In this special episode of the Media Play News podcast, hosts Charles Parkman and Charlie Showley talk about their experience at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con. The main floor was bustling, the lines stretched for miles, and the surrounding downtown area was transformed by studios’ promotional booths for upcoming movies and shows — although the crowds at the Gaslamp Quarter appeared much lighter than in the past.
Friday had the duo exploring the show floor and catching an early screening of the next season of “Archer.” Saturday and Sunday, Charles returned to the convention to see multiple live podcast recordings of pop culture reactions, behind-the-scenes Q&As of classic superhero cartoons, and cultural analyses of Justice League characters.
Yeah, we know Comic-Con’s a visual thing — but sometimes a word is worth a thousand pictures (and even if that’s not even remotely true, give our podcast a listen!).
The CBS original series “Ghosts” will make its San Diego Comic-Con debut with a panel discussion and a few interactive experiences.
San Diego Comic-Con International returns as a live summer event July 21 to 24 San Diego Convention Center and surrounding areas of downtown San Diego.
The panel for “Ghosts” will take place Thursday, July 21, in Ballroom 20. The full cast, including “livings” Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar, as well as “ghosts” Brandon Scott Jones, Richie Moriarty, Danielle Pinnock, Asher Grodman, Román Zaragoza, Sheila Carrasco, Rebecca Wisocky and Devan Chandler Long, and executive producers Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, will take part in a panel discussion moderated by series guest star Matt Walsh. The panel will be and will treat fans with never-before-seen footage, including a preview of season two.
As part of CBS’s “Summer of ‘Ghosts’” immersive marketing campaign honoring the “recently departed” first season and its upcoming sophomore season this fall, “Ghosts” will show up in San Diego with Pinecone Trooper Pete’s “Friend Zone,” an activation with a campsite feel in honor of scout leader ghost Pete, whose unfortunate archery accident left him with an arrow through his neck for eternity. The activation will be set up at the Interactive Zone at Petco Park from July 21-24, and will feature a “scare-free” archery activation — but nothing is what it seems at this campsite setup on ‘the lawn’ of The Woodstone Mansion — the show’s setting and home to the ghosts. Fans can connect with Ghosts and ‘the other side’ through psychic mediums and programming that’ll give attendees insight into their past, present, and future lives.
Fans who can’t make it to San Diego can still enjoy the “Ghosts” experience in the Metaverse, which, beginning on July 21, will take fans on an immersive journey through the haunted Woodstone Mansion to solve puzzles, undertake quests and earn limited edition, collectible NFTs. The “Ghosts” mansion was meticulously recreated using actual blueprints and features surprising interactions with the show’s main characters.
Season two of “Ghosts,” which CBS touts touted as the No. 1 new series on TV and the top comedy on streaming service Paramount+, premieres Thursday, Sept. 29, in its new time slot at 8:30 p.m. The entire first season is available to stream on demand on Paramount+. The series is produced by CBS Studios in association with Lionsgate Television and BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions. It is based on the BBC Studios series of the same name. Additional information about “Ghosts” activities at Comic-Con will be shared via the show’s official Instagram and Twitter accounts @GhostsCBS.
Following up on Warner Bros. Discovery’s announcement of its plans for the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con International running July 21-24, HBO Max and Cartoon Network provided details for where to find some of the kids and family content available during the pop culture festival at the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding areas of Downtown San Diego.
Friday, July 22 sees the “That’s NOT All, Folks! Looney Tunes for Everyone!” panel at 10 a.m. in the Indigo Ballroom. Take a look at all the latest from the Looney Tunes Loon-iverse, including the new season of “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” the new series “Bugs Bunny Builders,” the new “Tiny Toons Looniversity,” and bonus surprises. Eric Bauza (voice of Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Daffy Duck, and more) moderates an all-star panel with Alex Kirwan (supervising producer of “Looney Tunes Cartoons”), Abe Audish (supervising producer of “Bugs Bunny Builders”), Nate Cash and Erin Gibson (co-executive producers of “Tiny Toons Looniversity”) and more guests.
The panel will be followed at 11 a.m. by “The Origin Story You’ve Been Waiting For … ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.’” The cast and crew of “Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai” answer questions about the upcoming HBO Max animated prequel series. Executive producers Tze Chun and Brendan Hay join Tara Rueping (art director), Izaac Wang (voice of Sam), AJ LoCascio (voice of Gizmo), Gabrielle Neveah Green (voice of Elle), and more surprise guests to unveil the first clues to unlocking the secrets of the Mogwai. “Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai” is produced by Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Animation.
