WonderCon • San Francisco • February 27th-March 1st

[August]

From the folks who bring you San Diego Comic Con International comes the biggest convention in Northern California! Besides seeing the cast members of WATCHMEN, CHUCK, and other shows, here's where I'll be:

FRIDAY

5:30-7:00 Watch Horror Films, Keep America Strong DVD Premiere—For 14 years—1971 to 1984—Creature Features was one of the most popular TV shows in San Francisco/Bay Area television history. The late Bob Wilkins hosted the Saturday night series for eight years, followed by John Stanley for another six. Wilkins' wit and unusually droll personality and Stanley's celebrity interviews and satiric mini-movies are all part of Watch Horror Films, Keep America Strong, a full-length documentary. The film features interviews with Wilkins, Stanley, and other key figures close to the show, as well as classic clips. This historic journey illuminates an era of television that should never be forgotten. The film will be introduced by John Stanley (host) and Tom Wyrsch (producer). Room 220

SATURDAY

11:30-12:30 Warner Bros.: Watchmen—Warner Bros. and WonderCon present a panel devoted to the most eagerly awaited movie of 2009: Watchmen! Visionary director Zack Snyder brings the classic graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons to vivid life on the big screen, opening March 6. Join Zack Snyder and members of the film's cast LIVE on the WonderCon big stage for this exclusive panel presentation! Esplanade

12:30-1:00 Summit Entertainment—Summit Entertainment brings exclusive footage from its exciting 2009 lineup:
• Astro Boy—A thrilling tale of a true hero, Astro Boy is an all-new feature film full of action, adventure, humor and heart. Based on the beloved manga, Astro Boy will be brought to life on the big screen in breathtaking CGI animation. Esplanade

2:00-2:45 Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment: Star Trek—A vision by J. J. Abrams, featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no one has gone before. The film stars John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Zoë Saldana, Karl Urban, and Anton Yelchin, with Eric Bana and Leonard Nimoy. Be among the first to see exclusive sneak peak footage from this exciting adventure before its May 8 release. Plus a special guest you won't want to miss, appearing live on the WonderCon stage. Esplanade

2:30-3:30 Japanese Superheroes Now: 2009!—Author August Ragone (Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters) returns for his 15th anniversary roundup of the latest superhero and kaiju productions from Japan: Kamen Rider Decade, Shinkenger, Super 8 Ultra Brothers, and Ultra Galaxy: Monster Battle Neo. Plus, see clips from recent stateside DVD releases, including Gamera the Brave, Inazuman, Super Robot: Red Baron, Kitaro, and more! Room 236/238

4:30-5:30 Warner Bros: Terminator Salvation—It's a brand-new start for one of the most explosive movie franchises ever! Terminator Salvation introduces the adult John Connor (played by Christian Bale) in the future, fighting to save humanity from Skynet and the machines. In theaters on May 22, here's a special WonderCon panel with director McG and cast members LIVE on the big stage! Esplanade

8:30-11:30 The Fifth Annual WonderCon Masquerade—The Masquerade, WonderCon's flashy and fun on-stage competition, features amazing costumes re-created from movies, TV, comic-books, video games, and anime, plus original designs inspired by fantasy, science-fiction, and more. Trophies and other prizes will be awarded to the most outstanding entries. The Master of Ceremonies is artist-writer Phil Foglio. No flash photography is allowed, and doors will open for audience seating beginning at 8:00. Special advance movie previews will be shown during the judging intermission.

SUNDAY

1:15-2:00 Chuck Special Presentation and Q&A— Chuck makes its first appearance at WonderCon with a Q&A and special screening of an extended trailer. Stars Zachary Levi (Chuck) and Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah), and co-creators/executive producers Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl) and Chris Fedak will be on hand to talk to fans about the second season of the popular action-comedy, which features all-new guest stars. Airing Mondays at 8:00 PM on NBC, Chuck is produced by College Hill Pictures, Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television. Esplanade

2:00-2:45 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Q&A— Join executive producer Josh Friedman (War of the Worlds [2005]) as he previews the rest of this exciting season and answers questions from fans. Joining Josh is actress/singer Shirley Manson, who plays Catherine Weaver on the show, which airs Fridays at 8:00 PM on FOX. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is produced by Bartleby Company and The Halcyon Company in association with Warner Bros. Television. Esplanade

3:00-4:00 A Tribute to Bob Wilkins—Join John Stanley, Bob Shaw, Rob Wilkins, Mr. Lobo, Ernie Fosselius, Tom Wyrsch and August Ragone for an information-packed journey through the life and career of the late Bob Wilkins, host of the mega-popular San Francisco Bay Area Creature Features TV series (1971-1979). The panel will share personal memories about Wilkins and show rare video clips and photos, as well as introduce scenes from the newly released DVD documentary, Watch Horror Films, Keep America Strong, which examines the history of one of the Bay Area's most beloved TV legends. Room 220

4:00-5:00 Godzilla and the Master of Monsters—Author August Ragone (Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters) presents a visual tribute to Japan's Master of Monsters, Eiji Tsuburaya, the man who created the special effects for Godzilla and invented the kaiju eiga (giant monster movie) genre. See over a hundred rare, behind-the-scenes photographs from some of his major films, such as Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra, all in one big presentation! Room 220

[JordanGLC]

We look forward to WonderCon every year. I'm kind of surprised that only three major "tentpole" films are being pimped this year (Watchmen, Star Trek & Terminator). I figured Wolverine would have been a no brainer, especially since Fox hasn't had great summer movie success lately. Transformers would have been great too. I'm sure we'll have a fun time nonetheless.

I'm a fan of Chuck too. Too bad the panel for that is on Sunday (we'll be there Saturday).