Other studios that say they are skipping Comic-Con this year include Sony, Disney-owned Lucasfilm, Universal Pictures, Netflix and HBO.

At least some of the blame for poor performances has been tied to late-night talk shows canceled because of the writers’ strike, preventing actors from promoting films to potential audiences.

Major films expected to be hits in the last few weeks - “The Flash,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and “Elemental” - all flopped. Yet one possibility for a deal is increasing pressure on the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to approve something with the actors because movies at the box office have taken a hit in recent weeks. Handel said industry sources say a strike is likely to happen. However, he said it’s possible the union could approve a waiver to allow actors to do promotions during the voting process. So, even if a deal is reached July 12, it won’t be done in time for the convention. Handel said it’s increasingly clear that actors will not be at Comic-Con because it typically takes the union three to four weeks to ratify a new contract.

If the actors go on strike, they can’t appear for promotional events. The Screen Actors Guild agreed to an extension of its contract last week, which was due to expire, until July 12.

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