Usually, not having a Marvel Studios panel signals a less than exciting convention. There’s less rock-star energy and less hyped-up news (like last year’s Robert Downey Jr. reveal as Doctor Doom). But even with Marvel sitting out this year’s Comic-Con, the lineup is still surprisingly robust. (The below presentations all will appear in Hall H.)

South Park (July 24, 6:45 p.m.)

Creators Trey Stone and Matt Parker don’t mince words, and with the panel coming amid their $3 billion battle over the future of South Park, fans are hoping for some grousing about Skydance, the presumptive soon-to-be owner of Paramount they have blamed for holding up season 27.

The Long Walk (July 25, 3 p.m.)

The stacked cast of up-and- comers, including Cooper Hoffman and Alien: Romulus breakout David Jonsson, could make it The Outsiders of this generation. But the real reason to attend is to see how Lionsgate will position the film, which has subject matter so controversial — a contest in which men must walk at least 4 miles an hour or be shot — that New Line gave up the rights to the Stephen King novel several years ago.

Alien: Earth (July 25, 1:25 p.m.); Predator: Badlands (July 25, 4:15 p.m.)

After years of being considered second-rate properties, both are back on the upswing thanks to the 2022 Hulu hit Prey and last year’s Alien: Romulus. Now, Predator returns to Hall H with Prey director Dan Trachtenberg’s next venture, while Alien has the splashy Noah Hawley show. Parent company Disney is all over the con, bringing Jared Leto’s Tron: Ares to Hall H at 5:30 p.m. July 25.

Star Trek Universe (July 26, 12:30 p.m.)

Paramount+ brings the original geek property for its customary blockbuster 90-minute panel featuring the upcoming Starfleet Academy animated series and the fan favorite Strange New Worlds. It could be particularly poignant as that series was recently revealed to be ending.

Project Hail Mary (July 26, 2:15 p.m.)

Ryan Gosling returns to Comic-Con for the first time in nearly a decade, this time bringing his big-swing sci-fi epic. The movie also marks Spider-Verse favorites Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s first directorial effort since 2014.

Peacemaker (July 26, 3:30 p.m.)

James Gunn arrives for a Superman victory lap to preview season two of his series.

George Lucas (July 27, 11 a.m.)

The Star Wars mastermind, shockingly, has never been to the con. That changes this year when he’s joined by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Star Wars prequels production designer Doug Chiang for a sneak peek at the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

This story appeared in the July 23 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.