Saturday, July 23 sees the “Cartoon Network: Winner Takes All” panel at 10 a.m. in the Indigo Ballroom. This multi-show panel will determine which panelists (and audience members) are the most discerning fans as they are quizzed on their favorite series for a chance to unlock first looks, sneak peeks and more inside scoop. Play along with the casts and crew of “Craig of the Creek” (Philip Solomon, voice of Craig; Najja Porter, supervising director; Dashawn Mahone, supervising director), “Teen Titans Go!” (Pete Michail, executive producer; Tara Strong, voice of Raven; Khary Payton, voice of Cyborg), and “We Baby Bears” (Calvin Wong, showrunner; Connor Andrade, voice of Grizz; Amari McCoy, voice of Panda; Max Mitchell, voice of Ice Bear). “Craig of the Creek” and “We Baby Bears” are produced by Cartoon Network Studios. “Teen Titans Go!” is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.
The “Comics Are Fun for Everyone” panel will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23, in room 6DE. The panel will highlight comics and graphic novels from across the DC Multiverse, as well as animation and more. DC senior editor Katie Kubert will be joined by Daniel Warren Johnson and Juan Gedeon (Jurassic League), Kami Garcia (Constantine: Distorted Illusions), Becky Cloonan and Michael Conrad (Batgirls), and more.
Sunday, July 24 sees the “Sesame Street Mecha Builders” panel at 1:45 p.m. in room 5AB. From feathered and furry friends to robo superheroes-in-training, find out how the iconic “Sesame Street” Muppets got supersized into CGI animated characters for the newest series, “Sesame Street Mecha Builders.” Join Olexa Hewryk, Frank Falcone, David Rudman, Ryan Dillon, and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as they discuss how Cookie Monster, Elmo and Abby Cadabby were re-imagined to expand the Sesameverse. The panel will be moderated by Alan Muraoka from “Sesame Street.”
Autograph signings the Sails Pavilion on series posters exclusive to Comic-Con will take place on Friday, July 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. for “Looney Tunes for Everyone!” and 2 to 3 p.m. for “Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai,” and on Saturday, July 23 from 11: 30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. for “Cartoon Network: Winner Takes All” panelists.
Outside the convention center, the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego will offer a Bat-tastic inflatable display photo op. Plus, attendees can enjoy photo opportunities with Cookie Monster at a supersized “Sesame Street Mecha Builders” inflatable located near the Omni San Diego Hotel.
Paramount+ has announced its plans for the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con International, which runs July 21-24 at the San Diego Convention Center.
Plans include a “Star Trek”-themed activation and immersive experience, a “Beavis and Butt-Head” photo opportunity, and a chance to step inside the iconic Paramount Mountain at the official Paramount+ booth.
Activations and panels include:
The “Star Trek” Universe Panel in Hall H, July 23 from 12:45-2:15 p.m., will feature exclusive back-to-back conversations with the casts and executive producers from “Star Trek: Picard,” “Star Trek: Lower Decks” and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” as they discuss the latest seasons of their series and tease what’s ahead. The moderator will be actress and “Star Trek: Picard” season two director Lea Thompson (Back to the Future). “Star Trek: Picard”cast members scheduled to appear include Patrick Stewart and Gates McFadden, alongside executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Rod Roddenberry. “Star Trek: Lower Decks” will feature voice cast members Jack Quaid, Tawny Newsome, Noël Wells and Dawnn Lewis, creator and executive producer Mike McMahan, and executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Rod Roddenberry. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” will have its Hall H debut with cast members Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding and the latest addition to the cast Paul Wesley, along with executive producers Henry Alonso Myers, Alex Kurtzman and Rod Roddenberry.
Paramount+ will present “Star Trek’s 10 Forward: The Experience,” an immersive “Star Trek” experience with food, intergalactic drinks, photo opportunities, interactive activations and exclusive merchandise. The tickets are sold out, but fans can still purchase exclusive merchandise and enjoy a beverage outdoors in the official “Starfleet Outpost” beer garden. Entry is first come, first served at 340 5th Ave.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, women-owned ice cream brand Coolhaus will be bringing fans in San Diego free, limited-edition Wrath of P’Khan ice cream sandwiches via a branded The Wrath of P’Khan Coolhaus Ice Cream Truck. The truck will be visiting fans on July 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (or while supplies last), at the Petco Park Interactive Zone.
