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The South American Pop Culture Nexus

Saturday, 06 December 2025 21:24

Summary

The Comic-Con Experience (CCXP) in São Paulo, Brazil, cemented its status as a critical launchpad for global entertainment in December 2025, with major studios unveiling exclusive footage and key details for their 2026 and 2027 slates. Marvel Studios and DC Studios dominated the international headlines, offering fans a first look at the gritty, punk-rock tone of the Supergirl film and the dark, street-level return of Daredevil: Born Again. Amazon Prime Video delivered a major update on the highly anticipated second season of Fallout, confirming its setting in the Mojave Wasteland and the iconic town of Novac. Crucially, the event also highlighted the growing strength of Brazilian national content, with MSP Studios announcing a new theme park and immersive exhibition celebrating the 90th birthday of cartoonist Mauricio de Sousa, while Prime Video showcased the expanded scope of its local hit series, Cangaço Novo. The convention served as a vital bridge between Hollywood's biggest franchises and the passionate, rapidly expanding Latin American market.

The New Global Stage for Hollywood's Biggest Reveals

The Comic-Con Experience, or CCXP, held annually in São Paulo, Brazil, has evolved from a regional fan convention into a mandatory stop on the global promotional circuit for major film and television studios3,11. The 2025 edition, which ran from December 4th to December 7th, reinforced this shift, with Hollywood’s biggest players using the Thunder Stage as a platform for exclusive, in-the-room-only announcements11,12. The event’s timing, positioned at the close of the calendar year, allows studios to generate significant buzz for their upcoming slates, particularly those scheduled for release in the first half of the following year17. The sheer scale of the convention, which transforms the São Paulo Expo into a massive entertainment pavilion, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, making it a crucial nexus for pop culture in Latin America3,11. The four-day festival featured a diverse programme, including panels with international celebrities, autograph sessions, and previews across cinema, television, comics, and games11. The presence of major international stars, such as Tom Wlaschiha and Dominic Monaghan, alongside a large contingent of the cast from the long-running series Supernatural, underscored the event’s global appeal1,11,12.

DC Studios Embraces the Cosmic and the Punk Rock

Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios delivered some of the most anticipated news of the convention, focusing heavily on their 2026 film slate10,16. The presentation centred on the upcoming film *Supergirl*, starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, which is scheduled for release on June 26, 20268,9. DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn provided a pre-recorded message for the audience, confirming that a 'sneak peek' of the Craig Gillespie-directed movie would debut exclusively at the event3,13. The footage immediately established a tone distinct from the studio’s other superhero properties, leaning into a grittier, louder, and more colourful aesthetic13. The teaser opened with a surprisingly grounded and comedic moment, showing Krypto the Superdog lifting his leg to urinate on a space rock9,13. The camera then panned to Kara, who appeared dishevelled and groggy, seemingly nursing a significant hangover9,13. This light-hearted start quickly transitioned as the iconic sound of a Blondie song, rumoured to be 'Call Me,' kicked in, launching a fast-paced montage of stylised action3,9. The montage featured Kara blasting through cosmic environments and delivering brutal punches to alien threats, showcasing a Supergirl who is ready to fight13. The film is based on Tom King’s acclaimed comic book series, *Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow*, which tells the story of a Kara Zor-El who is 'more hardcore' after witnessing the destruction of her world for the first 14 years of her life8,13. The display at the CCXP booth also offered a detailed look at Milly Alcock’s costume, which appeared similar to the one seen in the *Superman* film, and included a minor tease for the cosmic bounty hunter Lobo, played by Jason Momoa, via artwork of his signature axe3,10. The film will also feature Eve Ridley as Ruthye Mary Knolle and Matthias Schoenaerts as the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills8,9.

The Return of the Devil of Hell's Kitchen

Disney+ and Marvel Studios used their panel to focus on their expanding television universe, with exclusive footage from two of their most anticipated 2026 series1,17. The presentation confirmed that *Wonder Man* and *Daredevil: Born Again* Season 2 would be among the highlights, with both series set to debut in the first quarter of 20264,17. *Wonder Man*, which is set to kick off Marvel Studios’ 2026 slate on January 27, is described as a comedic look at the world of superhero filmmaking1,15,17. The sneak peek shown to the audience featured Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, the titular character, in a scene where he smashes a table in frustration, finally revealing his powers1. The footage also included a moment where Williams is conflicted about signing a form that requires him to deny having any superpowers, a nod to the series’ satirical take on Hollywood4. Ben Kingsley is set to reprise his role as Trevor Slattery, the actor who previously impersonated the Mandarin1,15. The most significant reveal, however, was the exclusive footage from *Daredevil: Born Again* Season 2, which is scheduled to premiere in March 20261,16. The clip confirmed the return of Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones, a former ally from the Defenders, and showed Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock experiencing what appeared to be a seizure1. The footage also introduced Matthew Lillard as the new antagonist, Mr. Charles, a character described as representing a new class of power players on the international stage, challenging Wilson Fisk’s control of New York1,10,16. Another description of the exclusive footage detailed a dark, tense scene reminiscent of the character’s comic book roots, with Matt Murdock chained in a cold room, using his heightened senses to track a barely alive person2. This was followed by a tense rooftop confrontation between Daredevil and Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher2. The show’s creative team confirmed that a third season has already been greenlit, securing the future of the street-level hero in the cinematic universe16.

