On Saturday I had the pleasure of interviewing actor Brian O’Halloran. He is best known for playing the character of Dante in Kevin Smith’s CLERKS & CLERKS 2. He also recently appeared in BRUTAL MASSACRE and the upcoming CALENDAR GIRL. He was at the New York Comic Con this weekend signing autographs and agreed to an impromptu interview. We talked about the convention, theater, horror films and more. He even offered some great advice for indie filmmakers. After he interview, I ended up hanging around the booth another 15 minutes talking with him and some other fans who stopped by. Check out the full interview below!

Jerry Cavallaro – www.JerryCavallaro.com

BOY WONDER is a psychological thriller about a boy obsessed with finding his mom’s killer. This weekend some of the talent behind the film were at NYCC to promote its upcoming theatrical and DVD release. Below is an interview with writer, director and producer Michael Morrissey.

Here’s the official synopsis of the film:

A young Brooklyn boy witnesses the brutal murder of his mother and grows up obsessed with finding her killer. Thus begins his life as a quiet, straight-A student by day and a self-appointed hero at night. But what is a real hero? And who decides what is right or wrong? As the boundaries blur, Sean’s dual life wears on his psyche and his two worlds careen dangerously close to colliding. Like a graphic novel you can’t put down, Boy Wonder challenges morality, distorting perceptions of what is right and what is justified, as it races to its shocking conclusion.

BOY WONDER will be in limited theaters in NY starting October 21st & Chicago October 28th. BW will be on DVD & VOD November 8th!

Jerry Cavallaro – www.JerryCavallaro.com

I’m not going to even try to write a description for them but here are the best of my photos from NYCC. Which ones do you like best? Can you guess which are my favorite?

Jerry Cavallaro – www.JerryCavallaro.com

My second day at NYCC started off with a 25-minute wait on a line that wrapped almost entirely around the Javits Center. I later found out there was a separate press / VIP entrance I could have used but the volunteer I asked apparently did not know about it either. The line wasn’t too bad though considering how many people in awesome costumes I got to see while I waited.

Once inside the convention, I saw the reason for the massive lines. The place was packed. Some aisles on the show floor were impossible to navigate and even the press rooms were full. I knew Saturday would be the biggest day at the con but I just was not prepared. The massive amount of foot traffic made taking decent pictures of people in costumes much more difficult but I still managed some decent shots.

After a quick hello with some fellow press, I began wandering the show floor aimlessly. Eventually I did fall into a little bit of a schedule based on a few booths and panels I wanted to check out. On my way to the BOY WONDER booth, I passed Magnet Releasing and noticed that writer/director/actor Ti West was signing posters. Being a fan of his work, I waited to meet him. We talked horror movies for a few minutes and he gave me some advice on a script I recently finished.

From there I headed over to my interview with Michael Morrissey, writer & director of BOY WONDER. We discussed the origins of the film, what it is like promoting it at conventions and more. I will post the full interview soon but here is a trailer for the film.

Following the interview, I made my way to a booth that actually has very little to do with movies but I want to mention anyway. IAmAStuffedAnimal.com is a website that makes a custom “little buddy” which look like the stuffed wrestling dolls I used to have as a kid. For a pretty reasonable fee considering all the personalization, they make these really cool stuffed dolls of anyone or anything you want. They first came to my attention when actress Felicia Day was posting pics with her buddy that they made for her. I found them on twitter (@StuffYourself) and saw they made custom buddies of a lot of the celebrities at the convention. In fact, the doll Seth Green & Macaulay Culkin were posing with in my video on Friday was from these guys. I loved that promotional idea and stopped by to do a quick interview with them. Check it out:

After the interview, I made my way to the EAGLEHEART panel at the other end of the building. This was a strange one. For anyone who has seen the show, you know how insane and hilarious it is. If you haven’t, the show is essentially a WALKER TEXAS RANGER parody with some of the most absurd humor you will ever see. Obviously, it is part of the Adult Swim lineup. The show stars Chris Elliott, Brett Gelman and Maria Thayer, who were all on the panel along with creators Michael Kolman and Andrew Weinberg. So why was the panel so strange? Well I guess such a crazy show deserves crazy fans. I taped the entire panel (except the preview clips) for you to check out. My favorite questions are the ones involving Brett Gelman’s beard. Yes, there were several questions just about his beard. Enjoy!

Because of this panel, it was impossible to get into the WALKING DEAD or AVENGERS panels. On my way to EAGLEHEART, I had to pass by the IGN Theater. No one was leaving in between panels there and the standby line to get in was massive. In fact, to get through the crowd I had to follow a man with a life-size fully functional R2D2 as if he was my police escort. I didn’t feel like spending all my time on a line anyway and going to the other panel gave me a chance to catch up with Chris Elliott for a few minutes. We have been friends for a few years but it has been a while since we last saw each other. They had to clear out the room pretty quickly but it was great seeing him again.

