The Vampire Lestat building wrap at SDCC 2026 featuring Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Delainey Hayles, Eric Bogosian, Assad Zaman and Jennifer Ehle. Photo: Sarabeth Pollock
It’s beginning to look a lot like San Diego Comic-Con 2026 as the storied Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown, San Diego, transforms into a pop culture hub. Though the convention takes place Thursday, July 23, to Sunday, July 26, preparations begin a week before the event. And yes, Beautiful Unwell, that means that AMC is leaving its mark on the Gaslamp with stunning new building wraps to celebrate The Vampire Lestat at SDCC 2026!
Things are looking a bit different this year. The Vampire Lestat building wrap is located on the Pendry San Diego, located at 550 J Street in the Gaslamp Quarter. The new location, while very visible and photogenic from bustling 5th Avenue, is not visible from the San Diego Convention Center, marking the first year that the vampires are not front and center at SDCC.
Take a look:
As you can see in the video and photos, taken July 14, work is in full swing at the Pendry. On one side, you can see Lestat (Sam Reid), Gabriella (Jennifer Ehle), Regina/Claudia (Delainey Hayles) and the start of what looks to be Daniel Molly (Eric Bogosian) on the bottom right.
On the other side, Louis (Jacob Anderson) is at the top and Lestat is in the middle. It looks like Armand (Assad Zaman) will be on the bottom right side.
There’s still a bit of work to be done at the Pendry, but at the rate the workers are going we’re guessing the wraps will be fully up by tomorrow. We also anticipate some smaller banners on the bottom windows, as has been the case when AMC used the Pendry for The Walking Dead wraps in the past.
Since AMC’s vampires and witches took over the Hilton Gaslamp hotel in 2022, the network utilized the Pendry to promote The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. Daryl Dixon isn’t making an appearance at SDCC 2026 but the other TWD spinoff, The Walking Dead: Dead City, will be on the main stage in Hall H just ahead of The Vampire Lestat panel. Given that the show’s third season premieres on July 26, it makes sense that AMC would give the show the spotlight at the Hilton.
Keep checking back for more updates as we bring you all the latest ahead of SDCC 2026.
