Though Comic-Con 2016 is finally over, there are plenty of things left to discuss. The geek-fest hosted hundreds of dedicated fans as well as industry insiders from both cinema and television and perhaps most significantly, unveiled new trailers and unseen footage from multiple projects.
Tilda Swinton, who essays the Ancient One in Marvel’s
Doctor Strange makes an appearance during a panel on
the film.
Though Comic-Con 2016 is finally over, there are plenty of things left to discuss. The geek-fest hosted hundreds of dedicated fans as well as industry insiders from both cinema and television and perhaps most significantly, unveiled new trailers and unseen footage from multiple projects.
So here’s a look at what caught our eye…
Wonder Woman and the redemption of DC Comics
DC Comics, hoping to give Marvel a run for its money, had quite a time at Comic-Con as the new trailer for the standalone Wonder Woman, featuring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, was unveiled plus new footage from the Justice League film - that hopes to imitate the multiple superhero project. Avengers also made a strong showing. After Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice released earlier this year, DC needed to earn back points and they’ve managed to do it with these upcoming films. Dawn of Justice was an absolute nightmare but Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman trailer is very good. In what can be described as a gender bender, it’s Pine’s Steve Trevor who is vulnerable while Gadot is fierce and steals the scenes with her incredible presence. Here is a woman who doesn’t need saving. Perhaps it’s just as important to note that the film is directed by a woman, Patty Jenkins who pushed to make a female superhero film.
“There was a period of time where people were scared to make a female superhero movie and a Wonder Woman movie in particular,” said Jenkins while speaking during a panel session. “There was an apologist attitude about how do we make her super hard and impressive? And I said, you have to make her universal.” She continued: “Why do white men get to be universal and everyone else has to be a smaller story?”
While Wonder Woman paves way for other female superheroes or so, we hope DC Comics also had its moment when the new footage of Justice League was released. Similar to Marvel’s multi-superhero project Avengers, Justice League sees Ben Affleck’s Batman become a bit charming and less deviant and angry as he hopes to assemble a team. There’s some quick wit that was sorely lacking from the earlier films. DC also showcased its anti-superhero film Suicide Squad, which stars a crop of heavy weight actors like Will Smith, Viola Davis, Jared Leto and Tom Hardy and is not about clean superheroes. The soundtrack of SS also gave music fans plenty of reasons to cheer for.
Marvel rules the day with Doctor Strange
If DC Comics improved with three solid contenders, Marvel Studios brought equally strong projects to Comic-Con such as a standalone Black Panther film and a Captain Marvel film. Brie Larson, who picked up an Academy Award earlier this year for her performance in Room, has been cast as Captain Marvel and will get her own standalone film, making it Marvel’s first official female solo superhero film.
Benedict Cumberbatch tips his hat as a gesture to screaming fans. Yes, Sherlock’s new season is also on its way.
The Black Panther film has a swell cast that includes Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan and Danai Gurira and pays more than just lip service to the cause of diversity in Hollywood.
That said, if there was one trailer that superseded all others, it was the trailer for Doctor Strange. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, the trailer offers a glimpse into a world that is more mythical, magical and tripped out than any other Marvel film. And we have to say, Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One, looks and sounds marvelous. From the score to the cast to the story, Doctor Strange remains the top pick for critics everywhere.
