Johnny Depp, Chris Daughtry Surpised Guests At Comic-con

Johnny Depp Photo: AP

Johnny Depp surprised fans at the Disney 3-D panel by joining director Tim Burton at the end of his “Alice in Wonderland” presentation. Other surprise guests throughout the 4 day event, were Chris Daughtry and Dominic Monaghan. A former LOST star, Monaghan, will be joining the cast of ABC’s highly anticipated new show, Flash Forward and showed up as a surprise guest towards the end of the panel.

Chris Daughtry, whose band Daughtry currently has the number 1 album in the country, walked around the event incognito before playing the Wrath of Khan event party at The Hard Rock Hotel later in the evening.

The final numbers aren’t out yet, but thanks to panels and autograph sessions for “Twilight:New Moon”, Heroes and Glee, the event might have set a new record for the number of girls attending. Many were camped out as early for the Wednesday night and Thursday events.

Next years Comic-Con is slated for July 22-25, 2010.

TV Guide Sneak Peek at Comic-Con: Big Bang Theory, Chuck, Flash Forward, Vampire Diaries

FLASH FORWARD - Pilot Gallery (ABC/BOB D'AMICO) JACK DAVENPORT, PEYTON LIST, SONYA WALGER, ZACHARY KNIGHTON, JOSEPH FIENNES, JOHN CHO, COURTNEY B. VANCE, BRIAN O'BYRNE, CHRISTINE WOODS

It was all sci-fi as TV Guide previewed some of the most anticipated shows of the upcoming season. The stars and artists were on hand at the TV Guide panel to introduce the new fall season to and audience of over 5000. Returning favorites, Chuck and Big Bang Theory were joined by new shows Flash Forward, Eastwick, V, and The Vampire Diaries, all showed clips or answered questions for fans.

Flash Forward (ABC)- series star John Cho (Star Trek, Harold And Kumar) and show producer Mark Guggenheim were on hand to show a sneak preview of their new show. Also starring Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare In Love) and Courtney B. Vance (Law And Order), the show is about a global blackout that everyone experiences for 2 minutes and seventeen seconds. Each person gets a vision into his or her future 6 months ahead.  This proves disturbing to Cho’s character who, like a few other people, got no flash back at all during the universal blackout, leading them to suspect that they are dead in 6 months. The show takes us on a journey into each character’s lives as they try to piece together what their memories mean and how and if they would change any of it if they could.

Also produced by David Gorey (Batman Returns) and Brannon Brega (Star Trek) and also starring, Dominic Monaghan (Lost), Flash Forward premieres September 24 on ABC.

V (ABC)- series star Scott Wolf (Party of Five, The Nine) and producer Scott Peters (4400) were on hand to introduce V, a re-imagining of the original 80s mini series. The series, which has been updated to 2009, also stars Morris Chestnut (The Cave), Morena Baccarin (Firefly, Serenity) Also produced by Jeffrey Bell (Alias), Steve Pearlman (Related), and Jace Hall (Chadam).

Eastwick (ABC)- series star Rebecca Romijn ( X-Men, Ugly Betty) was on hand to introduce her series a remake on the original movie starring Jack Nicholson and Cher. The series, also starring Lindsey Price (Beverly Hills 90210, Lipstick Jungle) and Jamie Ray Newman, as the three “witches”.  With the help of a mysterious stranger who comes to town, they discover and craft their witchcraft. They each react to the changes in their live in very different ways.

Allison Dubois, the real “medium” on which the Patricia Arquette series is based, came to introduce her own show. A cross between,  Medium and Bones, the show will be a real life series in which Dubois and an investigative team will solve actual crimes, taking the audience thorough the entire process from discovery, to investigation to closed case. Medium will enter into it’s 6^th season on CBS.

