Here’s our list of the best panels coming up at San Diego Comic Con 2020, which will take place online from July 23 through July 26…
By Damon Martin — Editor/Lead Writer
For the first time in 50 years, San Diego Comic Con won’t take place in person due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but the massive pop culture convention will instead host a series of virtual panels online, which will be available to everyone with or without a ticket!
In an attempt to keep the spirit of Comic Con alive in 2020 with plans for the full convention to return next year, there will be a series of panels pre-recorded that will give fans an inside look at several popular TV shows, films and upcoming projects from the biggest names in comic books as well.
While it won’t be quite the same as camping out for two days straight just to walk into the legendary Hall H to see the stars in person, this will still be a unique experience with plenty to watch over the four days of the convention.
With that said, let’s go day by day for Comic Con @ Home 2020 and tell you the must see panels and when they’ll debut. As a reminder, all panels will be available at the times listed on the official Comic Con YouTube Channel here.
And we will have full coverage of the best of Comic Con @ Home here on Nerdcore Movement!
All times listed below are in PT
THURSDAY JULY 23
STAR TREK UNIVERSE VIRTUAL PANEL — 10 a.m.
This panel will bring together the casts of Star Trek: Discovery, new animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Picard. Appearances including Patrick Stewart, Allison Pill, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, Jeri Ryan and Marina Sirtis.
The cast of Star Trek: Discovery will also gather for a special table read of the season two finale “Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2” with the entire main cast expected to appear.
TRUTH SEEKERS FROM AMAZON PRIME — 12 p.m.
A new original supernatural horror comedy by Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz), James Serafinowicz (Sick Note), and Nat Saunders (Sick Note). Join as they discuss the making of the hilarious eight-episode series about a team of part-time paranormal investigators who team up to uncover and film ghost sightings across the UK, sharing their adventures on an online channel for all to see. Discussion and Q&A moderated by Empire magazine’s Chris Hewitt.
CARTOON NETWORK STUDIOS FIRST LOOK — 12 p.m.
Philip Solomon, voice of Craig, and Lucia Cunningham, voice of Craig’s little sister Jessica, from the Emmy-nominated series Craig of the Creek host the annual Cartoon Network Studios First Look virtual panel . . . it’s like they are at the Trading Tree, but instead of handing out Choco Rolls they’re dishing out special announcements and exclusive clips from Apple & Onion, Ben 10 vs. The Universe: The Movie, Craig of the Creek, Mao Mao, Heroes of Pure Heart, Victor and Valentino, and We Bare Bears The Movie. See you there! (Please note, attendees are responsible for bringing their own Choco Roll.)
UTOPIA FROM AMAZON PRIME — 1 p.m.
A twisted, eight-episode thriller about a group of young comic fans who discover the conspiracy in a graphic novel is real, and embark on a high-stakes adventure to save humanity from the end of the world. Join writer and executive producer Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl) and series stars John Cusack (High Fidelity), Rainn Wilson (The Office), Sasha Lane (American Honey), Ashleigh LaThrop (Fifty Shades Freed), Dan Byrd (Cougar Town), Desmin Borges (You’re The Worst), Javon “Wanna” Walton (Euphoria), and Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day) for a Q&A moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Christian Holub.
HIS DARK MATERIALS – 1 p.m.
Adapting Philip Pullman’s award-winning trilogy of the same name, which is considered a modern masterpiece of imaginative fiction, HBO/BBC’s His Dark Materials concluded its debut season in December. Join executive producers Jane Tranter and Jack Thorne, as well as cast members Dafne Keen (Lyra), Ruth Wilson (Mrs. Coulter), Ariyon Bakare (Lord Boreal), Amir Wilson (Will Parry), Andrew Scott (John Parry), and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Lee Scoresby) in a virtual panel discussion about the hit drama series which will be moderated by award-winning journalist Stacey Wilson Hunt.
SYFY: THE ROAST OF TODD MCFARLANE – 2 p.m.
Comic-Con wouldn’t be Comic-Con without Todd McFarlane–the innovative artist and entrepreneur who is the subject of the brand new SYFY WIRE documentary film, Todd McFarlane: Like Hell I Won’t. Todd is known for (quite literally) breaking down barriers, so they thought they’d invite some of his industry friends along to break his chops. To celebrate the documentary and Todd’s achievements, join a panel of industry greats as they commend Todd on his contributions to the industry, while simultaneously poking fun at the man who essentially “raised hell” to get where he is today.
THE BOYS SEASON 2 — 3 p.m.
