For the first time in its 50-year history, the San Diego Comic-Con was cancelled last year thanks to COVID-19. While a virtual event did end up taking place, it was mostly ignored by fans, and little to no news came out of it (the major studios gave it a miss for the most part).
Earlier this week, it was announced that Comic-Con is returning for an in-person event this year...over Thanksgiving weekend (November 26th - November 28th). That news has not received the warmest of responses from fans, reporters, or seemingly those who would normally attend like actors, artists, and other celebrities based on a story from The Hollywood Reporter.
"We love San Diego Comic-Con and would love to support, but what actor or producer is going to give up their first post-vaccine Thanksgiving holiday with family to travel to San Diego to publicize a project?" one rep for a studio tells the trade. A PR rep with clients who have previously been part of Hall H panels adds that their clients are so far "refusing" to participate in any way.
There are, of course, questions about safety and travel issues, and the organisers haven't consulted with any major studios (they're looking at this Comic-Con as a large local event rather than a massive international one). Ultimately, it boils down to them needing money after a year with no revenue, but it's not looking good for any big stars or companies actually wanting to get involved. If that's the case, fans could find themselves struggling to find a reason to attend the show.
"As longtime fans ourselves, we have attended many conventions over that holiday weekend, opting to spend Thanksgiving day with family and the rest of the weekend with friends and our families of choice," Comic-Con International said in a statement. "While this is not unusual in the convention trade, we understand this choice is not optimal for everyone. Currently, we do not know whether having this event in November is even feasible as we are still in the midst of the pandemic."
Needless to say, this has become a bit of a PR disaster, but with artists finding ways to sell their wares online and studios coming up with their own online events (why would Warner Bros. or Disney head to Comic-Con after DC FanDome and that Investor Day presentation?) Comic-Con's days may be numbered.