July 21, 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Hall H, series creator and show runner Jeff Davis and “Teen Wolf the Movie” star Tyler Posey, Tyler Hoechlin, and surprise guests preview the upcoming Paramount+ film, while taking a look back at the iconic series that started it all.
On July 21, 4:45-5:45 p.m. in Ballroom 20, “Beavis and Butt-Head” creator Mike Judge and a celebrity moderator will discuss the series as well as the upcoming “Beavis and Butt-Head” Paramount+ original series as well as the recently released movie Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe.
On July 23, 10:15-11:30 a.m. in Ballroom 20, there will be an “Evil” exclusive screening and panel with the cast of the Paramount+ series, including stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Christine Lahti and Kurt Fuller. The event will feature an exclusive sneak peek of an episode from season three followed by a panel discussion moderated by Devan Coggan from Entertainment Weekly.
On July 21, 1-2 p.m. in Room 6BCF, a panel will feature voice talent from “Rugrats,” including E.G. Daily (Tommy), Cheryl Chase (Angelica) and Charlet Chung (Kimi), along with executive producer Eryk Casemiro as they give fans an exclusive look at behind-the-scenes art and sneak peeks of never-before-seen content, perform a live table-read, and provide answers to popular questions. The panel will be moderated by Jim Viscardi, executive editor, Comicbook.com.
July 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Room 6BCF, the service will celebrate Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” and its two original spinoff series, “The Patrick Star Show” and the Paramount+ Original Series “Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years.” Voice talent from all three series — Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Jill Talley (Karen, Squidina), Kate Higgins (Narlene) and Carlos Alazraqui (Nobby) — and executive producers Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller will explore these iconic shows and characters and reveal what to expect next from SpongeBob and the denizens of Bikini Bottom. The panel will be moderated by Patrick Gomez, editor-in-chief, Entertainment Weekly.
July 22, 2:15-3:15 p.m. in Room 6A, viewers will meet the next generation of heroes in the new original animated series “Transformers: EarthSpark.” From Nickelodeon and Entertainment One, the new Paramount+ Original Series will showcase an insider event that celebrates a new take on the iconic global franchise with a behind-the-scenes look at art, casting and never-before-seen clips, and a first time look at the Hasbro toyline inspired by the series. Featured panelists include series voice talent Danny Pudi (Bumblebee), Kat Khavari (Twitch) and Zeno Robinson (Thrash) along with co-executive producer Dale Malinowski and executive producer Ant Ward. The panel will be moderated by Mike Cecchini, editor-in-chief, Den of Geek.
At Booth #3529, Paramount+ will be coming to the convention floor with an interactive space for fans to experience “a mountain of entertainment.” Fans can scan a QR code located on a mountain sculpt on the outside of the booth to watch their favorite characters come to life from their phone. Once inside the booth, fans will have the opportunity to experience a mountain climb led by some of their favorite characters from “Star Trek,” Sonic the Hedgehog 2, “SpongeBob Squarepants” and “Halo.” After making the climb, they will be led to a game where they can win different swag as well as take a photo to share on social media.
At Booth #3729, viewers will be able to step inside Beavis and Butt-Head’s living room for a photo opportunity with the animated duo. New merchandise, including items exclusive to San Diego Comic-Con, will be available for purchase.
Apple TV+ will make its debut at San Diego Comic-Con International July 21-24.
The service will feature a lineup of panels of its original series. The panels will feature cast and creative teams from the thriller “Severance,” alternate-reality series “For All Mankind,” and the workplace comedy “Mythic Quest.” The service will also feature a panel with storytellers from “See,” “Invasion,” “Foundation” and “For All Mankind” sharing their world-building insights with fans.
Attendees will have the opportunity to get “severed” as they immerse themselves in the world of Lumon Industries at an innovative “Severance” installation at the Hard Rock Hotel. The experience will take new Lumon employees through their first day on the severed floor where all of their senses will be required if they hope to be reunited with their ‘outtie.’ The experience is created in partnership with Ben Stiller and the show’s producers.
Times and locations for all panels will be announced closer to the event.
