15 Things We're Looking Forward To At Comic-Con... And 5 Things We're Disappointed Won't Be There

Each year Comic-Con is one of the most highly anticipated events on our calendar, and each year Comic-Con more than lives up to our expectations with big announcements, exclusive footage, and just plain cool moments. In anticipation of this year's grand event, we've compiled a Comic-Con 2015 preview. After the jump, we list our top 15 things we're excited for at Comic-Con — as well as 5 things we're disappointed won't be there this year.

It's become a minor tradition for celebrities to wander around Comic-Con in disguise. This is one of the few places on Earth where no one will blink at a head-to-toe costume. Even though we rarely find out about these until after the fact (which is the whole point), it's fun to imagine that that Spider-Man cosplayer behind you in line or that Stormtrooper on the show floor might secretly be one of our favorite stars.

Booth #5250 (Gallery 1988) and Booth #835 (Mondo)

You can always count on tons of exclusive swag at Comic-Con, and you can always count on Gallery 1988 and Mondo to have some of the most promising stuff. This year's offerings from the former include a striking Mad Max: Fury Road piece and a "Han Shot First" Golden Books-style piece, while the latter is bringing a detailed Godzilla statue and a Kevin Tong Ant-Man poster among other things. And if none of those strike your fancy, there's no shortage of other exclusive toys, gadgets, accessories, artworks, etc. to spend your time and money on.

Saturday July 11, 8 PM, Reading Cinemas Gaslamp

There's no new X-Men movie this year, but there is a new cut of an existing X-Men movie. The X-Men: Days of Future Past Rogue Cut will be screening in its entirety at the Reading Cinemas Gaslamp on Saturday night, with 17+ minutes of extra footage that restore the fan-favorite mutant superhero to the time-traveling saga.

Wednesday July 8, 6:00pm – 10:00pm, Ballroom 20

Some people loved CBS' Supergirl trailer. Some people hated it. Everyone agreed it felt like a totally different kind of superhero drama, one that seemingly owes as much to the romcom genre as it does the superhero drama one. Whether that combination works remains to be seen, but we'll get the beginnings of an answer when the pilot episode screens in full at Comic-Con.

Thursday July 9, 12:00pm – 1:15pm, Hall H

After skipping a panel last year, The Hunger Games is back in Hall H to promote Mockingjay – Part 2. Cast and crew will be on hand to present never-before-seen-footage from the film, and to say goodbye to the loyal fans who've followed along for years. But don't break out the tissues just yet — the panel will be moderated by Conan O'Brien, who should provide plenty of laughs as this grim 'n' gritty franchise takes a bow.

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Click ahead for Friday and Saturday events we're excited for at Comic-Con.

Friday July 10, 5:45pm – 6:45pm, Room 6BCF

Even among the ride-or-die fandoms that flock to Comic-Con each year, the Clone Club is a special bunch. Their devotion to Orphan Black literally moved star Tatiana Maslany to tears last year. You can't manufacture moments like that — that's what makes them so special. But when fans love a show that much, and when the show creators seem to love the fans right back, magical things tend to happen.

Friday July 10, 2:15pm – 3:15pm, Room 6A

The Ridley Scott-produced The Man in the High Castle pilot got strong reviews when the first episode debuted on Amazon earlier this year. Now fans eager to see the next installment will get their chance at Comic-Con. Amazon is hosting a screening of the first two episodes of the Philip K. Dick adaptation, set in an alternate 1962 where the Allies lost World War II.

Friday July 10, 2:30pm – 3:30pm, Hall H

Frankly, the Game of Thrones panel itself tends to be hit-or-miss. But it's always good for some big casting announcements, at the very least. And seeing as we've just about run out of book material after Season 5, readers and non-readers alike will be poring over any crumb of information dropped in the panel.

(Oh, and note to Jon Snow Truthers: No, Kit Harington is not expected to attend. And even if he did, it wouldn't necessarily mean anything. Jason Momoa, Richard Madden, Michelle Fairley, and Pedro Pascal have all attended Comic-Con panels after their time on the show was up.)

Friday July 10, 5:30pm – 6:30pm, Hall H

There've been so many big Star Wars reveals in the past week, you almost have to wonder if there'll be anything left to unveil at Comic-Con. Except you don't, really, because Disney and Lucasfilm aren't amateurs. The studio has a behind-the-scenes look at Star Wars: The Force Awakens in store for us. Also on our wishlist are new details about that film as well as Rogue One, those Han Solo and Boba Fett spinoffs, and/or Episodes VIII and IX.

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On the next page, see what we're excited for on Saturday.

