NYCC 2020: Getting Freaky with Monster Hunter in the Metaverse

As with other 2020 conventions, New York Comic-Con (NYCC) is launching its “Metaverse” virtual edition this year with some panels destined to appeal to horror fans.

Thanks to COVID-19, the in-person experience of film festivals and conventions has been postponed indefinitely. But for those looking for their communal fix-by-proxy, many showrunners have figured out methods of bringing home the convention and festival experience via intimate, socially distanced methods. The Fantasia Festival found a way, and now New York Comic-Con (NYCC hereafter) is following suit.

NYCC has subtitled their 2020 edition “Metaverse” – which makes a certain amount of sense, as we all seem to be living inside The Matrix at this point. That aside, the con is offering horror fans some panels worth tuning in for. Deadline has the full details.

Blumhouse recently dropped the trailer for their upcoming teen horror-comedy Freaky, wherein an unpopular high-school girl finds herself in the body (figuratively speaking) of a serial killer. With echoes of Freaky Friday (pick your version) and Vice Versa running through its DNA, writer-director Christopher Landon is clearly interested in the lighter side of this story.

Landon will be part of a Freaky panel which, true to NYCC form, will be stacked with principal cast and behind-the-scenes talent including Vince Vaughn, Kathryn Newton, Celeste O’Connor, Misha Osherovich and producer Jason Blum.

Ever the expert at marketing his low-budget efforts, it will be interesting to see what Blum has to share with home viewers that will lead them to buy a ticket when Freaky is released theatrically on Friday, Nov.13.

In addition to representation from the Blumhouse machine, genre fans who enjoy the work of Paul W.S. Anderson will get a chance to preview the filmmaker’s latest videogame adaptation, Monster Hunter. Due in theaters April 23, the film stars Milla Jovovich, Tony Jaa, Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris, Meagan Good, Diego Boneta and Ron Perlman, among others.

But Anderson’s panel won’t be limited to the preview; he will be on hand to discuss his extensive body of work, including the Resident Evil franchise. And who knows? Maybe he’ll reflect on the cult-horror sci-fi favorite Event Horizon while he has the floor…

NYCC Metaverse runs from October 8 – 11. More details can be found here. 

Are you looking forward to NYCC 2020? Let us know in the comments.