Missing the AVENGERS panel also opened up my schedule to go explore the convention center some more. I discovered the reason I couldn’t find any of the celebrity autograph tables was because it was in an entirely different section of the Javits Center with literally only one sign advertising it. It was an open space with much smaller crowds than any other section of NYCC. In addition to the signings, there were a lot of sections for kids, as well as an area for photos with the Delorean from BACK TO THE FUTURE & two different Batmobiles. There was also a small Quidditch field where I witnessed the last 20 seconds of what was surely an epic match between Batman and a Stormtrooper.

Walking through the signing area, I learned one very important fact. Mark Hamil is the king of convention signings and he truly cleans up. It was $100 for a ticket to meet him and at least 100 people were waiting on line when I passed by. That is damn impressive. Unfortunately both Eliza Dushku and Felicia Day were not at their tables when I checked. However, I did get to see Brian O’Halloran, who is best known as Dante from CLERKS. I actually met him a few years ago at a special event in Red Bank, NJ. He signed my Mooby’s Funployee nametag & even wrote in Dante. That year I wore it on my Funployee shirt and went as Dante to a Halloween party. I did not tell Brian this though because I did not want to creep him out. He was kind enough to grant me an impromptu interview that I will post very soon. After the interview I stuck around his table another 20 minutes chatting with him and some more fans who stopped by. He is extremely friendly and very knowledgeable. He offered some great advice and it really was a pleasure talking with him. I hope that we keep in touch because I would love to work with him someday.

I pretty much ended my day on that high note. I did pass by the Troma Entertainment booth on my way out just to thank Lloyd Kaufman for the quick interview from Friday and to find out how the Graham Chapman panel went since I was unable to attend it. Completely exhausted, I made my way home and passed out immediately on my bed. The interviews and photos will be posted soon.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.JerryCavallaro.com

As I left the Javits Center tonight, I realized that I did not have anything to eat or drink in nearly 10 hours. That just goes to show you how time seems to get away from you at the New York Comic Con. It also explains why I did not get to do nearly as much as I planned for the day.

I arrived at NYCC about 2 hours after it officially opened and I was off to a good start with absolutely no wait for press check-in. I thought I knew what to expect since I attended (and COVERED) NY Comic Con in 2009. The first thing I realized walking onto the show floor was just how massive this event has become. It has expanded to take up pretty much the entire Javits Center.

Unfortunately, it seems like the film presence at the festival has not increased much. I was surprised by the absence of booths for Fox & After Dark Films, which were two of my favorites in 2009. Most attendees probably do not care though since I know I am in the minority of those who attend the convention mostly for film rather than comics, anime, toys, collectibles & video games. Regardless, I still spent the first 4 hours wandering around the show floor and there are still film booths I need to hit up tomorrow like the one for the indie film, BOY WONDER.

I will do a full photo spread on Sunday with all the incredible costumes. For now, here are a few highlights from the show floor.

Really cool Amazing Spider-Man display as soon as you enter.

Part of the always crowded AVENGERS display.

Legendary Entertainment’s booth is full of awesome props like this one.

Furry Walls!

Around 5 pm, I made my way over to the IGN Theater for the ROBOT CHICKEN panel and waited on what may have been the longest line I have ever been on. But it was worth it. The presentation started with a preview of Season 5.5, which will be hilarious and so very wrong. I don’t want to spoil anything but one of my favorite sketches shown can best be described as a mashup of PRECIOUS and ATTACK OF THE 50 FT WOMAN.

The crowd erupted in cheers when they brought out the panelists: Seth Green, Matt Senreich, Geoff Johns, Kevin Shinick, Doug Goldstein, Macaulay Culkin, and Clare Grant. Early on Green warned the crowd that they do no prep for these panels and that they are here to meet the fans and answer questions. One of the very first people to the mic instead said “things I’d like to see” and began describing some sketches. The panel humored him at first but then Seth joked that this was “not a pitch session.” It was also added that if anyone suggests a sketch to them, they legally can’t do it. However, if you are a female writer, the ROBOT CHICKEN team is hiring. Next week they will post a tab on their official FACEBOOK PAGE where female writers can submit material.

Some other highlight from the panel was Seth doing a Peter impression following it up by saying “I don’t do Peter’s voice. Please don’t tell Seth (MacFarlane) I did that.” Someone asked if comedy in the Star Wars universe has been exhausted. Seth said it definitely wasn’t and he cannot wait for everyone to see the Star Wars animated series he has been working on. He also added that “George and LucasFilm have been pretty f-ing lenient” in terms of what they can get away with in sketches. Someone with a Green Lantern logo asked a question and several of the panelists reached over the table to take pictures. One of the final announcements of the panel was that the next ROBOT CHICKEN special will be about DC Comics. Based on the preview, which was edited together using DC Comics sketches already on the show, it will be called RC/DC.

