FRIDAY, JULY 13
2:15 - 3:15 p.m. "TRON: Uprising" Q&A Panel (Room 6A) featuring sneak peeks of Disney XD's original series "Motorcity" and upcoming series "Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja."
 
Elijah Wood, "Beck"
Bruce Boxleitner, "Tron"
Emmanuelle Chriqui, "Paige"
Tricia Helfer, "The Grid"
Charlie Bean, executive producer/director
Edward Kitsis, consulting producer
Adam Horowitz, consulting producer
Alberto Mielgo, art director
Robert Valley, lead character designer
Panel moderated by Josh Dickey, Film Editor, Daily Variety
 

SECOND ANNUAL NERD HQ TO TAKE PLACE DURING COMIC-CON 2012


by Alicia Hollinger

Los Angeles, CA (Pop Culture Today) 06/27/2012
-- Zachary Levi and The Nerd Machine, announced today the return of Nerd HQ during Comic-Con International 2012, July 12-15. 

At last year's Comic-Con, while most fans waited in line for hours for panels at the massive Hall H to maybe get a glance of their favorite actors from afar while mostly watching a huge video screen, some fans in-the-know discovered this small mini-con known as Nerd HQ.  Packed in like sardines and sweating due to lack of air conditioning in the small venue inside a local bar, fans were more than thrilled to get up close and personal with top nerd fave talent like founder Zachari Levi, Kevin Smith, Jared Padalecki, Zachary Quinto, Nathan Fillion, Olivia Munn, Felicia Day, Seth Green and others for a series of panels, parties, photo ops and autograph signings.

This year Nerd HQ moves to a bigger location, (hopefully air-conditioned) two blocks away from the convention center at Block No. 16 Union and Spirits (344 7TH Ave., San Diego, CA 92101) which has over 15,000 square feet of gaming, technology, and entertainment for fans to enjoy. 

The “Conversations for a Cause” panels which benefits Operation Smile through ticket sales, are back and will again feature favorite Comic Con icons and this year will be adding gaming and technology panels. 100% of the proceeds for the panels benefit Operation Smile. This year Break Media will broadcast the panels live on their site at www.break.com/nerdhq.  Last year the series raised $40,000 for Operation Smile. Individual tickets will sell for $20.

Once again Nerd HQ will provide cutting edge technology, gaming showcases, exclusive parties including Levi’s annual Nerd party and talent autograph signings.

“The Nerd Machine was proud to create a unique fan experience in 2011, offering exclusive access to new games, technology and an opportunity for intimate conversations with some of Hollywood's elite creative minds,” said Zachary Levi, Founder of The Nerd Machine.  “Last year the response was overwhelming. We at The Nerd Machine, look forward to meeting the challenge to develop 2012 Nerd HQ to exceed not only our expectations, but those who plan to attend worldwide, while maintaining a connection not available anywhere else.”

In addition to live streaming the “Conversations for a Cause” panels, Break Media, the official digital partner of Nerd HQ, will broadcast nightly highlight reports hosted by Zachary Levi and have produced a three part original series. “Trailer Park Heroes” premieres today and features Zachary Levi, Adam Baldwin, Aly Michalka, Joel Moore, Jason Biggs and surprise guests.   The nightly highlights and “Trailer Park Heroes” can be viewed at http://www.break.com/nerdmachine-2012/nerd-machine-trailer-park-heroes-part-1-2339892 .
 
Xbox, the official gaming sponsor, will provide gaming stations featuring the newest and yet-to-be released titles including the debut the first hands-on demo of the completely reborn Tomb Raider franchise from Square Enix. Also playable exclusively at Nerd HQ will be OverRun, the new multiplayer mode coming in Gears of War: Judgment.  VIZIO, the official technology sponsor of Nerd HQ, will provide laptops, tablets, and PCs for fans to demo. New LED monitors will fill the space and showcase the newest 3D and Internet App technology.  Barco, the leader in 3D pixel mapping, will be providing projection technology to create the largest 3D mapping show at Comic-Con.

Spike TV will be broadcasting live from Nerd HQ on Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 to their network and digital outlets through their ALL ACCESS LIVE programming.

BROWNCOATS UNITE! SCIENCE CELEBRATES FIREFLY’S 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH EXCLUSIVE SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON PANEL FEATURING JOSS WHEDON, NATHAN FILLION AND MORE!





