Filmmakers JasonAron, LouisKrubich, and LeeLeshen discuss their film Back in Time, a feature-length documentary that shows the cultural impact of the Back to the Future franchise-just in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the initial film
Friday April 3, 2015 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
The force is strong with these special guests! Moderator GregWeisman (Star Wars Rebels) will lead a stellar discussion of what it takes to work in the Star Wars Universe, with BradenLamb (Star Wars: Shadows of Endor), JohnOstrander (Star Wars: Legacy), SamdeLaRosa (StarWars comics), MikeMayhew (The Star Wars), KevinJ. Anderson (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights series) and RebeccaMoesta (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights series). Hear about what it takes to get from this galaxy to one far, far away.
Could lightsabers ever be a reality? Does science matter when designing a Star Wars spacecraft? What does it take to resist the Dark Side of the Force? FonDavis (production designer, StarWars prequel movies), BobakFerdowsi (NASA flight engineer), KieranDickson (editor, Outerplaces.com), TravisLangley (Star Wars Psychology), and moderator JennaBusch (Legion of Leia) break down the science behind a galaxy far, far away and discuss whether or not Kylo Ren's ForceAwakens lightsaber is sacrilege or genius.
Her Universe and Hot Topic launched the first ever "Geek Couture" fashion show at San Diego Comic-Con in 2014. Two winners were chosen and given the unique professional opportunity to design a Marvel fashion collection to be sold in Hot Topic stores beginning in May 2015. Join Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein, Cat Carson (SVP of Her Universe), Ed Labay (Hot Topic divisional merchandise manager), and Andrea Lewis (Hot Topic senior brand marketing manager), along with winners Amy Beth Christenson and Andrew MacLaine as they take you behind the scenes of the making of this new action-packed line. Learn how these designers went from runway to retail! Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek at this new Marvel collection and hear details about how to submit your design for the 2015 Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con!
Order of Gallifrey Costuming Club members Katie Aiani, Audra Atkins-Reeves,Alex Bagosy, Justin Daube, Cindy Kalionzes,Nathaniel Peinado, and Brian Uiga share information for costuming as characters in the Whovian Universe. The program is particularly geared toward beginners, although all are welcome. This panel will focus on some of the Doctor's incarnations, but panelists will be happy to answer questions about any Whovian characters or props.
Saturday April 4, 2015 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209
The realm of fantasy fiction encompasses some of the most popular media properties today, from The Hobbit to Game of Thrones. What images come to mind when you think of fantasy? Dragons, magic, and chivalrous knights? And what do authors writing fantasy fiction today think? What are fantasy's roots, and where is the genre going? Find out by joining bestselling authors Arwen Elys Dayton (Seeker), Todd McCaffrey (Dragonriders of Pern series), Naomi Novik (Temeraire series), and Greg Van Eekhout (California Bones) as they discuss works of fantasy fiction past, present, and future with moderator Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy.
Saturday April 4, 2015 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 208
Gary Miereanu interviews WonderCon Anaheim special guest Greg Weisman (producer of Gargoyles, W.I.T.C.H., The Spectacular Spider-Man, Young Justice, and Star Wars Rebels) about his long history in animation and comic books and his latest endeavors, including his novels Rain of the Ghosts and Spirits of Ash and Foam and the new Star Wars Kanan: The Last Padawan comic book miniseries for Lucasfilm and Marvel. There will also be an exciting, exclusive announcement about one of Greg's latest projects.
Saturday April 4, 2015 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 213
The Last Ship returns to WonderCon Anaheim for a first look at the upcoming season and a revealing panel discussion with producers and cast, including Adam Baldwin, Rhona Mitra, John Pyper Ferguson, Charles Parnell, Travis Van Winkle, and Jocko Sims.The highly anticipated second season picks up after a global catastrophe has decimated the world's population, and Captain Tom Chandler (Dane) and his crew are confronting the reality of what's been left behind. Panel attendees will be treated to never-before-seen footage and a revealing discussion led by TV Guide'sRob Moynihan.All-new episodes ofThe Last Ship air on TNT this summer.
