It is no secret that Bruce Campbell knows how to steal a show. Comic-Con makes no exception to that rule. Campbell lived up to fans expectations and may have possibly outdone himself this year.
This year's Burn Notice panel consisted of Writers Alfredo Barrios Jr. and Matt Nix, as well as the legendary Bruce Campbell (Sam Axe), and actor/director Tim Matheson (Larry Sizemore). Moderating the panel this year was actor Chris Vance, who has guest-starred on Burn Notice as bad guy Mason Gilroy.
The panel was perfectly balanced between honest answers to some great questions from both the crowd and Vance, and comedy provided mostly by Campbell but also from Matheson and Nix. Some of the attendees even made a few bucks from Campbell who was handing out cash for compliments.
All of the questions asked were answered honestly and most
came with a great behind-the-scenes anecdote. Campbell talked about
filming scenes in the infamous Charger on hot Miami days. "Jeffrey
Donovan (Michael Weston) does not sweat. I projectile sweat," Campbell
states as he pats down his forehead with a cloth and continues, "I sweat
a little less now for various reasons, but I finally got to see Jeffrey
Donovan sweat. It was last season in August in that car and he looked
at me and said 'I'm sweating.' The next day there was an A/C unit
installed into that vehicle that could cool an air-craft carrier. So
it's not so bad now that Jeffrey Donovan got sweaty."
The one thing the panel did lack for me was more insider information regarding what we can expect to see this season. One thing Campbell did say was that we would see more of Matheson, as Frank would be coming back ("to be annoying as hell," as he put it). Campbell also told us to expect an episode where Fiona gets kidnapped and then advised "Never. Kidnap. Fiona." When asked about seeing more Fiona and Sam action we were advised only to expect something good.
We Now Interrupt This Panel for Some Actual News ... Sort of
The panel brought not one but two interruptions to announce some breaking news. The first being that the Burn Notice Facebook page hit 1 million fans, and the second, coming directly from a USA exec, declaring that USA will be producing a Burn Notice prequel movie starring Bruce Campbell. The movie will tell Sam Axe's story, including why he ended up retiring to Miami. Nix confirmed how breaking the news was by saying, "An hour ago we weren't sure we were going to say anything!" He gave a few ideas he had about what they were going to do with Bruce, including possibly giving him a chainsaw for a hand. Nix certainly knows how to get a Comic-Con crowd riled up. Campbell offered up some money to Nix for that great idea. Out of nowhere Matheson then pulls out a money clip twice as thick as Campbell's and begins laying the bills in front of Nix asking "So, who's going to be directing this movie?"
The panel wrapped with Campbell throwing some T-shirts into the crowd. Every member of the audience was given a ticket good for a shirt. USA really knows how to take care of their fans. If you missed it this year then it looks like you will get another opportunity to catch it next year. Burn Notice is full speed ahead and shows no signs of slowing.
Are you excited about the idea of a Burn Notice prequel? Sound off in the comments!