San Diego Comic-Con 2019: Tom Cruise's Big Surprise And More

SAN DIEGO — Another year, another pop-culture pilgrimage to San Diego, where approximately 130,000 fans are expected to attend the world’s biggest nerd circus over the course of the four-day event. San Diego Comic-Con’s opening day kicked off with a big bang as surprises galore filled the cavernous space of Hall H. The second day is expected to be as equally exciting as highlights include panels for “Avengers: Endgame,” “Game of Thrones,” “Carnival Row,” “The Witcher,” “The Boys,” And “Pennyworth.”

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First up in Hall H on Thursday was the hotly anticipated Paramount Pictures’ “Terminator: Dark Fate” panel with iconic stars Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger along with director Tim Miller and co-stars Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes, Diego Boneta, and Gabriel Luna in attendance.

The panel opened with James Cameron introducing the panelists via a live-streamed message from the “Avatar” set— and the first big surprise of the day. That is, Edward Furlong is back reprising his role as John Connor.

Taking place 27 years after the events of “Judgment Day,” the reboot centers around time travel which shows Sarah Connor (Hamilton) dealing with the aftermath.

Hamilton shared why it took her a long time to decide to do the movie — and it’s not the physicality the role required.

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“The hard work I did was the deep exploration of a woman who’s an outsider whose life hasn’t worked out,” Hamilton mentioned. “I had to go to my deepest sorrows and places of deepest loss, and that’s what makes Sarah Connor, Sarah Connor.”

In contrast, Schwarzenegger was not hesitant to do another “Terminator” outing. “Of course, I was going to come back,” the legendary actor said. “I’m addicted to “Terminator.”

The panel wrapped up with a new footage of the film showing Sarah Connor saying Schwarzenegger’s famous lines, “I’ll be back.”

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When fans thought the panel was over, Tom Cruise walked onstage surprising the audience as Conan O’Brien introduced the mega-star. The surprise did not end there, as Cruise dropped the first footage of “Top Gun: Maverick,” and its first official poster.

“34 years ago, I made a movie in San Diego,” Cruise said. “I shot across the street in a restaurant. And you've all asked, for many years: ‘When are you gonna do another one?’”

“For 34 years you've been very patient with me, and I feel a responsibility to deliver for you,” Cruise continued as he extended his heartfelt gratitude to the unwavering, long-time “Top Gun” fans.

The cast of “It Chapter Two”— stars James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Andy Bean, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, and director Andy Muschietti — also introduced the final trailer of the film. Beware: It’s gory and very scary!

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Netflix also had a strong presence at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday. Its young-adult series, “The Order,” had a panel with creator Dennis Heaton, stars Jake Manley, Sarah Grey, Adam DiMarco, Katherine Isabelle, Louriza Tronco, Devery Jacobs and Thomas Elms in attendance to talk about series 2, which is yet to have a release date.

Finally, the cast and producers of “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” returned to Hall H delighting fans with a scoop on the show-stopping conclusion of season 6. However, it was somewhat a bitter-sweet moment as it was also announced that the show will end after season 7 next year.

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