San Diego Comic-Con moves ahead without its usual star power

The time has come for the comic book-loving, cosplay-clad San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) attendees to flock to sunny southern California for the 2023 convention - but this year is looking just a tad different.

The con comes as Hollywood is at a standstill with the industry's unionized actors and writers on strike after negotiations with the major studios and streamers on new contracts fell apart.

With these strikes, there are rules that members have to follow - including being prohibited from participating in promotional events and conventions, according to SAG-AFTRA's FAQ page - and the effect of these rules will certainly be felt this weekend at the celebrated fan convention.

The Wrap reported in June that Marvel Studios is bowing out of presenting a panel or any of their usual Hall H fanfare this year (Hall H is the 6,500-seat convention hall that hosts the biggest and buzziest panels). Marvel's panels are usually the most anticipated, and con-goers would have perhaps gotten a first look this summer at the studio's upcoming projects including "The Marvels," "Agatha: Coven of Chaos" and "Deadpool 3."

James Gunn, the newly minted co-CEO of the Warner Bros.-owned DC Studios, replied to a commenter earlier this month on his Instagram page saying that he won't be at Comic-Con this year either, adding "but probably next year." So, it looks like there won't be any big Warner Bros. or DC Studios Hall H presentation this year, either. (CNN and DC Studios are both part of Warner Bros. Discovery.)

Last month, it was widely reported that other studios such as Universal Pictures, Lucasfilm, Legendary Entertainment, Sony Pictures and Netflix are following suit by opting out of this year's SDCC.

Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis, however, confirmed in an Instagram post last week that she'll be in San Diego this weekend, this time as an author of her graphic novel "Mother Nature," and is slated to participate in a discussion for "Mother Nature" on Friday.