One Piece, Highlander Reboot, and the Rise of Space Operas | Distance Nerding Interview Pt. 2

In this lively episode of GeekFreaks Podcast, Frank and the gang dig deep into the latest pop culture chatter. We cover the lively debate over which fictional characters would thrive on social media, break down the intense new trailer for One Piece season two, and share candid thoughts on the Highlander reboot casting news. Squeaks and Jonathan pitch their dream remakes and sequels, from Short Circuit to Back to the Future. We also talk about DC’s rumored “henchman” movie—and pitch our own cheeky DC headlines. Lastly, the crew celebrates the return of space opera epics and welcomes Distance Nerd's Jen, Liam, and Graveyard for a spirited interview on fandom culture.

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Timestamps & Topics

• 00:00:00 – 00:03:00 – Introduction and “Fictional Characters on Social Media” debate: Star‑Lord, Joker, Riddler, and Flash.

• 00:03:00 – 00:06:00 – One Piece season two trailer reaction: multiple arcs, what to expect from Reverse Mountain and Alabasta, and Chopper's introduction.

• 00:06:00 – 00:08:00 – Does anime need to stick to the manga? Filler episodes versus character moments.

• 00:08:00 – 00:11:30 – News: Dave Bautista cast in the Highlander reboot—why the debate around his physique doesn't matter.

• 00:11:30 – 00:15:00 – What remakes do we actually want? Ideas range from Short Circuit’s AI twist to a refreshed Back to the Future.

• 00:15:00 – 00:20:00 – Squeaks’ ultimate pitch: E.T. returns—and he’s connected to the Star Wars Senate cameo?

• 00:20:00 – 00:27:00 – DC rumors: Zach Cregger’s “Henchman” script, who could carry a story about the accidental capture of Batman, and why Elseworlds stories are fun.

• 00:27:00 – 00:38:00 – Main Discussion: The renaissance of space operas. From Dune and Avatar to upcoming Star Wars projects and the importance of spectacle, practical effects vs. CGI, and why grand storytelling is back.

• 00:38:00 – 00:49:00 – “Geek Culture and Community” interview with Distance Nerd’s Jen, Graveyard, and Liam: building an online fan community, favorite sci‑fi properties, and how their live podcast style resonates with listeners.

• 00:49:00 – 01:09:00 – More pop culture news and games: Marvel’s Green Lantern theory, fake DC news challenge, and the crew’s comedic speculations on Mr. Freeze, Clayface, and Ryan Reynolds’ ultimate crossover.

• 01:09:00 – end – Wrap‑up: Episode highlights, network updates, content from other podcasts, and personal recommendations—how King of the Hill’s return hits the right notes, why Dope Thief on Apple TV is a sleeper hit, and more.

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Key Takeaways

• Fictional characters on TikTok? The gang imagines Star‑Lord taking selfies across galaxies, the Riddler fostering a cult following, and Flash zipping around doing livestreams from inside STAR Labs.

• One Piece season two will be jam‑packed. Squeaks notes the show will likely fold multiple arcs into one season, meaning nonstop action and beloved characters like Chopper and Nico Robin.

• Remakes done right: While the crew is wary of endless reboots, they’d love to see Short Circuit reimagined with modern AI themes or a thoughtful sequel to E.T. set in today’s world.

• DC’s “henchman” movie intrigues. Zach Cregger’s script idea follows a low‑level villain who accidentally knocks out Batman and then wrestles with what to do—worth exploring as an Elseworlds story, especially if it digs into Gotham’s underclass.

• Space operas are back. Thanks to Dune, Avatar, and upcoming Star Wars films, the spectacle‑heavy genre is enjoying a resurgence. The team loves the blend of practical effects and CGI when done well, but they emphasize the need for strong characters and meaningful themes.

• Geek culture lives online. Jen, Liam, and Graveyard from Distance Nerd share how they’ve cultivated a welcoming space for fans and why live, improvisational podcasting keeps the energy high.

• Fun with fake news. The hosts plan to prank DC fans with tongue‑in‑cheek rumors—like Batman stealing Green Lantern’s ring or Mr. Freeze battling Clayface—just to poke fun at internet speculation.

• Personal recs: King of the Hill’s revival hits all the right notes, Dope Thief on Apple TV delivers gripping crime drama, and Apple TV quietly produces award‑worthy content.

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Memorable Quotes

• “Thriving on social media doesn’t mean everybody loves you—it just means you have a huge following.” – Frank

• “Star‑Lord with different aliens, different species, fighting and selfies in strange worlds? Yes, please!” – Squeaks

• “Sometimes the monsters show us what it means to be human.” – Frank on beloved AI and sci‑fi themes

• “Practical effects still matter; CGI needs to be done beautifully—think Dune’s sandworms or Avatar’s Pandora.” – Squeaks

• “We’re casual, we’re opinionated, and we’re fans of fans. That’s what Distance Nerd stands for.” – Jen

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Listener Questions
Have a question or topic you’d like us to cover? Submit your question via DM or by emailing [email protected]. We’ll feature listener questions on an upcoming episode—so let us know what’s on your geek mind!

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Apple Podcast Tags
Geek culture podcast, One Piece season two trailer, Highlander reboot news, Space opera comeback, DC universe henchman movie rumor