Failure to Franchise
A bi-weekly podcast devoted to infamous examples of failed film-franchise starters. In a Hollywood landscape dominated by giant tentpole movies, not all attempted franchises can succeed. Many intended first entries of a series fail to generate the planned sequels due to low box office, poor judgement, or, simply put... utter incompetence. This show is a celebration of (or perhaps a memorial for) those failures, as hosts Trev and Chris dissect what went wrong with these cinematic misfires. @F2Fpod on all the socials! Like us there, Like us everywhere!
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Episode 140 - The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018)
02/24/2026
Episode 140 - The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018)
"The Girl with the Failed February Franchises" concludes with our look at 2018's The Girl in the Spider's Web. Even though the previous film hadn't made as much as Sony had hoped for, it still earned Rooney Mara an Oscar nomination, received critical acclaim, and the entire creative team was down to return for more. So, of course the thing to do is...ignore all that and instead hire a new director and cast to jump ahead to the fourth book (the first not written by series creator Stieg Larsson) and try to reboot the franchise with a much smaller budget. How did that work out for them? Well, we're covering it here, so, you know. Still, we're here to give it a fair shot, discussing whether horror director Fede Alvarez was the right choice to replace Fincher, if Claire Foy is a worthy Lisbeth Salander, and if the movie's global-stakes espionage thriller vibes truly feels appropriate for the overall franchise and character.
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Episode 139 - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
02/10/2026
Episode 139 - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
In 2005 (and 2008 for the American translation), the posthumous release of Swedish author Stieg Larsson's "Millennium Trilogy" took the world by storm. A series of Swedish cinematic adaptations soon followed, making even bigger pop culture icons of the characters of Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist, and Lisbeth Salander, the punk computer hacker with a mysterious past. And then, Hollywood decided to take their crack at it...not once, but twice. And we're investigating both, with our "The Girl with the Failed February Franchises" theme month! First, a look at 2011's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig as Blomkvist and Rooney Mara as Salander, the American adaptation was seen by some as a more prestigious adaptation of the first book in Larsson's series; a surefire awards contender and franchise starter. But was it released too soon after the Swedish films? Was its subject matter actually too dark for American audiences, especially given its Christmas release? We explore these questions and more, including how the film rates as part of Fincher's overall filmography, and what it meant for his career moving forward.
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Episode 138 - The Predator (2018)
01/27/2026
Episode 138 - The Predator (2018)
"Thomas JANEuary" concludes with 2018's The Predator, an attempt to resurrect, revitalize, and "event-ize" the classic sci-fi action franchise. To do so, 20th Century Fox recruited famed Hollywood action screenwriter and the acclaimed director of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Nice Guys, and Iron Man 3 (and co-star of the original Predator movie), Shane Black, as well as his former Monster Squad collaborator Fred Dekker, to helm a new entry with an interesting ensemble cast. But The Predator would face a particularly rocky road to the big screen, and we're here to discuss the film's various production headaches and controversies...and explore the important question of the month = what's the deal with Thomas Jane in this one??
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Episode 137 - Give 'Em Hell Malone (2010)
01/13/2026
Episode 137 - Give 'Em Hell Malone (2010)
We recently realized, though it was never our specific intention, that we covered Thomas Jane movies the last two January's of this podcast. So, what the heck...let's lean in! Welcome to "Thomas JANEuary," a two-episode tribute to the rugged, prickly, shoe-hating star of The Punisher, The Mist, Mutant Chronicles, HBO's Hung, and so much more. First up, we're looking at 2010's Give 'Em Hell, Malone. A relic from the dying days of the DTV era, this indie neo-noir thriller seeks to pay tribute to the hardboiled PI stories and classic film noirs of old...whether or not it truly has the budget to do so. Can Thomas Jane effectively channel the spirit of Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, Mike Hammer, and other classic hardboiled heroes? Can Highlander director Russell Mulcahy still conjure the same sort of visual dynamism with a much lower budget? And where does the line between loving genre pastiche and cynical genre parody truly begin, or end? We discuss all this and more, as we give 'em hell, Malone.
