Thursday at Comic-Con: ‘New Moon!’ James Cameron! Tim Burton!

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So Thursday’s Comic-Con schedule, that’s July 23rd, has been released. In our effort to provide services for fanboy nation here at Hero Complex, we’ll spotlight some of the (likely) most popular panel activities to attend while down in sunny San Diego.

When you wake up after having slept at the convention center overnight Wednesday, may as well line up for Hall H and prepare for a long day. Why, you ask? Because that’s where the Summit Entertainment panel, featuring cast and crew from the newest ‘Twilight’ installment ‘New Moon,’ will be held at 2:15 p.m. Before that, Disney will have a cool 3D panel at 11, and the man himself, James Cameron, will present ‘Avatar’ at 12:45.

That’s not all you need to know, of course. There are some interesting panels featuring ‘Astro-Boy,’ Richard Hatch, Kristen Bell, Michael C. Hall and more. You’ll do your own planning, but here’s some of our highlights for the day (using the descriptions available from Comic-Con’s online listing):

10:15-11:15 a.m., Summit Entertainment: ‘Astro Boy’ -- A superhero origin story set in a futuristic world, ‘Astro Boy’ is an all-new CG-animated feature film based on the classic manga about a young robot with incredible powers and his adventure-filled journey in search of his identity and destiny. Director David Bowers, producer Maryanne Grager, and stars Freddie Highmore (Astro) and Kristen Bell (Cora) debut footage exclusive to Comic-Con 2009 and answer your questions about bringing this beloved hero to the big screen. Room 6BC

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Disney: 3D Panel -- Walt Disney Pictures presents key filmmakers, select cast members and previously unseen footage from its upcoming slate, including ‘A Christmas Carol,’ ‘Alice In Wonderland’ and ‘Tron.’ Special guests include Robert Zemeckis, Tim Burton, Sean Bailey, Steve Lisberger, and moderator Patton Oswalt. Hall H

12:45-2 p.m., 20th Century Fox and James Cameron present ‘Avatar’ -- In this first public screening of footage in 3D from his much-anticipated action/adventure/fantasy, James Cameron, producer Jon Landau and cast members take you to a spectacular new world beyond imagination. Conceived 14 years ago and more than four years in the making, ‘Avatar’ breaks new ground in delivering a fully immersive, emotional story and reinvents the movie-going experience. Hall H

12:30-1:30 p.m. Richard Hatch: ‘Battlestar’ Retrospective -- Moderated by actor/author Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek, Capt Apollo, author of So Say We All), with Bear McCreary (‘Battlestar,’ ‘Eureka,’ ‘Caprica’ composer), Michael Tayler (‘Battlestar,’ ‘Caprica,’ ‘Star Trek’ writer/producer), Kevin Grazier (‘Battlestar,’ ‘Eureka,’ science consultant) and special guests, this panel provides a review, discussion and Q&A of ‘Battlestar’s’ past four seasons and dramatic ending. Includes the new BG 30th trailer. Room 6A

1-2 p.m., Mondo Marvel -- From the Marvel U. to the Ultimate U. and everything in between, the top talent is on hand to talk about all of your favorite heroes and villains, as well as make a few surprise announcements! Panelists include Jason Aaron (Wolverine: Weapon X), Dennis Calero (X Men Noir), Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man), Paul Tobin (Models, INC), Frank Tieri (Dark Reign: Lethal Legion), Steve Wacker (Spider-Man editor), and Jim McCann (New Avengers: The Reunion). Room 6DE

2:15-3:15 p.m., Summit Entertainment -- Summit Entertainment presents a sneak peek of exclusive footage of some of its upcoming major film releases! ‘Astro Boy,’ ‘Sorority Row,’ and ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon.’ Hall H

3:45-4:45 p.m., Entertainment Weekly: Wonder Women: Female Power Icons in Pop Culture -- EW will moderate a conversation with Sigourney Weaver (‘Avatar’), Elizabeth Mitchell (‘Lost’), Kristen Bell (‘Veronica Mars’), and other stars about the actresses who have redefined the rules and the female characters that have shattered the glass ceiling for all women. Basically: a discussion with women who kick ass. Ballroom 20

4:30-5:30 p.m., The Best and Worst Manga of 2008–2009 -- What was the best, worst and weirdest manga published in the last year? Sparks will fly as manga critics Deb Aoki (manga.about.com), Kai-Ming Cha (Publishers Weekly), Ed Chavez (marketing director, Vertical Inc.), Gia Manry (Anime Vice), Tom Spurgeon (The Comics Reporter), Jason Thompson (Manga: The Complete Guide), and Eva Volin (chair, Great Graphic Novels for Teens) give the thumbs up and thumbs down in this ‘Manga State of the Union Address.’ It’s Siskel & Ebert, Overlooked Manga Festival, and a manga celebrity roast all in one! Room 3

