Predator: Badlands Flips the Franchise Script

And this year, there is one highly symbolic presence in particular that’s raising some expectations among long-time attendees.

George Lucas is making his first-ever appearance at Comic-Con. The creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones is a legend in the world of sci-fi and blockbuster filmmaking, but despite Comic-Con’s strong link to his most famous franchises, he has never before been able to attend the convention, which over the years has become one of the largest events celebrating storytelling, film, and fandom.

The arrival of George Lucas this year is considered a particularly symbolic full-circle moment by the organizers. “Almost 50 years ago, Star Wars made one of its first public appearances here at our convention, and a booth where you could purchase [comic book artist] Howard Chaykin’s now iconic Star Wars poster as a giveaway item,” said David Glanzer, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer, in a press release. “Mr. Lucas accepting the Fan Award at the Convention Center tonight is a true full-circle moment for us and the multitudes of other people who have been so strongly influenced by George’s pioneering work in world building, narrative, and visual style.”

Lucas will be in attendance for a Sunday panel with Queen Latifah, which will focus on the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art that will open in Los Angeles next year. In addition to Lucas, Mexican director Guillermo del Toro and Oscar-winning artist Doug Chiang, whose concept art has been instrumental in the ongoing evolution of the Star Wars saga, will be in attendance to talk about the museum, which aims to showcase all things illustrated storytelling and narrative through film, comics, concept art, and more. Lucas will also be lending the museum his archives.

Comic-Con has come a long way since its beginnings.

San Diego Comic-Con has come a long way since 1970, when it was first established by comic book aficionados in a hotel room as a small local convention that would attract a few thousand people at the most. The annual event has since become a worldwide pop culture institution that sees around 130,000 fans pass through its doors each year to see the very latest in films, TV, comic books, and collectibles. In addition to dressing up as their favorite characters, fans also come to Comic-Con for the chance to get rare glimpses into some of Hollywood’s hottest and most anticipated projects, through panel discussions, sneak peeks, and world premieres.

Alien and Predator are making a splash.

Comic-Con 2022 will be remembered for many things. First among them is likely to be the world premiere of Alien: Earth, a new series set in the universe of Ridley Scott’s Alien, released in 1979. Alien: Earth, directed by Noah Hawley, will be a prequel series that will dig deeper into the mythology of the franchise and will be set only a few years before the events of the original film. The series will premiere tomorrow in Hall H, the center’s most prestigious venue, before its release on streaming platforms in August.

Another project making waves at this year’s Comic-Con is the feature Predator: Badlands, which is reimagining the venerable sci-fi franchise with an exciting twist. For the first time, the Predator is on the losing side. After giving the series a reboot with Prey in 2022, director Dan Trachtenberg will be in attendance with actors Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who plays the alien Dek, to talk about what’s next for the revamped series.

Marvel plays it safe.

Marvel Studios won’t be making as big a splash at Comic-Con this year. Variety reports that the studio, which has traditionally had an annual showcase at Hall H, has decided to scale back its presence at this year’s convention, choosing to skip its traditional presentation because of a change in plans related to the next Avengers film.

The decision was reportedly made after the studio encountered significant logistical challenges after the UK’s strict quarantine regulations, which were where the majority of production on the next Avengers was still taking place.

Marvel’s decision to hold back on its usual showstopper presentation, though, doesn’t mean there won’t be much to look forward to at Comic-Con 2022. Sci-fi has seemingly come to the rescue, with heavy-hitters in the genre already confirming they’ll be bringing their A-game to programming in Hall H throughout the weekend.

Ryan Gosling, Peacemaker, and more

Saturday’s panel with Gosling will talk about Project Hail Mary, the upcoming movie based on Andy Weir’s eponymous novel (and the same author of The Martian). Due in theaters next year, the film follows Gosling’s character Ryland Grace, a former schoolteacher who inexplicably wakes up alone on a spaceship in which he quickly finds himself humanity’s last hope for survival. The actor will be on a panel alongside directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who are also known for the Spider-Verse trilogy.

Peacemaker, the DC series that reboots the post-Avengers DC cinematic universe, will also be in the spotlight this weekend. The series’ second season is on its way, and fans can look forward to some behind-the-scenes clips and previews from the new season, with creator James Gunn on the panel. Gunn has since also taken over as the filmmaker rebooting DC’s overall movie slate with Superman.

A festival of costumes and friends

Beyond blockbuster announcements and celebrity panels, Comic-Con remains first and foremost a meeting of fans and a celebration of fandom. This year, thousands of attendees will also flock to the San Diego Convention Center dressed as their favorite princesses, heroes, monsters, and warriors. And it won’t end there — Comic-Con 2022 runs until Sunday, July 27.