San Diego Comic-Con 2017: Convention Kicks Off With 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle,' 'Bright,' 'Death Note'

SAN DIEGO, CA — The 2017 edition of Comic-Con International has arrived — another year of pop-culture pilgrimage to San Diego, where the world’s biggest nerd circus takes place the next four days. And based on Wednesday’s “Preview Night,” Comic-Con’s 460,000-square-foot showroom promises ginormous fun for thousands of fans.

Some of the display highlights include “The Walking Dead” booth crawling with zombies; a 20-foot-long, life-size replica of the new Batmobile from “Justice League,” and Sanrio’s Hello Kitty reimagined as Sonic the Hedgehog — just to name a few. And if you’re wondering about panels, presentations and celebrity appearances, they begin Thursday.

The first day of the convention will see 20th Century Fox’s “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” in Hall H from 11 a.m. to noon. Scheduled to appear at the panel are actors Taron Egerton, Halle Berry, Colin Firth, Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges and Pedro Pascal, as well as screenwriter Jane Goldman and “Kingsman” co-creator Dave Gibbons.

Netflix is also making big waves in Hall H this year, offering attendees exclusive sneak peeks at two of their upcoming feature films: “Bright” and “Death Note” from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cast and crew from both films are slated to attend, including Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace, David Ayer and Adam
Wingard.

Other first-day highlights include “Battlestar Galactica Reunion,” “DC Universe Original Movies 10th
Anniversary,” and “Legion” screening.

Officials are urging the use of public transit because of the huge crowds of attendees and gawkers expected in downtown San Diego over the next few days.

A free shuttle bus service will begin operating Wednesday from 3 p.m. to midnight, stopping at 63 locations in downtown, Mission Valley, Harbor Island and Shelter Island. Buses will run 24 hours a day, beginning Thursday at 4:30 a.m. through Sunday evening.

Metropolitan Transit System announced that Green Line trolleys will run every 7 and 1/2 minutes between Qualcomm Stadium and the 12th and Imperial Transit Center between Thursday and Sunday. Blue and Orange line trains will increase in frequency during peak travel times, according to MTS.

The transit agency said passengers can use its new Compass Cloud mobile app to purchase ride tickets in advance. MTS also has 22 bus routes with downtown stops.

Top Photo: 2017 Comic-Con International / Credit Barbara Henderson