scott pilgrim vs. the world poster top

Now that the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedules have been announced for the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con International, lets take a look at some of the films that won’t be making an appearance at the convention.

Universal will not be flying out the cast and crew of Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, which makes almost no sense since theyll probably be on a weekend break in Canada. (Update: I have been informed that the movie is shooting 6-day weeks, and coming to Comic-Con would mean a 2-day break from filming). Comic-Con would be the perfect place to get the buzz started on the big screen adaptation of this awesome indie comic book. Universal will also not be showing or presenting anything from Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood.

Disney is spending too much time on the 3D and animated films that they’ve completely forgotten to bring the live action films Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and Surrogates (which was based on a comic book) to the convention.

The Weinstein Co isn’t promoting Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds (Comic-Con seems like a better venue than UFC), nor are they brining Rob Zombie’s Halloween II (which had a presence the first time around), the post apocalyptic dramatic thriller The Road, the big screen adaptation of Youth in Revolt (which stars Michael Cera and would be a perfect fit for the Con), or Piranha 3D.

Lionsgate isn’t brining Neveldine/Taylor’s Gamer, Saw VI (a series which has had a presence in past years), or the vampire horror film Daybreakers.

Warner Bros‘ big screen adaptation of the graphic novel Whiteout is mysteriously missing in action despite making an appearance at last year’s con. Ninja Assassin isn’t listed on the panel line-up but might have a secret screening. Zack Snyder’s animated 3D adaptation of Guardians of Ga’Hoole also isn’t on the schedule.

20th Century Fox’s teen horror film Jennifer’s Body and Wes Anderson’s animated film Fantastic Mr. Fox are oddly missing.

MGM doesn’t have a panel for the Joss Whedon/Drew Goddard horror comedy The Cabin in the Woods, although I heard there might be a special sneak preview at a press-only event (MGM denies this). The company’s sci-fi time-travel comedy Hot Tub Time Machine, which also seems like perfect fit for the convention, is not on the line-up.

DreamWorks Animation is again completely skipping the convention, despite it being the first year that presentations can be shown in digital 3D. How to Train Your Dragon doesn’t have a panel, and their 2010 superhero comedy Oobermind has no presence in Hall H (I’m sure they’ll have something next year, right?).

Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables has no scheduled appearance.

Of course, the below list is subject to change. Panels and projects could be added, or surprise appearances might be made (for instance, Warner Bros has a panel where they could surprise with Ninja Assassin). Also, some of these films might very well have a show floor presence, advertising presence (District 9 was all over last year’s Con), or viral marketing launch at the Con. But judging from the officially announced schedule, this is the list of movies that won’t have a panel presence at the Con.

  • starscream9289
    Oh well, there's always next year.
  • I also think it makes absolutely no sense that Scott Pilgrim won't be there. Bryan Lee O'Malley is going to be there, and Edgar isn't a stranger to the Con either. I was really looking forward to seeing some footage or something. Big bummer for me.
  • Powerful Dog
    Don't forget about The Last Airbender not being there.
  • prat
    Yeah was gonna mention that.
    Sucks IMO :(
  • daveshere
    more than M. Night's track record?
  • prat
    .. How bad is his track record? He made pretty damn good films. yeah he hasnt done so good in recent times, but you cant call him a crappy director.
  • Sketch
    It's funny how the Con seems to grow exponentially every year, and yet I think there's half of the quality there when it comes to this sort of thing. There is a lot, but at the same time, the con has expanded to more days in the week, which makes it practically impossible for working people to make it there and be there for the entire show. They should just split this con up and optimise it.
  • marcwilson
    Did I miss something? SDCC has been four days for many years now, since before the show moved to the Convention Center.
  • Hmm, about Inglorious Basterds, I wonder if it's not because of Grindhouse. I remember reading an interview with QT where he said he felt very disappointed that the movie bombed after such a big hype. "The fans were all really excited for it, but then they didn't show," was what he said, or something like it.

