Eight panels to watch at Comic-Con

What to watch out for from this year's Comic-Con.

San Diego Comic-Con has been a steadily growing phenomenon over the past few decades. Starting out as a small fan celebration in 1970, it has rapidly grown, and in the last few years, over 130,000 people have attended annually. Essentially all major blockbusters have to have a panel here if they want to be relevant, and the same goes for any TV show with the slightest fantastical edge. It's become the place to release tantalising details about upcoming films and shows.

This year's convention has a number of major blockbusters and TV shows hosting panels, with plenty of opportunities for new trailers to drop or big announcements to be made. For those who have only the internet to keep us informed, here are eight panels to keep your eye on over the coming days:

Doctor Who

Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi star in Doctor Who.

This is a more personal choice, but Doctor Who is returning to the convention after a break last year, and is going to be bigger than ever: Hall H, the giant ballroom where all the big panels are held. For a show that has been going for over fifty years now, this is the first time it will get to hang with the big boys, and goes to show just how much its popularity has increased over the years. Given the new season is meant to premiere soon, the very least the panel could do is give us a release date, while a taste of the potential plots, guest stars and maybe some footage would be the icing on top.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

This movie is likely going to be as ridiculous as the title: the classic Jane Austen tale rewritten to include zombies. The parody book has been a bestseller since publication, but it has taken several years to get this adaptation off the ground. With a cast of talented up and comers with growing fanbases, including Lily James, Matt Smith and Sam Claflin, and a ridiculous premise, this is a potential hit, and any footage or trailers debuted here could help make or break this movie. It is definitely the smallest project on this list, but given the popularity of both period dramas and zombies in recent years, something that combines Downton Abbey and The Walking Dead is bound to be a hit.

Game of Thrones

Brienne of Tarth and The Hound fight it out in Thrones

This panel would be higher-up on any other year; however, with no George R.R. Martin, no D.B. Weiss or David Benioff, and no Kit Harington - basically, the four people who would have anything significant to say about the up-in-the-air fate of Jon Snow - its' not. Their avoidance is perhaps the biggest thing about the panel, as it leaves Snow's fate even more uncertain. It is worth paying attention to though as a cast member could easily let slip some juicy gossip. Plus, Thrones has traditionally unveiled new cast members in Comic Con videos, so at least a few new faces should be revealed.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

A scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

It may seem like we've been talking about this movie all year: we got the teaser trailer late last year, the full trailer debuted in May, there was a Vanity Fair cover story that gave us tons of information. With the movie still not out until December, by now a Comic-Con panel feels like an obligation rather than necessity, and Abrams has already said a new trailer won't debut here. However, it's still worth watching; several actors, such as Gwendoline Christie and Andy Serkis, haven't had their characters confirmed, and some small bit of footage could always make an appearance. Frankly, unless they reveal Han Solo is going to be shot dead in the first five minutes, any news out of this is going to bring the house down.

Marvel Television

Charlie Cox stars in Marvel's Daredevil.

Marvel movies are taking the year off (it's rumoured they will instead launch footage at the parent company Disney's D23 expo in October instead), but TV will still be making an appearance. Agents of SHIELD is still getting mixed reaction from critics and audiences alike, while Agent Carter was a more well-rounded success, and charming lead Hayley Atwell will likely earn some attention. Without the movies there to overshadow them, this is a golden chance for the struggling TV shows to get some much needed buzz. Fingers crossed that we hear something about the Netflix series as well.

Daredevil is one of the best things from Marvel yet, including the films, and anticipation is high for the second series: an appearance from Jon Beranthal, recently cast as The Punisher, would be a nice touch. However, since the new season just started filming, I'm pinning my hopes on something from the Krysten Ritter-headlined Jessica Jones. Not much has been heard about the show so far, but considering it was shot earlier this year, previewing some footage is not out of the question.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part Two

It is one of the most popular franchises, both commercially and critically, in recent years and about to come to a close. The panel for the final Hunger Games movie will likely be a celebration of the mega franchise, but there is also the possibility that they could whip a surprise out of the back. Several reports over the years have suggested that Lionsgate, the studio that produces the movies, wants to keep the series going beyond the three books Suzanne Collins originally released. Possible ideas mostly revolve around prequels based on the previous winners. It would be a risky thing to announce at the panel, but Lionsgate has done its own thing so far, splitting Mockingjay when no one wanted them to, and if the crowd reacts badly it would certainly be fun to watch.

The Hateful Eight

It was the film that nearly didn't happen, but after a leaked script gave the film some unwanted attention, Quentin Tarantino decided the project was not worth abandoning after all. And while the movie, a western that could be a serious contender for next year's Oscars, doesn't seem the type to headline a big Comic-Con panel, Tarantino is a pop culture icon and is known for his outlandish personality that will mesh well with the insanity that is Comic-Con. Again, this panel is one to watch as the first trailer or footage will probably debut, thus giving us our first taste of a movie most didn't think would happen.

Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. has to capitalise on Marvel's absence to ensure their own superhero flicks get some attention

Many people would argue Star Wars is the one to beat. But really, the only people that can truly lose this convention are Warner Bros. Without Marvel there to rain on their parade, this is a golden opportunity for the new superhero franchise to make a stand as a serious competitor. Marvel made a big show back in 2010 when they revealed the entire Avengers cast on stage together for the first time; if DC wants to get out of their rival's shadow, copying them and showcasing everyone from Justice League is bound to get attention.

Some casting announcements, particularly the much-rumoured Green Lantern actor, would earn some buzz, and copying Marvel further and bringing in Jared Leto as The Joker a la Hiddleston/Loki two years ago could potentially reverse the negative reaction his publicity photo earned. Even announcing some directors of the solo movies could stick it to Marvel, given the company has recently suffered bad press over the treatment of their directors. Whatever they choose to announce, DC will get most of the superhero attention usually reserved for Marvel, and everyone will be watching to see how they choose to capitalise on that.

- nzherald.co.nz