SCIENCE makes its debut at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2012 with Panels for FIREFLY, DARK MATTERS: TWISTED BUT TRUE and STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW--

FIREFLY 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PANEL
Friday 7/13/12, 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m., Room: 20

It's been 10 years since the crew of Serenity took flight in Joss Whedon’s short-lived but now revered series, FIREFLY.  For the first time in a decade, Captain Mal Reynolds and the crew from the ship will reconvene, calling all Browncoats to unite!

Join creator, executive producer and writer Joss Whedon, alongside fellow executive producer and writer Tim Minear, and cast members Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Sean Maher, Michael Fairman and the rest of the crew of Serenity for one of this year’s the most anticipated panels.

The cast of FIREFLY will talk about the past, present and future of FIREFLY, 10 years after its debut.  SHINY! :)

FRINGE, which will make its SCIENCE debut on November 20, will feature a panel on Sunday, July 15.

John Noble (FRINGE) and the creators of SCIENCE’s hit series DARK MATTERS: TWISTED BUT TRUE will unveil shocking never-before-seen footage from the show’s second season.  Join host Noble, the series’ executive producer and a featured scientific historian as SCIENCE offers a sneak peak at forbidden research records from the most shocking studies ever executed.  Featuring gruesome lobotomy experiments, controversial CIA mind-control studies and accounts of live human transplants, the all-new season shows that science fact can be stranger—and sometimes more entertaining—than science fiction. 

Noble also will be signing limited edition DARK MATTERS Comic-Con posters at his autograph session for those brave enough to question everything. 

DARK MATTERS: TWISTED BUT TRUE season two premieres Saturday, July 14, at 10 PM (ET/PT). 

DARK MATTERS PANEL

Friday, 7/13/12, 7:15 p.m.–8:15 p.m., Room: 6A
 
This summer, SCIENCE returns to the laboratory to unearth history’s most sinister tales with the second season of the breakout series DARK MATTERS: TWISTED BUT TRUE.  Join USA Today’s Brian Truitt; John Noble; Executive Producer Rocky Collins; and science historian Michael Stevens as we take a closer look at the forbidden research records on the most shocking scientific studies ever executed.  From gruesome lobotomy experiments, to controversial CIA studies, to spine-chilling accounts of live human transplants, the all-new season shows that science fact can be stranger, and even more entertaining, than science fiction.  The six world premiere episodes take audiences inside a real-life Twilight Zone, where shocking CGI re-creations illustrate unforgettable tales of genius gone horribly awry.  DARK MATTERS: TWISTED BUT TRUE premieres Saturday, July 14, at 10:00 PM (ET/PT).
 
JOHN NOBLE/DARK MATTERS AUTOGRAPH SESSION
Saturday, 7/15/12, 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

John Noble, host of SCIENCE’s hit series DARK MATTERS, will be signing limited edition Comic-Con International: San Diego 2012 commemorative posters during his autograph session.

Finally, genius generalists Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant make their freshman Comic-Con appearance to record a live edition of their top-10 downloaded HowStuffWorks podcast.  Josh and Chuck will lead Comic-Con’s fans in the 360-degree discussion Time Travel: Science Fact or Science Fiction?  With surprise guests and exclusive giveaways, the guys also will reveal hidden scenes from their upcoming SCIENCE series STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW, premiering in January 2013.

TIME TRAVEL: SCIENCE FACT OR SCIENCE FICTION?  STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW WITH JOSH & CHUCK PANEL
Thursday, 7/12/12, 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Room: 5AB
 
SCIENCE presents Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, hosts of the Top 10 iTunes podcast STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW, as they lead a discussion about time travel with some very special celebrity guests for a live from Comic-Con taping of their podcast.  Josh and Chuck’s loyal fan following, chemistry and insatiable curiosity are core to the launch of SCIENCE’s upcoming series STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW, as the two pioneer the way for what likely will be more introductions of talent discovered and incubated online finding a place on new platforms.  Join Josh and Chuck and the SCIENCE team at Comic-Con for an exclusive sneak-peek of STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW, as well as limited edition Comic-Con exclusive giveaways from SCIENCE.

For more information on this year’s lineup, please visit: SCIENCECHANNEL.com and Comic- Con International: San Diego 2012 at http://www.comic-con.org/cci/.


 

MERLIN to Cast a Spell on San Diego Comic-Con
With Sunday Panel and Autograph Session
 





Colin Morgan, Katie McGrath, Johnny Capps, Julian Murphy
and special surprises await the fans who have
helped make MERLIN a worldwide hit.
 
As it readies for its fifth season, the magical adventure of MERLIN returns to Comic-Con International when actors Colin Morgan and Katie McGrath, along with co-creators and executive producers Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps, lead a surprise-filled panel on Sunday, July 15.

