As is tradition, hundreds of thousands of fans, cosplayers, panelists, and those who couldn’t snag a badge descended to the San Diego Convention Center and the surrounding Gaslamp Quarter for San Diego Comic Con. In the pop culture world, the convention marks the convening of almost every aspect of fan culture, with studios, networks, publishers, and brands showcasing their latest offerings.
Here’s some of the biggest news out of San Diego.
COYOTE VS. ACME
For once, Wile E. Coyote got the last laugh as the Hall H panel for Ketchup Entertainment’s Coyote vs. Acme rocked a packed SDCC crowd. Dubbed as the “film that Acme doesn’t want you to see,” the previously shelved animation/live action hybrid film was saved from Warner Bros. Vault (and corporate greed) arrived at SDCC with exclusive footage and a highly anticipated release date.
Coyote vs. Acme, starring Will Forte, Lana Candor, and John Cena, will hit theaters August 28, 2026.
ALIEN: EARTH AND PREDATOR: BADLANDS
The two former foes, Alien and Predator, had massive panels and activations at the convention. FX’s Alien: Earth screened a full episode of the new series to an excited Hall H crowd. The franchise also held a hugely popular interactive activation aptly named The Wreckage that allowed fans to step into the world of the new series, complete with nods to the original film and plenty of jump scares.
Predator: Badlands also showcased footage, giving fans a rough cut of the first 15 minutes of the film, as well as an activation that took fans onto the Predator ship.
Alien: Earth premieres August 12 on Hulu. Predator: Badlands hits theaters November 7.
GEORGE LUCAS
Making his SDCC debut (I’m just as surprised as you are), George Lucas wowed fans with his presentation of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Flanked by moderator Queen Latifah and fellow panelists Doug Chiang and Guillermo del Toro, Lucas described the mission as “a temple to the people’s art,” with exhibits featuring original comic art of Iron Man to classic pieces from Frida Kahlo and Norman Rockwell.
The museum is scheduled to open in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park in 2026.
PEACEMAKER
Following the success of Superman, James Gunn got to bask in the ovation of an electric Hall H room. DC’s Peacemaker was one of the few properties to accomplish the SDCC Dynamic Duo of having a Hall H panel and incredibly popular offsite this year, allowing it to take center stage at the con. The series hosted a rowdy and enjoyable activation off-site that featured a live band playing 80s rock, some nods to Superman, and James Gunn announcing the show will receive a brand new theme song for the new season.
Season 2 of Peacemaker premieres on HBO Max on August 22.
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE
AMC’s Anne Rice universe made a captivating presence at the convention, debuting footage from two hotly anticipated series, Talamasca: The Secret Order and the critically acclaimed Interview With the Vampire. To an enthusiastic Ballroom 20, the cast and crew of the series presented an exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peek and (as of publishing) unreleased trailer for the new season. The vampire Lestat takes center stage to tell his story in the only way he knows how–by starting a band and going on tour. It was confirmed during the panel that the third season of the series will be titled The Vampire Lestat.
Talamasca: The Secret Order premieres October 26 on AMC/AMC+. The Vampire Lestat premieres in 2026.
Though as exciting as this news is (especially for this vampire-loving author), it cannot be understated just how quiet this year’s con felt. This year, much like many other post-pandemic years, has shown that the pop culture convention is also experiencing difficulty within a shaky entertainment industry. One of the most notable pieces of news from the convention preceded the festivities. Many SDCC staples, including DC, Marvel, and Star Wars, opted out of huge Hall H panels to present their upcoming film slates.
Offsite activations were lacking as well, with previously extensive interactive experiences turning into quick photo ops and some popular experiences not present at all, most notably the IMDboat. Factors such as studios continuing to cut costs and the uptick in company-sanctioned conventions (D23, Star Wars Celebration, Tudum, etc.) contribute to this, while a recession and high cost of living only further exacerbate the issue.
Though a quiet SDCC can signal wider problems within the entertainment industry, the core of why the convention is so successful always remains firm. Beyond Hall H, there are dozens of panels covering a plethora of niche topics and interests. At any point in the day, you can see thousands of people dressed as their favorite characters, taking photos, and complimenting each other’s cosplays. Walking the con floor, you can find hundreds of booths dedicated to celebrating any IP you could think of. And so…the heart of the con still beats on.
What makes SDCC is not the studios that attend, it’s the passion of the fans who are there.
Update Courtesy of Bobbi Miller from culture kitsch
Feature Image from ‘Coyote vs Acme’ Warner Bros. Pictures, Ketchup Entertainment
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