The first panel of the day in Hall H was for the new Twilight movie and the whole cast was going to be present.  Since people started lining up on Tuesday, I concluded I would never get in.  Instead, I started Friday by walking down to see the line for Hall H. It wrapped through the grass, (which is normally where the Hall H line goes) but then continued around the convention center building through the marina around the Marriott back through the marina and down the street.  I saw a tween at the end of the line and asked if she was there for  Twilight.  She said she was hopeful that she might get in and was staying until they sent her away.  That is dedication!

I then went through the exhibit hall visiting with creators and killed time until my blood drive appointment.  I also was able to get a signed copy of  Neil Gaiman's The Grave Yard Book (to which Sky Girl was favorably compared by a reviewer), which is kind of awesome.

I admit that I did not have purely altruistic motivations for giving blood.  My wife is a huge True Blood fan (she is firmly in the Eric camp) and the drive was sponsored by HBO and True Blood.  As a result, they were giving away some exclusive swag to donors.  The process was pretty painless and only took about an hour and was for a great cause.

Then something I have never seen at ComicCon.  There was no line at Hall H.  I walked right into the animation panel.  (the Ballroom 20 line was the longest I have ever seen, so I assume the combination of nearly back to back Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kirsten Stuart panels was the cause.). I caught the end of the panel about the upcoming Arthur movie, which features Santa's son. 

The next panel was a surprise not on the schedule.  Paul Reubin (in full costume) announced a new Pee Wee Herman movie with John Apatow.  I have to admit, I was laughing to the point of tears at points.  He mentioned about how great it is that Disney is still honoring his lifetime even though his voice is not in the park.  (He is the voice of the Captain Rex in the version of Star Tours that has been retired).  He did say, "R2 lightspeed to Endor" for us.

The next panel was a mash up of "Drive" and " Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" with Guillernmo Del Toro and Nicholas Winding Refn.  They were joined by Ron Perlman, Carey Mulligan, Guy Pearce and Troy Nixey.   The one thing that did come up was that Winding Refn is doing Logan's Run with Ryan Gossling. 

Next up was In Time, created by Andrew Niccol, writer of the Truman Show and Gattaca. In Time stars Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfreid (who came out on stage), Olivia Wilde, Matt Bomer, Cillian Murpy and Vincent Kartheiser and tells the story of a future where science makes it so that people live to the age of 25 will die at the age of 26 unless they can buy or steal time credits.  Timberlake find himself possession of hundreds of years and gets framed for murder

Then the Fox panel started.  The program did not describe this secret panel, so know one knew what to expect.  Damon Lindleoff hosted and here is what happened. First up was Promethius, Ridley Scott's new movie. Charlize Theron, who is really that beautiful in person, came out and they showed the preview.  There are a lot of questions about whether this is an Alien sequel or prequel.  It was clearly stated that the movie is original, but it is based on the original "Alien DNA." It was also revealed that there would be one (maybe two) replicant robots in the film.  In a unique move Ridley Scott was conferenced in from Iceland.  (He was eventually joined by Noomi Rapace, star of the Girl with Dragon Tattoo, who is also in the movie.)

As the last part of the Fox panel, we saw several scenes from Rise of the Planet of the Apes.   Director Rupert Sanders and Andy Serkis (Golem, King Kong) came out and talked about the motion-capture performance necessary to create Caesar, the protagonist of the story.  We saw several clips leading up to the monkey revolution.  Serkis also said that his filming for Golem is done, and he has been given the role of director for some of the film.

Robert Rodriguez hosted the next panel for his new studio.  Initially, he cleared up some rumors.  First, Robert Rodigez announces Machete 2 Machete Kills.  The second film will have a preview for Machete 3, Machete Kills again . . .in space. Spy Kids 4 is coming out in in 4d with Smellovision (Aromotizer.  Sin City 2, A Dame to Kill For could be shot as early as this year with three original stories by Frank Miller.  Rodriguez then stated that he wanted to get back to the art that inspires him.  He then showed images, and the audience immediately knew it was Heavy Metal.  Then Rodriguez brought out Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant .  I did find it amusing that Eastman was inspired to create the Teenage Mtant Ninja Turtles because of Heavy Metal Magazine, but then could afford to buy out the company because of the money paid.   Rodriguez asks the fans to submit story ideas, worlds, etc. for The Heavy Metal movie Go to Www.amd.com/heavymetal

Rodriguez next described the work of Frank Franzett.  He then announce Rodriguez announces Frank Frazetta transmedia project dedicated to bringing worldwide attention back on the Franzetta properties. They are also Rodriguez to reopen Frazzeta gallery as a museum in Texas.  Finally, Rodriguez to remake Frank Frazetta Fire and Ice with Death Dealer to follow.

In the final panel of the day, Del Tora and Favreau teamed up to talk about the movie making process.  Very wity.  In addition to an extended viewing of Cowboys and Aliens, here are some highlights:

Del Toro has a house that is full of Disney and movie memorabilia which will be featured in a book called Bleak House

Del Toro wants to make the Haunted Mansion an E ticket movie. He is working with imagineers and clearly said,  "there are no comedians in my movie." (Mocking the earlier Eddie Murohy version of the film.) Del Toro's version has the hat box ghost, a legend to fans of the haunted mansion. The Hat Box ghost only appeared in the mansion for a single month when the attraction opened in Disneryland despite appearing in (and taking center stage in some) the publicity material.

Michael Chabon (Cavalier and Clay) is writing Favaue's Magic Kingdom movie.

Tomorrow is a big day with Torchwood, True Blood, Walking Dead, Batman Year One, Eureka, and Warehouse 13.  I can't wait.