San Diego Comic-Con Archives

Special Media Play News Podcast: Last Look at Comic-Con 2022!

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!).

‘Star Trek’ Comic-Con Panel Teases Format-Bending Crossover

SAN DIEGO — Cast members for three “Star Trek” shows gathered Saturday, July 23 for a massive Hall H panel to preview upcoming storylines for the Paramount+ original series.

Among them is a crossover between “Strange New Worlds” and “Lower Decks,” which should be interesting considering one is live-action, one is animated, and they are set over 100 years apart.

The announcement came during the “Strange New Worlds” portion of the panel, which was moderated by Lea Thompson of “Back to the Future” fame. She directed two episodes of the second season of “Star Trek: Picard” and made a guest appearance as well.

After Thompson introduced the “SNW” cast, “Lower Decks” voice actors Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid returned to the stage despite their portion of the panel having just concluded minutes earlier. They asked why they weren’t introduced with the rest of the “SNW” cast, prompting “SNW” star Anson Mount to confirm that the second season of “SNW” would feature a crossover episode.

At the ‘Star Trek’ Comic-Con 2022 panel, the ‘Lower Decks’ cast crashes the ‘Strange New Worlds’ presentation.

“We’re coming aboard the Enterprise baby!,” Quaid said.

The episode will include both live-action and animation, and will be directed by longtime “Star Trek” actor and director Jonathan Frakes (aka Commander Riker).

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“Strange New Worlds” takes place prior to the original “Star Trek” series in the mid 23rd century, focused on the adventures of Capt. Pike (Mount) and his crew. “Lower Decks” chronicles the missions of the U.S.S. Cerritos in the late 24th century.

All 10 episodes from the first season of “Strange New Worlds” are now available on Paramount+

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The first segment of the panel involved a preview of the third and final season of “Picard,” which features a reunion of the cast of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” joining series star Patrick Stewart.

“When we first started, of course the first instinct is to bring back the entire crew of ‘The Next Generation,’ if you’re going to do a Picard show,” said executive producer Alex Kurtzman. “And Patrick was amazing because he said to us ‘I want to do this show but I don’t want to repeat old things, and if we’re going to get to the crew, then we have to earn it.’ And I think we took two seasons to earn the return of the crew. And the key thing for us is we did not want the crew to sort of come and have cameos. We actually wanted everyone to have significant roles, and we wanted to whet appetites a little bit to see them come back together.”

Kurtzman said the idea of a “TNG” reunion came from showrunner Terry Matalas, who “was very taken with the idea of doing the final “Next Gen” movie, and it was really exciting to approach this from a place of … who would these characters be now, so many years later.”

Kurtzman said that Brent Spiner, whose character of Data was killed off in the actual last “Next Gen” movie, 2002’s Star Trek: Nemesis, would also appear, as an “old new character.” In the first two seasons he played a virtual re-creation of Data, as well as various members of the Soong family, relatives of Data’s creator.

During the “Lower Decks” portion of the panel, a trailer for the show’s third season revealed the show would feature a return to the title space station of 1990s series “Deep Space Nine.”

“We circle Deep Space Nine. We check out the pylons. And then we go in to Deep Space Nine,” said series creator and executive producer Mike McMahan. “You might see some friendly faces in there. It feels to me like one last walkaround Deep Space Nine. It’s a really great episode.”

The third season of “Lower Decks” premieres Aug. 25 on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Latin America; Amazon Prime Video in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Japan and India; and in Canada it airs on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel and streams on Crave.

Kurtzman also said two additional “Trek” shows were in development in addition to the five already in production (“Discovery” and the CG-animated “Prodigy” in addition to the three shows promoted at the panel), and that there would be more female leads.

Sci-Fi Series ‘The Orville’ Heading to Disney+ Aug. 10

SAN DIEGO — The Jan. 23 Comic-Con panel for the sci-fi series “The Orville” included an announcement that all three seasons of the series would be available for streaming on Disney+ starting Aug. 10.

