20th Century Fox hasn’t made an announcement yet about their 5:45PM-7:30PM Saturday evening Hall H panel — but considering they’re in Marvel’s usual Saturday night prime spot, you know it has to be big. 110 minutes is a long time in Hall H, and they could easily fill that with four, and likely even more, movies if they wanted.
So let’s break down what we know about the panel, and what seems likely, given the signs.
Chris Hardwick
Odds: 100%
We know Chris Hardwick is moderating, because he flat out said so on Instagram the other day. Moving on.
X-Men: Apocalypse
Odds: 99%
Although 20th Century Fox hasn’t made an announcement yet, X-Men: Apocalypse is by far and away the most obvious part of 20th Century Fox’s presentation. Bryan Singer all but confirmed it on Instagram, Hardwick promoted his moderation announcement with a photo of himself in a Magneto helmet, and stars Jennifer Lawrence, Sophie Turner, Evan Peters, and possibly Oscar Isaacs are all already in town. Consider this one a lock.
The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
Odds: 100%
This is another panel that’s locked down. James Dashner, who wrote the book on which the series is based, said on Twitter that they’ll be promoting the film in Hall H on Saturday — and he would know. Wondering who will be on the panel? The Nerd HQ panel lists actors Dylan O’Brien, Ki Hong Lee, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Rosa Salazar, and Giancarlo Esposito, as well as director Wes Ball and Dashner – so they’re all very safe bets for the big Hall H panel as well.
Going to #SDCC2015? On Saturday, we’ll be in Hall H at 5:45 pm and #NerdHQ at 7:00. Don’t miss it! #ReadyForScorch
— James Dashner (@jamesdashner) July 1, 2015
Hitman: Agent 47
Odds: 95%
We’re bumping this one down to 95% because even though the stars are all in town, there’s a very slim possibility it could be for some kind of offsite or screening instead. After all, the movie releases next month, and is likely finished or closed to being finished at this point. But thanks to both the MTV Fandom Awards and Nerd HQ, we know stars Zachary Quinto, Rupert Friend, and Hannah Ware are all in town — and that’s a lot of talent to not put them up on the Hall H stage.
The Fantastic Four
Odds: 90%
Although we’ve been hearing rumblings about the movie being at Comic-Con for months, there hasn’t been much hard evidence that it will be there — until recently. The Wrap included a screenshot of the Entertainment Weekly party guest list in their annual party guide, and if you read very closely, it includes The Fantastic Four‘s Jamie Bell (as well as Suicide Squad actor Ike Barinholtz). What could he be in town for, we wonder?
Deadpool
Odds: 100%
Deadpool seems to be either the best or the worst kept secret at Comic-Con this year, as even though there’s been no confirmation, virtually everyone is assuming that Ryan Reynolds has to be there. If 20th Century Fox doesn’t bring this, they’ve missed a huge marketing opportunity, as no one is likely to be more excited about Deadpool than San Diego Comic-Con attendees. He’s also featured on Entertainment Weekly’s Special Comic-Con issue, given out at the convention — and surely that means something.
[UPDATE] Collider has confirmed that Ryan Reynolds will be at the convention. Mark this one down as a lock (not that it wasn’t already).
Victor Frankenstein
Odds: 80%
When The Nerdist’s offsite “Conival” put up their interview schedule, our brows went up at seeing Daniel Radcliffe’s name. He’s not listed on any panel this year, but he does have Victor Frankenstein coming up. If James McAvoy is in town to promote X-Men: Apocalypse (and it looks like he is, as he’s also listed on that EW party screenshot), then it seems like a no-brainer to put the two on a panel together for Victor. But, this also wouldn’t be the first time that a star is in town to promote nothing — see also Ben Kingsley, who is swinging by just for The Nerdist podcast recording.
The Martian
Odds: 30%
This is our dark horse, and could be nothing, or it could wind up being huge. But there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes talent for Ridley Scott’s The Martian listed on other panels throughout the convention, including Andy Weir, who wrote the book on which the film is based, and executive producer Aditya Sood. Do two behind-the-scenes people a panel make? Certainly not — but if Fox brought out some combination of Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain (already confirmed for Crimson Peak), Kate Mara (who could already be there to promote Fantastic Four), or any of the other big-name stars in the movie? It could be big. Really big.