5-6 p.m., Showtime: ‘Dexter’ -- Calling all ‘Dexter’ fans! If you’re a ‘Dexter’ fanatic and can’t wait for the new season, you don’t want to miss this killer panel! Moderator Ralph Garman (KROQ Entertainment Reporter) presides over a revealing interview and Q&A session with the stars and executive producers of ‘Dexter.’ Plus, get an exclusive first look at clips from the new season! Featured panelists include series star/executive producer Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Julie Benz (Rita), Jennifer Carpenter (Deb), and executive producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Clyde Phillips, and Melissa Rosenberg. The new season premieres September 27 at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST only on Showtime! Ballroom 20

5:45-6:45 p.m., ‘Kick-Ass’ — World premiere footage from ‘Kick-Ass,’ based on Mark Millar’s bestselling comic, is presented by director Matthew Vaughn (‘Stardust,’ ‘Layercake’). Joining him on the panel are Nicolas Cage, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (‘Superbad’), and comic co-creator John Romita Jr., among others, including a surprise guest. You don’t want to miss the chance to be the first to experience this gritty, brash, and funny actioner. Hall H

8-10 p.m., Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog -- The California Browncoats host a screening of the original three acts, followed immediately by Commentary! The Musical. See why Joss Whedon’s (‘Dollhouse,’ ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’) first foray into webisodic ‘television’ was the talk of the town with critics and fans alike in 2008. Be prepared for a night of singing and surprises hosted by the fans who know what you like best. ‘Dr. Horrible’ stars Neil Patrick Harris (‘How I Met Your Mother’), Nathan Fillion (‘Castle,’ ‘Firefly’), and Felicia Day (‘The Guild’) and is written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon (‘Dollhouse’), Zack Whedon (‘Fringe’), and Maurissa Tancharoen (‘Dollhouse’). Room 6A

8-9:30 p.m., ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’ World Premiere -- Warner Home Video, Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation proudly present the World Premiere of ‘Green Lantern: First Flight,’ the fifth DC Universe animated original PG-13 movie. ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’ finds Hal Jordan recruited to join the Green Lantern Corps and placed under the supervision of respected senior Lantern Sinestro. The earthling soon discovers his mentor is actually the central figure in a secret conspiracy that threatens the philosophies, traditions and hierarchy of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Hal must quickly hone his newfound powers and combat the treasonous Lanterns within the ranks to maintain order in the universe. Christopher Meloni (‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’) leads the cast as the voice of Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern. The cast includes Emmy Award nominee Victor Garber (‘Milk,’ ‘Titanic’), Tricia Helfer (‘Battlestar Galactica’), Michael Madsen (‘Reservoir Dogs’), Juliet Landau (‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’), and John Larroquette (‘Night Court’). Produced by animation legend Bruce Timm, Green Lantern: First Flight is directed by Lauren Montgomery (‘Wonder Woman’) and scripted by four-time Emmy Award–winning writer Alan Burnett (‘The Batman’). Warner Home Video will release ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’ on Blu-ray Hi-Def and DVD on July 28, 2009. Ballroom 20

9:30-noon, Halloween Comes Early: Trick ‘r Treat Screening — Be among the first to see writer/director Michael Dougherty’s (‘Superman Returns,’ ‘X2’) creepy, darkly comic celebration of the scariest night of the year. Trick ‘r Treat takes the ‘Creepshow’/’Tales from the Crypt’ approach to nefarious new depths with four interwoven tales set on Halloween night: a high school principal who moonlights as a vicious serial killer; a young virgin whose quest for that special someone takes a gruesome turn; a group of teens who carry out a cruel prank with disastrous consequences; and a cantankerous old man who battles a mischievous trick-or-treating demon. Prior to the screening, Ain’t It Cool News mogul Harry Knowles will moderate a panel featuring Michael Dougherty and members of the cast, including Anna Paquin (‘True Blood,’ ‘X-Men)’, Tahmoh Penikett (‘Battlestar Galactica,’ ‘Dollhouse’), and Brian Cox (‘The Bourne Identity,’ ‘X2’). A collection of creepy stories that mixes fun with fear, candy with poison, and laughter with screams, the critically acclaimed Trick ‘r Treat will be released on Blu-ray Hi-Def and DVD and On Demand by Warner Home Video in October. Ballroom 20

Now you should rest. There’s more coming, people!

-- Jevon Phillips

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