The argument about whether or not showing stuff off early to geeks at Comic-Con is worth the investment has strong arguments on both sides, but if one thing is clear, the alarmist worries a month ago that the event would be bereft of major studios and films seems to have been premature. Not only that, one of the biggest directors in the world is now set to grace Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center.
None other than Steven Spielberg will greet the masses on Friday July 22nd, where he will receive the annual Inkpot Award and present footage from “The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn.” And we’re sure he won’t be the only one from the the film on hand. With a panel discussion planned, it’s probably a safe bet that some of the cast members like Jamie Bell, Mackenzie Crook, Andy Serkis and Daniel Craig (who will already be stumping for “Cowboys & Aliens“) will be on hand and it’s pretty much a no-brainer that Thompson and Thomson and Comic-Con veterans Simon Pegg and Nick Frost will be there too. This is a pretty big coup for Comic-Con and even for highbrow snooty types who lift their noses at geek fare have to be impressed that the likes of Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Soderbergh will be hitting the convention.
While reaction to ‘Tintin’ has been mixed so far, the latest trailer seemed to win over the doubters and we’re sure the sizzle reel Spielberg will be packing will turn everyone into believers. And while he’s there for ‘Tintin,’ there is still plenty of other projects Spielberg will undoubtedly be asked about, including his forthcoming flicks “War Horse” — also set for release this year — and his dream project “Lincoln” shooting in the fall. And with some new heat in the past few months around “Akira” maybe someone will be brave enough to poke him for details on what his version would have been like.
The panel will take place at 11 AM which means you should probably forget sleeping and just start lining up the night before. The San Diego Comic-Con kicks off on July 21st and “The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn” opens on December 23rd or two months earlier on October 26th if you live in Europe. Lucky bastards. [Hero Complex]
