Comic-Con 2026: Marvel, Lanterns, Johnny Depp - Hits & Mis

San Diego Comic-Con 2026 wrapped Sunday with a slate of panels that generated both thunderous applause and puzzled murmurs. The annual pop-culture juggernaut delivered major studio presentations, a surge of DC Universe momentum, and a surprise appearance that sent fans into a frenzy. Three standout topics - Marvel Studios' Hall H show, the trailer for HBO’s “Lanterns,” and Johnny Depp’s unannounced walk-on - dominated the post-convention chatter, though not all of it was glowing.

Marvel’s Hall H Gambit

Marvel Studios entered Comic-Con under intense scrutiny after a string of box-office disappointments and creative retooling. Kevin Feige took the stage Saturday night to unveil the studio’s next phase, but the reception was mixed. A sizzle reel for the upcoming “Fantastic Four” reboot earned a standing ovation, thanks to a first-look at the team’s retro-futuristic aesthetic and a subtle nod to the original 1960s comics. However, the announcement of a second “Secret Wars” adaptation, slated for 2028, drew skepticism from longtime fans who noted the original 2015 event was only loosely adapted last year.

The panel’s biggest surprise came when Feige confirmed that Robert Downey Jr. would reprise his role as Iron Man in a multiverse-centric limited series - though no trailer or release date accompanied the reveal. Audience reaction on social media was split: some praised the emotional weight, while others accused Marvel of recycling nostalgia. The studio also screened a behind-the-scenes featurette for “Blade,” starring Mahershala Ali, but the footage was brief and lacked a completed script, raising questions about the film’s troubled development.

DC’s ‘Lanterns’ Ignites Buzz

If Marvel stumbled, DC soared. The “Lanterns” panel, part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s overhauled DC Universe, delivered the convention’s most talked-about trailer. The series, which stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, leans hard into a grounded, detective-noir tone described by Gunn as “True Detective with power rings.” The two-minute teaser showcased sprawling shots of a desolate American landscape, followed by a sudden burst of green energy that lit up the theater.

Fans and critics alike praised the show’s visual direction, which pairs moody cinematography with practical effects - a deliberate departure from the CGI-heavy look of previous DC projects. Showrunner Justin Britt-Gibson confirmed the series will adapt elements from Geoff Johns’ “Green Lantern: Earth One” graphic novel and will tie directly into the 2027 film “Superman: Legacy.” The Hall H audience erupted when Chandler and Pierre appeared for a Q&A, with Chandler jokingly dousing the crowd with a prop lantern. The buzz for “Lanterns” appears strong, with early online polls ranking it the most anticipated new series of the year.

Johnny Depp Returns to the Spotlight

The convention’s most unexpected moment came Friday afternoon, when Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance during a panel for an upcoming independent film titled “The Lost Hourglass.” Depp, best known for his iconic role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, strode onto the stage to a prolonged standing ovation that lasted nearly two minutes. He offered only a few words, thanking fans for their support and teasing that he had “a few stories left to tell.” No details about the film’s plot or release date were shared, but the mere presence of Depp - who has largely stayed out of the public spotlight for the past two years - dominated social media feeds for the remainder of the convention.

While Depp’s appearance was widely described as a “hit,” industry observers noted that no major studio has announced a project featuring him. His return to the comic-con circuit, however, signals a potential rehabilitation of his public profile after a series of personal and legal battles. The unscripted, emotional nature of the appearance contrasted sharply with the tightly choreographed studio presentations, giving fans a rare human moment amid the corporate spectacle.

The Missed Marks

Not every panel landed. A late-night screening of a horror movie from a lesser-known studio was nearly empty, and a high-profile announcement from Sony about a new “Spider-Man” spin-off - reportedly starring a female version of a minor villain - was met with audible groans in the audience. Many attendees complained that the convention’s increasing reliance on franchise announcements and exclusive footage has crowded out independent creators and original content.

Still, Comic-Con 2026 reinforced its status as the epicenter of genre entertainment. The hits - particularly “Lanterns” and Depp’s return - generated enough positive energy to carry the industry through the fall. The misses, including Marvel’s shaky rollout, served as a reminder that even the biggest names in Hollywood cannot rely on nostalgia alone. As the industry heads into awards season, the true test will be whether the buzz translates into tickets and streaming numbers.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter