Planning a trip to Comic-Con can be a daunting experience. Sure, there's the usual travel-related issues, like setting up hotel accommodations and finding affordable plane tickets. But for those heading to this year's pop entertainment extravaganza in San Diego, which kicks off on Thursday, July 22, there are more serious problems to work out. For instance, how do you stay properly hydrated when you're dressed as the Human Torch?

Well, don't worry, folks, because we're here to help. No, we can't explain the best way for Jango Fett clone to use the bathroom (though we hear you can open that body armor using a sonic screwdriver), but we can do the next best thing: help you figure out how to plan your schedule. After all, with dozens of events and hundreds of celebrities on hand shilling seemingly every TV show and movie from 'Tron: Legacy' to 'Inner Mongolia's Got Talent!', figuring out the best use of your time is the key to having the best Comic-Con experience possible.

Of course, some things are obvious, such as the fact that Saturday is the can't-miss day of the event, thanks to previews of next year's massively buzzed-about comic book blockbusters 'Green Lantern,' 'Thor' and 'Captain America: The First Avenger.' But with so many events jamming the programming schedule this year, many of them simultaneously, it's easy to get overwhelmed with decisions like whether to attend that 'Chuck' screening or check out the 'Twilight' fanfic seminar instead. Without further ado, then, here's our guide to the highlights and must-see events of Comic-Con 2010:


Thursday, July 22

• 'Megamind' Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill will all be on hand to discuss this Dreamworks Animation story of good versus evil. Both Ferrell and Hill are double dipping at Comic-Con this year (more about their other projects below), but so far, there's no word about co-star Brad Pitt making an appearance. Still, his wife has a movie at Comic-Con this year, too, so we're going to put him down as a definite maybe. You can find this at 10AM in Hall H.

• 'The Hobbit' No, this movie still isn't officially greenlighted, but just in case it ever happens, the folks over at fan site TheOneRing.net will be holding a seminar anyway. And as the official program guide says, "special guests are a possibility." And isn't possibility what it's all about? Discover your own potential in Room 7AB at 10:30AM.

• 'Tron: Legacy' One of the most anticipated panels of the entire event takes place first thing Thursday morning, as Disney presents footage from 'Tron: Legacy.' Considering fans have been waiting 28 years for the sequel to 1982's 'Tron,' we have a feeling they'll have plenty of questions for director Joe Kosinski and stars Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde and Michael Sheen. You can find out the answers starting at 11:15AM in Hall H.

• 'Battle: Los Angeles' and 'Salt' Sony Pictures offers up this two-fer, featuring Aaron Eckhart and Michelle Rodriguez talking about their actioni flick 'Battle: Los Angeles.' Meanwhile, footage from 'Salt' will also be screened, though at present it doesn't appear that Angelina Jolie will be on hand. Still, we think the possibility is good enough reason to attend, right? 1PM in Hall H.

• 'RED' The good folks at Summit Entertainment brought the world 'Twilight,' and now they have their sights on another adaptation: 'RED,' a thriller starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren, based on the graphic novel from Warren Ellis. You can get the straight poop at 2:15PM in Hall H.

• The Visionaries Entertainment Weekly presents this roundtable discussion with 'Star Trek' director J. J. Abrams and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' creator Joss Whedon. On the docket: a debate over the future of superhero films. Take a peek into the future of entertainment in Hall H beginning at 3:30PM.

• 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' The film adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's hit indie comic 'Scott Pilgrim' has been building buzz online ever since the trailer, featuring nerd comedy prince Michael Cera in the lead role, landed back in March. Will the finished product live up to the hype? O'Malley and Cera, along with a massive cast that includes 'Twilight's' Anna Kendrick and 'Superman Returns' star Brandon Routh, will be on hand to provide firsthand insight beginning at 6PM in Hall H.


'Scott Pilgrim' Trailer


Friday, July 23

• 'Drive Angry' From the programming guide: "A vengeful father hunts down the people who brutally killed his daughter and kidnapped her baby." Naturally, it stars Nic Cage. What else do you need to know? Well, if there is something else, you can learn it by going to Hall H at 11:15AM and finding out from the horse's mouth.

• 'Skyline' Aliens suck the human population right off the face of the planet like interstellar anteaters. Pretty rough way to go. Learn more in Hall H at noon.