The battery on my camera would never have lasted the full panel but I did get to record this very strange moment after a fan asks Seth Green and Macaulay Culkin to make a sexy pose.

ROBOT CHICKEN season 5 will be out October 25^th on DVD & Blu-Ray, and it will include 9 episodes that have not even aired yet. They are also about to launch RobotChicken.com.

Following the panel, I made my way to the TROMA booth in hopes of running into low budget horror icon, Lloyd Kaufman. Lloyd actually made a small cameo in my film STUCK LIKE CHUCK, which you can watch right HERE for free! I ended up hanging out at the Troma booth for the last 40 minutes of the day since our conversation kept getting interrupted by fans that wanted a picture or autograph. (From Lloyd, not me) He will actually be at the booth for most of tomorrow and Sunday so I highly suggest anyone attending to stop by Booth 2007. Lloyd will also be moderating a panel from 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM on Saturday for A LIAR’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY, which is an animated 3D film from EPIX about Graham Chapman from Monty Python.

I could give you some more reasons why you should stop by the Troma booth, but instead I’ll leave you with this video of Lloyd telling you himself.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.JerryCavallaro.com

New York Comic Con officially kicked off yesterday for press, professionals and anyone with a 4-day pass. In a few hours I will be heading to the Javits Center to attend the first full day of the convention. Contrary to the event name, NYCC has a lot more to offer than just comics. Below are just a few of the movie / TV related panels, screenings, guests and booths that we recommend checking out. Be sure to keep checking back on WAMG for more NYCC coverage. And follow me on twitter (@GetStuck) for some tweets and pics from the show floor.

PANELS

Comics, Hollywood – What Creators Need to Know

Friday, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Location: 1A03

Description: More comics are being turned into films, & creators have important questions about how Hollywood works. Get actionable information from top creators who have navigated the TV & movie business. Featuring special guests: Jimmy Palmiotti – Comic book writer Jonah Hex & Screenwriter Painkiller Jane, Ken Levin – Hollywood entertainment attorney, co-founder First Comics, Jane Espenson – Screenwriter Buffy, Battlestar Galactica, Angel, The O.C. Host: Buddy Scalera of Comic Book School.

DC Universe Animated Original Movies gives an early look at Batman: Year One, Catwoman & Justice League: Doom

Friday, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Location: IGN Theater

Description: Warner Home Video, Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation proudly present an action-packed hour of first looks with the premiere of the animated short Catwoman, an inside glimpse of Batman: Year One, and the New York Comic Con exclusive first footage of Justice League: Doom, the highly-anticipated next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Panelists include the ultimate voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy, executive producer Bruce Timm, casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano. Moderator Gary Miereanu will offer a first-look glimpse into the 2012 DC Universe Animated Original Movies slate, give away some exclusive prizes to inquisitive audience members, and quite possibly introduce a few surprise guests. Warner Home Video will distribute Batman: Year One and Catwoman on Blu-Ray™ and DVD on October 18, 2011.

Robot Chicken

Friday, 5:15 pm – 6:00 pm

Location: IGN Theater

Description: Seth Green (co-creator), Matthew Senreich (co-creator), Doug Goldstein (head writer and co-producer) and Zeb Wells discuss their popular series Robot Chicken and provide a sneak peek of season 5.5, premiering on Oct. 23rd on Adult Swim.

Comedy Central

Friday, 6:15 pm – 8:30 pm

Location: 1A22

Description: We’ve had a big year here at Comedy Central. So big, in fact, we’d like to give back to the fans by celebrating South Park’s Year of the Fan! We might be showing exclusive video outtakes from 6 Days To Air: The Making of South Park and we have another BIG surprise! As if that’s not enough, brush up on your South Park Trivia for a chance to win exclusive South Park memorabilia or just drop by for some free Cheesy Poofs. Recommended for mature audiences.

Attack the Block

Saturday, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Location: 1A22

Description: From the producers of Shaun of the Dead, winner of the Audience Award for Midnighters at 2011 SXSW and one of the best reviewed films of 2011, ATTACK THE BLOCK is a fast, funny, frightening action adventure movie that pits a teen street gang against an invasion of savage alien monsters. Join writer/director JOE CORNISH and star JOHN BOYEGA for a first look at the ATTACK THE BLOCK Blu-ray and DVD, coming October 25th.

Eagleheart

Saturday, 4:45 pm – 5:15 pm

Location: American Airlines Theater, 1A06

Description: Join series star Chris Elliott and co-star Maria Thayer, along with executive producers Jason Woliner, Andrew Weinberg and Michael Koman, as they discuss the live-action comedy Eagleheart and show never-before-seen footage. Produced by Conan O’Brien’s Conaco Productions and Dakota Pictures, the series premiered in February and recently wrapped production of its second season.