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Episode 136 - Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
12/30/2025
Episode 136 - Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
A new year is almost upon us, but you know what they say: the holiday season isn't officially over until you've listened to part two of "Failure to Franchise presents Trev & Chris-tmas." This time, Trev gifts Chris the long-in-the-works passion project of legendary filmmaker James Cameron, the cyberpunk manga adaptation Alita: Battle Angel. But, wait...if this was Cameron's passion project, why the heck is it directed by Robert Rodriguez? We discuss that and more, including the unique marriage of Cameron and Rodriguez's sensibilities, the eclectic but sometimes wasted cast, and the strengths and weaknesses of the film's worldbuilding. It's a movie that James Cameron still insists will get a sequel, and as the recent Avatar: Fire & Ash box office proves once again, you can never count Big Jim out. But do we really believe him about this one? And do we even want a sequel? Listen on and find out.
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Episode 135 - I, Frankenstein (2014)
12/16/2025
Episode 135 - I, Frankenstein (2014)
It's that most wonderful time of the year, and "Failure to Franchise Presents Trev and Chris-tmas" kicks off with a timely look at a sci-fi action take on one of the most important, iconic, and revered properties of all time. And to be sure, 2014's I, Frankenstein pays homage to Mary Shelley's beloved creation by including all the most cherished elements of her classic novel...the heroic gargoyles who are actually angels; the evil human businessman who is secretly an ancient demon; the Filipino Kali stick fighting! Well, okay...maybe this movie took some liberties with the source material. But, amongst all these strange and surprising additions to the Frankenstein mythology we all know and love, we're here to dive into the real important question at the heart of this movie - what the heck is the deal with Aaron Eckhart's career??
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Episode 134 - Elf (2003)
12/02/2025
Episode 134 - Elf (2003)
It's a very special F2F Holiday Special! Before we exchange our gifts for our next annual "Failure to Franchise presents Trev & Chris-tmas," we're taking a brief, merry break to visit one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time, and arguably the last movie to date to enter the "Classic Christmas Movie" canon, 2003's Elf. Directed by a pre-Iron Man and Star Wars Jon Favreau, and starring Will Ferrell in his first major leading role, Elf was a giant hit upon release and continues to delight audiences of all ages every holiday season to this very day...so why was there never a sequel? And, is it possible for anyone not to be entirely charmed by the film? We explore both questions, before gifting each other our next two movies!
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Episode 133 - The Crow (2024)
11/18/2025
Episode 133 - The Crow (2024)
"CROWvember" concludes! Not with another Russell Crowe movie, but with the actual bird! Sorta? I dunno, just roll with us here, as we look at 2024's The Crow, a long-gestating comic book movie franchise reboot that went through a lot of permutations, with multiple directors and leading men attached, before finally arriving (with Rupert Sanders at the helm and Bill Skarsgard in the lead role), and being met with a combination of audience apathy and outright anger. But is the movie better than the reputation it immediately cultivated? Is it a worthy part of the Crow franchise legacy? And does it justify its own existence, despite the concerns of many that it was disrespectful to Brandon Lee and the tragedy of the original film to even make this movie in the first place?
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Episode 132 - Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
11/04/2025
Episode 132 - Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
New month, new theme. We're kicking off "CROWvember" with yet another failed franchise starter from the surprisingly-regularly-featured-on-F2F Russell Crowe. But this time, it's a classy, prestige play Oscar contender from acclaimed filmmaker Peter Weir that was, nevertheless, meant to hopefully kick off a cinematic series. Adapted from the long-running "Aubrey/Maturin" period war-drama novel series by Patrick O'Brian, 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a rousing 19th century naval battle action epic. But for all the excitement of ship vs. ship conflict, at the heart of the film is a story of loyalty, duty, and male friendship. In an era unfortunately dominated by displays of male toxicity, did we two dudes find something more admirable and aspirational in the friendship of the two dudes played by Crowe and Paul Bettany? And, do we think even a big Best Picture contender like this could really justify a blockbuster-like series of sequels? We discuss all this and more, as we set out to sail in the choppy waters of "CROWvember."
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Episode 131 - Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
10/21/2025
Episode 131 - Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
Our special "Trick 'r(esident) Tre(vil)" month concludes, with the 2021 cinematic reboot of the Resident Evil series. We've lost Milla Jovovich and Paul W.S. Anderson (except for an in-name-only producer credit), but hey, we've got a crap-ton of 1998 references to make up for it! That's because Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City promised to be a more faithful adaptation of the original video game source material, condensing the first two games into one movie. And yet, even with this allegedly more accurate representation of the beloved video game series, Welcome to Raccoon City clearly did not spawn the same sort of long-running, financially successful franchise that Paul W.S. Anderson's less faithful adaptation did. But...why? We pull out our Palm Pilots and investigate.
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Success to Series #6 - The 'Resident Evil' Franchise
10/07/2025
Success to Series #6 - The 'Resident Evil' Franchise
For a special Halloween edition of our "Success to Series" spin-off show, we're taking a break from our usual failures and instead beginning our "Trick 'r(esident) Tre(vil)" theme month, with a loving look at a series we unironically adore - Paul W.S. Anderson's six-film Resident Evil saga (2002-2016), starring Milla Jovovich. We explain why we genuinely enjoy this oft critically-panned series, once again pontificate on the star-power of Jovovich, and try to figure out why we're okay with the huge liberties Anderson took when adapting the video game source material. Ultimately, we take a look at each individual entry in the franchise, sharing our favorite moments and characters, and discuss why the series can possibly be viewed as a deeply personal auteur vision. Yes, that's right, we're still talking about Paul W.S. Anderson movies. So get ready to kick some zombie dogs - and kick aside any concerns about continuity or narrative logic, while you're at it - and join us for an in-depth look at Resident Evil.
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Episode 130 - Shaft (2019)
09/23/2025
Episode 130 - Shaft (2019)
"Double-Shafted September" concludes with our look at Shaft, the second reboot of Shaft, following Shaft. Yeah, ok, this is pretty confusing without the years, isn't it? Just to be clear, this is the 2019 version, another attempt to kick-start a version of the franchise with Samuel L. Jackson as John Shaft, Jr. But this time, he's not alone, as the actual, ostensible main character is actually Jr's son, John "JJ" Shaft III, played by The Boys' Jessie T. Usher. JJ is a new kind of Shaft, a nerdy, millennial tech-expert working for the FBI. But when he decides to conduct a personal investigation into the death of a close friend, JJ is forced to team up with his absentee, old-fashioned, private eye father. If you think this sounds like a goofy "buddy cop" premise, you're not wrong, as the 2019 Shaft attempts to take the series in a more comedy-based direction. Is it successful as a comedy? Is it successful as a Shaft movie? Is it even successful as a sequel to the previous Shaft? We discuss all this, and more, as we once again get double-shafted.
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Episode 129 - Shaft (2000)
09/09/2025
Episode 129 - Shaft (2000)
Are you ready to be shafted? No? Well, how about...double-shafted?? Cause we're kicking off "Double-Shafted September," a two-episode series dedicated to both attempts to relaunch the iconic Blaxploitation franchise that started with 1971's Shaft. First up, we're looking at 2000's Shaft (yep, same name), directed by John Singleton, and starring Hollywood's biggest badass M'Fer, Samuel L. Jackson. In this updated version, Jackson plays John Shaft, the nephew of Richard Roundtree's original John Shaft, this time an NYC detective working to bring the wealthy perpetrator of a heinous race-crime (Christian Bale) to justice. But standing in his way is a vindictive local gangster (Jeffrey Wright)...and a troubled behind-the-scenes production which frustrated many involved with making the movie. Is this Shaft as sexy and cool as the original? Was Samuel L. Jackson the right man to inherit the role? And can a supporting performance be both problematic and still arguably the best thing about the movie? We discuss all this, and more!
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Episode 128 - The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (1987)
08/26/2025
Episode 128 - The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (1987)
Here it is! It's all been building to this! The epic conclusion of "Summer Surprise," and one of our most anticipated....err, or should we say dreaded episodes yet! That's right, it's 1987's The Garbage Pail Kids, based on the controversial, extremely popular, '80s Topps trading card set parodying the mega-successful Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. How does one make a movie out of a non-narrative trading card line? Is the proper target audience for a Garbage Pail Kids movie kids or adults? Can an audience handle over 90 minutes of looking at purposely disgusting mutant children and their various body fluids? Is the world of fashion a proper setting for an anarchic, gross-out comedy? And, most importantly, does "Small Town Witch Summer" continue? We explore all these questions and more, as we finally dive into the intentional stinky, slimy junk-pile that is The Garbage Pail Kids Movie.
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Episode 127 - The House with a Clock in its Walls (2018)
08/12/2025
Episode 127 - The House with a Clock in its Walls (2018)
"Summer Surprise" continues with...what's this? Another witch movie?? That's right, but this one has a hell of a pedigree. A family dark-fantasy romp from Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett, and directed by...Eli Roth?? Huh. So how did the infamous filmmaker behind such extreme horror hits as Cabin Fever, Hostel, and Thanksgiving handle the opportunity to helm a more family-friendly adventure story based on the first book in a popular series of children's novels? Was this still an effective match for his twisted sensibilities, or a defective marriage of contrasting styles? Can Jack Black's unique charisma keep this clock ticking? How does it compare to the Goosebumps films of the same era, also starring Black? Is there such a thing as too many poop jokes? We discuss all this, and more!
