San Diego Comic Con returns to the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding area. Friday’s programming schedule has been revealed and a couple Sentries who are attending will be sharing their thoughts on the panels they hope to attend at the convention. But will they? Only time and their post-convention posts will tell. You can follow them on X: Gordon S. Miller and Shawn Bourdo.
70 Years of Godzilla: A Nostalgic Journey – 11:00am – 12:00pm – 28DE
Jessica Tseang (co-host, The Kaiju Kingdom Podcast) brings together professionals who have left a significant mark in Godzilla’s 70 years of history throughout various mediums. TJ Storm (motion capture suit actor-portrayed Godzilla in Godzilla (2014), Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), concept artists, directors, crew, and others look back at their time working with the King of the Monsters. This panel will have a giveaway.
Buy Godzilla: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide bookI have been on an eight-month obsession with the character, including watching almost every single Godzilla film made before 2000. I’m happy to see the resurgence in popularity.
Into the Whoniverse: A Doctor Who Panel – 12:30pm – 1:30pm – Hall H
Hop aboard the TARDIS with Doctor Who stars Ncuti Gatwa (Fifteenth Doctor) and Millie Gibson (Ruby Sunday), along with showrunner and writer Russell T Davies as they discuss the latest season and its game-changing finale episode, which aired on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer. The trio will also share behind-the-scenes stories, fan surprises, and a special sneak peek. Moderated by Josh Horowitz (host, Happy Sad Confused podcast and MTV).
Buy Doctor Who: The Official Guide bookThere is a large section of the crowd that would like to ask Russell T. Davies to explain himself. I’m Switzerland in the debate and am curious to see what direction the questions go. I haven’t watched the new season. The abundance of spoilers is the only reason I might skip this one.
MeTV Toons: The New Destination for Your Favorite Classic Cartoons – 1:00pm – 2:00pm – 6A
MeTV, America’s No. 1 classic television network, has launched a new sister network: MeTV Toons, an all-cartoon channel with a schedule of more than 40 different classic animated series airing each week, sourced from every major animation studio in Hollywood. The network will feature dozens of characters from Woody Woodpecker and Bullwinkle to Speed Racer and Scooby-Doo to Popeye and Bugs Bunny—who celebrates his 84th “birthday” on Saturday, July 27, with a one-hour original special premiering on MeTV Toons. MeTV vice-chairman Neal Sabin, actors Bob Bergen (Space Jam, Looney Tunes: Back in Action), Eric Bauza (Looney Tunes Cartoons, Muppet Babies), Jeff Bergman (Tiny Toon Adventures, Our Cartoon President) and Candi Milo (Space Jam: A New Legacy), animation historian/journalist/expert Jerry Beck, and moderator Michael Schneider (Variety) explore and celebrate many of the greatest classic animation series and characters, now seen on their new home, MeTV Toons. All panel attendees will receive an exclusive MeTV Toons giveaway item!
Buy The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes Cartoons bookThe best classic television show network debuted the best cartoon network since, well, the Cartoon Network. I’m curious to hear what’s on the horizon for the network that I want to succeed more than almost any other.
You’re Wrong, Leonard Maltin – 4:00pm – 5:00pm – 23ABC
You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.—Harlan Ellison. Longtime film critic and historian Leonard Maltin is the ultimate movie fan. His reviews are legendary, but . . . are they right? In the spirit of good sportsmanship and with the understanding that film is subjective and opinions come in all shapes and sizes, “You’re Wrong, Leonard Maltin” gives audience members a rare opportunity to challenge the movie master himself on his categorical cinematic conclusions. It’s a conversation between battling beliefs—and possibly the only chance you will get in your life to convince Leonard Maltin that his movie methodology is mortally mistaken and, in fact, WRONG. Perhaps best known for his eponymous annual book of movie capsule reviews, Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide, which was published from 1969 to 2014, Leonard and his daughter Jessie, who together host the Maltin on Movies podcast, are willing to take on all comers who have an axe to grind over one of Leonard’s reviews. Marquis of Queensbury rules will be enforced, but anyone who wants to have a lively discussion is welcome to spar (verbally) with America’s best-known film reviewer.
Buy Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons bookHis movie guide was my bible at the video store or on television films I wanted to record for the ’80s and ’90s. I still refer to the 1998 version on my bookshelf. I need to pick a film to challenge him on.
20th Century Studios Alien: Romulus – 5:15pm – 6:15pm – Hall H
Director Fede Alvarez (Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead) and cast Cailee Spaeny (Civil War), David Jonsson (Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy), Archie Renaux (Shadow and Bone), Isabela Merced (The Last of Us), Spike Fearn (Aftersun), and Aileen Wu discuss the terrifying next installment from the iconic and beloved Alien franchise.
Buy Alien Quadrilogy Blu-rayI am only targeting a couple upcoming film releases at this Con. As a result of the Writer’s Strike and/or the current state of the genre film community, there’s just not much that has me excited. This is a whole different deal, even if it rehashes the first two films.
Friday is a wrap.
