In 11 days, Comic-Con 2023 begins in San Diego. In three days, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) may go on strike.
Presuming SAG strikes, none of the actors can perform promotions for studio projects.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for ReedPOP
We’ll talk about the havoc this issue is wreaking in the latest MarvelBlog News update.
Whither Comic-Con?
Source: by Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Shutterstock (10341985ce)
One day, we may look back on Comic-Con 2019 as the last great event.
I genuinely hope that’s not the case, but I have concerns on this front.
In 2020 and 2021, Comic-Con couldn’t operate as usual due to social distancing requirements caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comic-Con@Home logo. Photo: Comic-Con International
For 2022, Comic-Con attempted a strong comeback and performed quite well, all things considered.
However, no one would argue that last year’s event could match the ones from 2018 and 2019.
Sustained, systemic issues in Hollywood prevented studios from representing their most popular brands as effectively as in the past.
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
The entire process of fan conventions has proven challenging as studios attempt to structure new lineups for oft-delayed movie projects.
In fact, DC tried to host its own event, DC FanDome, in October 2021.
That presentation proved so successful that there wasn’t one in 2022, and we’ve had no mention of one for 2023.
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Also, virtually every DC project mentioned at FanDome has bombed, most recently The Flash and Shazam!: Fury of the Gods. So, yeah.
We’re all questioning the viability of these once-popular comic book-based conventions.
The glory days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe may have led to unrealistic expectations for what these expos could be.
Photo: EW
Alternatively, everything might return to normal in two or three years, which is what we’re all hoping will happen.
In 2023, that’s not likely to happen, as we’re about to discuss. Then, 2024 and 2025’s events appear destined to struggle because of the various strikes.
Photo: Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Shutterstock
Currently, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is about 70 days old. The 2007-2008 strike lasted 100 days.
We don’t know whether SAG will join the WGA yet, but it’s a potentially cascading problem for Comic-Con…and Marvel.
Marvel’s Scheduling Problem
Richard Madden and Chloé Zhao at San Diego Comic-Con. Photo: Getty/Alberto E. Rodriguez
On July 3rd, Marvel finally announced its schedule for Comic-Con 2023. If you’re attending the event, you’re probably not gonna like it.
I say this because Marvel considered contingencies in establishing its itinerary.
No Marvel actors are scheduled to appear.
I should stress that this situation could change, possibly even by the time you read this.
However, the potential for a strike forces Marvel’s hand. It cannot list SAG members to attend in the event that they strike on/after July 12th.
That’s an extremely narrow window to adjust on the fly, but that’s the problem everyone involved with Comic-Con faces this year.
Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff and Florence Pugh as Yelena in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2020. All Rights Reserved.
Historically, Marvel has shown up at the event, wowed everyone in Hall H, and then left as the entire audience erupts in thunderous applause.
Last year, Marvel transitioned to using its D23 Expo in Anaheim as a publicity event for the Thunderbolts. That may be its tactic this year as well.
Source: @chrishemsworth
Nobody can rely on Comic-Con due to the current and potential strikes. So, it’s impossible to bank everything on this event.
Instead, Marvel announced appearances by people like Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski and writer J. Michael Straczynski.
Frankly, I’m surprised that Straczynski can appear, as he’s in the WGA.
(L-R): Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez in Marvel Studios’ DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.
His panel probably required some internal debate and maybe even a guild okay. The situation is that messy.
Generally, the WGA frowns on any public appearances by its members during a strike.
Captain America The First Avenger (2011). Photo: Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock (2146960h)
Left to right: Hayley Atwell plays Peggy Carter and Chris Evans plays Steve Rogers
Captain America The First Avenger – 2011
If Straczynski hasn’t cleared this, he’ll probably get some blowback…and he’s the creator of Babylon 5 and – fun fact! – the executor of Harlan Ellison’s estate!
So, you can imagine how problematic the issue is for actors who need strong relationships to keep working.
They’re not upsetting anybody at SAG or the WGA by showing up at Comic-Con 2023.
The Current Fallout
SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 29: (L-R) Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans and Angelique Roche speak on stage during ACE Comic Con at Century Link Field Event Center on June 28, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images)
Marvel already did the math on the potential fallout from this strike.
The studio delayed several upcoming titles including the next two Avengers movies. Marvel wouldn’t do that unless the situation were dire.
Somehow, that’s not even the worst part. Sure, in the event of a SAG settlement, some actors could theoretically appear at Comic-Con.
Photo: Marvel
If not, they’ll have another D23 event later this year wherein they can hype their upcoming projects to fans.
I suspect that’s what will happen, as the WGA strike is unlikely to end by July 20th, no matter what the actors do.
So, a celebrity would be alienating the writers by appearing at Comic-Con while the studios continue to ignore the WGA.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
I can tell you from experience that WGA writers have long memories and carry grudges.
In short, unless both guilds settle soon, Comic-Con is a lost cause in 2023.
Sure, we’ll still talk about it here in a couple of weeks, but it’s a lesser event rather than an industry-defining one.
The Future Fallout
Image: Marvel
Even worse, a prolonged strike will hurt Marvel and Comic-Con long-term.
With the actors unavailable, the quiet stuff happening now must shut down as well.
Clever producers are filming their tentpole titles abroad, outside the purview of the WGA. That can’t happen if/when the SAG strikes.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Shutterstock (10341985al)
Mahershala Ali
Marvel Studios panel, Comic-Con International, San Diego, USA – 20 Jul 2019
Already, 2024 releases are struggling to maintain quality without writer input. We’re gonna see some clunkers next year, and this is why.
The problem degrades from there if actors aren’t available for a while. We’ll get rushed projects and subpar digital effects to boot.
Source: Marvel Studios
This cycle could easily ripple into 2025 as well. If so, Marvel won’t be able to produce the blockbuster it needs to turn the tide until 2026.
You can imagine how much the narrative would crystallize that Marvel has lost its touch if its films struggled through 2025.
Image: Marvel
In short, Marvel has a lot at risk here and needs a quick resolution.
PS: In next week’s MarvelBlog News, we’ll talk a lot about the casting for Deadpool 3. It’s…stunning.
Thanks for visiting MarvelBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond-Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Featured image: Marvel