AMC’s The Walking Dead

Saturday, 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm

Location: IGN Theater

Description: Join Robert Kirkman (Creator/Writer of The Walking Dead comic) along with Greg Nicotero, Gale Anne Hurd, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Chandler Riggs, Lauren Cohan, Laurie Holden and more from The Walking Dead…as they discuss the success of season one and what to look forward to in season two. The panel will also include a special sneak peek at the new season. The Walking Dead returns October 16 at 9/8c. Only on AMC.

MARVEL STUDIOS: Marvel’s The Avengers

Saturday, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Location: IGN Theater

Description: Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor” and “Captain America: The First Avenger,” in “Marvel’s The Avengers” the world’s greatest Super Heroes must assemble to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security. This special presentation will feature never-before-seen footage and appearances by special surprise guests.

SCREENINGS

Pizza Man

Friday, 8:45 pm – 10:00 pm

Location: MTV Theater, 1A10

Description: Join Joe Eckardt, producer/director and stars of the family superhero film PIZZA MAN, starring Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle), Stan Lee, Adam West, Shelley Long, Corbin Bernsen, Diamond Dallas Page & Rowdy Roddy Piper. PIZZA MAN is a film for all ages to enjoy. The panel will include Frankie Muniz and Diamond Dallas Page!

Boy Wonder

Saturday, 6:45 pm – 8:15 pm

Location: 1B01

Description: In this riveting and gritty psychological-thriller, a young Brooklyn boy witnesses the brutal murder of his mother and grows up obsessed with finding her killer. Thus begins his life as a quiet, straight-A student by day and a self-appointed hero at night. But what is a real hero? And who decides what is right or wrong? As the boundaries blur, Sean’s dual life wears on his psyche and his two worlds careen dangerously close to colliding. Like a graphic novel you can’t put down, Boy Wonder challenges morality, distorting perceptions of what is right and what is justified, as it races to its shocking conclusion.

Meet the Cast & Crew in Booth 1839!

AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS

There are a lot of people signing all over the convention. Some are ticketed events and some aren’t. Here’s a link to see for yourself who will be signing and when – http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/en/Whos-Coming/Autographs/

Personally, I’m looking forward to meeting and hopefully interviewing Brian O’Halloran, Eliza Dushku and Felicia Day.

BOOTHS

Alternative Cinema – Booth 2511

Anchor Bay – Booth 430

Bad Kids Go To Hell – 2505

Boy Wonder Productions – 1839

Magnolia / Magnet Releasing – 1925

NBC Universal – 2507

Oni Press – 1236

Troma Entertainment – 2007

* Low budget horror icon Lloyd Kaufman will be on hand at the Troma booth. If you see him, be sure to ask him about STUCK LIKE CHUCK!

Jerry Cavallaro – www.JerryCavallaro.com

20th Century Fox has released this first official still from the upcoming PROMETHEUS.

Here’s the synopsis: (via Bloody Disgusting)

“Visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott returns to the genre he helped define, creating an original science fiction epic set in the most dangerous corners of the universe. The film takes a team of scientists and explorers on a thrilling journey that will test their physical and mental limits and strand them on a distant world, where they will discover the answers to our most profound questions and to life’s ultimate mystery.”

This past weekend at the PROMEMTHEUS Comic Con panel, director Ridley Scott spoke with screenwriter Damon Lindelof (LOST) and actress Charlize Theron about the prequel, being shot in 3D, to his 1979 sci-fi classic, ALIEN. PROMETHEUS stars Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce, Ben Foster, and Logan Marshall-Green.

Plus watch what Damon Lindelof and Charlize Theron had to say about the movie. Look for Scott’s PG-13 film in theaters on June 8, 2012.

Much of the landscape has changed since I first directed tv news in the mid 80′s, while some of it has remained the same staidly scene. This past weekend at Comic Con in San Diego, Anne Thompson of Thompson on Hollywood and producer of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” Gale Anne Hurd (ARMAGEDDON, ALIENS, THE TERMINATOR) had a frank discussion about Women in TV and Film, what’s up next for the Zombie serial and original film making vs franchise. For a further look at Ms. Thompson’s complete article, click HERE.

Watch the chilling, new trailer for AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD. Prepare yourselves for an intense first episode when Season 2 premieres on October 16th.

Source: Thompson on Hollywood

Check out this new RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES teaser that premiered at Comic Con 2011 in San Diego, CA. This one’ll give you goosebumps!

Here I thought it was only sharks that took out helicopters. By far the best stuff we’ve seen so far from the film. To watch other clips, click HERE and HERE.

Synopsis:

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES combines fantastic storytelling with the next leap in Visual Effects for an emotional and action-packed motion picture experience unlike any other. Man’s arrogance sets off a chain of events that leads to intelligence in apes and a challenge to our place as the dominant species on the planet. In Caesar, WETA – the Oscar-winning visual effects team behind Avatar – have created a CGI ape that delivers a dramatic performance of unprecedented emotion and intelligence

Starring James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, and Andy Serkis, director Rupert Wyatt’s, RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES opens in the U.S. on August 5, 2011 and in the U.K. August 11, 2011.