Apple TV+’s original series panels at San Diego Comic-Con International will include:
Inside “Severance”: Executive Producer and director Ben Stiller, creator and executive producer Dan Erickson and cast members Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Dichen Lachman and Jen Tullock share “Innie” secrets from season one of the Apple TV+ critically acclaimed series.
The Alternate World of “For All Mankind”: Creators and executive producers Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi are joined by executive producer Maril Davis and cast members Joel Kinnaman, Shantel VanSanten, Jodi Balfour, Sonya Walger, Krys Marshall, Cynthy Wu, Casey Johnson, Coral Peña and Wrenn Schmidt to discuss the third season of the Apple TV+ alternate reality series.
The Players of “Mythic Quest”: Creator, executive producer and star Rob McElhenney joins co-creator and executive producer Megan Ganz, executive producer and star David Hornsby, and cast members Charlotte Nicdao, Danny Pudi, Imani Hakim, Jessie Ennis and Ashly Burch take a deep dive into the Apple TV+ workplace comedy and share an exclusive first look at the upcoming third season.
Storytellers of Apple TV+: Creator and executive producer Ronald D. Moore of “For All Mankind,” executive producer Simon Kinberg of “Invasion,” “See” executive producer and showrunner Jonathan Tropper, and creator and executive producer of “Mythic Quest” Megan Ganz will discuss creating the unique worlds of their series and share exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming episodes. David S. Goyer will also join from the set of “Foundation” with a special sneak peek at the upcoming second season.
DC Fandome, an online Comic-Con alternative for WarnerMedia properties, will return Saturday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m. PT.
The free virtual event will once again give fans of superhero, sci-fi and other genre programming a chance to immerse themselves in content at DCFanDome.com and celebrate the stars and creators of their favorite feature films, live-action and animated television series, games, comics, home entertainment releases and more. Casts and creators behind fan-favorite DC games, comics, movies and TV shows will gather to unveil breaking news, exclusive trailers and announcements, never-before-seen footage, revealing conversations, and more surprises in the DC FanDome.
“DC FanDome 2020 was a first-of-its kind global virtual fan experience and showcased every aspect of the DC Universe with unprecedented scale and access. This year, we’re taking everything that people loved about DC FanDome and supercharging it to super-serve fans with even more exclusive first-looks, breaking news, in-depth interviews and insight from the stars and creative teams of their favorite DC content,” Ann Sarnoff, chair and CEO of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, said in a statement.
The 2020 event generated more than 22 million global views across 220 countries and territories with more than 150 million views of trailer content.
DC FanDome 2021 will stream via Twitch, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, giving fans more ways to watch the events unfolding in DC FanDome’s Hall of Heroes. Additionally, DC Kids FanDome will launch the same day with a special kid-friendly experience accessed separately at DCKidsFanDome.com.
Warner Bros. Pictures will showcase six titles, with an exclusive trailer for The Batman, new content from DC League of Super-Pets, a first look at Black Adam, a sneak peek at The Flash, and behind-the-scenes looks at Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
Warner Bros. Television will offer a look at new seasons of “Batwoman,” “The Flash,” “Superman & Lois” and “Sweet Tooth”; a farewell tribute to “Supergirl” as it approaches its finale after six seasons; a celebration of 100 episodes of “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”; a first look at forthcoming new drama “Naomi”; and a sneak peek at an upcoming episode of “DC’s Stargirl.”
Warner Bros. Games will feature new reveals from the highly anticipated Gotham Knights, developed by Warner Bros. Games Montréal, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, developed by Rocksteady Studios.
HBO Max will unveil an exclusive look at the upcoming series “Peacemaker” and limited event series “DMZ.” The streamer is also debuting more surprises and sneak peeks from new series as well as returning favorites such as “Titans” and “Doom Patrol.” All four series hail from Warner Bros. Television.
Warner Bros. Animation will feature a look at the upcoming limited series “Aquaman: King of Atlantis”; provide a sneak peek at season three of the adult animated comedy series “Harley Quinn” and share what’s in store for #HarIvy; deliver a very early look at the next animated chapter of the Dark Knight in the all-new upcoming series “Batman: Caped Crusader”; and give fans a preview of “Young Justice: Phantoms” (promoters have issued a spoiler warning).
