Movies
San Diego Comic Con 2008 Panel Preview
THE big event every year is the San Diego Comic Con, which has become the pinnacle of Hollywood for the fanboy in us all. Every year the panels are packed to the brim with fans and press hoping to get their first glimpse at the following year’s films. The Comic Con is the place where major events happen like the unveiling of new STAR WARS titles or Sam Raimi giving us our first look at Venom. This year will no doubt be just as big and we’ll be there the entire time bringing you coverage. Today some of the studio panels were revealed, read on for an early look at what you’ll be able to check out this July.
Before I give you the list of films being promoted by each studio thus far, I’d like to invite you all to join the second annual “Masters of the Web” panel, which will take place Thursday at 10am. Joining me on stage for the hour-long event are websites (and friends) IESB.net, Dark Horizons, CHUD, Latino Review, Ain’t It Cool News, Movie Web, The Movie Blog, JoBlo and Cinematical. The panel will be moderated by directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (“Crank,” “Pathology”).
IESB.net has assembled this rundown of what’s cookin at this year’s con so far.
20th Century Fox
Footage and presentations for “City of Ember”, “Mirrors” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kiefer Sutherland, Amy Smart and Alexandre Aja rumored to attend.
Lionsgate
A large presentation for Frank Miller’s “The Spirit” with Miller, Jaime King, Eva Mendes, Gabriel Macht and Samuel L. Jackson all rumored to be attending. Some “Punisher: War Zone” footage may also be screened. There will be footage from “Saw V” and “Repo!” shown as well.
Paramount Pictures
There’ll be a full screening of “Tropic Thunder”. It’s expected there’ll be some presentations and footage from “G.I. Joe” and “Star Trek”
Sony Pictures
Horror flicks “Quarantine” and “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” with the likes of Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Jennifer Carpenter, Chris Brown and Jay Hernandez rumored. There’s also been rumors of something for “Quantum of Solace” (footage likely, slim chance of but a possible Daniel Craig appearance rumored).
Summit Entertainment
A large presentation for “Twilight” with Catherine Hardwicke, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Cam Gigandet, Rachelle LaFevre, Edi Gathegi, Taylor Lautner and author Stephenie Meyer confirmed.
Universal Pictures
Jason Statham, Paul W.S. Anderson, Rob Cohen, Brendan Fraser, Danny McBride, Will Ferrell all rumored to appear for presentations of “Death Race,” “Land of the Lost” and “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”.
Warner Bros. Pictures
Zack Snyder and the cast of “Watchmen” looks to be the big panel of the entire con. Christian Bale and Jared Padalecki are also tipped to attend. Footage from the likes of “RocknRolla,” “Ninja Assassin,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins” and “Friday the 13th” could be screened.
The Weinstein Company
A panel for Kevin Smith’s “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” with Smith, Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. Kyle Newman’s “Fanboys” will likely be screened in full during the Con.
Just three years after Evil Dead Rise set the box office on fire with a $147 million worldwide haul, Evil Dead Burn was unleashed into theaters this past weekend. Unfortunately, the opening weekend for Evil Dead Burn wasn’t quite as strong as the debut for its predecessor.
Evil Dead Burn debuted in 3,004 theaters across North America and scared up $13.7 million in its domestic debut, about $10 million less than Evil Dead Rise‘s $24.5 million opening.
Worldwide, Evil Dead Burn debuted with $25 million. Given the film’s production budget was somewhere in the ballpark of $20 million, all is certainly not lost for Evil Dead Burn. That said, Warner Bros. and New Line no doubt hoped that Burn would top or at least match the domestic opening of Rise, but instead we’re looking at a case of diminishing franchise returns.
The good news for fans? Next installment Evil Dead Wrath has already wrapped production for expected release in 2028, so there’s no danger of the franchise ending with Evil Dead Burn.
Evil Dead Wrath from director Francis Galluppi (The Last Stop in Yuma County) is currently set for theatrical release on April 7, 2028, though that could change in the coming months.
Will the Evil Dead franchise be taking a break after Evil Dead Wrath? That all depends on how Wrath performs at the box office. But for what it’s worth, the post-credits scene at the end of Evil Dead Burn suggests that the franchise’s creators are hopeful for a bright future ahead.
The critical reception for Evil Dead Burn was a bit less positive than the reception to Evil Dead Rise, with Rise hitting 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and Burn currently sitting at 71%. It’s interesting to note, however, that the “Popcornmeter” on Rotten Tomatoes is a bit higher for Burn than it was for Rise, with Burn‘s currently at 80% and Rise‘s sitting a tad lower at 76%.
The site’s “Popcornmeter” scores are decided by users, rather than verified movie critics.
Which do you prefer? Evil Dead Rise or Evil Dead Burn? Sound off below.
You must be logged in to post a comment.