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RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Official Site: http://www.apeswillrise.com/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/apeswillrise
On Twitter: @apeswillrise #apeswillrise

Official YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/apeswillrise

iPhone / iPad App: http://www.apeswillrise.com/app/

“Like” the UK Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/apeswillriseUK
Follow the official UK Twitter: @ApesWillRiseUK #apeswillrise

Photos: WETA Digital. TM and © 2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved

Paramount Pictures has released another new image from the upcoming THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN. Have you seen the trailer for the film from Director Steven Spielberg?

Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson spoke at the “Tintin” panel at Comic-Con in San Diego, CA on Friday, July 22, 2011. The latest footage of the film was met with positive enthusiasm and according to THR, worries on the CGI, European based movie were squashed.

The extended footage shown, most of which consisted of Tintin interacting with a source, then later with Captain Haddock, smacked those concerns aside. And the action scenes had a propulsive feel to them, also impressive.

THR also went on to report:

Spielberg also confirmed The Hollywood Reporter’s story from June 15 about a fourth Jurassic Park movie. (“Hopefully we’ll make it in the next two or three years,”) while Jackson said he was developing a return to horror.

Below, Andy Serkis had a little fun when he came up to the mic incognito and asked a question of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson during the “Tintin” panel at Comic-Con in San Diego, CA on Friday, July 22, 2011.

Andy Serkis, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson pose following the “Tintin” panel at Comic-Con in San Diego, CA on Friday, July 22, 2011

Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg pose together following the “Tintin” panel at Comic-Con in San Diego, CA on Friday, July 22, 2011.

The best photo by far has to be the one at the ending of the Tintin panel where one lucky fan came on stage to shake Spielberg’s hand – pretty cool!

Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures present a 3D Motion Capture Film THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Steven Moffat and Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish. Starring Jamie Bell (“Billy Elliot,” “Defiance”) as Tintin, the intrepid young reporter whose relentless pursuit of a good story thrusts him into a world of high adventure, and Daniel Craig (“Quantum of Solace,” “Defiance”) as the nefarious Red Rackham.

The cast includes Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Toby Jones, Mackenzie Crook, Daniel Mays and Gad Elmaleh. Based on the series of books The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé, the film is produced by Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson and Kathleen Kennedy and will be in theaters December 23, 2011.

Visit the film’s official site at http://www.us.movie.tintin.com/.You can follow the movie on Twitter now: @Tintin_Movie

This footage of IN TIME debuted exclusively at Comic-Con 2011. IN TIME stars Amanda Seyfried and Justin Timberlake with Alex Pettyfer and Cillian Murphy, from the acclaimed writer-director Andrew Niccol (“Gattaca”, “The Truman Show”, “Lord of War”).

Synopsis:

When Will Salas (Timberlake) is falsely accused of murder, he must figure out a way to bring down a system where time is money — literally — enabling the wealthy to live forever while the poor, like Will, have to beg, borrow, and steal enough minutes to make it through another day.

IN TIME will be in theaters this Fall, October 28, 2011. “Like” the film on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/InTimeMovie. Follow the movie on Twitter: @InTimeMovie

Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn (BRONSON, THE PUSHER trilogy, VALHALLA RISING) throttles into the Hollywood fast lane with precision-crafted crime caper in this gorgeous and lush red band trailer for DRIVE (via IGN).

Synopsis:

Ryan Gosling stars as a Los Angeles wheelman for hire, stunt driving for movie productions by day and steering getaway vehicles for criminal operations by night. A loner by nature, Driver can’t help falling in love with his beautiful but vulnerable neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan), a young mother dragged into a dangerous criminal underworld by the return of ex-convict husband Standard (Oscar Isaac).

After a heist operation, intended to help Standard pay off protection money, spins out of control, Driver finds himself driving defense for the girl he loves, tailgated by a syndicate of deadly serious criminals (Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman). When the gangsters reveal that they’re after more than the bag of money in his trunk—that they’re coming straight for Irene and her son—Driver is forced to shift gears and go on the offense.

DRIVE was written by Hossein Amini, adapted from a book by James Sallis, and produced by Marc Platt, Gigi Pritzker, Michel Litvak, Adam Siegel and John Palermo; executive producers are David Lancaster, Gary Michael Walters, Bill Lischak and Linda McDonough.

Starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Ron Perlman and Christina Hendricks  the film will have a wide release in theaters September 16, 2011

Actor Hugh Jackman and 2 of the robots made an appearance at Comic Con 2011 to promote Dreamworks Pictures’ upcoming action drama REAL STEEL. Jackman posed with fans, signed autographs, handed out posters and gave away HP’s new Touchpad.

REAL STEEL opens in theaters everywhere on October 7th!

Synopsis:

A gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future where the sport of boxing has gone high-tech, REAL STEEL stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.