The first two seasons originally aired on Fox and are available to stream on Disney-run Hulu. The 10-episode third season, dubbed “The Orville: New Horizons,” premiered as a Hulu original June 2 and concludes Aug. 4.

“The Orville” was created by Seth MacFarlane, who also stars on the series as Capt. Ed Mercer, commander of a starship that explores the galaxy in the 25th century.

“I’m thrilled to bring all three seasons of ‘The Orville’ to Disney+. Making this show has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my career, and I’m immensely grateful to Disney for providing us the opportunity to expand our Orville community further. I can’t wait for new audiences to experience this series,” MacFarlane said.

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The cast also includes Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, Peter Macon, J Lee, Mark Jackson, Chad L. Coleman, Jessica Szohr and Anne Winters.

All 36 episodes will continue to be available to stream on Hulu.

No announcement was made as to whether the series has been renewed for a fourth season.

New ‘Walking Dead’ Spinoff to Reunite Rick and Michonne

SAN DIEGO — A Comic-Con panel for “The Walking Dead” July 22 included an announcement that AMC Networks was produced a spinoff of the horror series that would reunite former series stars Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira.

The pair play Rick Grimes and Michonne, characters who fell in love but were separated and left the series before the current final season.

Lincoln and Gurira have been actively involved in the creative direction of the new series, and made a surprise appearance on the Hall H stage for the final panel for “The Walking Dead” at Comic-Con.

Scott M. Gimple, chief content officer of “The Walking Dead” Universe, will serve as showrunner on the series, which will begin with six episodes in 2023. Lincoln and Gurira are both executive producers.

“This is a moment fans of ‘The Walking Dead’ have been waiting for since Rick disappeared in the helicopter early in season nine, and Michonne journeyed away on a quest to find him the following season,” said Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. “What a great surprise for the fans at this final Comic-Con for the series that launched this universe and made television history. We couldn’t be more excited for a truly epic series finale later this year and to see Andy and Danai return in a new series they helped create, one of three new series coming in 2023 that continue the stories of so many iconic and fan-favorite TWD characters.”

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“Rick and Michonne are two of my favorite people and Danai and Andy are two of my favorite people,” Gimple said. “Working with all of them continues to be a dream come true. The three of us, along with a terrific team of TWD all stars and incredible new voices, are crafting an insane love epic worth the long, long wait.”

“This has been the most extraordinary journey playing Rick Grimes for the best part of a decade. The friendships I’ve made along the way are deep and lasting, so it’s fitting that I finally get to complete the story with Danai and Scott and the rest of the ‘TWD’ family. I’m so excited to be returning to the screen as Rick, reuniting with Danai as Michonne, and bringing the fans an epic love story to add to the ‘Walking Dead’ Universe.”

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“Michonne and this TWD family has meant so much to me, and to continue the journey of these beloved characters, alongside Scott and Andy, both creatively and in front of the camera, and bringing ‘The Walking Dead’ fans something truly special is just glorious. I can’t wait to pick up the katana again,” Gurira said.

Apple TV+ Renews ‘For All Mankind’ for Season 4

SAN DIEGO — The Comic-Con panel for the Apple TV + series “For All Mankind” July 22 included the announcement that the sci-fi series has been renewed for a fourth season.

The show is set in an alternate reality in which the Soviet Union landed on the moon before Apollo 11, causing NASA to redefine the space race and the long-term goals of space exploration.

The third season, set in the 1990s, features the United States. USSR and a private firm in a race to land on Mars. The 10th and finale episode will be released on the streaming service Aug. 12.

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NBCUniversal Sets 2022 Comic-Con Lineup

NBCUniversal has announced its schedule for the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con July 21-24 at the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding areas of downtown San Diego.