The Mojave Wasteland and the Westerosi Hedge Knight

Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max also used the CCXP stage to provide crucial updates on their major genre properties7,11. The *Fallout* Season 2 panel, featuring stars Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Walton Goggins, and Justin Theroux, was a major draw, with the cast surprising over 3,500 fans at the Thunder Stage7. The highly anticipated second season, which premieres on December 17, will follow the trio’s journey through the Mojave Wasteland toward the ruins of New Vegas6,7. An exclusive clip was shown, confirming the inclusion of the fan-favourite town of Novac, identifiable by the iconic Dinky the T-Rex structure5,7. The scene depicted Lucy (Purnell) attempting to negotiate with dangerous Wastelanders for the release of The Ghoul (Goggins), who was dangling by his neck in a pool5. This moment highlighted Lucy’s moral evolution and the difficult choices she faces on her journey5. Walton Goggins noted that the second season was more difficult to shoot than the first, likening the larger story to the process of making a feature film [Ref: 7 in Step 1]. The season will also explore the origins of Mr. House, played by Justin Theroux, through pre-war flashbacks featuring Cooper Howard, The Ghoul’s pre-apocalypse identity14.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max division focused on its *Game of Thrones* prequel, *A Knight of Seven Kingdoms*7,9. Stars Peter Claffey (Ser Duncan the Tall) and Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) unveiled the final trailer for the first season, which is set to premiere on January 18, 20267,10. The series, based on George R.R. Martin’s *Tales of Dunk and Egg* novellas, is set a century before the events of *Game of Thrones* and follows the adventures of a naive but courageous hedge knight and his young squire, who is secretly a Targaryen prince8,10. The panel also provided a significant update on the show’s future, with Claffey announcing that filming for the already-renewed second season would begin the following Tuesday, December 9th5,8. The second season is confirmed to feature the controversial location of Dorne, a region of Westeros that was previously a point of contention among fans of the original series5.

Further details emerged regarding the DC Studios series *Lanterns*, which is being developed for HBO Max21,24. The show, which has been described as a 'terrestrial-based TV show' in the vein of *True Detective*, will follow Green Lanterns Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a murder in the American heartland19,24. A teaser screened for the press revealed a 'western' vibe with brownish tones and a brief scene of Hal Jordan flying, though no full costumes were shown20. The teaser also included a mention of the fan-favourite squirrel Green Lantern, Ch’p20. The series, which is a foundational part of the new DC Universe, has had its release date pushed back to the end of summer 202621,22.

The New Face of Classic Horror and Mortal Kombat's Tournament

Warner Bros. also used the CCXP platform to generate excitement for its major 2026 film releases outside of the superhero genre, including a new take on a classic horror icon and the sequel to a popular video game adaptation8,16. *The Bride*, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, is a radical reimagining of *The Bride of Frankenstein*, set in 1930s Chicago with a distinct punk aesthetic13,23. The film, which is set for release on March 6, 2026, stars Jessie Buckley as the titular Bride and Christian Bale as Frankenstein’s monster16,23. Gyllenhaal, who was inspired to revisit the story after seeing a man with a Bride of Frankenstein tattoo, noted that her version of the Bride speaks extensively, a stark contrast to the original 1935 film where the character is silent13,23. The plot centres on the reanimated Bride and the Monster becoming fugitives as they seek to avenge her murder23. The film’s tagline, 'Here Comes the Motherfucking Bride,' further underscores the project’s rebellious and modernised tone13.

New Line Cinema’s *Mortal Kombat 2* was also a major focus, with the sequel promising to deliver the full-blown Mortal Kombat tournament that the 2021 reboot largely avoided23,24. The film, which is scheduled for an October 24, 2025, release, will feature a host of new characters from the video game franchise23. Confirmed new additions to the cast include Karl Urban as the charismatic Hollywood action star Johnny Cage, Adeline Rudolph as Princess Kitana, Martyn Ford as the tyrannical Shao Kahn, Tati Gabrielle as Jade, and Damon Herriman as the sorcerer Quan Chi23,25. The sequel is expected to be a very gory and bloody follow-up, with New Line chief Richard Brenner promising 'amazing fights, epic battles and a few fatalities'23,24.

