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SDCC 2020 Canceled: James Gunn and 'The Walking Dead' weigh in as fans suggest a virtual convention instead

As the biggest comic book convention in the world, SDCC is practically the Mecca of all geekdom and its cancellation is pretty painful for everyone who looks forward to the annual event

The coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown just hit a bit too close to the heart for comic book fans, movie lovers and geeks of every variety with news coming in that the San Diego Comic-Con has been canceled for the first time in half a century. As the biggest comic book convention in the world, SDCC is practically the Mecca of all geekdom and its cancelation is pretty painful for everyone who looks forward to the annual event.

Even creators, directors and all the other people who work on the shows and movies we love are feeling the pain. 'Guardians of the Galaxy' director James Gunn was one of the first celebrities to weigh in on the cancellation. "It's the right thing to do, but I'm still sad to hear about #SDCC being canceled this year," Gunn wrote on Twitter. "I'll miss all of you. We as creators, studios, and publishers will have to find ways to make it up to you the fans in other ways."

The official Twitter account for AMC's 'The Walking Dead' joined the conversation tweeting, "We LOVE #SDCC, but we're happy local & state governments are taking the necessary steps to keep people safe! See y'all there next year 😎"

Well, on the one hand, it does suck that SDCC won't be happening this year, especially considering this would have been a milestone year for the event. But on the other hand, it is a necessary step and fans are hopeful that the event could still be conducted virtually.

"Oh no... #SDCC is the one thing I look forward to every year," one fan tweeted. "I hope they can find a way to release new stuff online. San Diego Comic-Con is off for the first time in its 50-year history."

Another fan wrote, "There's NO question going in person is a coveted, life-changing, better experience.🎉 #SDCC has grown to this Level! Livestreaming all panels in 2021 would expand GLOBAL conversation.🌍Twitter would break tenfold. And tickets would STILL sell out. Bet!"

"How about we all have a virtual @HallHLine party where we all spend 48 hours in our backyards waiting for Saturday's panels, and then @MarvelStudios present something really awesome online?" Yet another fan suggested.

What do you think about SDCC being canceled? Would you tune in if the panels and releases were streamed online? Let us know in the comments.