but were not actually related. This new twist could mean more. Attendees were given first peak at the new trailer, which was also released to the public that same night, and a couple of scenes from the film. The first scene shows Thor as he is transported to the chamber of The Grandmaster. Here we saw Jeff Goldblum doing his comedy best and killing it. Next we see Thor in the Gladiator Chambers where he meets Korg of the stone men. The stone men were the first villains that Thor encountered in the Marvel Comics. In this scene Korg mocks Thor for his attempts to break out. The footage reveals that whereas Thor The Dark World tried to go grim, Thor Ragnarok will be brighter in color, special effects and humor.

Finally, as Kevin Feige tried to release the Hall, the cast came back saying there was one last bit. Marvel revealed the exclusive footage from Avengers Infinity War. For those that attended D23 this year, the footage was exactly the same. For those to whom this was new, minds were blown. The Guardians find Thor floating in space as they come across what looks to be a destroyed planet. We see for the first time Peter Parker’s Spidey Sense as the hairs on his arm raise notifying him of danger. Steve Rogers is shown sporting a full beard and cloaked in shadow. The Winter Soldier is seen awake as he is armed alongside an army in Wakanda. Thanos appears with an incomplete gauntlet (we are able to see not all of the stones are in place). In fatal danger Iron Man is knocked out by one punch from Thanos which in another scene Thanos’ massive hand is holding Thor’s head squeezing to crush. Doctor Strange is seen casting enchantments while Starlord is leaping and firing his guns. And finally, Spiderman is wearing a shiny new costume as he is swinging along in New York.

Marvel did give out posters to promote Thor Ragnarok and Black Panther, but I must admit that they did not put on the show I expected them too from previous years. Maybe it was because of D23, maybe they had too much to promote. Regardless, Marvel still put on the best panel of Saturday and I regret nothing!