The Ascendancy of Brazilian Pop Culture

Beyond the international blockbusters, CCXP 2025 served as a powerful showcase for the burgeoning strength and diversity of Brazilian national content, demonstrating the country’s cultural influence in the global entertainment market2,17. The local highlight was the 'Mauricio 90 - Uma Viagem no Tempo' panel, which celebrated the 90th birthday of the legendary cartoonist Mauricio de Sousa, the creator of the iconic *Turma da Mônica* (Monica and Friends) franchise2,3,4. MSP Studios, the company responsible for his work, announced a significant expansion into immersive experiences for 2026 and beyond2,6. The centrepiece of this expansion is the *Expo VIVA Mauricio*, a large-scale immersive exhibition set to open on December 17th in Rio de Janeiro, which will feature rare documents, original art, and sensory recreations of emblematic settings like the Lemon Tree Neighbourhood and Horácio’s pre-history2,4. Furthermore, the studio announced the *Parque do Chico Bento*, a theme park dedicated to the beloved country boy character, scheduled to open in Campos do Jordão in 20272,6. In the audiovisual space, MSP Studios confirmed the second season of the animated series *Biduzidos*2.

Amazon Prime Video also dedicated a significant portion of its panel to its Brazilian original productions11,15. The second season of the hit series *Cangaço Novo* was announced for an April 2026 premiere, with the cast confirming that the new episodes will feature a 'monumental' level of action and required extensive stunt training17. The plot for the new season will see the main characters, Ubaldo and Dinorah, adopt an audacious strategy of robbing banks to finance the purchase of essential public services for the city of Cratará, which is suffering from a corrupt-induced water crisis15. The panel also showcased the new original film *Corrida dos Bichos* (Race of the Animals), a dystopian thriller set in a Rio de Janeiro where the sea has dried up15,17. The film features a star-studded Brazilian ensemble cast, including Rodrigo Santoro, Isis Valverde, and Bruno Gagliasso15.

Conclusion

The sheer volume and quality of the announcements at CCXP 2025 confirmed the event’s indispensable role in the global entertainment calendar, moving it far beyond the status of a mere regional convention11,12. The exclusive footage and detailed updates from Marvel, DC, and Amazon Prime Video demonstrated a strategic recognition of the Latin American audience as a primary driver of global pop culture consumption7,17. The dual focus on international blockbusters, such as the gritty, punk-rock *Supergirl* and the dark, detective-style *Lanterns*, alongside the ambitious expansion of local properties like *Turma da Mônica* and *Cangaço Novo*, illustrates a mature and sophisticated entertainment market2,13,15,20. The convention successfully bridged the gap between Hollywood’s biggest franchises and the rich, expanding universe of Brazilian storytelling, setting the narrative for the entertainment landscape of 2026 and beyond2,7,10,17.

References

  1. New Marvel Footage Shows Off Matthew Lillard's Daredevil: Born Again Villain, Krysten Ritter's Return to the MCU, and Wonder Man's Powers

    Supports details on the exclusive footage shown for Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 (Jessica Jones, Lillard's Mr. Charles, Kingpin boxing, Matt's seizure) and Wonder Man (table smashing, comedic tone, Ben Kingsley's return).

  2. New footage from Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 reportedly shown at CCXP

    Provides the specific, dark description of the Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 footage (chained in a cold room, hanging meat, confrontation with Frank Castle/Punisher).

  3. SUPERGIRL Teaser Confirmed For CCXP; Display Reveals Detailed Look At Milly Alcock's Costume, Lobo Tease

    Confirms the Supergirl sneak peek, James Gunn's message, the costume display, the Lobo tease, and the film's basis on Tom King's comic and its grittier tone.

  4. Wonder Man Teaser Trailer Sees Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Explore His Superpowers

    Provides details on the Wonder Man teaser, specifically the scene where Simon Williams is conflicted about signing a form denying his powers.

  5. Fallout Season 2 Debuts New Clip at CCXP 2026

    Details the exclusive Fallout Season 2 clip, including the Novac location, Dinky the T-Rex, Lucy's negotiation, and The Ghoul dangling in a pool.

  6. Fallout: The Series - IGN Southeast Asia

    Confirms the Fallout Season 2 premiere date (December 17) and the setting in the Mojave Wasteland toward New Vegas.

  7. Fallout 2 Release Date In India: First Look Out With Thrilling New Clip; Here's When It Will Premiere Online

    Confirms the cast presence at the panel (Purnell, Moten, Goggins, Theroux) and the audience size (3,500 fans) for the Fallout Season 2 clip.

  8. Official “Supergirl” Movie Website Goes Live!

    Confirms the Supergirl release date (June 26, 2026), the cast (Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Momoa as Lobo), and the comic book source (Woman of Tomorrow).

