Following the news the other day that Marvel Studios would not be holding a Hall H panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, several major Hollywood studios and streamers have now opted to also skip presentations in the 8,000-capacity Hall H.
According to Screen Daily, the likes of Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, HBO, Netflix and possibly Lucasfilm will all skip the massive hall along with Marvel Studios.
That leaves the obvious question as to the few left – Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate and the rest of Disney.
Whilst the last time such mass avoidance of the event was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of it this year is studio caution amid the ongoing Writers Guild strike and potentially looming Actor’s Strike. Members of either guild will not be able to promote their upcoming work if both are on strike.
It also means film and TV panels could essentially be barren, if not non-existent. The situation may change if the WGA’s industrial action ends soon or the SGA’s does not take place, and Marvel has confirmed it will have a presence on the convention floor.
The convention’s 2023 panel schedule is released on July 5th.