The 10:30 a.m. panel, in Room 6BCF, will feature a Comic-Con-exclusive sneak preview of the upcoming season of MERLIN – which last season attracted its biggest audiences ever on both Syfy in the U.S. as well as BBC One in the U.K.  Comic-Con fans will be the first in the world to get a glimpse of exactly what will become of the wickedly beautiful Morgana (Katie McGrath), the fate of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, and the role Merlin (Colin Morgan) will play in the future of Camelot.

The MERLIN panel will also feature a brand-new, fan-favorite blooper reel created by the producers especially for Comic-Con, as well as details of the soon-to-be-released MERLIN Facebook game.

It’s part of the growing magic of MERLIN, which fans at Comic-Con will also hear about – including an upcoming YouTube channel that will feature behind-the-scenes videos, deleted scenes and other special material from all four seasons of MERLIN.

Since its broadcast debut in 2009, MERLIN has become one of the most popular fantasy dramas in the world, winning acclaim from both critics and audiences.  In its fourth season, MERLIN drew more than 8 million viewers in the U.K., while its U.S. ratings were its biggest ever – topping 2 million viewers – since it began airing on Syfy in 2010.

The series is produced and created by Shine Ltd. and distributed globally, in more than 180 countries, by FremantleMedia Enterprises.  Its fifth season is currently in production in Wales and France.

MERLIN also stars Bradley James as Arthur, Angel Coulby as Guinevere, Richard Wilson as Gaius, and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon Kilgharrah.  The fifth season of MERLIN will begin airing this fall on BBC One, followed shortly by its U.S. premiere on Syfy.

Fans can keep up with all the latest news from Camelot at the Official MERLIN Facebook page or by following @MerlinOfficial on Twitter.

Adult Swim Rocks 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International

This year at San Diego Comic-Con, Adult Swim will once again take over the convention room at the Hilton Bayfront – Indigo Ballroom (located directly next to the convention center) for a day of Adult Swim programming featuring creators, producers and actors from The Venture Bros., Childrens Hospital, NTSF:SD:SUV::, Robot Chicken, Aqua Something/ Squidbillies, and Black Dynamite.  Adult Swim stars will include Rob Corddry, Paul Scheer, Jackson Publick, Doc Hammer, Seth Green, and "Happy Days'" the Fonz --Henry Winkler.  Fans will also get an exclusive preview of some of the new series coming to the network.

Fans can also stop by the Adult Swim booth #3949 to shop for exclusive items and play the Cat Grab for prizes.

Below is a schedule of series panels, fan events and signings. All times, dates and locations subject to change.  

ADULT SWIM PANEL BLOCK
Friday, July 13
Indigo Ballroom, Level 2, Hilton San Diego Bayfront (directly next to the convention center)

The Venture Bros.
Show creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, with the voice of Dr. Venture James Urbaniak, will discuss the original series and answer fan questions.  

NTSF:SD:SUV:: (National Terrorism Strike Force: San Diego: Sport Utility Vehicle::)
View a sneak peek of NTSF:SD:SUV:: season 2 and hear from the show’s creative team led by creator and star Paul Scheer (The League), executive producer Jonathan Stern (Childrens Hospital, Newsreaders) and co-executive producer Curtis Gwinn (Fat Guy Stuck in Internet). They will be joined by members of their ensemble cast including Martin Starr (Party Down, Freaks & Geeks), Rebecca Romijn (X-Men,Ugly Betty), Brandon Johnson (Funny or Die), June Diane Raphael (Players), and Rob Riggle (Funny or Die). Rob Corddry (Childrens Hospital, Hot Tub Time Machine) will moderate the panel.

Childrens Hospital
Sneak peek of Childrens Hospital season 4 and a panel with the show’s creative team, led by creator and star Rob Corddry and executive producer Jonathan Stern. They will be joined by members of the show’s ensemble cast of comedic heavyweights, including Lake Bell (How To Make It In America), Erinn Hayes (Parenthood), Rob Huebel (The Descendants) Henry Winkler (Happy Days) and Ken Marino (Party Down, The State). Childrens Hospital explores the emotional struggles and sexual politics of a group of doctors charged with healthy libidos. Paul Scheer (NTSF:SD:SUV::) will moderate the panel.

Aqua Something You Know Whatever / Squidbillies
Show creators Dave Willis, Jim Fortier and Matt Maiellaro will discuss their original series, show footage from the new seasons, and answer questions.

