HBO Max returns to San Diego with immersive experiences for 'Lanterns,' 'House of the Dragon' and more
HBO Max is returning to San Diego this summer with a series of interactive experiences, screenings and talent panels tied to its slate of original programming, the company announced.
The activations will highlight two new series — “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” and “Lanterns” — along with an advance screening of an upcoming episode of “House of the Dragon.”
“Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” a Max Original comedy from Warner Bros. Television, debuts July 23. The series is set inside “The Comic Center of Pasadena,” the comic book shop featured in “The Big Bang Theory.” Starting July 23, HBO Max will host an interactive activation based on the shop, inviting fans to discover their “hero archetypes” through a narrative-driven experience that guides them through character-based decisions across multiple realities.
The series follows comic shop owner Stuart Bloom, played by Kevin Sussman, as he tries to fix reality after breaking a device built by former “Big Bang Theory” characters Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally triggering a multiverse catastrophe. He is joined by his girlfriend, Denise, played by Lauren Lapkus; his friend Bert, played by Brian Posehn; and Barry Kripke, played by John Ross Bowie. The show is produced by Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Lorre, Zak Penn and Bill Prady created the series and serve as writers and executive producers. Kyle Newacheck is an executive producer and will direct multiple episodes.
“Lanterns,” from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television, debuts Aug. 16. Also starting July 23, HBO Max will present an activation called the “Lanterns Training Headquarters,” where attendees can take part in hands-on challenges designed to test their fearlessness ahead of the show’s debut season.
The series is based on the “Green Lantern” comic books and follows John Stewart, a new recruit, and Hal Jordan, a veteran Lantern, as the two intergalactic officers investigate a murder in the American heartland that carries cosmic implications. Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King co-wrote the pilot and serve as co-creators; Mundy is showrunner. James Hawes will direct the first two episodes, with Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel and Alik Sakharov also directing episodes. Mundy, Lindelof, James Gunn, Peter Safran, King, Ron Schmidt and Hawes are executive producers.
On July 25, HBO Max will host an advance screening of the sixth episode of the third season of “House of the Dragon,” the HBO Original series set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones.” The show, based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” follows the story of House Targaryen.
The third season’s cast includes Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, James Norton, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin and Abubakar Salim. Ryan Condal is co-creator, showrunner and executive producer. Martin is co-creator and executive producer. Sara Hess, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Vince Gerardis, David Hancock and Philippa Goslett also serve as executive producers.
Full Details for STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE:
Beginning Thursday, July 23 and open through Sunday, July 26, HBO Max will debut an immersive fan experience inspired by STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE, inviting fans to step inside the series’ expanding multiverse. The activation brings Stuart’s “The Comic Center of Pasadena” to life, transforming the familiar comic shop from THE BIG BANG THEORY universe into a portal‑hopping journey through multiple worlds tied to the show. Designed as an interactive, story driven experience, guests will move through a series of in‑world touchpoints - beginning with a portal walkthrough and culminating in a reveal that challenges fans to discover their hero archetypes, with each path connected to a character from the series. Along the way, fans will encounter interactive moments, photo‑ops with a replica machine from the show, plus exclusive merch and a personalized collectible takeaway
STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE | Sparks Gallery - 530 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA
Thursday, July 23: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Friday, July 24: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday, July 25: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Sunday, July 26: 11:00am – 3:00pm
On Thursday, July 23, HBO Max will host the STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE panel at the San Diego Convention Center in Hall H from 2:15pm – 3:15pm. The event will feature an exclusive advance screening of the highly anticipated Max Original spinoff of THE BIG BANG THEORY, followed by a must-see panel packed with surprises and featuring creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady, plus stars Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, John Ross Bowie, and Brian Posehn. Moderated by Felicia Day. Earlier in the day, the cast and creators will hit DC’s booth (#4544) for a signing session from 12:30pm – 1:00pm.
Full Details for LANTERNS:
From Thursday, July 23 through Saturday, July 25, HBO Max will invite fans to prove their fearlessness at the “Lanterns Training Headquarters” experience. Inspired by the setting of Rushville, Nebraska, the activation unfolds as a guided training journey where fans will receive a briefing from the Guardians and will be evaluated through a series of interactive challenges designed to reveal if they have what it takes to wear the ring. Along the way, guests will move through hands-on experiences including target practice, trust-based challenges, maze navigation, and escape‑room style mystery scenarios set within in‑world environments like a Sheriff’s office and dive bar. The experience culminates for trainees with a custom Green Lantern ring to take home, an opportunity to simulate using a Green Lantern ring on a Snapchat powered interactive mirror and the opportunity to purchase exclusive LANTERNS merch from Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products.
Sign-ups for the “Lanterns Training Headquarters” activation will open on Monday, July 13 at 9:00am PT at hbomax.com/lanternstraininghq. Reservations are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. All guests must be 18 or older to attend. Follow @greenlantern on social media for more information and sign-up details.
HBO Max will also partner with local businesses in the Gaslamp district for surprise swag giveaways in addition to a LANTERNS Recharge Station for fans to cool off and charge their phones using Lantern Batteries.
LANTERNS Training Headquarters | Venue 808 -808 J St,San Diego, CA
Thursday, July 23: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Friday, July 24: 11:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday, July 25: 11:00am – 9:00pm
On Friday, July 24, HBO Max will host the LANTERNS panel at the San Diego Convention Center in Hall H from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm. Step into the world of the Green Lantern Corps as Kyle Chandler (Hal Jordan) and Aaron Pierre (John Stewart) unite with Garret Dillahunt (William Macon), Poorna Jagannathan (Zoe), and visionary co-creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King. Prepare for an epic deep dive into the highly anticipated new series with an exclusive first look with never‑before‑seen clips and behind‑the‑scenes insights.
Full Details for HOUSE OF THE DRAGON S3:
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 3 Fan Screening | San Diego Convention Center, Room 6DE
On Saturday, July 25 from 10:00-11:15 p.m. in San Diego Convention Center Hall Room 6DE, HBO Max will host a special advance fan screening of Season 3, Episode 6 featuring an introduction from co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal.