SAN DIEGO — Screams and cheers are cheap at Comic-Con, but the energy stepped up a notch Saturday evening after fans got their first look at “Deadpool.”
Not only did the trailer for the irreverent film starring Ryan Reynolds get a standing ovation, but soon the 6,500-person Hall H audience started chanting, “One more time!”
Host Chris Hardwick seemed momentarily flustered, explaining that he doesn’t actually have that power. But he asked the A/V gods if it was possible, and soon, the blood-soaked, expletive-laced trailer was playing again.
It seems fitting for a movie 11 years in the making that Reynolds said was only greenlit because of the enthusiasm of the fans.
The Marvel antihero, known for his salty language and off-humor, is given an origin story in this film, which comes out Feb. 12.
Perhaps the main event of the Twentieth Century Fox presentation, which also included looks at “Fantastic Four,” the “Maze Runner” sequel and “Victor Frankenstein,” was “X-Men: Apocalypse.”
The veil was stripped away from the highly secretive film as director Bryan Singer revealed that it takes place 10 years after the events of “X-Men: Days of Future Past” in 1983.
This is a world that has grown to accept mutants, mostly. But a mysterious and influential sect has risen that believes the mutants are gods.
While Jennifer Lawrence said her character in this outing is more Raven than Mystique, Michael Fassbender stayed ambiguous about whether we’d be seeing Erik or Magneto.
“I think he’s a guy who plays both sides. He’s always that kind of ambiguous villain,” said Fassbender. “When we meet him, he’s more of a simple guy, living a normal life. He’s hung up his cape and his evil ways.”
The footage also showed the first glimpse at Oscar Isaac’s villain Apocalypse and Sophie Turner’s young Jean Grey.
“X-Men: Apocalypse” is only five weeks into shooting and will be released on May 27.
Meanwhile, “The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials,” out Sept. 18, showcased a new trailer and an extended look at the new monster of the movie: the Cranks. In the film, they’re terrifying, slimy, zombielike creatures.
“We have a bit of a horror movie on our hands,” said director Wes Ball. “This movie is way bigger than the first one.”
Dylan O’Brien said his protagonist Thomas is “for the first time feeling defeated and angry.” And new cast member Giancarlo Esposito said his character, Jorge, is just as explosive as his “Breaking Bad” character Gus Fring.
Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy also came out to talk about their film “Victor Frankenstein,” out Nov. 25. It’s inspired by Mary Shelley’s novel but told from Igor’s (Radcliffe) perspective. McAvoy said the film is about obsession, and the relationship between Igor and Victor.
“I’m trying to pull him back from the edge of insanity. How do you stand up and tell someone they’re wrong when they’ve given you everything you have?” said Radcliffe.
They also showed a clip of the terrifying moment the homunculus comes to life.
Also in attendance were the cast and filmmakers of “Fantastic Four,” who premiered the final trailer for the film, out Aug. 7.
Director Josh Trank said that he had not been to Comic-Con since he was 15.
“I stopped coming because it became too Hollywood,” he said.
Hardwick made sure to note the irony of his return for a big studio movie.
The film tells the story of the “tragic origin” of the four friends who are mutated after an encounter in an alternate universe and given life-altering powers.
To play the genius Reed Richards, who becomes Mr. Fantastic, Miles Teller said that Trank would give him books, “like ’Quantum Physics for Dummies.’”
Toby Kebbell, who plays Doctor Doom, said his character is “the best villain of all time in a comic book ever.”
“It is a very cool film,” said Teller. “It’s not just people blowing things up.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.