Pushing ahead with an aggressive move into new markets while retaining many of its most popular venues, Wizard World, Inc. today announced the first iteration of its 2018 calendar, securing a total of 11 events, including 11 holdovers from successful 2017 shows. The company also announced that five events in Biloxi , Miss., Montgomery, Ala., Peoria,  Ill., Springfield, Mo., and Winston-Salem, N.C. have been postponed from their originally scheduled fourth-quarter dates in 2017 to similar dates in 2018.

The 2018 schedule, which will likely add some additional cities to be announced, is comprised as follows (*denotes new for 2018):

• January 5-7, New Orleans, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
• February 2-4, St. Louis, America’s Center
• March 2-4, Cleveland, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
• April 13-15, Portland, Ore., Oregon Convention Center
• May 17-20, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Convention Center
• June 1-3, Des Moines, Iowa, Iowa Events Center
• June 8-10, Columbus, Ohio, Greater Columbus Convention Center
• *July 13-15, Boise, Idaho, Boise Centre
• August 23-26, Chicago, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
• September 21-23, Madison, Wis., Alliant Energy Center
• October 26-28, Oklahoma City, Cox Convention Center
• Fall TBD, Austin, Texas, Austin Convention Center
• *October/November TBD, Biloxi, Miss., Mississippi Coliseum & Convention Center
• *October/November TBD, Montgomery, Ala., Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center
• *October/November TBD, Peoria, Ill., Peoria Civic Center
• *October/November TBD, Springfield, Mo., University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center
• *October/November TBD, Winston-Salem, N.C., Benton Convention Center

The rosters of celebrities and artists at each city are still being formed; to date, a few have already committed to several events, including New Orleans: Stan Lee (Marvel CEO Emeritus), Jason Momoa  (Aquaman, Justice League); St. Louis: Bonnie Wright ( Harry Potter franchise), Michael Rosenbaum ("Smallville," Guardians of the Galaxy 2); Cleveland: Jon Heder  (Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory), Holly Marie Combs (“Charmed,” “Pretty Little Liars”); Portland: Rosenbaum, Wright. Additional celebrities and creators, as well as entertainment and programming schedules, will be announced closer to each respective date.

“The confirmed portion of Wizard World’s 2018 schedule combines many of the cities which have proven most attractive to fans with some new markets that we believe will embrace us similarly,” said John D. Maatta, Wizard World President and C.E.O. “In moving five of our more recently announced shows to 2018, we are better equipped to put on the kind of successful pop culture celebration that our fans have come to expect.”

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.

Wizard World Comic Con is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday evening at each show.

​From Digital Spy

Zack Snyder has confirmed that he won't be getting involved with Justice League again, after he 'stepped back' from the upcoming film earlier this year.

The director made the decision to hand over the movie to Avengers director Joss Whedon following the tragic death of his daughter in May.
​
In a recent interview with Wired, Zack confirmed that he wouldn't be returning to Justice League's creative team, admitting he thought it would be "unfair in a lot of ways" to do so.

​After several months away from the film, Zack said that he's feeling excited about what's in store following Whedon's takeover.

"I'm happy for my guys and I love these people that are working on it, and they're my family and I think they're doing an amazing job," he said. "But I've kind of just let them do their thing."

Although Snyder stepped aside from the film's extensive re-shoots, Batman himself Ben Affleck recently explained that Zack's presence is still very much felt in the finished product.

Calling the finished work "interesting and unique", Ben said both directors had "really strong takes" on Justice League's direction.

"I've never had that experience before making a movie," he admitted. "I have to say, I really love working with Zack, and I really love the stuff we've done with Joss."
​
Justice League will hit cinemas on November 17.