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Episode 126 - I Spy (2002)
07/29/2025
Episode 126 - I Spy (2002)
The "Summer Surprise" randomizer brings us yet another classic TV show turned big-budget movie, this time with a look at 2002's I Spy, a groundbreaking dramatic spy series from the '60s starring Robert Culp and Bill Cosby, now re-imagined as an action-comedy big-screen adventure starring Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy. The cinematic I Spy clearly failed to make the impact the filmmakers hoped for, but is it entirely the movie's fault? How much did Eddie Murphy's other then recent box-office bombs hurt the perception of this film? Does original star Bill Cosby's tarnished legacy now further diminish the movie's reputation? Or did the movie itself just miss the mark with the changes it made to the source material? We ponder all these questions and more, in - surprisingly - one of our most contentious episodes in some time!
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Episode 125 - Beautiful Creatures (2013)
07/15/2025
Episode 125 - Beautiful Creatures (2013)
"Summer Surprise" rolls along, and this time around our online randomizer has chosen a film from perhaps our most dreaded cinematic genre - a "supernatural romance" YA adaptation! That's right, 2013's Beautiful Creatures was another studio attempt to cash-in on and replicate the success of Twilight, and upon its release it was roundly dismissed as such by both critics and audiences. But could this Southern Gothic tale of love and witchcraft possibly work its magic on us? If nothing else, will we fall under the spell of one of the most impressive ensemble casts we've encountered so far, with Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Jeremy Irons, Emma Thompson, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Margo Martindale, Zoey Deutch, and Lois Lane herself, Rachel Brosnahan? Or will we once again be left "cursing" the fates that caused us to watch yet another YA adaptation?
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Episode 124 - Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
07/01/2025
Episode 124 - Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
"Summer Surprise," our annual event where an online randomizer picks our slate of summer movies, kicks off with 1988's attempt to turn the iconic TV horror hostess Elvira into an iconic big screen star...which, obviously, didn't quite work out. But why? With Elvira-mania in full swing in the 80s, what kept the spooky and goofy comedy of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark from connecting with movie audiences? We investigate that question, and also explore the history of the Elvira character and fascinating life of Cassandra Peterson, the woman behind Elvira. All the while, Elvira-neophyte Chris worries an admittedly Elvira-obsessed Trev might not be able to contain himself during the discussion. So, c'mon, don't be a boob; and be sure to listen to one of our breast episodes yet!
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Episode 123 - Tekken (2009/2010/2011???)
06/17/2025
Episode 123 - Tekken (2009/2010/2011???)
"Fighting VideoLAMES" concludes, with a look at the adaptation at one of the most popular, financially successful fighting game franchises in the world. But even that pedigree wasn't enough to save the movie from a lengthy struggle to even get released. Disregarded by many fans upset over changes to the source material, and equally disavowed by the game's creators, the Tekken movie is arguably one of the lesser-known cinematic video game adaptations. But does any of that necessarily mean it's bad? We're here to discuss that very question, and also ponder what exactly constitutes a "failed franchise," as this movie did manage a sequel of sorts a few years later. So why are we talking about it here? Listen on to find out! Plus, a preview of our upcoming episodes with the selection of our annual "Summer Surprise" movies!
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Episode 122 - DOA: Dead or Alive (2006) w/ Special Guest: Jackie Charniga
06/03/2025
Episode 122 - DOA: Dead or Alive (2006) w/ Special Guest: Jackie Charniga
"Fighting VideoLAMES" continues with a look at the adaptation of Tecmo's Dead or Alive video game franchise. The games, about an international martial arts tournament put on by a mysterious, potentially sinister corporation, are known not only for their fast-paced hand-to-hand combat and colorful roster of characters, but also for their focus on beautiful, badass female characters and, controversially, the "jiggle physics" animation that is used to bring them to life (most infamously seen in the Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball spinoff). The 2006 cinematic adaptation, helmed by Hong Kong martial arts film legend Corey Yuen, looked to embrace the same outlandish, silly, and sexy spirit as the games. But this begs the question; is the resultant film ultimately more exploitative than exciting? We knew we couldn't (shouldn't?) try to answer this question alone, so for this discussion, we've recruited an actual woman (gasp!) to join in the fun. That's right, our friend Jackie returns to F2F to discuss her own experience with video games (and their sometimes heavily gendered nature), before we all dive in dissect DOA: Dead or Alive, in what is, surprisingly, our biggest episode yet!
