Jeri Jacquin

Water bottle? Check. Snacks? Check Backpack loaded with laptop and camera? Check. Welcome to day two of San Diego Comic Con International at the Convention Center in downtown San Diego. Hall H has an interesting day ahead filled with panels consisting of film, television and a bit of crowd celebrating with over 7,000+ of our closest friends. It is true that waiting to get into Hall H is the hardest part, then finding a seat that will bring everyone closer to the panel stage and then, settling in chatting with everyone in the surrounding seats.

The morning begins with Paramount’s TRANSFORMERS ONE starring Chris Hemsworth as the voice of Orion Pax (you know him as Optimus Prime) and D-16 (Megatron) voiced by Bryan Tyree Henry). Along with friends B-127 (Bumblebee) voiced by Keegan Michael-Key and Scarlett Johansson as Elita, they are all on Cybertron. This feels like the origin story but filled with bursting colors and cool one-liners. Director Josh Cooley, “We are seeing Cybertron when everything’s going great. We want to really show what the society looks like, what’s fun on this planet. It’s like the Olympics on Cybertron.” Lawrence Fishburne voices Trion who gives the cogs of fallen Primes to Orion, D-16, B-127 and Elita! When the Deceptions are introduces, Steve Buscemi voices Starscream.

Hemswoth said he played with Transformers as a kid doing his best to pull them apart (this is where Thor would have had no problem) and when given another, laughed at failing to still be unable to do it. He said, “We did our best to pull them apart and try to reassemble them which is quite challenging. We all failed actually, we couldn’t reassemble any of them. It is a reminder of the nostalgia around it and it was something that I still hold so dear in my heart and such fond memories I have of these films.” It is awesome to see that the actors who voice the iconic characters have a history with them as kids like a lot of us!

A panel I knew I would enjoy is the celebration of 25 Years of SpongeBob Squarepants! There was also a teenage kid dream come true surprise. On stage are Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob, Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick, Mr. Lawrence as Plankton, Rodger Bumpass as Squidward, Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy and Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs. It was announced that Luke Skywalker, I mean Mark Hamill would be taking on the role of The Flying Dutchman in the next SpongeBob film. Hamil comes out to a thrilled crowd of cheering and says, “Hi everybody, first a little background. I looked it up so its accurate, in 2007 I played the Moth on an episode of SpongeBob called ‘Night Light’ and I did such a good job that 17 years later they asked me back to be in the movie”.

If that wasn’t cool enough, how about having a table read listening to SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward and Mr. Krabs – close your eyes and it’s all fun. SpongeBob SquarePants has been on screen for twenty-two years and I have a granddaughter who reminds me of it constantly because, that’s our humor. We love our SpongeBob and the gang!

Another family favorite in our house is Disney+’s PERCY JACKSON so it was awesome to see the series in Hall H. Percy, played by Walker Scobell, is a young man who is on quests to get past monsters and gods to return Zeus’ master bolt. In the process he is also trying to stop a potential war. Joined by friends Annabeth, played by Sava Jeffries, and Grover, played by Aryan Simhadri, they help Percy find his place in the world. Now, the announcement has been made that Daniel Diemer will join Percy as Tyson in Season Two of the series.

Soon to begin shooting, the second season is based on Rick Riordan’s second book The Sea of Monsters. Returning to Camp Half-Blood, there are changes for Percy and he is out to make things right. Catch up if you haven’t on the first season only on Disney+.

FX has always been high on my list of studios that have brought some of the most amazing television series as I am still to this day a huge SONS OF ANARCHY fan (yes, I’ve binged it plenty of times since) and with their new hit series SHOGUN. Being a fan of, well, “monsters”, their series WHAT WE DO IN SHADOWS has always been my off the wall monster go to! Bringing their farewell to Comic Con, the fans are sincerely not happy about losing their favorite ghoulish group (I am particularly weepy about losing Nandor). If you are not in the know, the show follows four vampires, Nandor, Laszlow, Nadja and Colin, as they try to find their way in the modern world while living on Staten Island. Sprinkle in Guillermo who only wants to become what they are. The panel included Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Mark Proksch, Kristen Schaal, Paul Simms, Kyle Newacheck, showrunner Paul Simms and director Kyle Newacheck to talk about the shows’ progression to the final season. Getting the opportunity to see the first episode (don’t be jealous) we get introduced to another Jerry (I’m the original Jeri) who the group kind of forgot about and learn more about Nandor’s familiar.

Sims says of the final season, “We just wanted to make a really funny season that was not too sentimental or trying to tie up too many threads. I mean for the super fans like you guys, all the threads will be tied up.” Well, if that isn’t a tease, he also says there will be cameos which I am totally prepared for because if you’re going to go out – go out larger than life (or not life)! Newacheck added, “I did get to play director in a show while I was directing the show. So, stay tuned, it’s gonna get wild and weird.” Which is exactly why we watch the show in the first place!

Now, the “two guys” I was referring to is, of course, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman and their film opening tomorrow DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. The mass exodus after the last panel meant that a lottery system was in place to get back into Hall H. Once back inside and hitting the stage to a thunderous and earth-shaking excited crowd, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, director Shawn Levy and Marvel’s head Kevin Feige take to the panel. I have not been this excited since AVENGERS: Endgame in 2019! Mainly because I was pretty much over the makes and remakes and retellings etc. (which I’m sure superhero movies aren’t done doing) but, my heart and humor has always belonged to Deadpool. Probably because I understand Reynolds portrayal of insanity and humor as I too am a bit insane and have a twisted sense of humor.

Announcing that fans were going to see the film had Jackman saying, “This is icing on the cake for us right now”, and Reynolds saying, “I remember making this movie for you”, recalling his first time in Hall H (I was there) calling it “the most memorable moment in my life and I’m so happy to be back with you all again. DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE is something I’ve waited my whole life for”. Even Feige was stretched his funny bone but saying, “This is what Thursdays look like in Hall H” meaning Marvel has had the Saturday slot for their panels. All jokes aside and a special popcorn bucket that has already seen “buy me” activity on ebay later – all in attendance were treated to see the film! Now that’s how you make fans happy and thump a little life into the chest of the MC Universe. In the immortal words of Wade Wilson “let’s f**king go!”

The official day one of San Diego Comic Con International has been filled to the brim of amazing panels. There is still so much more to come so rest up my Maven-ites and we will be back here again tomorrow! In the meant……zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

PS: There are even a few that I will be writing about later such as THOSE ABOUT TO DIE and TEACUP from Peacock and M. Knight Shyamalan’s TRAP. There is only so much a girl can write about for a day and my feet and typing fingers are tired. Be patient, it will all come out in the proverbial wash!

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