Some of the shows that have made appearances at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con 2019 will not return next time as this year would mark the end of their run. ‘Game of Thrones’ stars Isaac Hempstead, Maisie Williams, Jacob Anderson, Nicolaj Coster-Waldau among others were present at Hall H, one last time after their show concluded this year. However, the creators of the show DB Weiss and David Benioff backed out from appearing at the panel last minute and left the stars to fend for themselves in the face of criticism from fans.
Sure, the actors tried to take the negativity lightly or even in their stride, but that did not help much as fans were still not convinced about the finale of ‘Game of Thrones’. It was not a very celebratory mood that ensued at the panel, and for a show that became a phenomenon worldwide, this was not the kind of goodbye they deserved. Especially, not the actors.
Contrary to this, the Stephen Amell-led panel for ‘Arrow’ was more reflective of stars and fans coming to terms with the fact that one of their favorite superhero shows will come to an end. At the panel, speaking about wrapping up the show, executive producer Marc Guggenheim said, “I think we all kind of want to leave the party while the party’s still going. There are logistical and budgetary… limitations… we don’t want to turn the show into something less than just to keep going.”
He added, “The whole exercise was ‘don’t screw it up. Hopefully, we didn’t screw that up. That did not feel like a risk at all… Stephen came in, very first audition, very first person, and the moment he opened his mouth, we’re like, ‘We’re okay. We’re fine.” There were some light moments at the panel as well as the cast and crew discussed the final season of the show. There was a fair amount of nostalgia, some wisecracks shared between that the cast who have worked together for over eight years and about the possibility of fans ending up hating the show, Amell didn’t seem too worried.
Similarly, the executive producer of Kristen Bell starrer ‘The Good Place’, Drew Goddard said about the last season of the show, “I think when people see the finale they will understand why the show needed to end right now.”
Contrary to this, the mood at the panels for ‘Supernatural’, and ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ was quite emotional. Actor Jared Padalecki said, “I’m really lucky because my friendships won’t go away and Sam Winchester won’t go away. He’ll be a part of me forever.” Actor Jensen Ackles who plays the role of Dean Winchester said, “The legacy I am proud of is knowing I put in the effort, we all did, and I’m proud that you guys can appreciate that.”
The executive producer of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, Jeph Loeb, said at the panel, “Today is really a celebration of the stories we told and an ending all of you deserve…because Agents of SHIELD fans rock.” EP Maurissa Tancharoen also said, “It’s really hard to believe that we’re at the end. I’m so proud of everyone up here and to all of [the fans]. Obviously, without all of [the fans], we wouldn’t have made it this far.”