Robot Chicken / Robot Chicken DC Comics Special
Co-creators/executive producers Seth Green and Matthew Senreich are joined by co-head writer/executive producer Tom Root, actor/writer Breckin Meyer and writer Matthew Beans to discuss the Emmy-winning series. DC Entertainment chief creative officer Geoff Johns joins to the panel to share insider scoop about the Robot Chicken DC Comics Special. Come watch a sneak peek and get your questions answered about Season Six. Keith Crofford, vice president of production for Adult Swim, will moderate the panel.

Black Dynamite
Creators and voice talent from the new animated series, based on the 2009 feature film, will give an exclusive preview of the show and answer questions.  The Black Dynamite animated series further chronicles the exploits of Black Dynamite and his crew. Executive producer Carl Jones (The Boondocks) will be on the panel in addition to: Michael Jai White (For Better or Worse, The Dark Knight, Why Did I Get Married?), Tommy Davidson (In Living Color), Kym Whitley (The Cleveland Show, Brian McKnight Show), Byron Minns (Mongo Wrestling Alliance), Debra Wilson (MadTV), Orlando Jones (Rules of Engagement), and Cedric Yarbourgh (The Boondocks). The panel will be moderated by Gary Anthony Williams (The Boondocks). 

ADULT SWIM SIGNINGS

Thursday, July 12
Robot Chicken
Adult Swim Booth #3949

Friday, July 13
NTSF:SD:SUV::
Adult Swim Booth #3949

Childrens Hospital
WB Booth #4545

Saturday, July 14
Black Dynamite
Adult Swim Booth #3949

Venture Bros.
Adult Swim Booth #3949

Aqua Something/Squidbillies
Adult Swim Booth #3949

'William Shatner's Get a Life!' @ Comic-Con
Shatner will introduce the EPIX Original Documentary at a screening directly following the panel on July 14th at Comic-Con. The screening is at 7:00PM @ Reading Cinemas.

Based on Shatner’s hugely popular book, this film examines the mystery, longevity and the cultural phenomena of Star Trek and its long-obsessed fans known as “Trekkers.”  On the surface, the film is an exploration of strangers who have for years attended conventions which looked foolish and almost laughable to some – but Shatner discovers the many secrets and hidden motives behind these individuals’ compulsion to attend these events.  The end result is a film that reveals a fun and touching side of the fanfare surrounding Star Trek, and examines the thrill of what's happening at these fantasy conventions and the enduring popularity of the film and TV series as Shatner further embraces his role as Captain James T. Kirk and his own impact.

William Shatner’s Get a Life! will premiere July 28 at 8pm EST on EPIX
For more information about EPIX, go to www.EpixHD.com

Comic-Con is a huge marketing platform for the studios and every nook and cranny from elevator doors, bathroom mirrors and hotel key cards are used for branding, marketing and advertising. Warners Bros. just announced its new collectible hotel keycards to promote three new TV shows this fall...

Warner Bros. Entertainment plans to be the "key" to excitement at Comic-Con. The Studio has once again created a set of limited-edition collectible hotel keycards, which will be in use at top hotels throughout the San Diego area during Comic-Con 2012. This marks the fifth consecutive year for the popular room key program, giving fans instant access to a usable — and collectible — piece of artwork.

The Arrow keycard features star Stephen Amell as the Arrow

Over 40,000 branded room keys will be available to fans at 38 participating San Diego–area hotels, courtesy of Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Marketing.


The Revolution keycard
 

The 666 Park Avenue keycard


About the series:
 
666 Park Avenue:

Anything you desire can be yours … for a price. Lost’s Terry O’Quinn and Desperate Housewives’ Vanessa Williams headline this scary, seductive drama from Alloy Entertainment as the owners of a Manhattan apartment building who recruit an idealistic young couple to manage the historic site with a dark history. The series also stars Rachael Taylor (Charlie’s Angels), Dave Annable (Brothers & Sisters), Robert Buckley (One Tree Hill), Mercedes Masohn (The Finder), Helena Mattsson (Iron Man 2) and Samantha Logan (Law & Order: SVU). Matthew Miller (Chuck), David Wilcox (Fringe), Leslie Morgenstein (The Vampire Diaries), Gina Girolamo (The Secret Circle) and Alex Graves (Fringe) are the executive producers. Based upon the book series by Gabriella Pierce and from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Alloy Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television, 666 Park Avenue will air Sundays at 10/9c on ABC this fall. Watch the full-length pilot at Warner Bros. Television’s Preview Night screening at Comic-Con on Wednesday, July 11, or during the 666 Park Avenue session on Friday, July 13.
 