Warner Bros Home Entertainment will preview two upcoming original DC Animated Films: a sneak peek at Superman and the rest of the Justice League in Injustice, an all-new animated movie inspired by the popular games and comic, as well as the premiere of the trailer for the all-new animated heist movie Catwoman: Hunted. Both movies are produced in association with Warner Bros. Animation.
DC publishing will showcase a number of upcoming comic books, including tie-ins to the 80th anniversary of Wonder Woman.
Through the end of October, Warner Bros. Consumer Products is offering the DC FanDome Shop in the United States with additional territories around the world to follow, allowing fans from across the globe to stock up on DC FanDome apparel, accessories, collectibles and more. Featuring exclusive DC Comics merchandise, the DC FanDome Shop will drop new items every week leading up to the main event Oct. 16.
In addition, leading up to DC FanDome and the event day itself, online comics database DC Universe Infinite will be releasing more than 300 comics and graphic novels available to read for free with registration. New titles will be available each week, starting with the complete storyline of Flashpoint, fan-favorite series Injustice: Gods Among Us Vol. 1 and, available for the first time on DC Universe Infinite, The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes.
There’s going to be a Comic-Con this year, after all.
Organizers of San Diego International Comic-Con in a press release issued late on Saturday, March 27, announced “Comic-Con Special Edition” will be held as a three-day event over the Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 26-28, at the San Diego Convention Center.
“It is our hope that by Fall conditions will permit larger public gatherings,” according to a news release.
Comic-Con is traditionally held in July and draws more than 150,000 fans to the San Diego Convention Center. The annual show began in 1970 as the Golden State Comic Book Convention and in its early years consisted mostly of comic book collectors selling, buying and trading rare and underground comics.
Over time, the show shifted focus to embrace all things pop culture and is now dominated by studios, and streaming services, who set up elaborate displays to promote their latest movies and series.
The 2020 Comic-Con was replaced with the virtual Comic-Con@Home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Plans for a return this summer were dashed on March 1 when Comic-Con organizers said the 2021 edition would also be canceled as a result of the pandemic, with fans instead once again getting a free virtual show.
At the same time, organizers said they are hoping to stage a smaller, three-day in-person convention in San Diego in November — plans that have now materialized.
“Comic-Con Special Edition will be the first in-person convention produced by the organization since Comic-Con 2019, and the first since the onset of the global pandemic COVID-19,” according to the March 27 press release.
“The Fall event will allow the organization to highlight all the great elements that make Comic-Con such a popular event each year, as well as generate much needed revenue not only for the organization but also for local businesses and the community.”
“While we have been able to pivot from in-person gatherings to limited online events, the loss of revenue has had an acute impact on the organization as it has with many small businesses, necessitating reduced work schedules and reduction in pay for employees, among other issues,” said David Glanzer, spokesperson for the nonprofit organization.
“Hopefully this event will shore up our financial reserves and mark a slow return to larger in-person gatherings in 2022.”
Details are still being finalized as to badge cost, attendance capacity, and other information.
The 2021 edition of WonderCon has been canceled as a result of continued concerns over large crowds as the coronavirus pandemic lingers into its second year.
The event had been slated for March 26-28 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The fan gathering is organized by the Comic-Con International group, which also presents the annual San Diego Comic-Con International, an annual mecca for studios and content creators to interact with pop-culture fans, and showcase new movies and TV shows.
In a Feb. 11 announcement, organizers wrote: “2020 was a difficult year all around. For the first time in the history of our organization, we were unable to have in-person events for WonderCon or Comic-Con. We have hoped that by now, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic might have subsided enough that we could once again come together in person for a traditional WonderCon event. Sadly, as we continue to monitor the latest information from healthcare officials, we have determined the interest of public safety will prevent this spring’s WonderCon from moving forward as an in-person convention.”
Instead, for the second year the event will transform into WonderCon@Home, and will be held on Friday, March 26, and Saturday, March 27. More information is available at comic-con.org.
“The challenges of this past year and the postponement of our two largest events have left us with limited financial resources,” organizers wrote. “Therefore WonderCon@Home will be a two-day celebration instead of the usual three days as we continue to marshal our resources for Comic-Con this summer.”
While not as large as San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon Anaheim has been a popular destination from nearby Hollywood to promote the latest pop culture projects. WonderCon typically draws about 60,000 attendees, about half of its San Diego counterpart.
