By Luis Monteagudo Jr.
Conan O’Brien is coming. There’ll be snow in San Diego in July. And, if you feel a giant rumbling sensation Friday afternoon, don’t worry; it won’t be an earthquake, just the Force awakening.
Those are just some of the scheduled highlights as Comic-Con 2015 kicks off Wednesday night in downtown San Diego. More than 130,000 people are expected to jam into the Gaslamp and spill out into Petco Park and other areas for the annual pop culture extravaganza that shines a week-long global spotlight on San Diego.
This year’s Con comes with welcomed momentum, arriving on the heels of a major announcement that the event will stay in San Diego through at least 2018. In recent years, speculation was raised that the Con might move to Los Angeles, Anaheim or even Las Vegas but the recent announcement will be cheered by Con attendees.
Which means we can just focus on the Con this year and all the craziness that it promises to bring.
On the programming side, the big day is Friday when the creative forces behind the long-awaited new Star Wars movie, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” are scheduled to speak at a panel in Hall H, the cavernous exhibit hall that hosts all the major events and programs during Con week.
Speculation is already rising as to whether director J.J. Abrams will show a new trailer or footage of the movie. The debut of the first teaser trailer at Star Wars Celebration, a fan convention held in Anaheim earlier this year, drew thunderous applause and major Internet buzz. Comic-Con is used by film studios to build buzz for upcoming films but “Star Wars” is already one of the most hotly anticipated movies of the year so there’s no guarantee any new footage will be shown. But with thousands of fans in attendance and the attention of global media, expect some footage or special guests.
Outside the San Diego Convention Center, there will be the usual manner of exhibits, displays and costumed characters so even if you don’t have a prized entrance badge, you will be able to see some things you don’t normally see in San Diego.
One of those sights will be a giant inflatable snow globe featuring snow flurries. It’s all part of the promotion for the FX network’s award-winning series, Fargo. The snow globe will be at the park between the Hilton Bayfront Hotel and the convention center.
If more proof was needed that Comic-Con has become a signature event, then look to Conan O’Brien, who will bring his late-night talk show, “Conan,” to San Diego. O’Brien, who was a writer for “The Simpsons” earlier in his career, will film his show from July 8 to 11 at the Spreckels Theatre, interviewing actors from the television shows “The Walking Dead” and “Game of Thrones,” among other guests.
Tickets for the taping are already gone but the shows will air on TBS at 11 p.m.
So, if you don’t have a ticket to Comic-Con or can’t make it downtown to check out the scene, you’ll be able to catch some of the atmosphere on TV.
The Times of San Diego will be there to report on Comic-Con. Look for our reports.
Luis Monteagudo Jr. is a freelance writer and pop culture enthusiast who has attended Comic-Con for more than 20 years. He was written for the San Diego Union-Tribune, USA Today and numerous other publications.