Vampire Diaries (WB)- Fresh off the heels of the wildly successful Twilight films and the popular HBO cult favorite True Blood, network television is selling and Vampires as well. Kevin Williamson (Dawson’s Creek and Scream) adapts the acclaimed novels into The Vampire Diaries. Williamson stressed that “the only difference between this new series and its popular predecessors is that they are vampires. From there, the similarities end”. The shows premise is two estranged brothers, both vampires fall in love with the same girl, one of them for all of the right reasons and the other in an effort to recapture the past, with the girl filling the void left by a lost love. The brothers might each other in an old fashioned case of good vs. evil as they battle for her soul.

A bearded Zachary Levi as on hand to discuss his alter-ego Chuck and how he’s evolved into his secret agent position. He had plenty of fan support from Chuck fans from around the world, most noticeably Birmingham England to whom he credits for Chuck’s reprieve. The third season of Chuck will air as a mid-season replacement for NBC.

Big Bang Theory’s Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons were on hand also as homage to the convention goers. Although,

Jim Parsons, Johnn Galecki, Kelly Cuoco of Big Bang Theory Photo: CBA

technically not a sci-fi show, their characters are the types who would actually attend one of these conventions. They celebrate the sci-fi genre every week in some form. The CBS sitcom also stars Kelly Couco and centers around a group of geniuses and their bombshell neighbor as they learn to adjust to each other’s lives.

Each panelist was asked about their appreciation for the genre and each showed and appreciation for being in the business in general.

“The great thing about television playing the same characters week after week is” said Jim Parsons of his Emmy nominated role on Big Bang Theory. “…you get to a place where you [the audience] can count on them to have a certain reaction or to act a certain way.”

“ I loved The Six Million Man…and The Bionic Woman”, said V’s Scott Wolf when asked about his favorite sci-fi genre show growing up. I think I had three different arms and loved the sound made for her ear.”

Teaser trailers were shown of Eastwick, Flash Forward, Vampire Diaries and Chuck ‘The Upgrade”.

The new fall television season kicks off in September. Check TV Guide for more premiere dates and schedules: Returning Shows New Shows

First Look: Tim Burton’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’ Trailer at Comic-Con

Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland

 

Comic-Con goers got a first look at the trailer for Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” starring Johnny Depp. Depp made a surprise appearance today at the Disney 3-D panel where Burton  was doing a presentation for the film. “Alice In Wonderland” is scheduled to open, March 5, 2010. 

For a look at the teaser trailer, click here: ALICE TRAILER

Life After Pine Valley: Kelli Giddish at Comic-Con For “Past Life”

Kelli Giddish as Dr. Kate McGinn Photo:Fox/givememyremote.com

Kelli Giddish has landed a a staring role in the new Fox drama, Past Life. The show follows the day to day tales of a psychologist who must work with a former detective to solve mysteries of the past and present.

Known to soap opera audiences as All My Children’s Di Henry, Kelli, the shows cast and show’s creator will be at Comic- Con for a pilot screening, Q&A on Friday, July 24. A rumored autograph session remains unconfirmed.

Below is the official schedule description from Comic-Con and Fox.

2:15-3:15 Past Life Pilot Screening and Q&A— Past Life makes its debut at Comic-Con with a screening of the pilot episode and a Q&A with the show’s creator and stars. Come talk with executive producers David Hudgins (Friday Night Lights) and Lou Pitt, as well as series stars Kelli Giddish (Damages), Nicholas Bishop (Above the Law) and Ravi Patel (Scrubs) and learn more about this fast-paced emotional thriller in which a gifted psychologist and former detective must work together to unravel mysteries that must be solved in both the past and the present. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television, Past Life will air Tuesdays at 9:00 pm ET/PT midseason on FOX. Room 6A

To learn more about the show visit: Past Life

Check out the official trailer for the show:

Ryan Reynolds To Play Green Lantern

Ryan Reynolds Photo:Reuters/Phil McCarten

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Ryan Reynolds has been chosen to play the Green Lantern in the upcoming Warner Brothers Film. The studio’s live-action movie based on the Green Lantern DC Comics.

Reynolds is said have won the role, beating out actors Bradley Cooper, Jared Leto and Justin Timberlake.  .