REAL STEEL stars Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo, Anthony Mackie, and Kevin Durand is directed by Shawn Levy (NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM franchise and DATE NIGHT).

Website and Mobile site: www.steelgetsreal.com
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/realsteelmovie
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/realsteelmovie 

Fans, who had been waiting since 3 AM, attended an exclusive fan screening of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER at the UA Horton Plaza in San Diego, CA on Thursday, July 21st, 2011. In addition to opening to Comic-Con fans a day early, all ticketholders received RealD(r) 3D Collector’s Custom red, white and blue CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER glasses and a limited edition exclusively designed poster.

Chris Evans (right) with fans at the exclusive fan screening of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER at the UA Horton Plaza in San Diego, CA on Thursday, July 21st, 2011. In addition to opening to Comic-Con fans a day early, all ticketholders received RealD(r) 3D Collector’s Custom red, white and blue CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER glasses and a limited edition exclusively designed poster.

Chris Evans with fans at the exclusive fan screening of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER at the UA Horton Plaza in San Diego, CA on Thursday, July 21st, 2011. In addition to opening to Comic-Con fans a day early, all ticketholders received RealD(r) 3D Collector’s Custom red, white and blue CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER glasses and a limited edition exclusively designed poster.

Chris Evans (center) with USO Girls at the exclusive fan screening of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER at the UA Horton Plaza in San Diego, CA on Thursday, July 21st, 2011. In addition to opening to Comic-Con fans a day early, all ticketholders received RealD(r) 3D Collector’s Custom red, white and blue CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER glasses and a limited edition exclusively designed poster.

Left to right: Chris Evans with fans at the exclusive fan screening of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER at the UA Horton Plaza in San Diego, CA on Thursday, July 21st, 2011. In addition to opening to Comic-Con fans a day early, all ticketholders received RealD(r) 3D Collector’s Custom red, white and blue CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER glasses and a limited edition exclusively designed poster.

Check out this brand new clip from the film.

Synopsis:

Captain America: The First Avenger will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) to wage war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving.)

Directed by Joe Johnston and starring Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Toby Jones, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, and Stanley Tucci, CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER will be in theaters July 22, 2011.

One of a continuing slate of films being produced by Marvel Studios based on the Marvel characters, Captain America: The First Avenger joined Thor on May 6, 2011 and The Avengers on May 4, 2012. Visit the film’s official site here and on Facebook

July 21, 2011: San Diego, CA – Twilight Saga fans received an early morning surprise when cast members from the series treated them to breakfast at the break of dawn on the opening day of Comic-Con. Saying thank you to their most devoted fans, cast members including Ashley Greene (Alice Cullen), Elizabeth Reaser (Esme Cullen), Nikki Reed (Rosalie Hale), Julia Jones (Leah Clearwater), and Boo Boo Stewart (Seth Clearwater), arrived early to give breakfast to the first 1,000 people lined up for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 official Hall H panel.

The crowd was overwhelmed with excitement as the stars greeted them, signed autographs, and posed with them for photos. Summit Entertainment’s Hall H panel will The Twilight Saga stars Kristen Stewart (Bella Swan), Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen), Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black), and director Bill Condon.

Photo: Summit Entertainment

The highly anticipated fourth installment of The Twilight Saga, directed by Academy Award® winner Bill Condon, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 reveals the mysteries of this romantic epic that has entranced millions.

In The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage and honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child – which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).

With more of the romance, passion, intrigue and action that made Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse worldwide blockbusters, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, based on Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling book series, begins the conclusion of the tale of vampire love, boundless friendship, acceptance, and finding your true self.

Stephenie Meyer is a worldwide publishing phenomenon. The translation rights for her four Twilight novels have been sold in nearly 50 countries and 116 million copies have been sold worldwide. Her books have been on the bestseller list for over 142 weeks, and counting.

The first of a two-part adaptation, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 is directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Gods and Monsters) from a screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg, based on the novel Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner star.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 is in theatres and IMAX® on Friday, November 18, 2011.

TNT’s Falling Skies, which recently chalked up cable’s #1 series premiere of the year and was renewed for a second season, is returning to Comic-Con in a big way. Falling Skies, which comes to TNT from DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg, starring Noah Wyle, will have a multi-faceted presence at the annual gathering. Activities will include a panel discussion with stars Wyle, Moon Bloodgood and other members of the cast and production team, preview clips from upcoming episodes and an autograph session. In addition, TNT will give away a series of collectible pins. Attendees can pick up each pin in the five-pin Falling Skies set at specific locations throughout Comic-Con.

The following is a rundown of TNT’s Falling Skies activities at Comic-Con:

• Falling Skies Panel: Friday, July 22, 3:15-4:15 p.m. in Room 6BCF – Series stars Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Colin Cunningham and Sarah Sanguin Carter will join executive producers Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank and co-executive producer and writer Mark Verheiden for a Q&A panel session to be moderated by TV Guide Magazine editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum. The panel discussion will include never-before-seen clips from upcoming episodes.
• Falling Skies Autograph Session: Friday, July 22, 5-6 p.m. at the Dark Horse Comics booth – All six Falling Skies cast members and co-executive producer and writer Mark Verheiden will be on-hand to sign autographs following the panel session.

