San Diego Comic-Con: Something For Everyone

San Diego Comic-Con kicked off Wednesday night with a free screening of “Dredd 3D.”

The upcoming film is an adaptation of the 2000 A.D. comic book character and is unrelated to the 1995 film version starring Sylvester Stallone. The 2012 version, which stars New Zealand actor Karl Urban, will be coming out in September. Urban said of film acting,

“Working in this medium, it’s not like theater, where you give a performance or tell a joke in a play and you get an instant response, and you can gauge if what you’re doing is appreciated or not. Quite often it isn’t until you go into this environment that you get an understanding of the appreciation that’s out there.”

Luckily for Urban, he doesn’t have to worry about that. According to the Hollywood Reporter, fans approved of the “dark and gritty” reboot. Some even took to Twitter after the screening to express their thoughts.

A quarter of a million comic book, video game, anime and fantasy fans are expected to pack into the San Diego Convention Center over the course of four days. Unfortunately, the Comic-Con was rocked by a tragedy before it even began when a “Twilight” fan was hit by a car on Tuesday.

Highlights for this year’s Comic-Con will include:

Footage of “Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part 2,” presented by stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

Peter Jackson, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Martin Freeman discussing “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the prequel to “The Lord of the Rings” series.

Zombies from AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” plus a screening and panel.

Colin Farrell and Kate Beckinsale discussing the “Total Recall” reboot, and a teaser from the upcoming Matt Damon and Jodie Foster film “Elysium.”

An “Iron Man 3” panel hosted by producer Kevin Feige and a couple of special guests.

Also being celebrated is the 25th anniversary of “Street Fighter.” According to NBC San Diego, a few fans will be chosen to compete in a “Street Fighter” trivia contest hosted by “Street Fighter x Tekken” producer Tomoaki Ayano.

For 50 Shades of Grey fans, author E.L. James will be on deck for a book signing.

And for the Batman fans at the convention, there will be a 22-minute sneak peak at the documentary “The Batmobile,” which will be followed by a panel discussion. Fans will be able to see all six versions of the Batmobile on display in the Batcave area between Hall H and the Bayfront Hilton.

The first San Diego Comic-Con was held in 1970, and was originally called the “Golden State Comic Book Convention.” The name was later changed to “San Diego Comic Book Convention,” and the name that is now given on its website is “Comic-Con International: San Diego,” although many people refer to it as “SDCC.” Whatever you call it, San Diego Comic-Con is sure to have something for everyone.