Arrow:

From executive producers Greg Berlanti (Green Lantern), Marc Guggenheim (Green Lantern), Andrew Kreisberg (Fringe) and David Nutter (Smallville), hard-hitting action series Arrow reinvents the DC Comics hero. After being marooned for five years on a remote island, billionaire Oliver Queen returns home with a mysterious agenda and a very lethal new set of skills that he uses in a war on crime. The series stars Stephen Amell (Private Practice), Colin Donnell (Pan Am), Katie Cassidy (Supernatural), David Ramsey (Dexter), Willa Holland (The O.C.) with Susanna Thompson (Dragonfly) and Paul Blackthorne (The River). From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, Arrow is based upon characters appearing in comic books and graphic novels published by DC Comics and will air Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW this fall. Watch the full-length pilot at Warner Bros. Television’s Preview Night screening at Comic-Con on Wednesday, July 11, or during the Arrow session on Friday, July 13.
 
Revolution:

What would you do without it all? In Revolution, an epic adventure thriller from Supernatural’s Eric Kripke, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions and Iron Man’s Jon Favreau, a family struggles to reunite in a post-apocalyptic landscape of empty cities, local militias and heroic freedom fighters where every single piece of technology — phones, computers, cars, even lights — has mysteriously blacked out … forever. Revolution stars Billy Burke (Twilight films), Tracy Spiridakos (Being Human), Anna Lise Phillips (Animal Kingdom), Zak Orth (Wet Hot American Summer), Graham Rogers (Memphis Beat), J.D. Pardo (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), David Lyons (The Cape), Maria Howell (The Vampire Diaries) and Tim Guinee (Iron Man films) and is executive produced by Kripke, J.J. Abrams (Fringe) and Bryan Burk (Fringe). Favreau directed the pilot and will serve as co-executive producer of the series, with Kathy Lingg (Fringe) and producer Athena Wickham (Fringe). From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions, Kripke Enterprises and Warner Bros. Television, Revolution will air Mondays at 10/9c on NBC this fall. Watch the full-length pilot at Warner Bros. Television’s Preview Night screening at Comic-Con on Wednesday, July 11, or during the Revolution session on Saturday, July 14.
 
For additional information about Warner Bros. Television activities at Comic-Con, follow them on Twitter @TheWBdotcom (hashtag #WBSDCC) and visit www.thewb.com/comiccon.

Note from Alicia: If you've ever been to Comic-Con, you've GOT to see this movie! Both hysterically funny and moving, it hits on niche aspects of the Con that, no matter how many times you've gone (four for me), you'll still see new fascinating pockets of this increasingly overwhelming pop convention! Make sure to check out the trailer & buy/rent the DVD!

COMIC-CON EPISODE IV: A FAN'S HOPE
TO BE RELEASED ON DVD ON JULY 10, 2012
 
The Critically-Acclaimed Documentary Will Be Released In Two Special Edition Sets  With One-of-A-Kind Figurines - Including the First Ever Joss Whedon Action Figure.
 

 
The two Collector's Editions will contain the DVD alongside action figures of Stan Lee and Harry Knowles or Joss Whedon and Spurlock. This is the first time mega-director Whedon has been immortalized into action figure status... which will no doubt delight fans everywhere.
 
The Whedon/Spurlock special editions will be sold exclusively at Toys "R" Us stores nationwide.  The products will be sold alongside other action items dedicated to Comic-Con 2012.  The Lee/Knowles editions will be available at select stores and at online retailers.  A third combo-pack from HeroClix with all four figures and the DVD will also be available in July at game stores nationwide ($29.99 SRP).  
 
The DVD will include the following special features: Behind-the-Scenes Featurette, Deleted Scenes, Talent Interviews and Trailer. Fans will also be able to purchase the DVD and Collector's Editions at Comic-Con International in San Diego (July 12-15).
 
COMIC-CON EPISODE IV: A FAN'S HOPE explores this amazing cultural phenomenon by following the lives of five attendees as they descend upon the ultimate geek mecca at San Diego Comic-Con 2010.
One on one interviews with Comic-Con veterans who have turned their passions into professions include Stan Lee, Joss Whedon, Frank Miller, Kevin Smith, Matt Groening, Seth Rogen, Eli Roth and others are shared throughout the film along with up close and up front coverage of all the panels, parades, photos, costumes, crowds and camaraderie that make up one of the largest fan gatherings in the U.S.   COMIC- CON EPISODE IV: A FAN'S HOPE was released theatrically and on VOD in early April 2012.

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