NBCUniversal is set to take over Gaslamp Plaza with the NBCU Corner @ SDCC, featuring content from entertainment television and streaming platforms NBC, Peacock, Syfy and USA Network. The immersive fan hub is a space where attendees can relax and recharge in-between panels with fun photo moments from new and returning NBCU shows, view custom NBCU content from the shaded viewing lawn and be rewarded with exclusive surprise giveaways throughout the weekend.

Shows highlighted at the NBCU Corner @ SDCC include NBC’s “Quantum Leap” and “La Brea,” USA Network and Syfy’s “Chucky,” Syfy’s “Resident Alien,” “Reginald the Vampire,” and Peacock’s “Vampire Academy,” “The End is Nye” and “The Resort.”

NBCU Corner will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, adjacent to the Tin Fish restaurant.

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In addition, Comic-Con attendees can visit many of TV’s most iconic characters with COZI TV’s Iconic Characters exhibit from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day of SDCC on the MLK Promenade behind the Omni hotel. The exhibit will be highlighted by a genuine 1962 AMC Rambler American 400, just like the red convertible featured in the Emmy-winning “3rd Rock From the Sun,” and an appearance on Friday, July 22 by actor and comedian French Stewart, who played the character Harry Solomon on the hit comedy. Eligible fans will be able to enter for a chance to win the fully restored classic car through the COZI TV 3rd Rock Rambler Sweepstakes, which anyone is available to enter at COZITV.com now through Aug. 31. COZI TV, NBCUniversal Local’s national multicast network that delivers the all-time best shows and pop culture favorites such as “The Munsters,” “The Nanny” and “Roseanne.”

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NBCUniversal’s panel lineup includes:

“Vampire Academy,” Thursday, July 21, 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m., Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Indigo Ballroom — Showrunners and executive producers Julie Plec (“The Vampire Diaries,” “The Originals,” “Legacies”) and Marguerite MacIntyre (“The Originals,” “Legacies”) will join series regulars Sisi Stringer (Rose Hathaway), Daniela Nieves (Lissa Dragomir), Kieron Moore (Dimitri Belikov) and Andre Dae Kim (Christian Ozera) to discuss Peacock’s “Vampire Academy,” based on the international bestselling book series — a story of friendship, romance and danger. In a world of privilege and glamour, two young women’s friendship transcends their strikingly different classes as they prepare to complete their education and enter vampire society. One as a powerful Royal, the other a half-vampire Guardian trained to protect against the savage Strigoi who threaten to tear their society apart. That is if Royal infighting doesn’t do the job first. Cast will partake in a Q&A live panel and give an exclusive first look moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Sydney Bucksbaum. The series is from Universal Television and will premiere on Peacock Sept. 15.

“Reginald the Vampire,” Saturday, July 23, 3-4 p.m., Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Indigo Ballroom — Featuring an exclusive first look at the new Syfy series coming this October as well as a thirst-quenching discussion with stars Jacob Batalon, Mandela Van Peebles, Em Haine and Savannah Basley, showrunner Harley Petyon, and executive producers Jeremiah Chechik and Lindsay Macadam. Moderated by “Fat Vampire” author Johnny B. Truant, which the series is based on.

“The End is Nye,” Saturday, July 23, 4:15-5 p.m., Room 6A — Bill Nye the Science Guy is back and hosting an all-new science disaster series “The End is Nye” with co-creators Seth MacFarlane and Brannon Braga. Each episode of the Peacock series explores an epic global disaster with engaging VFX spectacles, then demystifies them using science to show how we can survive, mitigate, and even prevent them. Sprinkled with MacFarlane’s signature humor, this extremely timely series explores end-of-the-world scenarios with Nye at the center of it all. Join executive producer Bill Nye, showrunner/EP Brannon Braga (“Star Trek,” “The Orville,” “Books of Blood”) and executive producer Erica Huggins (President, Fuzzy Door) as they debut the official trailer and share an exclusive sneak peek at their new Peacock series from Universal Television Alternative Studio and UCP. “The End is Nye” will premiere on Peacock Aug. 25.

