Chris Pine had never played Dungeons & Dragons until he was asked to star in a film about the popular role-playing board game — now, he's a convert.
Speaking to thousands of fans in a convention hall at San Diego Comic-Con, Pine said he hoped the big-screen adaptation of the game, due in cinemas next March, would help "spread the gospel of D&D". It's something everyone should play in high school, he said.
"You can get the bully, the jock ... all in a room and I guarantee you in 20 minutes no one will remember what kind of class they came from, or who their best friends are, or who the dork is," he said. "They just want to laugh."
The Wonder Woman actor helped launch the return of the city's comic con for the first time since 2019. The annual, star-studded celebration of superheroes and pop culture was cancelled for two years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Organisers said they expect a crowd of 130,000 guests across the weekend.
Dungeons & Dragons co-writer and director John Francis Daley said he aimed for the film to capture the feeling of camaraderie and "family coming together to face obstacles" he experiences when playing the game.
Called Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves the film also stars Fast & Furious actress Michelle Rodriguez, Bridgerton actor Rege-Jean Page and British rom-com favourite Hugh Grant, who said the movie "had a real Monty Python vibe".
The appearance on Thursday marked Grant's first at the city's renowned comic con.
"We did try to come with Sense and Sensibility but were turned away," Grant joked, in reference to the 1995 period film her starred in.
See highlights from day one of San Diego Comic-Con — in pictures
-
From left, Aldis Hodge, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Quintessa Swindell participate in the Black Adam portion of the Warner Bros Theatrical panel on day three of the San Diego Comic-Con International. AP -
From left, moderator Stephen Colbert, Robert Aramayo and Benjamin Walker participate in a panel for 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' on day two of Comic-Con International. AP -
Jameela Jamil attends the Marvel Cinematic Universe mega panel at the 2022 Comic-Con International. Reuters -
Michaela Coel attends the Marvel Cinematic Universe mega panel at the 2022 Comic-Con International. Reuters -
Jonathan Majors and Paul Rudd at the Marvel Cinematic Universe mega panel during the 2022 Comic-Con International. Reuters -
From left, director James Gunn with actors Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Will Poulter and Maria Bakalova, present 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3' at the Marvel panel, during Comic-Con International. AFP -
Actress Lucy Liu arrives on stage to speak about the film 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods' during the Warner Bros panel at Comic-Con. AFP -
Actor Dwayne Johnson presents his film 'Black Adam' during the Warner Bros panel. AFP -
English actors Matt Smith and Emma D'Arcy on stage at the HBO 'House of the Dragon' panel. AFP -
The cast of HBO's 'House of the Dragon' during the panel. AFP -
A statue of Vecna from 'Stranger Things' appears outside the convention centre on day one of Comic-Con. AP -
A cosplayer dressed as Spider-man from 'Captain America: Civil War'. AFP -
Ben Stiller attends a panel for the television series 'Severance' on day one of San Diego Comic-Con. AP -
A young cosplayer Sirius Black, 7, dressed as Loki, at the event. AFP -
From left, Stephen Root, Dolph Lundgren, Tiffany Smith, William Shatner, Robert David, and Gregory Mone speak onstage at the 'Masters of the Universe: 40 Years' panel. AFP -
Jose Cuadros cosplays as Aquaman. AP Photo -
Sarah Michelle Gellar participates in a panel for 'Teen Wolf: The Movie' on day one of San Diego Comic-Con. AP Photo -
The event is being held at San Diego Convention Centre. AFP -
Hugh Grant speaks during a panel for 'Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves'. AP Photo -
A young fan at the event. AFP -
Michelle Rodriguez participates in a panel for 'Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' on day one of San Diego Comic-Con. AP Photo -
Fans cosplaly as the Joker, left, and Superman. EPA -
William Shatner at the event. AFP -
Fan Leslie Acosta poses with Patrick Star from the animated television series 'SpongeBob Squarepants'. AP Photo -
Lauren Ridloff poses for a portrait to promote the Inevitable Foundation on day one of San Diego Comic-Con. AP Photo -
The Nintendo booth has a 14-foot tall king-sized Lego creation of 'Super Mario' character The Mighty Bowser. AP Photo -
Cosplayers dressed as Greek water gods from 'Percy Jackson'. AFP -
A fan cosplays as Senna from 'League of Legends'. AP Photo -
After two years of virtual events due to the pandemic, the convention is welcoming back fans in-person. AFP -
An attendee gets a photo with cosplayers dressed as Batman and Red Hood outside the convention centre during day one of San Diego Comic-Con. AFP