“Our commitment to the community of fans who enjoy WonderCon and the celebration of comics and related popular art remains an important part of who we are,” organizers wrote. “We would like to thank everyone for your continued support as we anxiously look forward to a time when we can once again meet in person to celebrate comics, popular art, and spend time with our dedicated community of fans.”
No updates were offered on the status of Comic-Con, which remains slated for July 22-25 at the San Diego Convention Center and Downtown San Diego. The event was canceled last year due to the pandemic.
There were several challenges when making the third installment in the “Deep Blue Sea” feature franchise, including overcoming the usual difficulties with shooting on water (a la Steven Spielberg’s legendary struggles with Jaws) and coming up with a new premise that didn’t involve an underwater lab, as the two previous movies had.
Global warming came to the rescue on the script. Screenwriter Dirk Blackman did some research on small islands sinking as the oceans rise and had a moment of inspiration.
“I thought, ‘Let’s sink the town,’” he said during a July 24 online panel at Comic-Con@Home for the July 28 digital and Aug. 25 Blu-ray combo pack and DVD release of Deep Blue Sea 3 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
The film follows Dr. Emma Collins and her team, who are spending the summer on a sinking island studying the effect of climate change on great white sharks. Their routine is disrupted when a team led by her ex-boyfriend and marine biologist Richard shows up looking for three rogue bull sharks.
Director John Pogue discussed the logistics of shooting four major underwater action sequences at the South African location.
“We figured out a way to be 360 with our water set so that we could have all of the sets gathered around this cove and most of the rest of everything else was made up digitally,” he said.
The underwater scenes got an assist from some professionals.
“There are so many additional safely issues with shooting around water, from what can happen with electricity to people falling in, so safety was paramount,” Pogue said. “We were very fortunate in that we had this incredible South African team called the Frog Squad that do underwater projects all over the world. They are essentially South African SEALs that also make movies.”
The actors spent time training and getting scuba certified before the shoot, noted Emerson Brooks, who plays Shaw, a sort of brother/father figure for Emma.
“I think all the training that we did, all the real underwater experience … that really added to it, that put you in it, certainly,” added Tania Raymonde (Emma).
The water in the winter in South Africa was cold, and “we were always wet, always wet,” she recalled.
Shooting in water posed challenges for the director as well.
“I think about 30 % of the time it went as planned— so many things would break,” Pogue said. “The communication underwater is super challenging. You’re basically talking to 20 people with a giant underwater megaphone that no one can really understand.”
Mumbling like the teacher a “Charlie Brown” special, Nathaniel Buzolic (Richard) demonstrated what the actors could hear underwater.
“There was this underwater megaphone that looked like something from the Victorian era, which is like a box with a string on it that was threaded all the way down into the water,” added Raymonde. “Once you suit up and you’ve got your regulator and they make sure you’ve got air in the tank and check all your levels and you’ve got everything on and you go under, it’s kind of a pain to get back up to the surface, take everything off, go get notes from John and come back in. So once we were in the tank and underwater, we were pretty much underwater and stuck and that was it. … And when you’re under there, you don’t hear anything because your regulator is so loud. Every time you take a breath there are bubbles everywhere, you can’t hear anything.”
The Frog Squad helped interpret by using a sort of “sign language,” she said.
“[The process] definitely influenced the tone of the movie in that there’s a more realistic as opposed to a controlled, stylized feel to the movie, where we’re trying to sort of use those happy accidents that happen as a result of this chaos,” Pogue said.
He credited the cast for being game to go the extra mile in shooting the action sequences.
“During the casting process, one of the things that we talked about was, given the resources that we’ve got, that you’re going to have to do your own diving and your own stunts,” he recalled. Deep Blue Sea 3 wasn’t “one of those movies where we just sort of stop everything and bring in your double,” he said.
“In many of the key sequences, it was very important that we see your faces, we see you experiencing what’s happening in the action,” he said.
Bren Foster, a martial arts expert who plays Lucas, noted the action on land was equally intense.
“You kind of bring it above the water, and all hell breaks loose,” he said.
Inspired by another shark movie The Deep, screenwriter Blackman added a fight.
“I don’t expect to see a fight, necessarily, in a shark movie, so we have a fight,” he said.