Saturday April 4, 2015 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300DE
In the New Mexico desert, scientist Vera Buckley watches in fascination as a mysterious object plummets to Earth and explodes, sending out a shock wave that briefly stops her heart. But Vera isn't the only one affected: she's instantly connected to four other strangers, who also collapse, only to miraculously come back to life hours later. These strangers will soon discover they have one thing in common: destiny has been thrust upon their shoulders. And as the Angels of the Apocalypse, with an impressive array of supernatural gifts, they must now work together to rewrite prophecy and prevent the Beginning of the End. The exclusive screening will be followed by a panel discussion with series stars Shantel VanSanten (One Tree Hill), Jon Fletcher (City of Dreams), J. D. Pardo (Revolution), Joel Courtney (Super 8), Diogo Morgado (Son of God), Anna Diop (Everybody Hates Chris), and Craig Frank (Mixology), along with executive producer Trey Callaway (Revolution) and co-executive producer/creator Eoghan O'Donnell (Teen Wolf).
Saturday April 4, 2015 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300DE
From Star Wars to the Avengers, this panel has you covered! Editor Will Moss, Sam Humphries (Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men: The Black Vortex), Greg Weisman (Star Wars: Kanan-The Last Padawan), Rick Remender (Avengers: Rage of Ultron), and other Mighty Marvel guests take on questions about Marvel's biggest series and events!
Saturday April 4, 2015 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300AB
UPDATED: Tue, Mar 24, 03:18PM The cast and co-creator reveal exclusive season three footage of BBC America's award-winning original series Orphan Black. Ahead of the April 18 season premiere on BBC AMERICA, co-creator and writer Graeme Manson joins stars Jordan Gavaris (Felix), Dylan Bruce (Paul), Maria DoyleKennedy (Mr. S), Evelyne Brochu (Delphine), and Kristian Bruun (Donnie) for a sneak peek and Q&A session moderated by Entertainment Tonight'sLeanneAguilera. You can catch up on the first two seasons of Orphan Black via On Demand, all digital platforms, and streaming on Amazon Prime.
Saturday April 4, 2015 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300AB
From "psychopathic" villains to asylums for the "criminally insane," mental health issues permeate television, film, and comics. But just how realistic are these depictions? What impact do these presentations have on audiences? Psychologist Andrea Letamendi (The Arkham Sessions) and writers Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost; The Middleman), Brenden Fletcher (Batgirl, Black Canary), Jody Houser (IDW's Orphan Black; Avengers: No More Bullying), Mairghread Scott (Windblade, Swords of Sorrow), and Zack Stentz (ACME, X-Men: First Class) discuss the importance of accuracy, inclusion, and the promotion of more psychologically dynamic characters in fiction. Moderated by Brian Ward (Shout! Factory).
Saturday April 4, 2015 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
Kyle Kurpinski and Terry Johnson (How to Defeat Your Own Clone: And Other Tips for Surviving the Biotech Revolution) discuss the discoveries and innovations that inspire science fiction and the ways that science and engineering are depicted in popular television shows, comics, movies, and more. After a brief presentation, these UC Berkeley bioengineers will be available to answer questions about your favorite science fiction or real-world breakthroughs.
Saturday April 4, 2015 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213
David Rosing (JPL system and opto-mechanical engineer), Shonte J. Tucker (JPL thermal engineer), and Tracy D. Drain (Juno system engineer at JPL) discuss how they boldly go where there's no one around to fix it. Hear stories from the trenches of the heartbreaks, close calls, and adventures of real-life solar system exploration. A question & answer session will follow.
Saturday April 4, 2015 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 213
UPDATED: Tue, Mar 31, 12:33PM Convert kryptonite into your own personal strength with Pop Culture Anti-Bullying Coalition's powerful panel! The Flash and Law & Order star Jesse L. Martin and United Nations Association join this powerful panel, back by popular demand. Discussion includes geek, cyber, LGBT, and racial bullying, becoming a hero IRL, and analyzing how media and entertainment affect people's attitudes toward bullying and aggression. Learn strategies to end bullying from celebs and experts including Anthony Breznican (senior writer, Entertainment Weekly; author, Brutal Youth), Deric Hughes (supervising producer, Beauty and the Beast), Dr. Andrea Letamendi (The Arkham Sessions), Jenna Busch (founder, Legion of Leia), and Coalition founder Chase Masterson (The Flash, Star Trek: DS9).