Join executive producer Eric Kripke, along with series stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capon, Karen Fukuhara, and Aya Cash, with moderator Aisha Tyler, for a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming second season of The Boys. Executive producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg will also make a special appearance. Based on The New York Times best-selling comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys is a fun and irreverent take on what happens when superheroes – who are as popular as celebrities – abuse their superpowers rather than use them for good. The even more intense, more insane season two finds The Boys on the run from the law, hunted by the Supes, and desperately trying to regroup and fight back against Vought.
VAN HELSING SEASON 4 — 5 p.m.
This panel will answer some fan questions, find out where Vanessa Van Helsing is, and take a closer look at her epic meeting with The Dark One in Metamorphosis. They will also discuss what it was like filming overseas, the challenges we’ve faced during COVID-19, and how Van Helsing is getting back on track for Season 5.
SHUDDER: “HORROR IS QUEER” — 6 p.m.
Discover why horror cinema is (and always has been) queer with Sam Wineman (The Quiet Room), director of Shudder’ s upcoming documentary on LGBTQ horror film history, and a panel of leading voices: Nay Bever (co-host, Attack of the Queerwolf podcast), Bryan Fuller (creator, Hannibal), Don Mancini (creator of the Child’ s Play franchise), Lachlan Watson (actor, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and, serving as moderator, writer Jordan Crucchiola.
FRIDAY JULY 24
CHARLIZE THERON: EVOLUTION OF A BADASS — 10 a.m.
Actress and producer Charlize Theron reflects on portraying over two decades of action heroes, from Æon Flux to The Old Guard’s Andromache, Mad Max: Fury Road’s Furiosa to Atomic Blonde’s Lorraine Broughton. In a lengthy retrospective Q&A moderated by IGN’s Terri Schwartz, Theron discusses the evolution of the modern female action hero, the roles that inspired her and what drives her to constantly push her limits with fight training.
FEAR THE WALKING DEAD — 12 p.m.
Fear the Walking Dead will present a panel for the series’ upcoming sixth season, premiering later this year. Moderated by Chris Hardwick, the panel will feature TWDU chief content officer Scott M. Gimple, showrunners and executive producers Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg, and cast members Lennie James, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Colman Domingo, Danay Garcia, Karen David, Jenna Elfman, and Rubén Blades. Season six of Fear the Walking Dead explores what has become of the unlikely family once united by a mission to help those in need. After being torn apart by Virginia (Colby Minifie) and her Pioneers, the group is now dispersed across her far-reaching settlements. Morgan’s (James) last message at the end of season five implored the group to “Just Live” and this season we’ll see what that means to each of them. Some will find the stability and opportunity within Virginia’s communities to be intriguing, some will sink into darkness, while others will fight back against what has been forced upon them. Life behind Virginia’s walls will test each and every one of them in different ways, forcing them to define who they are in this new world.
QUIBI’S DON’T LOOK DEEPER — 12 p.m.
Don Cheadle, Emily Mortimer, breakout star Helena Howard, director Catherine Hardwicke, and co-creator Jeffrey Lieber discuss bringing the sci-fi thriller Don’t Look Deeper to life for Quibi. Moderated by Collider’s Perri Nemiroff.
THE WALKING DEAD — 1 p.m.
The Walking Dead will make its 11th San Diego Comic-Con appearance with a panel spotlighting “A Certain Doom, ” which will air as a standalone episode later this year. Moderated by Chris Hardwick (Talking Dead), the panel will feature TWDU chief content officer Scott M. Gimple, showrunner and executive producer Angela Kang, executive producer Greg Nicotero, who directed the episode, and cast members Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Josh McDermitt, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, and Paola Lazaro. In The Walking Dead episode 1016, “A Certain Doom, ” Beta engages the final battle of the Whisperer War.
Showrunner Angela Kang will also announce when episode 1016 will air.
THE WALKING DEAD: WORLD BEYOND — 2 p.m.
The Walking Dead: World Beyond makes its Comic-Con International debut as the third series in wildly successful The Walking Dead Universe. Moderated by Chris Hardwick, the series’ panel will feature TWDU chief content officer Scott M. Gimple, showrunner and executive producer Matt Negrete and cast members Aliyah Royale, Alexa Mansour, Hal Cumpston, Nicholas Cantu, Nico Tortorella, Julia Ormond, and Joe Holt. The Walking Dead: World Beyond delves into a new mythology and story that follows the first generation raised in a surviving civilization of the post-apocalyptic world. Two sisters along with two friends leave a place of safety and comfort to brave dangers, known and unknown, living and undead on an important quest. Pursued by those who wish to protect them and those who wish to harm them, a tale of growing up and transformation unfurls across dangerous terrain, challenging everything they know about the world, themselves and each other. Some will become heroes. Some will become villains. But all of them will find the truths they seek.
FIRST LOOK AT HULU’S HELSTROM — 3 p.m.