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Episode 121 - Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009)
05/20/2025
Episode 121 - Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009)
For the latest installment of "Fighting VideoLAMES," we're looking at Capcom's second attempt to bring their beloved Street Fighter II to the big screen. Far from the silly, colorful spectacle of the JCVD/Raul Julia version, this time around Capcom opted for a more grounded, dramatic take, focusing primarily one single Street Fighter character in hopes of kicking off an MCU-like string of sequels ultimately culminating in a big team-up movie. But even with Kristen Kreuk, a hot TV star of the time, in the titular role as one of the video game's most popular characters, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li once again failed to cement Street Fighter as a cinematic brand. So what went wrong this time? How much can you change from the source material before you're no longer really making a true adaptation? And just what is going on with that Chris Klein performance? We discuss all this, and more!
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Episode 120 - Street Fighter (1994)
05/06/2025
Episode 120 - Street Fighter (1994)
We're kicking off "Fighting VideoLAMES," a four-episode series covering cinematic adaptions of fighting video-games, with the first of two movies based on one of the most iconic, popular fighting games of all time: 1994's Street Fighter. With an all-star cast including Jean Claude Van Damme and Raul Julia (in his final onscreen appearance), produced by the very company that made the video game, and released while Street Fighter II mania was at a high, the movie seemed like a can't-miss proposition. And, to be fair, the movie was a financial success. But between an extra chaotic production and fan dissatisfaction over liberties taken with the story and characters of the game, the movie still quickly took on the reputation of an infamous cinematic disaster. The question is, is the movie truly an unwatchable mess, or is it actually the enjoyable camp classic its growing cult of fans and defenders over the years claim it to be?
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Episode 119 - Spenser Confidential (2020)
04/22/2025
Episode 119 - Spenser Confidential (2020)
"Mark WahlTURD & the Yucky Bunch" concludes, as the singer-turned-actor-turned-business-mogul and his frequent collaborator, director Peter Berg, leave behind the growing unpredictability of theatrical box office for the apparent comfort and safety (and big paydays) of the streaming world. But even there, you're not entirely safe from the perils of a failed franchise starter, as you'll hear when we discuss 2020's Spenser Confidential, the cinematic adaptation of a popular series of detective novels which already enjoyed some filmed success in the TV world in previous years. So why wasn't this later made-for-the-small-screen effort able to hook audiences in the same way? And, perhaps more importantly, does that even matter to Wahlberg, as his career and interests have shifted in new directions? Join us for our first ever look at a streaming-exclusive movie! And, as always, stay pray'd up.
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Episode 118 - Mile 22 (2018)
04/08/2025
Episode 118 - Mile 22 (2018)
The third installment of "Mark WahlTURD & the Yucky Bunch" jumps ahead 15 years to 2018, where Mark Wahlberg, now very much a movie star, is looking to team up with director Peter Berg, his recent favorite collaborator, for a new espionage action thriller. But it's a rocky road to get there, as the movie in question was originally developed as a potential star vehicle for a totally different performer. Why did Mile 22 evolve into something else entirely? How did Wahlberg's "James Silva" go from supporting role to main character? What is a "gauntlet movie," and does Mile 22 fit the definition? And, most importantly, is the movie any good, and did it deserve sequels? We discuss all this, and more!
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Episode 117 - The Italian Job (2003)
03/25/2025
Episode 117 - The Italian Job (2003)
"Mark WahlTURD & the Yucky Bunch" rolls along into 2003, when a much-in-need-of-a-comeback Mark Wahlberg decided to hop on the then popular trend of remaking classic '60s heist movies, with a modern update of the beloved Michael Caine crime caper The Italian Job. Here, Wahlberg and a crew of fellow eccentric thieves (a "funky bunch," if you will) seek to pull off a heist as revenge against a former compatriot who has done them wrong. The movie's action scenes undeniably started a Mini Cooper popularity boom, but what about the rest of the movie? Is it as sexy as The Thomas Crown Affair? Is it as cool as Ocean's Eleven? Why did one of its stars hate being in it? And, most importantly for our theme, did it reignite Wahlberg's flailing movie star career? We discuss all this, and more!
