By Derrik J. Lang, Entertainment Writer
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (AP) --After a five-year hiatus, "Heroes" is soaring into Comic-Con to win back fans.
The superhero series about everyday folks with extraordinary powers debuted at the pop-culture convention nine years ago and went on to become a TV phenomenon. The show ran for four seasons before it was killed off by NBC following steep declines in viewership.
"Heroes" creator Tim Kring launched a Sunday session at Comic-Con featuring the cast of the upcoming follow-up series "Heroes Reborn" by directly addressing the show's fans.
"For those people who stuck with it and watched every single episode, you have my undying gratitude," Kring said. "For those of you along the way who maybe grew a little tired because you perceived that perhaps the show grew a little tired, I really only have one thing to say about that."
The cast and crew had "a long rest, a good night's sleep," and they're "ready to save the world again," he said.
Kring was joined on stage by returning "Heroes" stars Greg Grunberg, Jack Coleman, Jimmy Jean-Louis and Masi Oka, as well as such newcomers as Zachary Levi, Robbie Kay, Ryan Guzman and Gatlin Green.
"Heroes Reborn" is set five years after "Heroes" ended and will focus on super-humans — or EVOs, as they were called in footage shown Sunday — living in hiding to avoid persecution by society.
"This is 'Heroes' on steroids," said Grunberg, who is reprising his role as mind-reading detective Matt Parkman in "Heroes Reborn."
"Chuck" star Zachary Levi has joined the cast as a gun-toting villain named Luke Collins. He's apparently hunting EVOs. In a scene from a "Heroes Reborn" trailer, his character is standing over a pile of bodies with a gun in his hand.
"Luke is very tortured guy," Levi said. "He's gone down a very dark path in his very twisted relationship with his wife. They've been very hurt by something that's happened."
The panel ended with footage of Masi Oka's Hiro wielding two swords to save Sendhil Ramamurthy's Mohinder from a baddie with the apparent ability to duplicate his body.
"Heroes Reborn" debuts Sept. 24 on NBC.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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