Talk about some family drama! Join Helstrom showrunner Paul Zbyszewski and cast–Tom Austen, Sydney Lemmon, Elizabeth Marvel, Robert Wisdom, Ariana Guerra, June Carryl, and Alain Uy–for one hell of a sneak-peek look and conversation around bringing this terror-filled comic to life as Hulu’s next horror series. Moderated by IGN’s Laura Prudom.
PEACOCK ORIGINAL SERIES: THE CAPTURE
With the emergence of video surveillance and facial recognition, The Capture unveils a troubling world of fake news and the extraordinary power of intelligence services. To celebrate the premiere, the cast and creators will come together to discuss what could happen when seeing is deceiving and technological capabilities are abused. Go behind the scenes with executive producers Ben Chanan (The Missing, The People Next Door), Rosie Alison (Paddington 2, The Light Between Oceans) and series stars, Holliday Grainger (Strike, Patrick Melrose), Callum Turner (War & Peace, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald), Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Hand of God), Laura Haddock (Transformers: The Last Knight, Guardians of the Galaxy), and Famke Janssen (X-Men, Taken). The Capture will be streaming exclusively on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s new streaming service, on July 15.
ROBERT KIRKMAN AT HOME – 4 p.m.
Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible, Fire Power) shares his latest projects and answers your questions!
A ZOOM WITH JOSS WHEDON — 5 p.m.
No details on this panel but considering the recent comments from “Justice League” star Ray Fisher, this should be an interesting panel.
SATURDAY JULY 25
COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS — 10 a.m.
Making its network debut this fall on FOX, the latest installation in the Cosmos franchise, Cosmos: Possible Worlds, takes audiences on a series of spiritual voyages of exploration revealing previously uncharted realms, including lost worlds and worlds to come, and those that we may one day inhabit in a thrilling future we can still have. Join creator, executive producer, director and writer Ann Druyan; host and acclaimed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson; executive producer, director and writer Brannon Braga; executive producer Jason Clark; and visual effects supervisor Jeffrey A. Okun for a conversation about what is in store for the next chapter of Cosmos and a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the series. Featuring an introduction by executive producer Seth MacFarlane and exclusive never-before-seen footage, this panel discussion illustrates why Cosmos has remained relevant for the last 40 years.
CONSTANTINE: 15TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION — 12 p.m.
Keanu Reeves, director Francis Lawrence, and producer Akiva Goldsman reunite to reflect on the making of the 2005 DC Comics adaptation. Moderated by Collider’s editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub.
GUILLERMO DEL TORO AND SCOTT COOPER ON ANTLERS AND FILMMAKING — 1 p.m
The famous director will discuss the upcoming film “Antlers” as well as other projects in the works.
FOR ALL MANKIND – 2 p.m.
Cast members Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, Jodi Balfour, Wrenn Schmidt, Sonya Walger, and Krys Marshall gather for a thoughtful conversation looking back on season one of the Apple TV+ drama For All Mankind. Hosted by series creators and executive producers Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi, the discussion will explore highlights from season one and feature an exclusive first look at the highly anticipated second season of this critically acclaimed series.
BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC
Cast Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, Samara Weaving, Brigette Lundy-Paine, William Sadler, director Dean Parisot alongside writers Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson gather for a lively panel moderated by filmmaker and fan Kevin Smith.
PEACOCK ORIGINAL SERIES: BRAVE NEW WORLD — 3 p.m.
Based on Aldous Huxley’s groundbreaking novel, Brave New World imagines a utopian society that has achieved peace and stability through the prohibition of monogamy, privacy, money, family, and history itself. Join creator and showrunner David Wiener (Homecoming, The Killing) and cast members Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story, Hail, Caesar!), Jessica Brown Findlay (Winter’s Tale, Downton Abbey), Harry Lloyd (Game of Thrones, The Theory of Everything), Hannah John-Kamen (Ant-Man and the Wasp), Nina Sosanya (Killing Eve), Kylie Bunbury (When They See Us), and Joseph Morgan (The Originals) for an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the making of Peacock’s highly anticipated new series. Brave New World will be streaming exclusively on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s new streaming service, beginning July 15. The series is from UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group.
THE ORDER SEASON 2 — 3 p.m.
The Order is back with another exciting season! This panel will talk about the inspiration behind our favorite secret society, how our characters have coped with the events of season 1, and how we were able to bring some exciting guest stars to the season. They’ll also discuss their favorite magical couples and answer some burning questions left unanswered after the finale.
HBO’S LOVECRAFT COUNTRY — 4 p.m.
