On the first full day of Comic-Con, Santa Monica’s Lions Gate Entertainment roared into the convention by having Jennifer Lawrence and her co-stars from “The Hunger Games” franchise premiere the trailer from the forthcoming final film in the series that has so far earned more than $2 billion worldwide.
The first look at “Mockingjay Part 2,” which opens Nov. 20, was wildly received by 6,500 frenzied fans packed into Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center earlier today.
That was followed by on-stage cast interviews, moderated by talk show host Conan O’Brien, during which Jennifer Lawrence exhibited more of the unfiltered answers that have made her a fan favorite.
“These movies changed my life and I got so emotional on the last one that I was crying on the very first day of filming it,” she said. “I’d hope that playing this character, Katniss, had rubbed off on me but maybe not as we’re so different. She’s brave and I’m an actress.”
Earlier, funnyman Bill Murray made his first ever Comic-Con appearance to promote new movie “Rock the Kasbah,” about a washed-up music promoter guiding a young girl through Afghanistan’s version of “American Idol.”
“I didn’t know what to expect – I have a taser with me,” he said afterwards of appearing at Comic-Con. “But some of the best parties I’ve been to have been with insane nerds so I felt comfortable amid all that passion.”
Convention favorite William Shatner returned to launch his latest book project, “The Autobiography of James T. Kirk,” by reading excepts from the memoir of his “Star Trek” character.
Tonight, L.A. rock band KISS, represented by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, will announce a partnership with fellow pop culture icon Scooby Doo. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is announcing special animated film, “Scooby-Doo and KISS: A Rock ’n’ Roll Mystery,” set around a KISS concert and featuring the band’s music.
Comic-Con continues through Sunday.