WonderCon is upon us! Things have been so crazy and I have been in cosplay Con crunch that I didn’t have time to get to this post. But I’m getting to it now and that’s what matters right? WonderCon is among my favorite things to attend because it combines but fan panels, a great convention hall, and cosplay…without the craziness of Comic Con (although I will be attending Comic Con this year). Anways, this years convention looks really interesting from a programming side and here are the panels I’m most excited for.
Friday
Twentieth Century Fox: Dark Phoenix
This panel will feature a special footage presentation and Q&A with members of the cast and filmmakers.
DC fans, this is your Universe! Get an in-depth look at the brand new and ground-breaking digital subscription service designed just for fans: DC Universe. Get the latest updates on original live-action and animated series Doom Patrol, Swamp Thing, and Young Justice: Outsiders, as well as a deep dive on the incredible lineup of legendary DC films, epic animated movies, comic books, exclusive merchandise and more.
World Premiere Justice League vs. The Fatal Five
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, DC, and Warner Bros. Animation continue the treasured tradition of Friday night world premieres at WonderCon with the unveiling of the latest DC Universe Movie, Justice League vs. the Fatal Five. The all-new animated film finds the Earth’s future hanging in the balance when the Justice League faces a powerful new threat: the Fatal Five. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman seek answers as the time-traveling trio of Mano, Persuader, and Tharok terrorize Metropolis in search of budding Green Lantern Jessica Cruz-whom they need to free the remaining Fatal Five members Emerald Empress and Validus in order to carry out their sinister plan. But the Justice League discover an ally from another time in the peculiar Star Boy-brimming with volatile power, could he be the key to thwarting the Fatal Five? An epic battle against ultimate evil awaits! Be in the first live audience to see the film, then stay for an enthralling panel led by Elyes Gabel (Scorpion, Game of Thrones) as Thomas Kallor/Star Boy, and Diane Guerrero (Orange Is the New Black, DC Universe’s Doom Patrol) as Jessica Cruz/Green Lantern, alongside a trio of actors reprising their beloved Justice League/Justice League Unlimited roles as Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman, respectively: Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: The Killing Joke), Susan Eisenberg (Injustice 2, LEGO DC Super Heroes Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis), and George Newbern (Superman vs. the Elite, Scandal). The panel will also include other cast members and the filmmaking team of producer/director Sam Liu (Reign of the Supermen, Gotham by Gaslight), screenwriters Eric Carrasco (Supergirl, Justice League Action) and Jim Krieg (Batman: Gotham by Gaslight), and executive producer Bruce Timm (Justice League/Justice League Unlimited, Batman: The Animated Series). The feature-length animated film arrives on Digital starting March 30, 2019, and on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack on April 23, 2019.
Saturday
Into the Spider-Verse: A New Take on Animation
Taking fans by storm, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was unlike anything seen before. From its perfectly balanced soundtrack, to the unique animation style that brought a comic book feel straight to the silver screen, it delighted audiences around the world. Jessica Tseang (comic book historian, AMC’s Secret History of Comics) discusses what made this film stand out from countless other animated movies with Sony Animation Visual Development artists for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Yuhki Demers and Zac Retz, and other special panelists.
Come see an exclusive screening of AMC’s highly-anticipated new supernatural horror series, NOS4A2. Based on the 2013 novel by Joe Hill, NOS4A2, introduces Vic McQueen, a gifted young woman who discovers she has a supernatural ability to find lost things. This ability puts her on a collision course with the evil and immortal Charlie Manx. Manx is a supernatural villain who feeds off the souls of children then deposits what remains of them into Christmasland-a twisted place of Manx’s imagination where every day is Christmas Day and unhappiness is against the law. Vic strives to defeat Manx and rescue his victims, without losing her mind or falling victim to him herself. This panel features author Joe Hill, showrunner Jami O’Brien, and cast including Zachary Quinto, Ashleigh Cummings, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Jahkara Smith.
Reimagining The Twilight Zone for the Modern Audience
When The Twilight Zone debuted in 1959, it became a worldwide phenomenon through its used socially conscious storytelling to explore the human condition and culture of the times. The godfather of sci-fi television, the show explored humanity’s hopes, despairs, prides, and prejudices in metaphoric ways conventional dramas could not. The upcoming reimagining of The Twilight Zone from executive producers Jordan Peele and Simon Kinberg is coming to CBS All Access April 1. Hear from series producers and creative minds behind the series for an exclusive sneak peek and discussion on reintroducing The Twilight Zone to a modern audience.
Gay Geeks and Where to Find Them
Entertainment industry professionals Mike Page CSA (director of casting TNT & TBS), Renee Jeske (Disney Music Group), Rick Montano and Vinnie Ingrao (writers, CW Roswell), Chris Riley (Male Cosplay Pinups), Ray Lancione (president of Qweerty, LGBT video gamer 501c3 org), and Jay MaQ (singer Echo V; America’s first openly gay boy band) discuss how to turn your favorite geeky fandoms into flourishing careers, the challenges and rewards of growing up gay, and how being a member of the LGBT community influenced their work. Moderated by Chandler Poling (White Bear PR).
Sunday
X-Men: A Reflection of Ourselves and Society
The X-Men were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby during a time of turmoil. As the Civil Rights Movement loomed over America, comic book readers were instantly drawn to Marvel’s now-famous mutants. This favorite superhero team reflected not only current events but also people’s fears and wants. Fast forward over 50 years, the X-Men now resonate in popular culture once again. Comics, film, and television have always been mediums for entertainment, but also a source of comfort, and X-Men fans can attest to that power through the experiences of the stories. Jessica Tseang (comic book historian, AMC’s Secret History of Comics) discusses with Eric Lewald (creator of X-Men: The Animated Series), Julia Lewald (writer, X-Men: The Animated Series), and other Marvel industry veterans/talents, pop culture critics, and comic historians, on what the X-Men mean to them. There will be a time of reflection for Stan Lee.
Selling the Hit: What You Always Wanted to Know About the Stunt Industry (In Memory of Eric Cajiuat)
Stuntmen and stuntwomen from Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame, Jumanji, Central Intelligence, and countless more discuss their experiences and offer advice in getting into and navigating the stunt industry in movies and TV, as well as how the industry has changed and is changing. Moderated by Justin T. Bowler.