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Episode 116 - Planet of the Apes (2001)
03/11/2025
Episode 116 - Planet of the Apes (2001)
Here at Failure to Franchise, we don’t like making fun of actors. So trust us when we say our new theme, “Mark WalhTURD and the Yucky Bunch,” dedicated to four failed franchise starters from Boston rapper-turned-actor Mark Wahlberg, is, uh, a tribute. First up, 2001’s Planet of the Apes remake, which was meant to be Wahlberg’s first foray into mega-blockbuster leading man territory. Helmed by beloved Hollywood weirdo Tim Burton, and featuring incredible makeup effects by Rick Baker, the film seemed like a can’t-miss attempt to reboot the classic sci-fi franchise. Instead, it left the series in need of another reboot attempt a decade later. What went wrong? We’re here to figure it out!
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Episode 115 - Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
02/25/2025
Episode 115 - Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
"FebruaRYAN" concludes with a look at 2014's Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Twelve years after The Sum of All Fears failed to reignite the Jack Ryan franchise, Paramount tried once again to tell a new Ryan origin story, with a new "hot young star of the moment" leading man in the role. But this particular Ryan movie arrived in a post-MCU world, when the importance of "IP" had become even more evident, and the concept of - say it with us - "cinematic universes" had become all the rage. How did that affect the approach to Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit? And why did the movie ultimately suffer essentially the same fate as its predecessor? We discuss all this, and more, as we wrap up our look at failed reboots of Tom Clancy's beloved CIA analyst.
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Episode 114 - The Sum of All Fears (2002)
02/11/2025
Episode 114 - The Sum of All Fears (2002)
It's out with January, and in with "FebruaRYAN." That's right, this month we're taking a look at Tom Clancy's beloved CIA analyst turned reluctant hero, Jack Ryan. After the successes of The Hunt for Red October, with Alec Baldwin as Ryan, and Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, which saw Harrison Ford take over the role, Paramount Pictures were sure they had a long-running, bulletproof spy-thriller franchise on their hands. And yet, two subsequent attempts to reboot the series were both dead-ends. In this episode, we're looking at the first attempt to relaunch the series with a new origin for the Jack Ryan character, and a new, younger leading man in the role - 2002's The Sum of All Fears, starring Ben Affleck as Ryan. Arriving just months after the tragedy of 9/11, this movie seemed advantageously primed to capitalize on the news of the day in order to muster extra attention. But was the film's story a little too close to recent events for the audience's comfort? And was Ben Affleck's recently changing fortunes as a leading man more of a distraction than a benefit?
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Episode 113 - Mutant Chronicles (2008)
01/28/2025
Episode 113 - Mutant Chronicles (2008)
"The Mutant GENEuary" wraps up with a movie that is very much not a YA adaptation. In fact, Mutant Chronicles is the long-awaited cinematic adaptation of a popular table-top RPG and video game franchise. After several abandoned attempts to make a big budget studio version of the property, starting in the 90s, fans were finally delivered an independent film adaptation in 2008 that adopted the green-screen aesthetics of recent box-office hits Sin City and 300. Would fans feel forgiving of, or even excited by, the movie's unique look? And would the presence of a couple beloved genre-film stars be enough to make up for the liberties the film took with the source material's story?
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Episode 112 - The New Mutants (2020) w/ Days of Future Podcast: Examining the X-Men
01/14/2025
Episode 112 - The New Mutants (2020) w/ Days of Future Podcast: Examining the X-Men
It's a new year, and a new theme! We're transforming - or should we say "mutating" - the month of January into "The Mutant Gene-uary!" That's right, a month dedicated to mutants, and we're kicking it off with 2020's The New Mutants, the last film released from the original regime of the 20th Century Fox X-Men franchise. Based on a popular X-Men spin-off comic, The New Mutants was meant not only to expand the horizons of what a superhero movie could be, by taking a more horror-based approach, but also to add a new offshoot franchise to the overall X-Men cinematic universe, with a brand new team of young mutant heroes. But after a troubled production and multiple release-date delays, The New Mutants ultimately limply arrived after Disney's purchase of Fox meant the existing X-Men film franchise would be no more. Putting the behind-the-scenes politics aside, did The New Mutants truly deserve its fate? To discuss this, in the spirit of shared universes and comic book crossovers, we're joined in this episode by Joe, Trev's co-host on the Days of Future Podcast: Examining the X-Men podcast, for what promises to be an X-cellent conversation. (get it?)
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