Saturday July 11, 10:30am – 12:00pm, Hall H

The Warner Bros. panel was one of the high points of Comic-Con 2014, and there's every reason to believe 2015 will be, if anything, even bigger. The studio is bringing its starry Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice cast — including Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, and Gal Gadot — and new footage from the film seems like a given. In addition, speculation is rampant that the new Green Lantern(s) will be announced. Heck, Warner Bros. could have its own "Avengers assemble" moment this year.

And that's not even getting into the other films that'll be teased this year, like Pan and Man From U.N.C.L.E. And all the other films that could be, like Suicide Squad, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Creed, Point Break, the Lego Movie sequels, and all of those other DC Universe movies.

Saturday July 11, 1:30pm – 2:15pm, Hall H

And now for a break from the usual onslaught of sci-fi blockbusters... After hitting Comic-Con in 2012 for Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino is back this year with the first footage from The Hateful Eight. Also along for the ride are "some" of the cast, which includes Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, and Bruce Dern.

Saturday July 11, 2:30pm – 3:30pm, Hall H

The past two Legendary Comic-Con panels have included brief teasers at Duncan Jones' Warcraft. Now, with shooting over and that 2016 release date fast approaching, could this finally be the moment we get our first full-length trailer for the movie? Here's hoping. Legendary also has Crimson Peak and Krampus planned for the hourlong event. If we're lucky, we might get updates on Godzilla 2, Kong: Skull Island, and/or The Great Wall as well.

Saturday July 11, 3:45pm – 4:30pm, Hall H

In terms of news value, Women Who Kick Ass is to be one of Hall H's lower-priority panels, a placeholder between higher-profile studio appearances. But in terms of smart commentary, crackling banter, and sheer charisma, Women Who Kick Ass is consistently hard to beat. This year's awe-inspiring lineup includes Gal Gadot, Gwendoline Christie, Hayley Atwell, Jenna Coleman, and Kathy Bates.

Saturday July 11, 5:00pm – 5:45pm, Ballroom 20

If there's any good news on the fate of Hannibal, it'll probably be announced at Comic-Con. If there isn't, this will probably be the show's final appearance in San Diego. Either way, expect emotions to run high, and flower crowns to fill the room. Series creator Bryan Fuller will be there along with stars Hugh Dancy and Richard Armitage and exec producer Martha De Laurentiis, to tease the "Red Dragon" storyline.

Saturday July 11, 5:45pm – 7:30pm, Hall H

In Marvel's absence, 20th Century Fox is taking over the final slot on Saturday's Hall H lineup. Meaning they'd better bring it if they don't want to let down fans. And bring it they will, with Bryan Singer promising our first look at X-Men: Apocalypse. Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, Fantastic Four, and Victor Frankenstein are on the to-do list as well, and we've got our fingers crossed for Gambit news. But we already suspect Deadpool will be the real scene-stealer here. Heck, he's already grabbed our attention, and the show hasn't even begun.

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On the final page, a few things we're disappointed won't be at Comic-Con this year.

As excited we are about all the stuff coming up at Comic-Con, there's a tiny part of us that's bummed about some of the stuff that isn't.

From the Avengers assembly to Loki's grandstanding speech, the Marvel Hall H panel has been one of the most reliable highlights of the Con for the past several years. And they've got plenty of upcoming projects that fans are curious about, including Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, and all those Marvel TV shows. Alas, we'll have to look elsewhere for this year's big viral moment.

Is it greedy of us to wish for a new Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer when Lucasfilm will be bringing plenty of other treats to Comic-Con? Yeah, probably. Still, one of the perks of attending Comic-Con is the chance to see new footage before anyone else does — and surrounded by the incomparable energy of 6,000 screaming fans.

"Where's George R.R. Martin?" is like the low-key Comic-Con version of Where's Waldo. Oh sure, you know he'll be at the Game of Thrones panel, but the fun is finding him in places you wouldn't expect. In fairness, he's got a good reason for skipping this year — he's busy writing Book 6, The Winds of Winter. And hey, those George R.R. Martin plushes will be around, even if George R.R. himself is not.

Want more details on the new Spider-Man movie? Well, too bad, because Sony isn't telling. Not at Comic-Con, anyway. The studio has opted out of the event this year, perhaps realizing they'll never top that magical moment when Andrew Garfield fanboyed all over Hall H. This also means no updates from Ghostbusters, Spectre, or Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Star Trek Beyond has just started shooting in Vancouver, and will open next year to mark the franchise's 50th anniversary. In addition, there are new rumors flying around about a possible Star Trek series. You'd think Comic-Con 2015 would be the perfect time and place to get the hype machine up and running again, but apparently Paramount doesn't think so as they're passing on the events this year.