Sunday April 5, 2015 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 208
UPDATED: Thu, Apr 02, 09:23AM Androids, geneticists, time travel, multidimensional space hopping-the possibilities are endless when it comes to science fiction and comics. Fred Van Lente (Howtoons: [Re]Ignition), and Dustin Nguyen (Descender) specialize in bringing to life futuristic worlds that comics readers can instantly be transported to. Learn more about what's to come in their out-of-this-world sci-fi storytelling!
Sunday April 5, 2015 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 300DE
The new sci-fi "dramedy" series Nobility, dubbed "Firefly meets The Office," stars Walter Koenig (Star Trek TOS, Babylon 5), Doug Jones (Falling Skies, Pan's Labyrinth), Christopher Judge (Stargate SG1, Stargate Atlantis),Torri Higginson (Stargate Atlantis), Cas Anvar (Assassin's Creed, Expanse), Adrienne Wilkinson (Xena: Warrior Princess, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Darren Jacobs (Starship: Rising ), Miracle Laurie (Dollhouse), Ellen Dubin (Lexx, Napoleon Dynamite), and James Kyson (Heroes). Some of the all-star cast will host a Q&A along with director Neil Johnson (Starship: Rising), art director Tiki Al Zequeira (Star Trek DS9, Serenity), composer Charles-Henri Avelange (Starship Rising), and series creator E. J. De la Pena (Jingle All the Way, Starship Rising).
Sunday April 5, 2015 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300DE
Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica's Tom Zarek/Capt Apollo, Axanar, Cowboys and Engines) hosts a Q&A and discussion with the panel and audience on the fate and future of Battlestar Galactica. Panelists include Dr. Kevin Grazier (science consultant forBattlestar Galactica, Eureka, Fallen Skies, Defiance) and surprise guests. BG trailers and comic reels will be shown.
Sunday April 5, 2015 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300DE
WonderCon Anaheim special guest Kevin J. Anderson describes his journey from being a fanboy in a small Wisconsin farming town to being an international bestselling author working with Star Wars, X-Files, Dune, DC Comics, and the rock band Rush.
Trevor Roth (COO/head of development) and Tory Mell (producer, Roddenberry Entertainment) present a sneak peek of their newest sci-fi short film. Special guests John Champion and Ken Ray will be on hand to chat about their awesome podcast, Mission Log. There will be a bit of trivia, a giveaway, and a Q&A session moderated by Tory Mell.
Nerdist Science editor Kyle Hill (Because Science) and panelists discuss the science hidden in your favorite fandoms. From Star Wars and Star Trek to dragons and dinosaurs, scientists, writers, and engineers will dissect everything geek and answer audience questions.
TheOneRing.net staff, observing the minutiae of Peter Jackson's translation of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth filmmaking for 15 years, are intimately familiar with the hows and whys of the decisions that shaped The Hobbit trilogy, for good or ill. Invited as an embedded reporter on set, TORn had a front-row seat. Expect opinion, educated guesses, audience input, and photos. Q&A to follow.
Sunday April 5, 2015 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300AB
For anyone who has ever been to Comic-Con, you know the singular power of the Starship Smackdown. Now from the panel of intrepid spaceshipologists comes The Geekspert's Court, as this honorable panel of geeksperts render verdicts on the greatest genre films of all time in the trial of the century. Chief Justice Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise, DOA: Dead Or Alive) exercises jurist prudence over a bench of judges including Kay Reindl (Scream, Millennium), Chris Gossett (The Red Star), Steve Melching (Star Wars Rebels), Ashley E. Miller (Thor, X-Men: First Class), Jose Molina (Agent Carter, Firefly), Daren Dochterman (Hollywood conceptual designer), Robert Meyer Burnett (Agent Cody Banks, Free Enterprise), and Nikki Griffin (Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift, The Dukes of Hazzard).
2015 is the 125th anniversary of the birth of iconic author H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937). His legacy and horrific creations, like Great Cthulhu and the Necronomicon, live on in literature, movies, comics, art, games, and music. This panel of experts will explore the life, influence, and controversies of Lovecraft over the past century-plus, including sneak previews from the upcoming H.,P. Lovecraft Film Festival & CthulhuCon. With Cody Goodfellow (Strategies Against Nature), Leslie S. Klinger (The New Annotated H. P. Lovecraft), Pete Von Sholly (Lovecraft Illustrated vol. 1), and Aaron Vanek (H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival & CthulhuCon).