Gallery: Anticipation Barometer: The 10 Coolest Things Coming to Comic-Con
Image: Kristian von Bengtson01the-hobbit
Gather 'round, nerds. The time is upon us once again for the grand gathering that is Comic-Con International. [](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/underwire/comic-con-2012/)The annual comics and pop culture event kicks off with Wednesday's preview night, and over the next four days you can expect an onslaught of news images, videos, director and actor comments, and other ephemera flowing out of the San Diego Convention Center about nearly every entertainment property beloved by geeks the world over. Wired will be on the ground delivering all the best from Hall H and beyond, but for those eager to get a jump on what will be some of the most buzzed-about panels at [Comic-Con 2012](http://comic-con.org/), here are the 10 movies, TV shows and (believe it or not) YouTube series we think will be making waves in San Diego. __Above:__ *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey* ----------------------------------- Peter Jackson's upcoming film *[The Hobbit](http://www.thehobbitblog.com/)* is not only the most anticipated film at Comic-Con, it might be the most anticipated film (at least by geeks) of the year. Or maybe the decade. Jackson finished principal photography on his adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel earlier this month, and since he's a master of wowing Comic-Con crowds, we can only expect that he'll have something new and amazing to show fans at the con. (Right?!) Here's hoping for scads of 48-fps footage from the Shire.
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*Django Unchained* ------------------ It's been almost three years since Quentin Tarantino's *Inglourious Basterds* was released, and buzz/anticipation/fanboy-freakout about his follow-up, *[Django Unchained](http://unchainedmovie.com/)*, has been almost nonstop since then. That hype will probably only get worse following the film's Saturday panel in Hall H, where fans should get a few glimpses of *Django* and details from writer-director Tarantino and the cast about this slave-turned-bounty-hunter flick. If the sneak peek is even half as good as the trailer (above), it should be fantastic.
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*Elysium* --------- In the three years since writer-director Neill Blomkamp released the crazy-awesome *District 9*, fans of his alien-slum film have wondered what's next. Comic-Con will mark their first look into his follow-up project, *[Elysium](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elysium_(film))*. Details on the film have been scarce so far – with the exception of the [synopsis that leaked on the web](http://collider.com/elysium-movie-synopsis/173277/) a few weeks back – but what we know is that the film stars Matt Damon and Jodie Foster and, in Blomkamp-ian fashion, is set in a future where the Haves have taken refuge on a space station while the Have Nots remain stuck on an Earth in ruins. Please, Neill, can we have some more? *Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures*
HBO04GameOfThrones.jpg
*Game of Thrones* ----------------- The clan from the land of Westeros will be hitting San Diego in full force this year, with a panel moderated by *A Song of Ice and Fire* author George R.R. Martin. [*Game of Thrones*](http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/index.html) stars including Michelle Fairley (who plays Catelyn Stark), Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister) and Richard Madden (Robb Stark) will also be taking the Hall H stage to talk about the upcoming season, which is already in production in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Here's hoping they can help us all recover from the OMGWTF moment that ended Season 2 last month. *Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO*
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*H+: The Digital Series* ------------------------ Just when it seemed Hollywood blockbusters were taking over Comic-Con, there's a new kid on the block — and it's a YouTube show. *[H+: The Digital Series](https://www.facebook.com/HplusTheDigitalSeries)*, a web series produced by Bryan Singer and launching Aug. 8, will be holding a panel Friday. Hopefully it'll give some insight into what exactly happens in an "apocalyptic future where technology has begun to spiral out of control" and people have jettisoned their cellphones and laptops in favor of [connecting their brains to the internet 24 hours a day](http://www.youtube.com/user/HplusDigitalSeries/). Sounds trippy, right?
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*Iron Man 3* ------------ Considering that *The Avengers* blew up the summer movie season this year, all eyes will be on *Iron Man 3* for a glimpse at what is next from the Marvel cinematic universe. Details about what will be presented have been slim, but Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige will be present as will "[special guests](http://marvel.com/news/story/19045/iron_man_3_comes_to_sdcc_2012)," so until then geeks will have to sit in Hall H and wait. (We're OK with that.)
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*Man of Steel* -------------- In a summer dominated by Spidey, the Dark Knight and the Avengers, it's been really easy to forget that Superman is still in the mix. Zack Snyder's *[Man of Steel](https://www.facebook.com/manofsteel)* will be the only movie from the DC universe on the roster after *The Dark Knight Rises* hits theaters in a couple of weeks, so all eyes (including ours) will be on the Warner Bros.' Hall H presentation Saturday to see what's in store.
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*Pacific Rim* ------------- Director Guillermo del Toro teased Comic-Con audiences last year when he revealed the logo for his upcoming *Pacific Rim* and lauded the film as "[giant fucking robots versus giant fucking monsters.](http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Comic-Con-2011-Guillermo-Del-Toro-Shows-Off-Pacific-Rim-Logo-Title-Treatment-25845.html)" (What more could we want?!) The film's appearance at Comic-Con on Saturday will be the first chance the director has to truly show off what he's been working on. Expect epic.
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*The Walking Dead* ------------------ At the end of Season 2 of AMC's adaptation of Robert Kirkman's zombie comic *[The Walking Dead](http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead),* there was a brief glimpse of the prison, where – fans of Kirkman's books know – things get real. The prison will be central to Season 3 and will likely get teased at the show's Friday afternoon panel. (Those looking for a more hands-on experience with *The Walking Dead* can run for their lives in [The Walking Dead Escape](http://www.thewalkingdeadescape.com/) being held at Petco Park during the con.)
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*Branded* --------- Movie-goers curious to see the advertising-gone-wrong dystopia flick *[Branded](http://brandedmovie.com/)* only have to wait until September, but a good jolt of attention at Comic-Con could raise it from a sleeper sci-fi film to a hotly anticipated one. And if filmmakers Jamie Bradshaw and Alexander Doulerain tease out anything as cool as the trailer, this *Matrix*-y thriller could gain serious legs. In a sea of splashy superheroes, *Branded* is the dark horse folks should keep an eye on.
