San Diego Comic-Con 2017: Check Out TV Trailers From ‘Stranger Things’ to ‘Westworld’
Here are some of the most talked-about television previews from this year's convention
July 24, 2017
Nearly every genre television show and feature film imaginable was represented recently at San Diego Comic-Con 2017. In addition to trailers for upcoming films like “Thor: Ragnarok” and extended looks at “Justice League,” the many thousands of fans who attended panels at this year’s event were treated to sneak peeks at new seasons of their favorite shows and first looks at upcoming series.
Here are some of Comic-Con’s most talked-about TV trailers:
“Stranger Things” Season 2
The ’80s are back and creepier than ever in the first official trailer for “Stranger Things” Season 2. It starts off innocently enough with the boys fighting digital dragons on a coin-operated arcade game, but in the blink of an eye Will (Noah Schnapp) finds himself glimpsing back into the Upside Down and at a ruined version of his small town. Set to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the trailer (above) also has “Ghostbusters” references, sky monsters, the return of Winona Ryder and David Harbour’s characters, and the re-emergence of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), the group’s telekinetic heroine.
“Stranger Things” Season 2 debuts Oct. 27 on Netflix.
“Westworld” Season 2
If the 110-second long, Season 2 Comic-Con trailer is any indication, the robot rebellion may finally be underway on HBO’s “Westworld.” There aren’t any specific plot reveals, per se, but we do check in on several series regulars as each is embroiled in a different violent encounter. There’s Arnold/Bernard (Jeffrey Wright) staring at a dead tiger, Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) taking aim with a rifle while on horseback, Maeve (Thandie Newton) standing amid dozens of dead bodies, and also The Man in Black (Ed Harris) grinning maniacally with a blood-covered face. It’s not all grim, however, as the player piano offers up a cheery rendition of Sammy Davis Jr.’s “I’ve Gotta Be Me.”
“Westworld” Season 2 premieres in 2018 on HBO.
“Marvel’s The Defenders”
Marvel-Netflix delivered a new trailer for its upcoming superhero team-up show “The Defenders,” a sequel of sorts to its four standalone series about the street-level superheroes Luke Cage (Mike Colter), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Daredevil (Charlie Cox), and Iron Fist (Finn Jones). The second official trailer (above) shows the four of them joining forces to save New York City from Alexandra, an antagonist played by Sigourney Weaver.
But coming together may not be that easy. “I’m not looking for super friends,” Luke tells the others.
Also featured are a few of the standalone series’ recurring favorites, including Rosario Dawson and nurse Claire Temple and Elodie Yung as the violent and potentially villainous vixen Elektra. The trailer also serves up well-choreographed fight sequences and humor in equal measure.
“I’m glad we found each other,” Daredevil says at one point.
“I’m not hugging you,” Luke responds.
“Defenders” premieres Aug. 18 on Netflix.
“X-Men: The Gifted”
Fox’s upcoming drama “The Gifted” focuses on young mutants dealing with everything from frightening new abilities to nefarious government forces trying to hunt them down. The official Comic-Con 2017 trailer (above) both teases its leads’ superpowers, from a teleporting Blink (Jamie Chung) to an electromagnetic field-generating Polaris (Emma Dumont) and also offers glimpses of how the series might soon tie into Bryan Singer and 20th Century Fox’s overarching “X-Men” franchise. Other co-stars included in the trailer include Amy Acker (“Dollhouse”), Stephen Moyer (“True Blood”), Natalie Alyn, Sean Teale, and Percy Hynes-White.
“The Gifted” debuts Oct. 2 on Fox.
“Star Trek: Discovery”
The Comic-Con trailer for “Star Trek: Disocvery” (above) offers the most comprehensive look yet at the new ship and crew on CBS All Access’s upcoming continuation of the long-running Gene Rodenberry franchise first made popular by the likes of William Shatner and George Takei. In this look at the new series, we see Starfleet Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green of “Walking Dead” fame) struggling to keep her cool as tensions rise between the Federation and Klingon Empire.
