For decades, San Diego Comic-Con has been the place for pop culture. Tens of thousands of fans gather every year to celebrate all things movie, shows, comics, video games, anime, and the like, while studios often use the event as a platform for big news drops, celebrity appearances, and other moments that will have social media talking. And this year, that was no exception, with SDCC 2026 seeing major trailer drops and reveals, but also a good dose of Filipino representation. Check out some of this year’s Comic-Con highlights below.
RELATED: Step Into ‘A Parallel World’ With BINI’s Original Song for Forgotten Island
BINI Makes Their Comic-Con Debut
Before BINI begins their US leg of their Signals World Tour in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 1, the P-pop girl group made a stop at San Diego Comic-Con for a special performance of A Parallel World at the end of Forgotten Island’s panel. The moment marked their first time attending Comic-Con, and it was made even more special by performing a track that incorporates English and Tagalog lyrics for a movie that champions Filipino culture and mythology. In what has been a year of firsts and milestones for the country’s newest tourism ambassador, BINI can add performing at SDCC to the list.
Forgotten Island (and Filipino Energy) Comes to SDCC
Filipinos are no strangers to SDCC, even though it’s few and far between. But this year’s edition was on another level thanks in no small part to the Forgotten Island panel, which was attended by Liza Soberano, H.E.R., Dave Franco, directors Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, and ended with a performance from BINI. Adding to the Filipino-centric moment was H.E.R. wearing a bayanihan t-shirt in honor of the movie and her Filipino heritage.
The MCU Proves It Can Still Get People Talking With New Announcements
In front of over 7,000 fans at the iconic Hall H, Marvel returned to SDCC and made sure people had something to talk about. Aside from exclusive footage of Doomsday, most of the movie’s cast making appearances, and a special Ryan Reynolds cameo in a black and gray Deadpool suit, it was the big announcements that left an impact long after the panel was over.
First, it was revealed that Ryan Gosling would be joining the MCU as Ghost Rider in a Ghost Rider movie in 2028. The movie will be directed by Shawn Levy, who previously helmed Deadpool & Wolverine. Gosling has been on a hot streak as of the moment, especially when it comes to blockbusters and major franchises. Earlier this year, he starred in the critical and commercial success Project Hail Mary. Next year, he returns to space as he joins the Star Wars franchise in Star Wars: Starfighter, which is also directed by Levy. Now, he enters the MCU in 2028.
Next, Black Panther 3 is in the works with Oscar winner Ryan Coogler returning as director. But the bigger news was Coogler’s reveal that British actor David Jonsson will star as Prince T’Challa II, T’Challa’s son, in the third movie. At the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, it was revealed in a post-credits scene that T’Challa and Nakia had a son named Toussaint. The third movie will follow an adult Toussaint as he takes on his father’s mantle as Black Panther.
A Multiverse Crossover With ENHYPEN and Twilight
San Diego Comic-Con is no stranger to celebrity surprise appearances. But this one might take the cake. In a crossover that would have seemingly only been possible in fan fiction, ENHYPEN joined forces with Twilight stars for a panel on vampires. The panel, titled Bite Me: Calling All Vampires, featured the first Twilight movie’s director Catherine Hardwicke, franchise stars Ashley Greene (Renee Cullen) and Peter Facinelli (Dr. Carlisle Cullen), and the K-pop boy group for a discussion on the appeal of vampire stories in pop culture and its evolution over the years.
While this might seem like a random selection, ENHYPEN isn’t a stranger to vampires in their music and concepts. The group’s DARK MOON universe revolves around supernatural beings, while some of their comebacks have included vampire imagery. It’s one of those moments only a place like Comic-Con could give us.
A First Look at the Blade Runner TV Show
Did you know that there is a new series set in the Blade Runner universe, and it’s releasing this year? It was a big weekend for Prime Video with the release of the teaser trailer for the third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Mike Flanagan’s show reimagining of Carrie, and the next chapter of the Blade Runner franchise.
Titled Blade Runner 2099, the series got its first look with its teaser trailer drop during the convention as well as a panel featuring showrunner Silka Luisa, executive producers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson, and stars Michelle Yeoh and Hunter Schafer.
Set 50 years after Blade Runner 2049, the series takes place in Los Angeles and follows Cora, a fugitive who, in a final bid to stop running, takes on one last identity: a Blade Runner. Forced to partner with Olwen, a Replicant days from dying, she hunts down a runaway hiding a truth that could collapse the fragile city. All eight episodes drop on Prime Video on November 25.
Featured Image: BINI (via Instagram)
Photos: LIZA SOBERANO (via Instagram), MARVEL STUDIOS (via Instagram), ENHYPEN (via X)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. BINI made their Comic-Con debut with a performance of “A Parallel World” at the end of the Forgotten Island panel, ahead of their Signals World Tour stop in Honolulu on August 1.
The Forgotten Island panel featured Liza Soberano, H.E.R., Dave Franco, and directors Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, closing with a performance from BINI.
Marvel announced Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider in a 2028 film directed by Shawn Levy, and confirmed that David Jonsson will play Prince T’Challa II in Black Panther 3, directed by Ryan Coogler.
ENHYPEN joined Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke and stars Ashley Greene and Peter Facinelli for a panel titled “Bite Me: Calling All Vampires,” discussing the appeal of vampire stories in pop culture.
Blade Runner 2099, starring Michelle Yeoh and Hunter Schafer, is set 50 years after Blade Runner 2049 and will release all eight episodes on Prime Video on November 25.
