SAN DIEGO, CA – Sky Elements is thrilled to announce its involvement in the #DeadpoolAndWolverine premiere at San Diego Comic-Con! The drone show, held over Petco Park and facing the San Diego Convention Center, saw crowds pour out of the Comic-Con screening of Deadpool and Wolverine on release night. Attendees, including stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and the extended cast, were greeted by a 700-foot-tall Deadpool in the skies above San Diego. The Deadpool drone show was a massive surprise to the thousands of attendees below.
Marvel breaks a Guinness World Record… and breaks it again
The evening was marked by Marvel setting a Guinness World Record for the “Largest aerial display of a fictional character formed by multirotors/drones.” Marvel broke this title twice in the same show. The first formation featured Deadpool, consisting of 1,599 drones, setting a new benchmark. In a playful twist befitting the character, the record was broken again with Wolverine’s formation, using 1,607 drones. The show concluded with a surprising teaser for the Fantastic Four, where Sky Elements deployed their brand-new pyro drones. Pyro ripped through the sky, creating a flaming ‘4’ in the sky with 300 pyro modules. “The ‘4’ made history as the largest pyro drone display in the Americas,” said Chief Pilot of Sky Elements, Preston Ward.
The Deadpool drone show is the largest drone show flown in the United States
Sky Elements performs the most drone shows in America annually, but this is the largest show they have ever performed. 2,400 drones took to the skies, showcasing Deadpool and Wolverine’s antics. “Our team jumped through many hurdles to get to this scale,” said Preston. “We’re comfortable creating things for the first time, so while pulling it off was challenging, our team rose to the occasion.” Sky Elements had fifty people working throughout the week to ensure this show flew perfectly.
Pyro drones burn through the sky to reveal The Fantastic Four’s logo
Another remarkable example of firsts is the company’s use of pyrotechnics on drones. Sky Elements is the first drone show company to receive an FAA waiver to fly pyrotechnics from drones. The technology debuted publicly this Fourth of July with a viral pyro eagle formation. “We found the addition of pyro drones to be the next logical step for the Deadpool and Wolverine show,” said Brian Geck, Creative Director for Sky Elements. “Being able to tease the Fantastic Four with the Human Torch’s ‘4’ in the sky in real life was incredible. There are so many creative ways to use the tech. Still, this application is truly the most exciting way to debut pyro drones publicly at Comic-Con.”
Partnerships across the country made the Deadpool drone show go off without a hitch
The success of the event was a collaborative effort among several organizations. Disney and Marvel, as the primary clients, envisioned the stunt, while San Diego Comic-Con provided the ideal audience. Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, hosted Sky Elements’ team and provided the launch site for the drones. Each partner dedicated their efforts to creating a spectacle, putting creativity, teamwork, and safety above all. “The audience at Comic-Con is the dream audience for this show,” said Rick Boss, President of Sky Elements. “Making a truly custom experience for Marvel fans is a dream come true for our team. We are always looking to make the biggest impact with our shows and will continue to outdo ourselves in the coming months. Thank you to the whole team that made it happen.”
Lastly, if you’d like to see what Sky Elements can do for your next event, contact us for a quote. Our team is ready to answer the call to bring your next big idea to life!