“Star Trek: Discovery” debuts Sept. 24 on CBS All Access.
“American Horror Story: Cult”
“American Horror Story” creator Ryan Murphy dropped the title and first preview (above) for Season 7 of his FX anthology series at Comic-Con 2017. He had also recently revealed actress, filmmaker, and Stern Show guest Lena Dunham will be joining the show’s cast for the upcoming season—though her role is not yet clear. Check out the short and creepy teaser (above) and listen to Lena’s most recent Howard interview here.
“AHS: Cult” debuts Tuesday, Sept. 5 on FX.
“Preacher” Season 2
Season 2 of AMC’s “Preacher” is already underway, but that didn’t stop the network from putting together an exclusive Comic-Con trailer (above) highlighting the insane action and twisted hilarity fans can expect from the remainder of the season. Seth Rogen, one of the show’s executive producers, also spoke about “Preacher” during his recent visit to the Stern Show. Click here for more on his conversation with Howard.
“Preacher” airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.
“Marvel’s Inhumans”
“Inhumans,” ABC’s latest Marvel-inspired drama, received a brand new trailer at Comic-Con. The upcoming series follows a dysfunctional royal family from another planet whose in-fighting eventually spills over to Earth. As it’s a Marvel property, however, the feuding family also has super powers. The trailer (above) focuses heavily on Maximus (Iwan Rheon), who previously played Ramsay Bolton on “Game of Thrones.”
“Inhumans” debuts Sept. 1 on IMAX and continues Sept. 29 on ABC.
“The Flash” Season 4
Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) is back on CW’s DC Comics-inspired adaptation of “The Flash.” In addition to showing off more of Barry’s super-speed, the newly released Comic-Con trailer teases an increased role this season for the hero’s longtime love interest Iris West (Candice Patton).
“The Flash” Season 4 debuts Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. on the CW.
“Supergirl” Season 3
If the Comic-Con trailer for Season 3 of “Supergirl” is any indication, National City’s favorite crime-fighter is done playing human, at least if the Comic-Con trailer for CW’s “Supergirl” is any indication. Melissa Benoist stars on the DC-inspired drama as Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El. She has spent the past few years getting lattes by day (as Kara Danvers) and saving her city at night (as Supergirl), but in the trailer for the new season she reveals she’s kicking her human alter ego to the curb.
“Supergirl” Season 3 debuts Monday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. on the CW.
“Arrow” Season 6
“Arrow,” the DC-inspired superhero drama that paved the way for everything from “Gotham” to “Supergirl,” shows no sign of slowing down as it heads for Season 6. In the first trailer for the upcoming season (above), we see Star City’s hero Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) isn’t the only one who knows how to use a bow and arrow.
“Arrow” Season 6 premieres Thursday, Oct. 12 at 9 on CW.
“DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” Season 3
CW’s superhero ensemble series “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” released a Season 3 trailer at Comic-Con, which shows the rag-tag band of time-traveling do-gooders encountering some of their biggest challenges yet, from ferocious dinosaurs to … the Moon? Check it out (above).
“DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” Season 3 premieres Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 9 on CW.
“Gotham” Season 4
Fox dropped a new sizzle reel at Comic-Con for Season 4 of “Gotham,” the network’s Batman-inspired police drama. If the trailer is any indication, the show is about get even darker as Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) loses his way and Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) succumbs to the dark side. Penguin (played by Stern Show Guest Robin Lord Taylor) seems to be having a rough go of it, too—but at least he has found a few ways to vent his anger.
“Gotham” Season 4 premieres Sept. 28 on Fox.
“Krypton”
Syfy dropped a tiny teaser at Comic-Con for “Krypton,” its upcoming series about Superman’s grandfather (played by Cameron Cuffe) as he fights to redeem House of El’s honor and prevent his world from exploding. The brief clip doesn’t offer much else in the way of a plot, but audiences do get a couple glimpses of the Superman insignia.
“Krypton” debuts in 2018 on Syfy.