Falling Skies, which airs Sundays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) on TNT, takes place in the chaotic aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. Tom Mason (Wyle), a Boston history professor and the father of three sons, must put his extensive knowledge of military history to the test as second in command of a regiment of resistance fighters protecting a large group of civilian survivors.

Read Travis Keune’s review HERE.

Los Angeles, CA (June, 2011) – For the fourth year in a row, Summit Entertainment will provide the Comic-Con® International audience with a unique, interactive booth experience featuring films from the studio’s upcoming slate, including an action adventure update of the beloved THE THREE MUSKETEERS, the alien invasion thriller THE DARKEST HOUR with effects from visionary filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov, and the highly anticipated THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1. 

Those who stop by will be able to speak live via phone with select actors and filmmakers from Summit films, as well as participate in contests and giveaways. The authors of three novels that Summit Entertainment is bringing to life on the big screen will also complete autograph signings at the booth.

• Erin Morgenstern is the author of NIGHT CIRCUS, a novel about 19th century teenage illusionists.
• Isaac Marion is the author of WARM BODIES, in which an existentially tormented zombie begins an unlikely romance with the girlfriend of one of his victims. Jonathan Levine is attached to direct, with Nicholas Hoult (X-MEN: FIRST CLASS) and Teresa Palmer (I AM NUMBER FOUR) attached to star.
• Veronica Roth is the 22-year-old author of DIVERGENT, which launched on the New York Times best-seller list. In the dystopic future of DIVERGENT, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to a particular virtue: honesty, selflessness, bravery, peacefulness, or intelligence.

In addition to Summit’s booth presence at Comic-Con®, the studio will also host one of the first panels of the day in Hall H on Thursday, July 21st dedicated to THE TWILIGHT SAGA franchise. Fans interested in the story’s final chapters will be shown exclusive footage from THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 and be treated to a filmmaker and cast Q&A session providing details on the first half of the epic two part finale, in theatres November 18, 2011.

For further information on Summit Entertainment’s activities at Comic-Con® International, follow @SummitEnt on Twitter

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN Face of the Fan Contest Begins Today

CULVER CITY, Calif., June 2011 – In anticipation of the July 3, 2012 worldwide release of The Amazing Spider-Man™ in 3D, the cast and filmmakers will discuss the movie for the first time as they address the fans at Comic-Con® San Diego. One fan can be a part of the action by proving he or she is the ultimate Spider-Man fan in The Amazing Spider-Man Face of the Fan® contest. The contest winner will be the “face of the fan” at Comic-Con, and have the opportunity to meet the talent and filmmakers and conduct an interview with them.

US residents 18 years of age and older can go to www.faceofthefan.com/TheAmazingSpider-Man to enter the contest – it runs through June 27, 2011. To enter the contest, users submit a sixty-second video of themselves answering the question, “Why should you be the Face of the Fan correspondent at Comic-Con?” Complete rules and instructions are available at www.faceofthefan.com/TheAmazingSpider-Man.

All entries will be judged and one winner will be chosen to attend Comic-Con San Diego 2011. The winner will meet the cast and filmmakers, and have a chance to ask them fan questions gathered from the social communities on the web about The Amazing Spider-Man.

The prize includes one trip for two (2 days/2 nights) to attend Comic-Con San Diego 2011, including hotel accommodations, roundtrip airfare, and transportation to and from the hotel, as well as two passes to attend Comic-Con.

Commenting on the announcement, Marc Weinstock, president, Worldwide Marketing for Sony Pictures, said, “We’re thrilled to be bringing Spider-Man back to Comic-Con – it’s an exciting place to give the fans an inside look into what the new Spider-Man film is all about.”

Dwight Caines, president, Worldwide Digital Marketing for Sony Pictures, added, “The Face of the Fan® program is all about connecting fans from all over the country to the films they care about the most by using the web and social networking tools. We expect there will be exciting Spider-Man news coming out of Comic-Con, and the contest winner will be the fan correspondent giving moviegoers everywhere an inside look.”

Face Of The Fan® is a Sony Pictures Entertainment initiative that lets moviegoers and TV viewers get involved with Sony Pictures’ projects by participating in online casting calls and contests—turning today’s fans into tomorrow’s stars™. The concept was launched in 2007, tied to Spider-Man 3, when two fans were chosen to bring Spider-Man news to the fans following the film’s website. In November 2010, Face Of The Fan began offering casting calls for various Sony Pictures Entertainment films, including such Screen Gems projects as Lakeshore Entertainment’s Underworld and Rainforest Film’s upcoming Think Like A Man, which is based on Steve Harvey’s national best-seller, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. The site also features contests in which winners can have an opportunity to appear on the red carpet at movie premieres, meet or interview talent, filmmakers, and producers, or even go on the sets of their favorite shows. Many exciting opportunities are available through Face Of The Fan®, and this program provides fans with a way to share their enthusiasm and get face to face with key decision-makers and talent.

