Movie News

Comic-Con Report: Paramount Pictures

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 27, 2007

During the planning for this year’s Con they said it couldn’t be done. They said that there was no way that Hall H would fill up on Thursday. As a Comic-Con virgin myself, I am unable to talk about past years; maybe it was tough to get the movie fans in the convention before Friday. What I can speak for is this year; a year when they DID pack the house in Hall H for Paramount Pictures to get us started with a rockin’ presentation.

What was Paramount talking about that had fans wetting the seats of the San Diego Convention Center? Let’s take a look.

Hot Rod

It all started with the Lonely Island Boys, Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone. You may remember them as the guys who brought “Dick in a Box” onto your late night TV screens. The commentary from Samberg and crew was hilarious (with Andy at one point fellating the microphone and talking about Comstory; the history of comedy). They also brought along a clip from the flick that left sore the flabby abdomens 6,500 fans. Nothing wrong with a little comedy to get things rolling.

Stardust

Next up was Comic-Con’s 2007 Guest of Honor Neil Gaiman and screenwriter Jane Goldman to talk about Stardust. They also brought along a clip of Michelle Pfeiffer as the evil witch trying to capture and kill the fallen star (Claire Danes). I could spend an entire recap talking about the clip and the story of Stardust, but I choose to keep it short. But know this, the clip shows a film that is very whimsical and destined to be one of the better fantasy flicks of the year.

Beowulf

After getting up and walking off to a ruckus applause, Neil Gaiman came right back out, this time with Roger Avary. Gaiman and Avary went through their schpeil about Beowulf, the upcoming 3D release that is set to be the biggest 3D release ever. The Comic-Con audience only got a 2D look at the trailer, but we were able to view the 3D version the night before. But more on that later.

Sweeney Todd

Brief mention was made of Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd, but not much exists for release. Despite the lack of clips we were treated to our first look at Johnny Depp in the lead role as Paramount released the first teaser poster. There is no hi-res version online as of yet, but be sure that there will be very soon.

1-18-08

J.J. Abrams was next to talk about the mysterious “1-18-08.” He did not reveal what fans were yearning for (i.e. a title), but he did say that it would be unlike anything we have ever seen. “We need a monster,” he stated, referencing a need to create a classic American monster to rival Japan’s Godzilla. He promised more clips and even left us with a poster. We can forgive him for not giving us the official title — for now.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

Authors TOn DiTerlizzi and Holly Black were also on hand with legendary visual effects master Phil Tippett to talk about The Spiderwick Chronicles. Tippett gave a presentation about the process used to create computer generated goblins for the film — something we have never seen in the special features of a DVD. But despite the dry presentation, the film does look interesting and quite fun. Just keep that TIppett guy off the screen and behind the scenes.

Drillbit Taylor

Producer Judd Apatow and Director Steven Brill also chimed in via a pre-recorded message to deliver a clip from Drillbit Taylor, a comedy written by Seth Rogen and starring Owen Wilson. It tells the story of a low-budget bodyguard who is hired by two kids to protect them from a high school bully. The clip was entertaining, but the introduction was the real winner. Steven Brill began to introduce the film, only to be stopped by Apatow. “This is Comic-Con,” he said. “We have to introduce it in way that they will understand.” And then all of the sudden Drillbit Taylor was a story of two fairies who were in a magical school, delivered on a $200 million dollar budget with Michael Bay working 2nd unit. Gotta love that Apatow.

Iron Man

Then came the moment that everyone in the room was waiting for, a little taste of Iron Man. But with the bulk of the presentation being moved to Saturday’s Marvel Studios panel, there wasn’t much to talk about — or so we thought. It began with a Jon Favreau video message introducing a clip of early animation for the film. When the clip hit the scream, the laughs hit the vast openness of Hall H. The clip was an old Iron Man cartoon.

Moments later Favreau appeared on stage with a video camcorder, filming the audience’s reaction. “I want to be the first one to get this on YouTube,” he commented. He then went on to tease the crowd, promising an awesome set of clips at the Saturday panel. But like a gleaming child waiting to show off an elementary school art project, Favreau relented and queued the clip.

First there was silence, then there was a brilliant display on the big screen. Robert Downey Jr. is perfect as Tony Stark, perfect look and perfect attitude. The clip went into the back story of the film, showing how Stark went from a billionaire arms dealer to a superhero in a big metal suit. And what a suit it was. The crowd was delighted to see multiple action sequences involving both the Mach 1 and Mach 3 suits.

And then a shockwave of chills ripped through the packed exhibition hall as Iron Man showed up on screen, flying through the air attempting to elude two fighter jets. At that moment I came to the realization that Iron Man is going to be huge — no doubt about it.

Indiana Jones

Another film without a title, the upcoming rehash of the Indiana Jones franchise was up next. Live from the set, Director Steven Speilberg, Harrison Ford, Ray Winstone and Shia Labeouf talked about making another Indy movie “for the fans.” They also announced that Karen Allen would reprise her role as Marion Ravenwood. She then appeared on camera with the other 4, reaffirming that the fourth Indy installment would not disappoint.

Star Trek

One more film to talk about meant one more trip to the panel for Lost creator J.J. Abrams. He was joined by writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and co-producer Damon Lindelof. They began to talk about casting the project, something that got the crowd a bit riled up. They then took suggestions for one part that has not yet been cast, that of Captain Kirk. But while they are still without a Kirk, they do have a Spock: Heroes star Zachary Quinto. Then as a final surprise, Abrams brought to the stage the original Mr. Spock, Leonard Nemoy and announced that he too will make an appearance in the film. Interesting…

That concluded the first major Comic-Con presentation. The folks at Paramount did a wonderful job, drawing the crowd in with an awkward comedy that is sure to get laughs, a few whimsical tales sure to get the imaginations of America flowing and some projects that will be high on everyone’s list in the future. All in all, it was a hell of a way to start.

For more Comic-Con coverage, check out our Comic-Con Homepage.