The San Diego Comic-Con is one of the biggest celebrations of all things nerdy and cool. From superhero movies and TV shows to the new sci-fi or fantasy thriller from major Hollywood studios, it is truly a utopia for comic book lovers and self-confessed geeks. Apart from the cosplays, merch, toy figures, and books – SDCC 2019 also brings you the most anticipated part of the event – all the new trailers and footage from upcoming big-ticket movies and TV shows. Here is something to satiate your cinematic taste buds for the next couple of years!
Snowpiercer (2020)
Things don’t become more apocalyptic than in Snowpiercer. It has been 7 years since a climate-control solution plunged the world into a new ice age, with the remaining 3,000 survivors aboard a single ‘supertrain.’ The affluent class is seated at the front, while the poor, the squalid and the stowaways are stuffed away in the caboose, until they decide to take decisive action to improve their situation. The original graphic novel was adapted into a critically acclaimed movie in 2013 by noted South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho (Memories of Murder, The Host, Parasite), and has now been taken up by Orphan Black creator Graeme Manson. With scope to add more layers and complexity to a fascinating sci-fi premise, Snowpiercer will certainly be a thrilling watch.
Westworld (2020)
While Season 1 of Westworld involved building a world of conflicted morals and robot sentience a la The Maze, the second season was a rollicking ride of finding ‘The Door’. Season 3 promises to show an arcadian world that is more sinister than anything else before. Dolores and Halores (the Dolores + Hale hybrid created at the end of Season 2) are out to unmask the evil face of humanity while Bernard is trying his best to stop her. It seems like a clean, perfect world but dripping with menace at every point.
“We wanted to find ourselves a version of dystopia that didn’t look like something we’d seen before,” said co-creator Jonathan Nolan.
Star Trek: Picard (2020
Patrick Stewart is back in Star Trek! As the famed, beloved captain of the Star Trek: The Next Generation’s USS Enterprise, he dons his comms badge for probably one last mission. He has a new, young crew, all raring to go and special appearances by his old crewmates and enemies. Executive producer Akiva Goldsman says:
“We pointedly wanted to not make a sequel to Next Generation. It’s slower, more gentle, more lyrical. It is certainly more character-based. It also takes on the same thing that the original series took on, that Next Generation took on, that Discovery takes on, which is hope for a future that is better than the world we live in today.”
Watchmen (2019)
In a ground-breaking change from the usual path adopted by sequels and prequels, the Watchmen TV series is neither a reboot nor a sequel to Zack Snyder’s 2009 Watchmen, but a sequel to the 1986-1987 graphic novel written by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons! And yes, the interdimensional giant squid that was missing in Snyder’s movie is referenced here. The show depicts contemporary America years after the giant squid attack in Manhattan and things look chaotic. There is a Rorschach-styled vigilante/militant group that faces off against the masked police, the scheming Ozymandias is back (being played by Jeremy Irons), as is Dr. Manhattan and Silk Spectre. The comic book had serious overtones and the new series is being helmed by Damon Lindeloff of Lost and The Leftovers, so you can expect grim and tense stuff throughout.
The Expanse (2019)
Season 4 of The Expanse – the big-budget cult sci-fi series with spectacular production values, will debut on Amazon on December 13th. The show will be a continuation of the ongoing narrative and is expected to be grittier and creative than before (because there are no longer the limitations of conventional TV like SyFy).
Star Trek: Short Treks (2019)
There is yet another Star Trek miniseries that is coming to CBS All Access in fall 2019. Starring Ethan Peck as Spock and Rebecca Romjin as Number One, this will highlight the new adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise in six new shorts.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019)
The good ol’ fantasy movies of yore are back with The Dark Crystal. Featuring the same style of puppet animation used in Jim Henson’s dark fantasy adventure, Age of Resistance treads a similar path about three Gelfling heroines who are out to stop an evil group from taking over their universe. The Dark Crystal series will come to Netflix on Aug 30, 2019.
The Walking Dead Movie (Untitled, TBD)
The Walking Dead never seems to get over, right? Apart from Season 10, we have a new movie with Rick Grimes in the works. While no title or details have been announced, one can’t help but feel excited about seeing Andrew Lincoln back on the screen with marauding zombies.
The Witcher (2019)
We have seen snaps and we have seen butt shots, but now the trailer of the fantasy series based on the titular video game is finally out. Henry Cavill looks absolutely glorious as monster hunter Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher and we can hardly wait for Netflix to release this one.
Creepshow (2019)
Time for some horror! Stephen King’s and George Romero’s 1982 movie has been adapted into a horror anthology series by streaming website Shudder and it releases on September 26.
His Dark Materials (2019)
Philip Pullman’s acclaimed series ‘His Dark Materials’ is finally getting its due. While Chris Weitz’s The Golden Compass was a decent effort, the movie was criticized for its re-edits, squashing all chances of possible sequels. However, the TV show looks pretty wonderful and we will be up for a binge-watch when it comes to HBO this fall.
IT: Chapter 2 (2019)
Pennywise is back to haunt your dreams and its up to the Loser’s Club, all grown up now after 27 years to confront their worst nightmare again. Starring Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Jay Ryan, and Bill Skarsgard as the scary clown, IT: Chapter 2 will hit the big screen on September 6.
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
A much-beloved franchise for all ages, Terminator: Dark Fate will see the return of Linda Hamilton as Sarah Conor, a terminator hunter who has to protect a young girl from a crazy metal machine. This one will release on the big screen on Nov 1, 2019.
Top Gun: Maverick (2020)
Tom Cruise is an ageless wonder who can do one high-octane action movie after the other without ceasing to stop. He is back as your favorite fighter pilot in Top Gun: Maverick, which is slated to release on June 26, 2020.