Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here, already going through the early and often painful stages of formulating my schedule for Comic-Con 2009 in San Diego, which officially begins two weeks from today. While the full schedule for film panels has not yet been released, little bits of information have started to trickle out from certain studios. We know that for one day Hall H is getting turned into a 3-D showcase, which excites me to no end. I know a few of the panels set for this year, which talent is slated to come for those panels, and several of the films that are being "secretly" screened in the evenings. Schedules are made but schedules are fluid beyond belief. Still, it's the most fun I have working that hard for four days. And this year, I'm bringing a photographer with me!

Two of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year in my book are coming out in the next couple of months, and both are from Focus Features: Shane Acker's bit of animated wonder, 9; and the vampire epic THRIST, from South Korean master Park Chan-Wook (J.S.A.: JOINT SECURITY AREA; OLD BOY; LADY VENGEANCE). I'm actually seeing THIRST next week, but if you're in San Diego in two weeks, you might get your shot at seeing it as well.

Focus Features has given us an exclusive preview of what and who they're bring to Comic-Con this year. Here are the details:

Special Edition Collectible Cards from 9 will be distributed daily throughout the San Diego Gaslamp District. The first 100 people to find the 8 character cards plus 1 exclusive machine card and bring their completed set (9 cards total) to NECA (Booth 4345) will win a guaranteed place in line to receive an autograph by Timur Bekmambetov (a producer on 9 as well as the director of such favorites as NIGHT WATCH, DAY WATCH, and his English-language debut WANTED), director Shane Acker, and Elijah Wood, who voices the character 9. The NECA booth will have the latest 9 and CORALINE news.

On the Con's first full day (after Wednesday's Preview Night) Thursday, July 23, the THRIST panel takes place in Hall H from 6:30 to 7:30pm, with the aforementioned coolest director working today Park Chan-Wook in attendance.

On Friday, July 24, beginning at 11:00 am, attendees can stop by the G4 Booth (4249) to get a free pass to a screening of Park's THIRST, while supplies last. The screening itself will be that night at 9:00pm (only folks with passes will know where), followed by a Q&A with Park.

Also on Friday the 24th is the 9 panel from 2:30 to 3:30pm, also in Hall H. Guests will include director Shane Acker, producers Timur Bekmambetov and Tim Burton, and stars Elijah Wood and Jennifer Connelly (who voices the character 7). Other sites have reported rumors that 9 will also screen during Comic-Con, but I've got no confirmation of that as yet. Fingers crossed on both hands.

I feel fairly confident we'll be bringing you interviews connected to both films, so keep an eye out. I'm sure we'll have much more to come, so keep checking back for updates. I'd love to know what those of you coming to San Diego are excited to see...

-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com