    I was there in Hall H when he and Rodriguez came and presented the film, and I could see what he meant. People were roaring. I honestly thought it would do really well like all the other movies that got that kind of reception from Hall H.

    Dunno.
  • Powerful Dog
    The fans DID see Grindhouse... and that was it.

    The internet fanbase is only a fraction of box-office sales.

    Just look at Snakes on a Plane.
  • MortenKVebjornsen
    Well, this is a perfect opportunity for them to promote their biggest films & what they do is to ignore, nor forget about them. Have it come to this that more films that they think will drag in more money rather than some really big films would have done the opposite thing is not to be promoted on this event. If my theory is correct, then C-C 2009 would have been the perfect way into getting the biggest films more money rather than the not so big. Am I Right?
  • Whiteout was from Comic-Con 2007 for clarification.
  • Groov
    Whiteout was actually shown in both 2007 and 2008 :)

    They're probably sick of showing up with it.
  • Oh really!? I was at the Warner Bros panel last year and didn't see it. I must of missed it. I saw the book there though, still for sale.
  • Add The Nightmare on Elm Street remake to this list.
  • Nightmare has a panel
  • mike
    It makes more sense to have a Scott Pilgrim panel than an Avatar panel. And to have a Fantastic Mr. Fox panel than a District 9 panel.
  • Now you're going a bit far...
  • Nate_B
    For some reason I still believe that there will be a Scott Pilgrim vs. The World trailer debuting at Comic Con, then again, after reading this article, I think I'll stop that thinking right now.
  • Bob
    I've been wondering why Disney isn't promoting those live-action films this year. After all, many of their recent live-action films haven't exactly been setting the box office on fire. I know The Princess and the Frog is a big deal for them, but I suspect the Comic-Con crowd is more interested in Surrogates or even Sorcerer's Apprentice.
  • vanourney1
    I am shocked--SHOCKED--at the absence of THE EXPENDABLES and INGLORIOUS BASTERDS. These were two of the three panels I was looking forward to the most (AVATAR is the third). Talk about a ball being dropped.
  • I'm mostly bummed about Scott Pilgrim not being there. Also would have liked to see some youth in revolt stuff, maybe they'll have some floor stuff for that though. A poster would be pretty cool or a t-shirt give away for either of those would be cool. Maybe some viral stuff for Scott Pilgrim with shirts that have the heart and "SP" in the middle.
  • anon
    You know, some of these would make a good fit (Scott Pilgrim) as they are comic based, but a lot of these just don't make sense at Comic Con. I mean, Saw!? Robin Hood? And I think Basterds has had more than it's share of publicity, why would they waste money promoting it more. The movie is pretty up there on the audience's conciousness. This is COMIC con, you know... As in comics. But I guess it's becoming this movie marketing monster... it's kinda sad.
  • anon
    Oh, and Hot Tub Time Machine is way early in production, there wouldnt be much to show. I know because the vfx house where I work is bidding on shots right now.
  • frog
    JMS, co-writer of "Ninja Assassin" commented in his blog

    BTW, and appropos of nothing, I hear rumors that there may be a midnight screening of Ninja Assassin at San Diego Comic Con at some point. That's all I know for now.

    WOW, I wish there will be something great related with "Ninja Assassin" in the Comic Con! But, the secrete screening is still just a "might" not "will"
  • Jennifer Plano
    One of the reasons I bought tickets to Comic-Con was to see Neveldine/Taylor and hopefully GERRY BULTER!!! Are you sure they are not going? Why? Ugh!
  • macca
    Comic Con has not proven to be a valuable marketing resource for mainstream films, or those with a broad potential audience base. It's also very expensive to shut down production on major projects just to get the talent to attend the convention.

    Besides, featuring mainstream films kind of defeats the purpose of Comic Con, doesn't it? I've read enough complaints in recent years that Hollywood has too great a presence.
  • name74593
    hmph
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