Three voices of Bugs Bunny — Billy West, Jeff Bergman and Eric Bauza — joined “Looney Tunes Cartoons” executive producer Pete Browngardt, movie historian/author/TV personality Leonard Maltin, animation historian/author Jerry Beck, and George Feltenstein, SVP, theatrical catalog, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, for a Comic-Con@Home panel July 23 to discuss Bugs Bunny’s history, the new HBO Max series “Looney Toons Cartoons” and the character’s upcoming Blu-ray collection.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Dec. 1 (moved from Nov. 3) will release the “Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Blu-ray Collection,” featuring 60 remastered cartoons starring the wily rabbit.
“This is gonna be something that fans have wanted for a very long time,” Feltenstein said. “It’s been many years since the company has put together a collection on Blu-ray Disc dedicated to what I consider to be one of the most popular Warner Bros. cartoon stars, Bugs Bunny. He’s right up there with Bette Davis and [Humphrey] Bogart, who created the DNA of the studio’s history. What we meant to do here is have 20 cartoons that had been out before, but that are basically essential, and then have 40 cartoons that either had never been on Blu-ray or never been remastered at all or they were not released in the proper aspect ratio. … It goes from the great classic early cartoons to the very end of Bugs’ tenure [in the mid-60s].”
The collection includes some titles not available previously, including “Racketeer Rabbit” (1946), “Rabbit Every Monday” (1951), “Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk” (1943) and “What’s Cookin’, Doc?” (1944).
“If you’re collecting Bugs Bunny, as you should be on video, I can’t say you’re going to complete the collection, but you’re going to have literally most — 90% or more — of all the Bugs Bunnys when you get this set,” added Beck.
Panelists mused about the lasting appeal of the cartoons, which were designed as mere amusing precursors to the main feature.
“These cartoons were considered throwaways as far as the industry at large,” said West (Space Jam, “Futurama,” “Doug”). “While people were getting popcorn and Coca-Colas, that was what was playing on the screen. … They’re more famous and more well-known than any of the movies they opened up for.”
“If something is great entertainment, it will transcend time,” Feltenstein said.
The online panel screened “A Wild Hare,” considered the first official appearance of Bugs Bunny, supervised by Tex Avery.
“When Tex Avery arrived on the scene … he started pushing the cartoons toward wackier, crazier gags,” noted Maltin.
It’s those early Bugs iterations that inspired the new “Looney Toons Cartoons” on HBO Max, said executive producer Browngardt.
“We kind of tried to go back in time to a Bugs that was sort of before the [director Chuck] Jones Bugs had sort of taken over,” he said. “We felt like the character was a little bit more dynamic then. He had flaws. He would actually lose from time to time in a few cartoons and was a little bit surreal at times as well. We purposefully went back to that.”
They gave the character yellow gloves, which created controversy on the web, but helped differentiate the new Bugs. Bugs also got an updated vocabulary, saying things such as “fake news” and “Is that organic, Doc?”
“’Looney Toons Cartoons’ was definitely a different direction as far as getting out of the half-lidded, sarcastic Bugs from the Jones era and into more of the manic, unhinged energy that [voice actor] Mel Blanc had,” added Bouza, the voice of Bugs in the new series.
Each discussed their favorite Bugs Bunny cartoons, the many adversaries he has faced over the years and what they liked about the character.
“He’s a genuine, great hero,” Browngardt said. “He stands up for the little guy when he’s put upon. We all wish we could be the smartest guy in the room, wish we could take on every bully and not be cut down to size.”
“We all want to be Bugs Bunny, but we’re stuck with Daffy Duck is who we are,” added Bergman (“Tiny Toon Adventures,” “Our Cartoon President”).
Feltenstein credited Warner Bros. for taking care of these gems of cartoon history.
“I’m so grateful to our company that we have a preservation program that will see to it that they will remain available for people to see for years to come,” he said.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, women-owned ice cream brand Coolhaus will be bringing fans in San Diego free, limited-edition Wrath of P’Khan ice cream sandwiches via a branded The Wrath of P’Khan Coolhaus Ice Cream Truck. The truck will be visiting fans on July 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (or while supplies last), at the Petco Park Interactive Zone.
There were several challenges when making the third installment in the “Deep Blue Sea” feature franchise, including overcoming the usual difficulties with shooting on water (a la Steven Spielberg’s legendary struggles with Jaws) and coming up with a new premise that didn’t involve an underwater lab, as the two previous movies had.