Thaïs Parvez
The second edition of San Diego Comic-Con® Málaga kicked off in style, cementing its status as Spain’s ultimate entertainment event.
Although the convention ran from October 1 to 4, our team at Hot BuZz (Mag) headed straight to the venue to experience the weekend’s key highlights firsthand.
Saturday, October 3 turned out to be an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, Hollywood surprises, unforgettable panels, and a bustling exhibitor floor. Here is the full breakdown!
Marvel and Disney take over Hall M: Surprise guests at San Diego Comic-Con® Málaga!
After two action-packed days filled with comic book news, TV show and movie updates, cosplay, and special guest appearances, including director Kevin Smith, actresses Mira Sorvino and Denise Gough (“Star Wars: Andor”), actors Jason Lee and Jason Mewes, and members of Netflix’s “One Piece” cast (such as Iñaki Godoy, Taz Skylar, and Peter Gadiot), it was time for one of the weekend’s most anticipated panels.
The highlight of Saturday’s schedule arrived with the massive Disney and Marvel Studios showcase in Hall M alongside other industry giants.
What promised to be a great presentation turned into an iconic lineup of Hollywood stars, co-hosted by British film journalist Ali Plumb for Marvel and Spain’s very own Jordi Cruz (former host of “Art Attack”), who introduced upcoming animated releases from Disney, Pixar, and 20th Century Fox.
Exclusive “VisionQuest” preview with Paul Bettany
Paul Bettany, famously known for playing Silas in “The Da Vinci Code”, took the stage to share fresh details about “VisionQuest”, Marvel Television’s highly anticipated series. Bettany treated attendees to an exclusive 22-minute premiere clip that left the entire auditorium wanting more.
Surprise “Avengers: Doomsday” appearance with David Harbour, Anthony Mackie, and Winston Duke
Following the “VisionQuest” preview, the excitement kept building as Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson / Captain America), David Harbour (Alexei / Red Guardian), and Winston Duke (M’Baku) hit the stage unannounced.
The trio chatted about “Avengers: Doomsday” and premiered an exclusive video specifically for the occasion.
The cherry on top was the official announcement of the film’s domestic release date: Thursday, December 17, with ticket pre-sales kicking off on October 6.
Surprise visit from Josh Brolin, Austin Abrams, and Brian Duffield to present “Whalefall”
Disney and 20th Century Fox panel brought out the heavy hitters with first looks at “Whalefall”, presented live by surprise guests Josh Brolin, Austin Abrams, and director Brian Duffield.
Attendees were also treated to exclusive clips of “Hexed”, “Ice Age: Boiling Point”, and Pixar’s “Gatto” (featuring voice work by Mark Ruffalo).
Christopher Lambert: “Highlander”, Henry Cavill, and movie secrets
One of Saturday’s most nostalgic moments came courtesy of iconic actor Christopher Lambert.
Reflecting on his 50-year career, Lambert offered a simple yet powerful takeaway: “If you have a goal, give it a shot; you have to believe in your passion.”
When asked what he would do if he were truly immortal, Lambert smiled and admitted he’d love to see what the world looks like in a hundred years to find out “if we’re happy.”
During his Q&A, the “Highlander” (1986) star had nothing but praise for current stars like Henry Cavill, calling him an incredible person with fantastic character.
He also shared a few fun behind-the-scenes stories.
On one hand, he addressed how he was originally eyed to play James Bond in “The Living Daylights” (1987) as director John Glen’s first choice before Timothy Dalton landed the role, though Lambert joked that “James Bond is British, and you can’t change that.”
On the other hand, he remembered the early days of “Mortal Kombat”, debunking the fake news that he funded the Thailand shoot out of his own pocket.
He also spoke fondly of working alongside screen legend Sean Connery and highlighted his connection with Queen’s Freddie Mercury and Brian May after the band contributed iconic tracks to the “Highlander” soundtrack, which were later released on their album “A Kind of Magic” (1986).
Tabletop role-playing games and creativity with Deborah Ann Woll and Jeremy Crawford
Creative storytelling in gaming earned its own spotlight during a panel featuring Deborah Ann Woll (best known for her unforgettable role as Karen Page in “Daredevil” and a massive tabletop role-playing fan) and Jeremy Crawford, Lead Rules Designer for “Dungeons & Dragons” 5th Edition at Wizards of the Coast.
Both guests had a deep-dive conversation about tabletop RPGs and how the medium pushes the boundaries of imagination.
Defending the idea that “the best story you can tell is the art of storytelling itself,” the pair reflected on the magic of spontaneous gameplay: “I love the uncertain. I love being surprised by the players. I’m a problem solver in infinite ways.”
They also pointed out how tabletop role-playing gaming provides an immersive experience that traditional media simply cannot replicate: “RPGs offer what movies can’t,” encouraging attendees to jump into narrative gaming without fear and invite friends or family along. As Woll put it: “Ask your mom, your friend, your sibling… They already know how to play; they just need to go the extra mile.”
John Rhys-Davies: “Indiana Jones” stories and the family built behind Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings”
To close out Saturday on a high note, Studio M hosted legendary actor John Rhys-Davies for a masterclass panel moderated by Pepe Caldelas, founder of artist agency Nutopi@ Agency, Executive Advisor of Comics & Guests at San Diego Comic-Con® Málaga, and a longtime contact of Hot BuZz (Mag).
Far from a standard Q&A, the session felt like an intimate theatrical performance as the British actor captivated the audience with stories from “The Lord of the Rings” and “Indiana Jones”, going from one side of the stage to the other.
Rhys-Davies described filming Peter Jackson’s Tolkien trilogy as “being part of a huge family,” adding that he had never worked with “such marvellous, friendly, and hardworking people as “The Lord of the Rings cast”, while breaking down the intense process behind playing Gimli the dwarf.
With unmatched charisma that made time fly, he teased the crowd: “Sorry, ladies, I don’t have Orlando Bloom’s personal phone number!”
Reflecting on his legacy, he shared a line to remember: “We’re all suckers for a great story. I’ve been shot, stabbed, victim of a bow and arrow, speared, and I’ve been swallowed by an anaconda. Then, if you get to be an actor, you get to play it all out for real.”
“We might make the mistake, which I am also guilty of, of making “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark” and infecting the minds of innocent young people with the idea that they can become archaeologists… and they will never earn a penny from it,” he added with a laugh. “Taking full burden and retrospective responsibility”, thanks to both my character and Harrison Ford’s indomitable archaeologist, if you take that adventurous path… “you will never be rich.”
San Diego Comic-Con® Málaga: exhibitors, movie props, and the gamer zone
Beyond the main panels, Hot BuZz (Mag) explored the show floor to check out pop-culture merchandise and immersive booth setups that blew fans away.
Here are a few highlights from Saturday’s exhibition hall:
- The “Dune” setup: Featuring a giant sandworm display alongside a cosplayer dressed as Frank Herbert’s iconic universe characters.
- The “Prison Break” recreation: Giving fans the chance to pose inside a hyper-realistic prison cell.
- The “Avengers” area: Packed with prop replicas, including Thor’s hammer, Spider-Man’s mask, and collectible figures.
- The gamer zone: A bustling spot where attendees challenged each other in “Captain Tsubasa II: World Fighter”, coinciding with an appearance by series creator Yōichi Takahashi (“Captain Tsubasa”).
After an incredible Saturday with major reveals and geek energy, Sunday was set to bring the convention to a close.
Stay tuned for our upcoming coverage right here on Hot BuZz (Mag)!
To get ready, check out our video recaps from San Diego Comic-Con® Málaga across our YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. channels.
Comments
Loading…