San Diego Comic-Con reaffirmed its status as pop culture’s biggest stage with a wave of headline announcements. Marvel led with Ryan Gosling confirmed as Johnny Blaze in a new Ghost Rider film and David Jonsson becoming the new Black Panther in Ryan Coogler’s third instalment. Major streamers unveiled trailers for Rings of Power, Blade Runner 2099, Neuromancer and more, while Spaceballs returns with a nostalgia-fuelled sequel.
Comic-Con might be everywhere, but time and again, San Diego has proved why it remains the real deal. It’s where the biggest announcements in comics and pop culture have been made. Robert Downey Jr. was announced Dr. Doom here, two years ago (oh, how time flies). The original Ryan Coogler Black Panther movie was introduced to the the world here. Any major Marvel announcement, for that matter.
And not just Marvel. Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight had it’s first online teaser screening here. Hell, even STAR WARS was introduced to the world at the San Diego Comic Con (yes, it is that old). Safe to say, the SDCC is a pop culture institution at this point.
This year, in keeping with tradition, Hollywood's biggest studios arrived with exclusive footage, surprise casting announcements, release date reveals and franchise updates, giving fans a look at what the next few years of movies and television will bring. Read on.
Now that Nicholas Cage has settled into his role as Ben Reilly aka Spider-Noir, the convention's biggest moment came when Marvel Studios confirmed that Ryan Gosling will play Johnny Blaze in a brand-new Ghost Rider film. Directed by Shawn Levy, the film marks Ghost Rider's long-awaited standalone MCU debut and is currently scheduled to arrive in theatres in 2028.
Marvel also confirmed another rumoured casting announcement. Aliens: Romulus actor David Jonsson will play the son of Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa (yep, the kid you saw at the end of Black Panther 2), becoming the new Black Panther in Black Panther 3. Ryan Coogler returns to direct the next chapter in the franchise, which is set for release on December 15, 2028.
Prime Video debuted the first teaser for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3. The footage shows Sauron's completion of the One Ring and the beginning of an all-out war across Middle-earth. The season also introduces Simon Pegg as the voice of the Balrog, Eddie Marsan as the Dwarven royal Thrain and Andrew Richardson as Anárion, the future King of Gondor. And oh, Stranger Things’ Jamie Campbell Bower will play Celeborn. Season 3 premieres on November 11.
Prime Video also revealed the first trailer for Blade Runner 2099, the franchise's first live-action television series. Set decades after Blade Runner 2049, the series stars Michelle Yeoh as Olwen, a replicant confronting the end of her lifespan, while Hunter Schafer is a human fugitive pursued by Blade Runners. Ridley Scott is the executive producer, while Silka Luisa is the showrunner. The series premieres on November 25 this year.
Prime Video released the first trailer for Mike Flanagan's adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie. The eight-episode series updates the classic horror story for the smartphone era while following the titular character navigating relentless bullying, an abusive home life and the discovery of her terrifying telekinetic abilities. Summer H. Howell stars as Carrie, with Samantha Sloyan playing Margaret White. The series premieres on October 7.
AMC+ and Crave showcased a teaser for a new Canadian supernatural mystery based on Kat Sandler's acclaimed 2019 stage play. The series stars Noah Reid as a detective investigating the disappearance of Henry Park, heir to a powerful commercial fishing family. Hudson Williams plays Henry Park, while Carrie-Anne Moss and Clark Backo also join the cast.
Apple TV+ entered the Comic-Con spotlight with the first trailer for Neuromancer, its adaptation of William Gibson's landmark cyberpunk novel. Callum Turner leads the series as legendary hacker Case, bringing one of science fiction's most influential stories to television for the first time.
Amazon MGM Studios closed out Hall H with a touch of nostalgia. The studio promoted Spaceballs: The New One, a sequel to Mel Brooks' 1987 cult comedy. Director Josh Greenbaum joined Rick Moranis, Daphne Zuniga, Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman and the film's writers for the presentation, while Mel Brooks and Bill Pullman appeared through pre-recorded video messages.