Marvel Studios will save their big screen surprises for another day, as they won't be rocking Hall H this year at SDCC.
NewsUPDATED.
Confirming what we've suspected for some time, it's more or less official...don't expect Marvel Studios to throw their traditional Hall H party at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. Instead, they'll probably bring some action to D23, August 14-16 in Anaheim. Those plans aren't confirmed yet, but I'll bet good money that's when they'll unveil Captain America: Civil War and perhaps the first hints of other films.
Marvel TV will probably still have a presence there, and, of course, Marvel Comics will have a booth and a number of panels. It's just the big movie party that we won't be seeing.
On the other hand, we've heard increasing buzz that Warner Bros. finally intends to make a big SDCC splash with their superhero universe. A safe bet would be an extended look at Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, a Suicide Squadteaser, and perhaps an on-stage introduction of the Justice League.
Don't be surprised if 20th Century Fox tries to steal the show by showcasing more plans for Fantastic Four, official footage from Deadpool, and plans for the rest of the X-Men universe.
Our original story from March follows...
In a revelation that will undoubtedly have ripples throughout geek entertainment and Internet message boards everywhere, James Gunn revealed today a surprise that seems akin to the ACC choosing to sit out the NCAA Tournament:
Marvel Studios will not have a presence this year at San Diego Comic-Con.
The news broke because James Gunn, sick with a cold, decided to sit in bed and answer fan questions first on Facebook and then on Twitter.
While chatting on the former, one fan asked him if he will be attending San Diego Comic-Con this year and Gunn replied, “I’m not sure. Marvel isn’t going, so I’m not sure I will either.”
James Gunn later elaborated via Twitter when a fan suggested that he could be lying for a surprise. Gunn reiterated his point by saying, “I have never lied about anything to the fans, ever.”
This is stunning news for superhero fans (i.e. Comic-Con’s bread and butter) since Marvel Studios has essentially turned the July exodus to San Diego into their own impromptu Macworld Expo, with Kevin Feige almost commanding his own Steve Jobs styled altar of worship from the faithful in Hall H.
More intriguingly, what does Marvel’s absence--when they have Captain America: Civil War coming up in the next year, plus Doctor Strange—mean for the viability of Comic-Con itself? Obviously, it is still a one-stop shop for Hollywood to attempt appeasement with the most fervent fan bases, however what seemed like a no brainer location to reveal our first images of the new Marvel Spider-Man (and perhaps who might be under that mask if they can keep it quiet until July) is turning out to be nothing at all…
More as we have it.