A Columbia Pictures presentation of a Marvel Studios production, The Amazing Spider-Man, starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Rhys Ifans, is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by James Vanderbilt and Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The film is produced by Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach.

Swing by the official site here: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN  & “Like” it on Facebook HERE.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://sonypictures.com.

ABOUT MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel’s strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online. For more information visit www.marvel.com

Article from The Trades

Written by Jeff Ritter

My readers know that I’m a big fan of the Pittsburgh Comicon. It’s a very fan-friendly show, meaning that instead of simply being ushered through cattle lines for a 3 second autograph there is time to chat with your favorite comic artists and writers. There are plenty of up-and-coming talents there eager to show their stuff and compliment your sketchbook with an inexpensive illustration. I’ve made a lot of friends at every level of that show. The only drawback to the Pittsburgh Comicon is that it’s in Pittsburgh, and I’m in St. Louis. It’s 10 hours by car. There are some sneaky speed traps in Indianapolis. And doggone it, there’s no reason my hometown can’t get a convention going. Chicago does two every year, and like the Yankees and Red Sox rivalry, anything Chicago can do St. Louis can do too!

I was excited to learn of the second St. Louis comic convention, called Project Comic Con 2, coming the weekend of September 18-19 to the Maryland Heights suburb just a few minutes from Lambert International Airport. I somehow missed last year’s show, but I’m glad I’m not missing this one.

The guest list is impressive for a second-year show. Adam Kubert, famed for his runs on Wolverine and Superman, will be on hand Saturday only for autographs. He’ll be doing four sketches for charity and you’ll have an opportunity to get one with a winning raffle ticket and a $200 donation. Green Lantern and Flash fan favorite Ethan Van Sciver will be on hand all weekend, as will Supergirl super-artist Jamal Igle. Comics legend Howard Chaykin, the creator of the critically American Flagg! series who has had brilliant runs as a writer or artist on just about everything will be in attendance. Greg Horn, cover artist extraordinaire, and Kenneth Rocafort, the majorly talented artist of Madame Mirage, will be here. For some shows, that would be enough, but St. Louis has some catching up to do in the comic convention scene, and this show isn’t about to pump the brakes! Like the Ghost Rider? Creator Gary Friedrich and artist Javier Salteres are on the guest list. Still not enough? How about Dennis Calero (Doctor Solar, X-Men: Noir), Phil Hester and Ande Parks (Green Arrow, Irredeemable Ant-Man), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jason Howard (The Astonishing Wolf-Man), Rick Burchett (Action Comics), Patrick Gleeson (Green Lantern Corps), Jeremy Haun (Battle Hymn, The Outsiders), Robert Q. Atkins (G.I. Joe), Kevin Mellon (Suicide Sisters, Hack/Slash), Matt Kindt (Super Spy) and Brian Hurtt (Queen and Country, The 6th Gun)? There’s still others coming too, but that list alone rivals any artists’ alley at any comic con.

Writing fans aren’t left out either. Many shows are heavily geared for artists, but there are some top writers coming to Project Comic Con 2. Gail Simone is one of the consistently brilliant storytellers in the industry, famous for Agent X, The Secret Six, Welcome to Tranquility, Wonder Woman and Birds of Prey among others. The Unknown Soldier scribe Joshua Dysart will be here, as will Marvel’s go-to guy Fred Van Lente (he’s probably written everything once!) and Jai Nitz of El Diablo and Blue Beetle fame, and frequent Brian Hurtt collaborator Cullen Bunn (The Damned, The 6th Gun). Along with the aforementioned creators who pull double duty like Chaykin, Friedrich, Kindt and others, this is an extremely strong list of writing talents to meet.

Many other talented creators will be on hand as well, and of course no convention would be complete without the vendors. Event sponsors NewCastle Comics of Maryland Heights and Heroic Adventures and Hometown Comics, both in nearby Edwardsville, IL, will surely have a wide assortment of comics and graphic novels on hand. My own neighborhood shop, Comic Relief, will have a booth as well, and I’m sure there will be many others.

With so many comics to browse, artists and writers to meet, and special events such as charity auctions, panel discussions and artist portfolio reviews by Top Cow and Avatar Press to participate in Project Comic Con 2 looks to be well on its way to becoming a destination event on the annual convention schedule. Maybe my Pittsburgh friends can come out my way next year! I hope the legions of comic book fans in the greater St. Louis area (and Kansas City, and Memphis…and Chicago too, even you Cubs fans) come out and support this show. See you there!

Check out the PCC2 website for more info.