From showrunner and executive producer Misha Green, the new drama series Lovecraft Country follows the thrilling journeys of Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors), his friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett) and his Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) across 1950s Jim Crow America as they overcome the racist terrors and terrifying monsters ripped from an H.P. Lovecraft novel. Join cast members, Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Michael Kenneth Williams, Aunjanue Ellis, Wunmi Mosaku, Abbey Lee, and Courtney B. Vance in a conversation moderated by Sarah Rodman, executive editor of Entertainment Weekly.
STUMPTOWN — 4 p.m.
Based on the graphic novel series, Stumptown is returning to ABC for a highly anticipated season two. Stars Cobie Smulders, Jake Johnson, and Michael Ealy will be joined by executive producers Jason Richman, David Bernad, Ruben Fleischer and, graphic novel author Greg Rucka to answer your burning questions and discuss the cliffhangers from last season’s finale plus all the action in store for the upcoming season.
SYFY: WYNONNA EARP — 5 p.m.
After a long wait, a lot of Earping, and a ton of Times Square billboards, Wynonna Earp is finally returning to SYFY. Join showrunner Emily Andras alongside cast members Melanie Scrofano, Tim Rozon, Dominique Provost-Chalkley, Katherine Barrell, and Varun Saranga as they talk about the highly anticipated 4th season, show off their best impressions, challenge each other with a round of trivia, and share a sneak peek of the season 4 premiere episode! Fan-at-home with our exclusive Wynonna Earp bingo cards and play along throughout the panel.
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — 5 p.m.
Named “TV’s best comedy” by the Hollywood Reporter, What We Do in the Shadows is a documentary-style look into the lives of four vampires and their loyal familiar who, in a surprising twist, is a descendant of famed vampire slayer Van Helsing. Join us in raising a glass of regular human alcohol beer to the sharp-toothed cast–Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Kayvan Novak, Mark Proksch, and Harvey Guillén–and the creative team for a spirited discussion hosted by special guest, Haley Joel Osment.
AMC’S NOS4A2 — 6 p.m.
NOS4A2 returns to Comic-Con for its second season, which kicked off on Sunday, June 21 and airs through August 23. Moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Clark Collis, the panel will feature showrunner and executive producer Jami O’Brien, executive producer Joe Hill and cast member Zachary Quinto. NOS4A2’s second season picks up eight years after the events of season one. Vic McQueen (Ashleigh Cummings) remains more determined than ever to destroy Charlie Manx (Quinto). Charlie, having faced his own mortality, emerges desperate for revenge against Vic. This time, he sets his sights on the person who means most to Vic – her eight-year-old son Wayne. The race for Wayne’s soul sends Vic and Charlie on a high-speed collision course, forcing both to confront the mistakes of their pasts in order to secure a hold on Wayne’s future.
AN EVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH — 6 p.m.
An Evening with Kevin Smith – Kevin Smith talks Son-In-Lockdown, unveils a new Funko Pop, and drops the first look at his new film Killroy Was Here. Plus, Kevin chats about a new podcast he created with his daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, and reveals how to get your very own Mooby’s Cow Tipper.
SCARY GOOD TV: A CONVERSATION WITH HORROR’S TOP SHOWRUNNERS — 6 p.m.
Nick Antosca (Channel Zero), Meredith Averill (Locke & Key), Don Mancini (Chucky), Greg Nicotero (Creepshow), and Jami O’Brien (NOS4A2) offer their unique insights on why horror TV is having a moment and what it takes to create the kind of terrifying shows that keep viewers coming back episode after episode. Moderated by screenwriter/educator Tananarive Due (executive producer, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror). Panel presented by Shudder.
SUNDAY JULY 26
NEXT — 11 a.m.
Coming to FOX in Fall 2020, Next arrives at Comic-Con@Home with a sneak peek of the thrilling opening scene of the propulsive, fact-based thriller about the emergence of a deadly, rogue artificial intelligence that combines pulse-pounding action with an examination of how technology is invading our lives and transforming us in ways we don’t yet understand. Next stars John Slattery (Mad Men) as a Silicon Valley pioneer, who teams with cybercrime agent Fernanda Andrade (The First), to fight a villain unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Panelists will include creator and executive producer Manny Coto (24), John Slattery, Fernanda Andrade, Michael Mosley, Jason Butler Harner, and Eve Harlow (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) for a fascinating conversation about the new series and how AI and technology infiltrates all of our lives, moderated by Thrillist’s Esther Zuckerman.
THE 100 — 12 p.m.
The cast and crew from the CW series will join a special panel to talk about “The 100”
A CONVERSATION WITH NATHAN FILLION — 2 p.m.
Showrunner Alexi Hawley (The Rookie) talks with Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle, The Rookie) about his career in film and television. With special appearances by Joss Whedon, Alan Tudyk, Gina Torres, Mekia Cox, Molly Quinn, Seamus Dever, and Jon Huertas.
