Expect the unexpected at Comic-Con.
Thousands wearing their red lanyards and passes filled the San Diego Convention Center Thursday for the first day of Comic-Con 2009.
The annual celebration of all things pop culture, known for its big-name celebrities and die-hard fans who dress as their favorite heroes (or villains).
Even on the first day, the celeb sightings were fast and furious.
Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance during the Disney Animation Panel in Hall H on Thursday. Depp, along with director Tim Burton, showed a clip from the March release of "Alice in Wonderland."
"Alice" looks wild, fast and hilarious. Moderator and actor Oswalt Patton, said, "I've always wanted to do PCP so thank you!" after watching the clip that was shown three times.
Fans also went wild to Disney's "A Christmas Carol" directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Jim Carrey. (Alas, no Carrey). The film looks kooky and creepy and as Zemeckis, who also directed "Back to the Future and "Polar Express" says "It's a ghost story."
Other star power included Jeff Bridges who along with other co-stars from the movie, showed sneak peeks at the upcoming "Tron: Legacy" film.
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Jorge Garcia, from "Lost" was also spotted walking into the Convention Center. So expect to probably see him during the final panel for "Lost" on Saturday as well.
Fans waited for hours for doors to open Thursday. Some even put up tents. For Aura Reynolds and her 10-year old daughter Rebecca, both big "Twlight" fans, waiting for more than 24 hours was no sweat.
"We're here for the duration," Aura said. "Once I started Twilight, it’s an instant connection, even before the movie. I read all four books in about three days."
The new movie, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," is the topic of a panel Thursday and a screening in the Gaslamp.
Other highlights include the convention's first 3D screening, Tim Burton's first Comic-Con appearance, the annual address by Kevin Smith and of course updates on some of the hottest shows. "Heroes," "Lost," "24" and just about every hit on Nickelodeon will be present this weekend.
For preview night, fans enjoyed a screening of "V" and got to see the convention floor before it opened. Two first-timers, Mark Berry and Kyle Garrett from Oregon, were excited to lose their "Comic-Con virginity."
"I mainly came here because I wanted to check out Kevin Smith’s panel, I’m a big fan of his," said Berry. His friend agreed. "Yeah, Kevin Smith is awesome – and Transformers, are pretty sick," Garrett said. "Great movie."
Outside the convention center, local businesses are ready for the crowds. Some have extended their hours to handle the crush of convention goers looking for snacks at the end of the day. The Hard Rock Hotel's Mary Jane's Cafe has been converted into Cafe Diem, from the Sci-Fi network show "Eureka." The menus, uniforms, signage -- even the toast is branded.
"We were actually going to go someplace else and we walked down the street and I was like 'Oh my God! Cafe Diem Sci Fi Channel!'," said Patty Rattay one Comic-Con fan who opted for breakfast Thursday.
Check back all week for updates from the "Con" here on NBCSanDiego.com. Send your Comic-Con pics to isee@nbcsandiego.com.