Reynolds starred in a comic-book movie, 20th Century Fox’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” in which he played Deadpool, also known as the Merc with a Mouth. The character is being developed for a spin-off in which Reynolds will star. He also played Marvel’s vampire hunter Hannibal King in “Blade: Trinity” and was recently seen on the romantic comedy “The Proposal” with Sandra Bullock. Reynolds is also slated to play another DC Comics hero, “The Flash”, which is in development.

Comic Con Update: Tim Burton and Robert Zemeckis Present Disney 3D Magic

(From Business Wire)–Animation greats Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter and directors Robert Zemeckis and Tim Burton will take part in their first ever Comic-Con at the San Diego Convention Center July 23-24. The filmmakers will be on hand to help Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures showcase a wide-ranging roster of upcoming films, including 3D juggernauts ALICE IN WONDERLAND, TRON and DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and animated gems THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, PONYO and the TOY STORY trilogy. Zemeckis, Burton, Miyazaki and Lasseter will take part in industry panels.

COMIC-CON’S FIRST EVER 3D PANEL — Veteran directors Robert Zemeckis and Tim Burton join TRON producers Sean Bailey and Steve Lisberger on Thurs., July 23 at 11 a.m. for an unprecedented presentation featuring behind-the-scenes filmmaker insights about the highly anticipated 3D adventures DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, ALICE IN WONDERLAND and TRON. In addition to Q&A opportunities with each of the filmmakers, the 90-minute panel will feature never-before-seen concept art, trailers, actual 3D film footage and other Comic-Con-only footage debuts. In a groundbreaking technical feat, this is the first time ever that 3D footage will be shown at Comic-Con. Patton Oswalt will moderate.

ANIMATION PANEL — Animation legends Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter join veteran animation directors Lee Unkrich, Kirk Wise, Ron Clements and John Musker on Fri., July 24 at 12:45 p.m. for an animation panel which will highlight upcoming animated films, including Disney•Pixar’s TOY STORY/TOY STORY 2 double feature, Disney•Pixar’s TOY STORY 3, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ half-hour holiday TV special PREP & LANDING, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG and Miyazaki’s PONYO. John Lasseter will host the panel and Patton Oswalt will moderate a group Q&A following the presentation, which will include filmmaker insights, trailers and select film sequences.

ABOUT THE MOVIES

PONYO From the Academy Award®-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki comes PONYO, a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” Already a box-office success in Japan, the story of a young and overeager goldfish named Ponyo (voiced by NOAH CYRUS) and her quest to become human features an outstanding roster of voice talent, including CATE BLANCHETT, MATT DAMON, TINA FEY, FRANKIE JONAS, CLORIS LEACHMAN, LIAM NEESON, LILY TOMLIN and BETTY WHITE. PONYO opens in U.S. theaters on Aug. 14, 2009.

TOY STORY & TOY STORY 2 – DOUBLE FEATURE (In Disney Digital 3D™) Disney●Pixar’s TOY STORY and TOY STORY 2 return to the big screen in an exciting double feature Oct. 2, 2009—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. TOY STORY They’re toys, they talk—at least when people aren’t around—and they’re back… celebrating the return of the “Toy Story” franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™! TOY STORY, the film that started it all, takes moviegoers back to that fantastic fun-filled journey, viewed mostly through the eyes of two rival toys— Woody (voice of TOM HANKS), the lanky, likable cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear (voice of TIM ALLEN), the fearless space ranger. The comically-mismatched duo eventually learn to put aside their differences when circumstances separate them from their owner Andy and they find themselves on a hilarious adventure-filled mission where the only way they can survive is to form an uneasy alliance. TOY STORY 2 Disney•Pixar’s TOY STORY 2 picks up as Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (voice of WAYNE KNIGHT), owner of Al’s Toy Barn, kidnaps Woody (voice of TOM HANKS). At Al’s apartment, Woody discovers that he is a highly valued collectible from a 1950s TV show called “Woody’s Roundup,” and he meets the other prized toys from that show – Jessie the cowgirl (voice of JOAN CUSACK), Bullseye the horse and Stinky Pete the Prospector (voice of KELSEY GRAMMER). Back at the scene of the crime, Buzz Lightyear (voice of TIM ALLEN) and the gang from Andy’s room – Mr. Potato Head (voice of DON RICKLES), Slinky Dog (voice of JIM VARNEY), Rex (voice of WALLACE SHAWN) and Hamm (voice of JOHN RATZENBERGER) – spring into action to rescue their pal from winding up as a museum piece. The toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get Woody home before Andy returns.

DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL (In Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D) DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3D motion picture event. Ebenezer Scrooge (JIM CARREY) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (GARY OLDMAN) and his cheery nephew (COLIN FIRTH). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it’s too late. Opens in theaters nationwide on Nov. 6, 2009.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin” comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana (ANIKA NONI ROSE), a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG marks the return to hand-drawn animation from the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements, with music by Oscar®-winning composer Randy Newman. Opens on November 25, 2009 in NY and LA, and on December 11, 2009 nationwide.

PREP & LANDING PREP & LANDING is ABC’s first television special produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The half-hour holiday special reveals the never-before-told tale of an elite unit of Elves known as Prep & Landing. Every Christmas Eve, this high-tech organization ensures that homes around the world are properly prepared for a visit from the Big Guy (aka Santa Claus). After working tirelessly on Prep & Landing for 227 years, an elf named Wayne (voice of Dave Foley) is upset when he doesn’t receive an expected promotion to be the Director of Naughty List Intelligence. Instead, Magee (voice of Sarah Chalke), the North Pole Christmas Eve Command Center Coordinator (NPCECCC for short), partners Wayne with Lanny (voice of Derek Richardson), an idealistic rookie who has an undying enthusiasm for Christmas. During their Christmas Eve mission, Wayne and Lanny encounter unexpected challenges that push them to their limits.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (In Disney Digital 3D™) Walt Disney Pictures’ magical animated classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST returns to the big screen in Disney Digital 3D™, introducing a whole new generation to the Disney classic with stunning new 3D imagery. Opening Feb. 12, 2010, the film captures the fantastic journey of Belle (voice of PAIGE O’HARA), a bright and beautiful young woman who’s taken prisoner by a hideous beast (voice of ROBBY BENSON) in his castle. Despite her precarious situation, Belle befriends the castle’s enchanted staff—a teapot, a candelabra and a mantel clock, among others—and ultimately learns to see beneath the Beast’s exterior to discover the heart and soul of a prince. Featuring unforgettable music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, and an enormously talented vocal ensemble, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was the first—and only—animated feature to receive a Best Picture nomination from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND (In Disney Digital 3D™) From Walt Disney Pictures and

Johny Depp as The Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland

visionary director Tim Burton comes an epic 3D fantasy adventure ALICE IN WONDERLAND, a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. JOHNNY DEPP stars as the Mad Hatter and MIA WASIKOWSKA as 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends: the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter. Alice embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen’s reign of terror. The all-star cast also includes ANNE HATHAWAY, HELENA BONHAM CARTER and CRISPIN GLOVER; Linda Woolverton wrote the screenplay. Capturing the wonder of Lewis Carroll’s beloved “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (1865) and “Through the Looking-Glass” (1871) with stunning, avant-garde visuals and the most charismatic characters in literary history, ALICE IN WONDERLAND comes to the big screen in Disney Digital 3D™ on March 5, 2010.

TOY STORY 3 (In Disney Digital 3D™) The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in TOY STORY 3. Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings. TOY STORY 3 comes to theaters nationwide in Disney Digital 3D™ on June 18, 2010.

TRON (title not final) (In Disney Digital 3D™) TRON is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world that’s unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (GARRETT HEDLUND), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (JEFF BRIDGES), looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevin’s loyal confidant (OLIVIA WILDE), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.