Will The SAG Strike Ruin Comic Con?

One thing that we haven’t talked much about on /Film is the looming SAG strike (the contract expires on June 30th). And truth is the strike might directly effect your fandom more immediately than the writers strike. Our friends at Collider point out that the strike could mean that any actor with a SAG card would not be allowed to promote anything that has to do with a movie studio property. The first effected event will be the San Diego Comic Con which is coming up in mid-July. If the strike happens, this means that none of the actors will be present for the panels.

But is this really a bad thing? I’ve always found the actors to be the least interesting thing about Comic Con. I’ve been to countless panels with fangirls asking their favorite geek idol for a photo, or to name their favorite color. The biggest thing to happen at last year’s comic con was the Iron Man panel. Sure, Robert Downey Jr was there, but what amazed the crowds was the early trailer footage and Jon Farveau answering some questions from the fans. But then again, I have always found an interview with a writer or director ten times more interesting than most average Q&As.

Sure, part of the excitement of going to Comic Con as a fan is to see your favorite stars up on stage answering your questions, but I think we’ll just have to make due with Zack Snyder showing us some Watchmen footage, or JJ Abrams premiering a new Star Trek movie trailer (and NO, I have no inside info, I’m just speculating at what might happen). And even if the strike does happen, its not like attendance will be down. Four-day tickets to the convention are already sold out in record time. It will be crazier than ever.

  • Aqualeo
    If actors being absent at ComicCon is the only setback for the event, it should be just fine. The movies should be able to still be presented on their content alone and not need a star to promote it. I'm much more excited about hearing what writers and directors have to say about their projects than the actors. It needs to be about the material not the star
  • jj gonzo
    it won't matter the CON will go
    on!!! not only are 4 day passes
    gone, but also SATURDAY passes
    too!!! i got my passes in january
    and hope to see /film there!!
  • Mouse
    Actors do tend to seem rather bored at ComicCon, but i was really looking forward to hearing from the whole Watchmen cast, as opposed to just Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Malin Ackerman.
  • Chump Force 1
    Star Trek footage!! Ok, I know nothing is confirmed, but JJ/Paramount owes us after pushing the film back to May 2009 and not attaching any new trailers in front of any summer blockbusters.

    At the very least I'll take a Cloverfield 2 teaser...
  • Nothing can ruin ComicCon.
  • orange cinema
    i think you bring up a big cloud that could be cast over comic con, but then you expell it by stating the people behind the camera usually are more intersting - which i agree for most pictures, as i too would rather hear from a director any day of the week.

    there are always exceptions, like the x-files 2 panel at wonder con, it was really fun to see dd & ga -all of em actually - interact with each other.
  • dan
    uh, yes the actors being there is awesome. Robert Downey signed my Iron Man art I did last time I was there, was fucking sick.
  • gocitizen
    god forbid that fans actually have to focus on the comics and creators :)
  • DoggfatherJ
    Ruin Comic Con? oh cmon.. the whole point of COMIC-Con is to promote Comics, now its true that there are a few movies that derive from comics but... i sorta hated how last year Jessica alba was there, I mean, dont get me wrong, shes hot and all and i was more than willing to see her movie. But.. she was only there to promote Good Luck Chuck! (not Fantastic Four).. and correct me if im wrong.. but i have not seen nor have heard of any Comic/manga/ anything artistically related, about a guy that has a pretend curse of sleeping with women... seriously.. i go to comic con for 4 glorious days... missing a few panels isnt gonna change a %($* thing...

    PS, I was there at the IronMan Panel.. (4 rows from Stan Lee, Robert Downey Jr, and Gweneth.. followed by the hulk Crew) and yeah.. those were Comic Related movies!!
  • Clueless
    Yeah I haven't been keeping up on the SAG Strike, so Im gonna do some googling but can anyone give me the cliff notes. What does mean for movies?
  • Jeremy
    well, remember that actors AND directors were very vocal during the WRITER's strike, so who knows? Directors may not even show up if they support the SAG strike.

    Now, i would LOVE it if there were no actors at comic-con. It would cut back on people going to the Saturday panels, and i wouldn't have to wait in a line that wraps around the building to get into a panel that takes place at 3PM later that day. So actors, strike all you want, it makes my SDCC trip a lot easier.
  • 790
    There will be no strike.
    No matter what, it will be settled before the deadline.
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