Top 7 Moments Of San Diego Comic-Con 2019

SAN DIEGO — That’s a wrap! Believe it, fan boys and fan girls: Another year of pop culture pilgrimage to San Diego has come and gone. Sadly, it’s once again time to put away your favorite cosplays and begin counting down the days until next year’s biggest nerd convention.

But not so fast! Let’s first take a look back at this year’s event. After all, the 50th edition of Comic-Con International was full of delightful surprises, big reunions and emotional farewells that will resonate with pop culture fans for ages.

From Tom Cruise surprising fans to Natalie Portman swinging Thor’s hammer, here are our favorite highlights from Comic-Con’s golden anniversary edition in no particular order.

Top 7 Moments of San Diego Comic-Con 2019

No. 1: Tom Cruise surprising fans at Comic-Con

Who would have thought Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell would suddenly show up at this year’s Comic-Con? Well, that’s exactly what happened when Tom Cruise walked onstage surprising fans in Hall H with the first trailer for “Top Gun: Maverick.”

Watch the trailer:

No. 2: Natalie Portman wielding Thor’s hammer as Mighty Thor

Natalie Portman appeared at Comic-Con this year with the announcement that the Oscar-winning actress will play Mighty Thor, Goddess of Thunder, in the upcoming film, “Thor: Love and Thunder.” And the film’s director, Taika Waititi, alongside her co-star Chris Hemsworth, showed exactly how she will play the role as she lifted Thor’s hammer for the first time ever.

Check out the photo:

No. 3: Mahershala Ali wearing an unusual baseball hat at Comic-Con

As the Marvel panel wrapped up in Hall H, Marvel boss Kevin Feige had one more big surprise for the evening. “Ladies and Gentlemen, two-time Academy Award winner, Mahershala Ali,” announced Feige, who then said to Ali, “You look like you brought your own hat. What is that?” Ali pulled out the hat from his pocket making the crowd go wild.

As it turned out, the Oscar-winning actor will be the new version of superhero Blade, the role Wesley Snipes originated in 1988.

Check out the photo:

No. 4: “Game of Thrones” Cast bidding their final goodbyes at Comic-Con

After a final season that turned out to be divisive amongst “Game of Thrones” fans, several cast members of HBO’s popular show appeared at Comic-Con one last time to talk about the controversial series ending and offer some fascinating tidbits as well.

Check out the photo:

No. 5: Henry Cavill returning to Comic-Con with a new titular role

Netflix unveiled the first trailer for its upcoming series, “The Witcher,” at Comic-Con, starring Henry Cavill as the titular monster hunter Geralt of Rivia. Fans in Hall H were wondering if Netflix’s new series might fill the “Game of Thrones” void. Watch the trailer below to see for yourself.

Watch the trailer:

No. 6: “Riverdale” Panel honoring the late Luke Perry

The “Riverdale” Comic-Con panel honored the late Luke Perry with a touching tribute reel showing Perry’s best moments in the series. It was also announced that Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry’s former “Beverly Hills, 90210” co-star in the ‘90s, would guest star in the season 4 premiere of the show to help pay tribute to the late actor.

Check out the photo:

No. 7: Mark Hamill receiving the Comic-Con 2019 Icon Award

Mark Hamill received this year’s Icon Award with humility, glee — and some humor. “If it weren't for you, I certainly wouldn't be standing here. I started coming to these cons years before I met George [Lucas],” said Hamill. “I remember, I was at the con when they said 'did you hear? There's going to be five thousand people this year'."

Check out the photo:

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• San Diego Comic-Con 2019: Cosplay Photos Of The Day
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