Comic Con: Warner Bros builds outdoor entertainment stage

In order to help with the crowd control of Comic Con, Warner Bros. has lightened the load at least a little bit on the already crowded halls but having an Extra stage. 

Warner Bros. is bringing an outdoor festival that will feature guest appearances from Warner Bros. properties, including stars from The Big Bang Theory, Fringe and The Vampire Diaries. Perhaps the coolest of attractions will be the presence of all six Batmobiles, from George Barris’ 1955 Lincoln Futura all the way up to “The Dark Knight Rises’”current model Tumbler. .

Check out the press release below:

BURBANK, Calif. (July 2, 2012) – For the first time ever, Warner Bros. Entertainment will present Extra at Comic-Con®, a free outdoor entertainment festival happening in San Diego’s Bayfront Park July 12-14 during Comic-Con International: San Diego. Bayfront Park is located between the San Diego Convention Center and the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel.

Located just steps from the Convention Center, Extra at Comic-Con will be a live, multi-day entertainment experience capturing all the excitement of the Studio’s fan-facing properties: FromThe Lord of the Rings to the DC Universe, they’re all here!

To download Extra at Comic-Con artwork, click here: http://bit.ly/M0wdxR

“Everyone at Warner Bros. Television approaches Comic-Con as a fan-first experience. It’s in our DNA, with everything we do – from panels to signings to our bags, posters and more – carefully curated with our fans in mind,” said Lisa Gregorian, Chief Marketing Officer, Warner Bros. Television Group. “With the Extra at Comic-Con space, we have created a free and fun outdoor entertainment destination for fans. In addition to having all the Batmobiles on display and game demos, we will be hosting interviews throughout the day on the Extra stage, as well as evening and night events such as screenings and live comedy and musical performances after the convention floor closes for the day. It’s additive to the experience of being at the Con.”

Extra at Comic-Con attractions include:

THE EXTRA STAGE

The centerpiece of this 60,000-square-foot outdoor entertainment event is the Extra stage. Featuring Q&As, live performances, screenings and talent interviews presented by the long-running hit TV entertainment magazine Extra, the stage will be a constant – and free – place for fans to go beyond the Con.

Stars from The Big Bang Theory, Fringe, The Vampire Diaries and more will appear live on the Extra stage to tape interviews with Extra’s on-camera hosts

Warner Bros. will also distribute the studio’s Comic-Con special edition of TV Guide Magazine – with four sets of collectible flip covers featuring the casts of The Big Bang Theory, Fringe, Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries – at the Extra stage

A full live event schedule will be posted at the Extra stage and online atwww.thewb.com/comiccon

ALL SIX BATMOBILES!

On display in “The Batcave”: all six Batmobiles from television and film! For the first time ever, Comic-Con fans will have the opportunity to see all of Batman’s iconic onscreen vehicles live and in person, from Adam West’s 1955 Lincoln Futura to the Tumbler from The Dark Knight trilogy.

Adam West’s 1955 Lincoln Futura. Designed by George Barris, this original Batmobile was featured in the cult classic television series and 1966′s Batman, the Movie.

Michael Keaton’s Batmobile from 1989′s Batman and 1992′s Batman Returns. Sleek and powerful with a central turbine, the vehicles’ slightly retro design followed Tim Burton’s art deco look of the films.

Revamped for Joel Schumacher’s 1995 Batman Forever, with bat-lighting and extended fins, Val Kilmer’s hot rod had the ability to drive up walls.

Schumacher updated the Batmobile once again for George Clooney in 1997′s Batman & Robin. At 33 feet long and a top speed of 350 mph with afterburner thrust, this was the largest and fastest Batmobile on the road.

The Tumbler designed for Christopher Nolan’s 2005 Batman Begins and 2008′s The Dark Knight is the prototype military vehicle designed by the character Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman).

The unveiling of the replacement Camouflage Tumbler, to be seen in 2012′s The Dark Knight Rises, in theaters and IMAX July 20.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS VIDEO GAME SHOWCASE

With anticipation mounting for Warner Bros. Pictures’ December 14, 2012, release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey motion picture, directed by Peter Jackson and a production of New Line Cinema and MGM, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is showcasing two upcoming games set in Middle-earth.

Fans can play hands-on with new video game Guardians of Middle-earth as characters including Gandalf, Sauron, Gollum, Thrain, Galadriel, Legolas and many more. This new multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game allows up to 10 players to engage in competitive matches. The game includes tie-ins with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey film. Tournaments will take place each evening, with prizes including custom-painted video game console systems and high-end gaming audio gear.

·       LEGO® The Lord of the Rings: 3D Street Art. From the creative minds at Planet Streetpainting comes a one-of-a-kind, LEGO The Lord of the Rings-inspired 3D street art design that will be created and on display for fans of all ages over the course of three days, July 13-15. Stop by each day and watch the artwork unfold!

For additional information about Warner Bros. Television activities at Comic-Con, follow us on Twitter @TheWBdotcom (hashtag #WBSDCC) and visitwww.thewb.com/comiccon.

For exclusive footage from the Extra stage, please visit www.extratv.com and follow Extra on Twitter @extratv.