  9. SUPERGIRL Rumored Trailer Description Shared Online Ahead Of CCXP - Possible SPOILERS

    Provides the detailed description of the Supergirl teaser (Krypto peeing, hungover Kara, Blondie song, fast-paced action) and the rumoured song title ('Call Me').

  10. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Panel Highlights at CCXP in São Paulo

    Confirms the A Knight of Seven Kingdoms panel, the presence of Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, the final trailer reveal, the January 18, 2026 premiere date, and the series' basis on the Dunk and Egg novellas.

  11. Tudo sobre a CCXP 2025: Veja preço, como chegar e atrações confirmadas

    Confirms the CCXP 2025 dates (Dec 4-7), location (São Paulo Expo), and the general nature of the event (panels, previews, international celebrities).

  12. Programação | CCXP25

    Confirms the presence of international guests like Dominic Monaghan and the Brazilian Prime Video panel featuring Cangaço Novo and Corrida dos Bichos.

  13. Warner Bros CinemaCon 2025 Presentation Overview

    Provides details on The Bride (Maggie Gyllenhaal's vision, Jessie Buckley's role, 1930s Chicago setting, punk feel, tagline 'Here Comes the Motherfucking Bride').

  14. New Vegas references you might've missed in the Fallout season 2 teaser

    Supports the detail about Mr. House's origins being explored through pre-war flashbacks featuring Cooper Howard in Fallout Season 2.

  15. CCXP 25 | Elenco de 'Cangaço Novo' e 'Corrida dos Bichos' marcam presença em painel!

    Confirms the cast presence for Cangaço Novo and Corrida dos Bichos, the plot of Cangaço Novo Season 2 (robbing banks for public services after water crisis), and the dystopian Rio setting and ensemble cast for Corrida dos Bichos.

  16. Warner Bros reschedules release dates for Leonardo DiCaprio's next with Paul Thomas Anderson, The Bride and others

    Confirms The Bride's March 6, 2026 release date and the casting of Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley.

  17. 'Cangaço Novo': 2ª temporada tem nível de ação monumental, diz Alice Carvalho; veja data de estreia

    Confirms the Cangaço Novo Season 2 premiere date (April 2026), the monumental action level, and the inclusion of the new film Corrida dos Bichos.

  18. CCXP25 | Mauricio de Sousa tem painel confirmado no evento

    Confirms the MSP Studios panel 'Mauricio 90 - Uma Viagem no Tempo' celebrating Mauricio de Sousa's 90 years and the presence of executive directors.

  19. DC's Lanterns' HBO Max Release Date Estimate, News & Updates

    Provides the plot details for Lanterns (True Detective-like, Hal Jordan and John Stewart investigating a murder in the American heartland) and the cast (Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre).

  20. LANTERNS Teaser Debuts At HBO Max Upfront; Description Highlights Flying Sequence, [SPOILER] Mention, & More

    Details the Lanterns teaser description (western vibe, brownish tones, Hal Jordan flying, mention of Ch'p) and the Hal/John dynamic.

  21. DC Studios' 'Lanterns' Pushed to End of Summer 2026 at HBO

    Confirms the Lanterns release date push to end of summer 2026.

  22. DC Studios announces update on 'Lanterns' release

    Confirms the Lanterns release date push to summer 2026, as announced by HBO and HBO Max CEO Casey Bloys.

  23. Warner Bros. reanimates Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride at CinemaCon, plus looks at Final Destination: Bloodlines, Mortal Kombat II & more!

    Provides details on The Bride (punk love story, Christian Bale as the Monster, avenging murder) and Mortal Kombat 2 (full tournament, promise of gore and fatalities).

  24. LANTERNS Release Date Moves to Summer 2026

    Confirms the Lanterns plot as an original detective story and a foundational part of the DCU.

  25. Mortal Kombat 2 (2025) – 10 New Characters Confirmed!

    Lists the confirmed new characters for Mortal Kombat 2: Karl Urban (Johnny Cage), Adeline Rudolph (Kitana), Martyn Ford (Shao Kahn), Tati Gabrielle (Jade), and Damon Herriman (Quan Chi).

  26. MSP Estúdios anuncia grandes lançamentos na CCXP e reafirma expansão da empresa fundada por Mauricio de Sousa

    Provides details on the MSP Studios announcements: Expo VIVA Mauricio (immersive exhibition, rare art, sensory recreation of settings) and the Parque do Chico Bento (theme park planned for 2027), and the second season of Biduzidos.

  27. A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Season 2 Reveals Controversial Location

    Confirms the A Knight of Seven Kingdoms Season 2 filming start date (next week/Dec 9) and the inclusion of the controversial location of Dorne.