• 'Super' Liv Tyler and Rainn Wilson star in this "extremely violent" superhero comedy. So it's kinda like 'Kick-Ass' only with Dwight Schrute? We're so there. You can be there too if you head, once again, to Hall H at 1PM. In fact, why don't you just stay in Hall H for the whole convention and save yourself a lot of walking around?

• 'The Other Guys' and 'The Green Hornet' Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg and Eva Mendes will be on hand in person to discuss their upcoming buddy-cop comedy 'The Other Guys.' That's followed by Seth Rogen and Michael Gondry, among others, pitching their off-kilter take on 'The Green Hornet' to what is likely to be a somewhat skeptical crowd. This show runs from 4PM to 6PM (in Hall H, naturally), though, meaning you'll need to skip out early if you want to catch one of the highlights of Comic-Con:

• Roger Corman Yes, it's true: the B-list super genius will be on hand in person to talk about a legendary career that has spanned decades and spawned imitators too numerous to mention. Directors and cast members of films such as 'Piranha' and 'The Devil's Rejects' will be on hand as well, but Corman himself is undoubtedly the main attraction at this panel, which kicks off at 5:30PM in Room 25ABC.

• Rifftrax Usually by the time 7PM rolls around at Comic-Con, we're already in bed dreaming about stormtroopers and that group of Sailor Moon cosplayers. But this time we suggest sticking around, because the gang from Rifftrax will be presenting a live performance. Who are they, you ask? It's only the legendary team that brought the world 'Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie' Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett. Frankly, this panel is worth the price of admission by itself. Room 6DE.

Saturday, July 24

• 'Green Lantern' and 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' The convention's biggest day kicks off with perhaps its most anticipated event: the Warner Bros. panel featuring the Ryan Reynolds vehicle 'Green Lantern.' If that isn't enough, the showcase also features a look at one of the biggest movies of the upcoming holiday season, Part 1 of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.' And as if that weren't enough, wedged in between those two powerhouses the studio also has a look at Zack Snyder's latest flick, 'Sucker Punch.' You can scout the whole blockbuster lineup at 11:45AM in Hall H.

• The Return of Trailer Park Head to Hall H at 2:45PM for one of the highlights of the convention: Trailer Park, which allows film buffs to watch all of the latest and hottest movie trailers in one sitting without having to waste time with some pesky feature afterword. And this year, it's in 3-D!

• 'Resident Evil: Afterlife' Milla Jovovich and her torn red party dress return for more zombie-slaying mayhem in the fourth film in this video-game inspired franchise. You can scope her and co-stars Ali Larter and Wentworth Miller, along with director Paul W. S. Anderson, at 4PM in Hall H.

• 'Paul' and 'Cowboys & Aliens' Universal brings out the big guns in the form of 'Paul' stars Simon Pegg and Kristin Wiig to talk about their sci-fi comedy, while 'Iron Man' mastermind Jon Favreau discusses his latest project, the animated adventure 'Cowboys & Aliens.' 4:45PM in Hall H.

Chris Evans• 'Thor' and 'Captain America' If there's any presentation being buzzed about more than 'Green Lantern,' it's undoubtedly this event from Marvel Studios, which gives drooling fans a behind the scenes look at the filming of their latest blockbusters, 'Captain America' and 'Thor,' both of which are scheduled to hit theaters next summer as part of Marvel's massive shared film universe project. Both movies are currently shooting, so it's unlikely any of the stars will be able to make it -- but considering how the 2008 Comic-Con launched 'Iron Man' to its unprecedented worldwide success, we have a feeling that Marvel will be pulling out all the stops. Could we dare dream of more cast announcements about 'The Avengers'? This bad boy starts at 6PM in Hall H.


Sunday, July 25

• Children's Film Festival Have some unruly kids and need some 21st Century day care? Try dropping them off in Room 9 at 10AM. With seven straight hours of entertainment planned, that should give you plenty of time to do your own thing at the con without having your toddlers underfoot.

• 'Serenity' Browncoats Meeting Sunday is mostly turned over to television and events for the kids, but if you're a fan of Joss Whedon's space western 'Serenity,' you can meet with like-minded fans to plan your next screening. The big pow-wow starts at noon in Room 32AB.

• Harry Potter Fandom Panel What better way to end your Comic-Con experience than by commiserating with other Hogwarts Hardcores about the impeding end of the Potter film franchise? You can trade your Famous Wizard Card in Room 24ABC starting at 2PM.