By Derrik J. Lang, Entertainment Writer
SAN DIEGO (AP) --The anti-heroes of "Mr. Robot" and "Suicide Squad" are breaking into San Diego Comic-Con in 360 degrees.
The creators of the USA Network hacker drama and the Warner Bros. supervillain mash-up respectively premiered virtual reality experiences Thursday in atmospheric venues located outside the San Diego Convention Center.
Unlike most other promotional VR content released alongside films and TV shows, the "Suicide Squad" and "Mr. Robot" short VR films featured their counterparts' casts and crew.
In the case of "Mr. Robot," the original, 12-minute VR experience was directed by series creator Sam Esmail and stars Rami Malek as he undergoes an emotional, marijuana-fueled flashback as "Mr. Robot" protagonist Elliot Alderson.
The short VR film initially premiered Thursday during a Petco Park event before doors opened to a venue a few blocks away that featured a recreation of Alderson's apartment from the series. Inside, fans could try out the experience and grab a free T-shirt.
For people not in attendance at the pop-culture convention, the "Mr. Robot" short VR film simultaneously appeared online Thursday on the Within VR app before it was taken down. It will be available again next week for all major VR platforms.
A few blocks away, the immersive VR experience for "Suicide Squad" was showcased in a venue designed to look like the fictional Belle Reve penitentiary. It depicted a scene from the movie where cast members including Will Smith, Jai Courtney and Margot Robbie battle a gooey horde of soldiers in 360 degrees.
The short VR film, which also showed the scene from the viewpoint of Robbie's manic Harley Quinn, will be released alongside the film Aug. 5 on the Samsung VR platform.
Afterward, fans could nab fake tattoos, T-shirts and other swag in the style of the forthcoming film's neon-hued baddies.
Both experiences are being demonstrated through Sunday with Samsung Gear VR for hundreds of fans waiting in lines snaking down the streets of San Diego. The headsets work in tandem with a Samsung smartphone rather than a computer.
Other entertainment properties with VR experiences on display at this week's Comic-Con include FX's "American Horror Story: Hotel," MTV's "Teen Wolf," Amazon's "The Man in the High Castle" and TBS' "Conan," which requires fans to don giant cartoon heads resembling the talk-show host.
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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