“Resident Alien,” Saturday, July 23, 4:15-5:15 p.m., Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Indigo Ballroom — The cast of “Resident Alien” — Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler, Elizabeth Bowen and Judah Prehn — as well as executive producer/showrunner Chris Sheridan, come together for the first time on the same stage to answer fan questions and give an exclusive look into the season two return on Aug. 10 on Syfy. Moderated by “Ancient Aliens” star and co-executive producer (and “Resident Alien” guest star) Giorgio A. Tsoukalos. The series is from UCP.

“The Resort” World Premiere, Saturday, July 23, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Indigo Ballroom — Join creator Andy Siara (“Palm Springs”) and castmates William Jackson Harper (“The Good Place,” “The Underground Railroad”), Cristin Milioti (“Palm Springs,” “Made for Love”), Nina Bloomgarden (“Hot Pink”), and Luis Gerardo Méndez (“Narcos: Mexico”) for a special screening and conversation as they premiere the mystery thriller “The Resort,” a multi-generational coming-of-age love story disguised as a fast-paced mystery about the disappointment of time. An anniversary trip puts a marriage to the test when the couple finds themselves embroiled in one of the Yucatan’s most bizarre unsolved mysteries that took place fifteen years prior. The series from UCP will premiere July 28 on Peacock.

“Chucky, “Saturday, July 23, 6:45-7:45 p.m., Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Indigo Ballroom — Join “Chucky” creator/executive producer Don Mancini and surprise guests for a can’t-miss conversation moderated by TV Guide Magazine‘s Damian Holbrook and a behind-the-scenes look at season two returning this October on USA Network and Syfy. The hit series is from UCP.

Paramount+ Announces 2022 San Diego Comic-Con Plans

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.

Shout! Factory Celebrating ‘ParaNorman,’ ‘Princess Mononoke’ Anniversaries at Comic-Con Booth

Shout! Factory has announced its return to San Diego Comic-Con (July 21-24) for the 2022 event. The independent distributor will again open a booth (#4118) on the exhibitor floor, where it will celebrate the anniversaries of two animated films.

For the 10th anniversary of Laika Studios’ ParaNorman, Shout! Factory will offer an exclusive button and is setting up a display original production puppets from the film.

Shout! Factory also joins with GKIDS in celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Princess Mononoke exclusive buttons available only at the Shout! Factory booth.

The booth will also have an SDCC-exclusive Shout! Factory TV button pack, featuring the fan-favorite family of channels Mystery Science Theater 3000, Scream Factory TV, Shout! Cult, ALF and TokuSHOUTsu.

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Shout! Factory will be selling a variety of its Blu-ray, Steelbook and boxed sets releases at this year’s convention, many with an exclusive gift with purchase. Available titles include:

Belle — Blu-ray/DVD combo or Steelbook
Cartoon Saloon’s Irish Folklore Trilogy
Coraline: Laika Studios Edition
The Craft Collector’s Edition 4K UHD
Escape From New York: Collector’s Edition 4K UHD
Explorers: Collector’s Edition
Fire in the Sky
Halloween 1-5 4K UHD Bundle + Pin Set*
Kamen Rider Zero-One: The Complete Series + Movie
Kubo & the Two Strings: Laika Studios Edition
Lifeforce: Collector’s Edition UHD *
Millennium Actress Steelbook
My Neighbor Totoro: Limited Edition Steelbook
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Complete Series: Limited Collector’s Edition
ParaNorman: Laika Studios Edition
Pompo the Cinephile
Poupelle of Chimney Town*
Princess Mononoke: Limited Edition Steelbook
Species: Collector’s Edition 4K UHD*
Spirited Away: Limited Edition Steelbook
The Transformers: The Movie: 35th Anniversary Edition 4K UHD

* Indicates gift with purchase or premium sets, available while supplies last.

Well Go USA Touts ‘Invincible Dragon’ Blu-ray Disc, DVD and Digital Release on San Diego Comic-Con@Home Panel

Well Go USA unveiled an all-new trailer for live-action martial arts movie Invincible Dragon as part of a July 23 presentation at the first San Diego Comic-Con@Home “Superhero Kung Fu Extravaganza” panel discussion.

The panel featured Ric Meyers (Films of Fury, Atlas Originals Presents Targitt), Frank Djeng (Iron Fists & Kung Fu Kicks), Eric Jacobus (God of War), Chris Mancini (Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master), and Jan Lucanus (Justice for Hire) — as well as special guests Peter Pham (Foggy Mountain) and Scott Adkins (Doctor Strange, Ip Man 4).

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When a brilliant but trigger-happy detective (played by martial arts star Max Zhang, IP Man 3, Master Z: Ip Man Legacy) is outsmarted by a serial killer, he pays a high price for his momentary lapse in judgment. Robbed of both his fiancée and his job, he soon spirals out of control and goes back to what he knows best: fighting. Unbeknownst to him, a serendipitous reunion with an old rival (Brazilian mixed martial artist Anderson Silva) may be the key to unlocking the truth about his fiancée’s disappearance—and to apprehending the killer.

Well Go USA will street Invincible Dragon on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Oct. 6.

Comic-Con Canceled, to Return in 2021

In a widely expected move, organizers of the San Diego Comic Convention, or Comic-Con International, announced that this year’s event has been canceled — for the first time in the pop culture event’s 50-year history.

According to an April 17 press release, “there will be no Comic-Con in 2020. The event will instead return to the San Diego Convention Center from July 22-25, 2021.”

This year’s San Diego Comic-Con International was scheduled for July 23-26 at the San Diego Convention Center. The event is one of the biggest fan shows in the world and draws more than 130,000 attendees to San Diego each summer.

While the event started in the 1970s as a traditional comic book convention, in the past 20 years the show has become a major hotbed of Hollywood marketing, giving studios an active fanbase to showcase new movies and TV shows. Recent years have seen an increasing emphasis on home entertainment, particularly streaming services.

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Organizers said in the press release that “they had hoped to delay this decision in anticipation that COVID-19 concerns might lessen by summer,” but “continuous monitoring of health advisories and recent statements by the governor of California have made it clear that it would not be safe to move forward with plans for this year.”

Earlier in the week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlined steps to get the state up and running again, although he warned it would be a slow go.

He said “the prospect of mass gatherings is negligible at best until we get to herd immunity and we get to a vaccine. … Large-scale events that bring in hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of strangers altogether across every conceivable difference, health and otherwise, is not in the cards based upon our current guidelines and current expectations.”

A short time after the governor’s remarks, organizers of the annual San Diego County Fair, which was scheduled to begin its month-long run in early June, said the fair would not be held. The fair attracts more than 1 million visitors each year.

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Comic-Con organizers April 17 further announced that plans for a Comic-Con Museum in San Diego’s Balboa Park also have been impacted. Renovations to the park’s historic Federal Building, the museum’s future home, are being “rephased,” although organizers insist they “will not scale back the experience to be offered to visitors upon the museum’s grand opening. They anticipate releasing building plans illustrating the Museum’s transformation and sharing more information about those efforts in the coming months.”

The Comic-Con exhibit floor in July 2019.

Comic-Con organizers also announced that individuals who purchased badges for Comic-Con 2020 will have the option to request a refund or transfer their badges to Comic-Con 2021. All 2020 badge holders will receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to request a refund. Exhibitors for Comic-Con 2020 also will have the option to request a refund or transfer their payments to Comic-Con 2021 and will also receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to process their request.

In the next few days onPeak, Comic-Con’s official hotel affiliate, will be canceling all hotel reservations and refunding all deposits made through them.

“Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision,” said David Glanzer, spokesperson for the organization. “We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.”

In March, Comic-Con International canceled their WonderCon Anaheim event, which was to have been held April 10-12, 2020. WonderCon will return to the Anaheim Convention Center March 26-28, 2021.