It was already rumoured that Marvel Studios (along with several other major studios) would be scaling back their presence at the annual event due to the expense and lack of benefits their appearance generates. Now, we have confirmation that Marvel Studios definitely don't have anything major planned for SDCC '11, meaning we can pretty much rule out seeing
The Avengers once again assemble on stage in Hall H! Here is an excerpt from the report over at
Hero Complex.
Don’t expect the Avengers to reassemble in Hall H at Comic-Con International in July.
The official word from Marvel Studios is that their team will sit out the Hollywood previews in the 6,000-seat hall, where fans, bloggers and journalists from around the world come to see filmmakers and stars introduce and promote their upcoming spectacle movies.
The leadership at Marvel Studios is also quick to point out that sitting out Hall H is not synonymous with sitting out Comic-Con, which runs July 21-24; the studio will have a major presence on the convention showroom floor (one Marvel source cryptically said that the booth plan will be as attention-grabbing as last year’s Hall H panel), and there’s talk of a promotional event beyond the walls of the San Diego Convention Center, which might suggest a 'Captain America: The First Avenger' promotion, premiere or special screenings.
And what of Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment? Well, as we reported a few weeks ago, they also will not have a major presence at the upcoming event in San Diego.
"Go big or stay home," is how one Marvel insider put it, and that logic is seemingly embraced by rival Warner Bros. with 'Man of Steel,' the 2012 feature-film revival of Superman that is conspicuously absent (at least at this point) from the Hall H program. 'The Dark Knight Rises,' Warner’s follow-up to its billion-dollar Batman film in 2009, is also M.I.A., but Gotham City filmmaker Christopher Nolan has never set foot in Hall H so this latest absence may add to his mystique, but it won’t shock anyone.
Well, I think it's fair to say that this is pretty bad news for both the event and us fans. If major studios like Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. are pulling out, it won't be long until the rest follow suit. (many already have, including Disney) How this will impact the Hollywood presence at other Cons is something else to worry about, but be sure to share your thoughts on this news in the usual place!
With an all star cast which includes Chris Evans as Captain America, Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Rufallo as Bruce Banner, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Tom Hiddleston as Loki,
The Avengers is set to be released on May 4, 2012!