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Failure to FranchiseEpisode 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...2025-05-201h 31
Failure to FranchiseEpisode 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...2025-04-221h 25
Failure to FranchiseEpisode 112 - The New Mutants (2020) w/ Days of Future Podcast: Examining the X-MenIt'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...2025-01-141h 46
Failure to FranchiseEpisode 111 - Power Rangers (2017)"It's Poddin' Time! We're closing out "Failure to Franchise presents Trev & Chris-tmas" with Trev's gift to Chris - a chance to revisit 2017's big-screen blockbuster reboot of Power Rangers. With a team of up-and-coming young actors as the titular heroes, and a couple Hollywood heavy hitters backing them up in supporting roles - including one with an interesting prior connection to the franchise - it sure seemed like Power Rangers was well-suited to cash in on the overall success of the superhero franchise and finally make the long-running kids TV franchise an actual cinematic player. But with criticisms of too...2024-12-311h 49
Failure to FranchiseEpisode 110 - Monster Trucks (2017)It's once again the most holly, jolly time of the year - "Failure to Franchise presents Trev and Chris-tmas," when we gift each other movies off our long F2F list that we might otherwise not be getting to anytime soon. First up, Chris gifts Trev a notorious box-office and critical flop that Trev has nonetheless always wanted to see ever since it first half-heartedly sputtered into theaters. But...why? Perhaps it has something to do with the film's bizarre origins. After all, how many would-be Hollywood blockbusters can legitimately claim to come from the mind of an actual...2024-12-171h 33
Failure to FranchiseEpisode ONE HUNDRED - A Look Back (2020 to Now)Just because the movies we watch might be considered "failures," doesn't mean the same can be said for our podcast! That's right, it's our 100th episode, a special look back at four year's worth of covering Hollywood mistakes, missteps, and misfires. To celebrate the occasion, we've each picked our favorite movies and performances from the 99 films we've featured so far, as well as our least favorite movies, and we also have special shout-outs for the most frequent directors, screenwriters, and actors from the first four years of F2F movies. Plus, as is tradition, we allow an online randomizer t...2024-07-161h 29
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Ninety-One - Godzilla (1998) w/ The Kaiju Transmissions PodcastWe're kicking off "Monster March Madness," a month dedicated to giant monster movies, with one of the biggest movies (literally) we've looked at yet, the first American attempt at adapting Godzilla as a Hollywood blockbuster. The Japanese Godzilla series is one of the longest-running, most successful film franchises in cinema history. So what could go wrong when you choose the director of a recent smash-hit sci-fi summer blockbuster and let him loose on the property, armed with cutting-edge Hollywood FX? Well, almost the entire Godzilla fanbase could answer that one for you, but we're gonna discuss it, too! And...2024-03-121h 57
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Ninety - A.X.L. (2018)"FRIENDruary" concludes, with our look at the 2018 robotic-dog movie that we swear actually exists! No, really! Based on a Kickstarter-funded short film, A.X.L. is yet another movie that combines robo-dogs with the gritty world of off-road motorbike racing. But even if you're sick of that old chestnut, maybe you'll like it more with a little helping of The Punisher himself, Thomas Jane?? Well, maybe not, but even still, why not sit back and listen to our discussion of the movie, as we try to figure out if writer/director Oliver Daly's gamble to turn his short into...2024-02-271h 20
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighty-Nine - Mac and Me (1988)We're kicking off "FRIENDruary" with a look at Paul Rudd's "favorite" movie, 1988's Mac & Me. Both a shameless rip-off of Steven Spielberg's E.T. AND a shameless fast-food commercial disguised as a movie, Mac & Me is that special sort of crazy that only Hollywood in the 80s could give us. Over the years, it's developed quite the cult following, but does it truly deserve it? We discuss that question, as well as the thin line between "cute" and "terrifying," the unbelievable alternate ending, and more. So join us for a McDonald's Dance Party and listen on! Our...2024-02-131h 17
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighty-Eight - Punisher: War Zone (2008)The "New Year's Punishment Party" concludes, with our look at 2008's Punisher: War Zone, Frank Castle's final big-screen adventure (to date). In the wake of 2004's Punisher film, attempts were made to create a sequel starring Thomas Jane, but over time the project evolved into a brand-new reboot with a different (and controversial) director, different leading-man, different continuity, and a vastly different tone. Starring the late, great Ray Stevenson, War Zone is an over-the-top, colorful, campy, and extremely bloody take on the Marvel Comics anti-hero. But is this wild swing of a movie truly in the spirit of the...2024-01-301h 50
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighty-Seven - The Punisher (2004)The "New Year's Punishment Party" continues, as we take a look at the second big-screen Punisher adaptation, from 2004, starring Thomas Jane and John Travolta. Made as the character was enjoying a second-wave of popularity in the comics world, and produced right on the cusp of the incoming box-office and cultural dominance of comic-book movies, The Punisher (2004) is an interesting snapshot of a strange time for the genre. But does this one get the character right? Does it improve on the lesser-known 1989 version? Does he actually wear the skull logo?? Well, yes, I'll answer that one right now...he does...2024-01-161h 46
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighty-Six - The Punisher (1989)Failure to Franchise is kicking off 2024 with our "New Year's Punishment Party!" No, it's not a weird S&M thing, ya freaks! Instead, we're spending January looking at not one, not two, but three failed attempts to start a movie franchise based on one of Marvel Comics most popular (and problematic) characters, Frank Castle, AKA the violent vigilante known as The Punisher. First up, we travel back to 1989, the year of Tim Burton's Batman, to look at the year's other comic book movie about a black-clad avenger. What's that? You don't remember another one? That's probably because 1989's The...2024-01-021h 16
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighty-Five - The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)The third annual "Failure to Franchise Presents Trev and Chris-Mas" wraps up (see what I did there?) with a look at 1999's The Thomas Crown Affair, a remake of the 1968 classic heist movie starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. This time around, the titular main character is played by Pierce Brosnan, taking a break from his then current role as James Bond (heard of it?), to try to add another blockbuster franchise under his belt. But despite bringing Rene Russo and Denis Leary along for the ride, getting acclaimed action director John McTiernan to helm the project, and the...2023-12-191h 36
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighty-Four - The Nice Guys (2016)The Third Annual "Failure to Franchise Presents: Trev & Chris-Tmas" kicks off with Trev's present for Chris - a critically acclaimed but audience-ignored neo-noir comic crime-thriller from a celebrated screenwriter and starring two beloved movie stars. So why the heck did The Nice Guys sink like a fish at the box office in 2016? We're here to try to figure it out, as we discuss writer/director Shane Black's distinctive aesthetic, the comic abilities of Ryan Gosling, why a bigger Russell Crowe might be a better Russell Crowe, and how a 12-year-old girl can maybe be the biggest badass in a...2023-12-051h 20
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighty-Three - The Flash (2023)Our "DCPU" series concludes, with the most recent movie we have ever covered! That's right, we're going all the way back to, uh, earlier this year, for an in-depth look at the looong-in-the-works superhero epic, The Flash. Why are we already so confident this one will be a non-starter? Well, between the change in DC cinema leadership since its release, the multiple controversies surrounding the lead actor, and the lackluster box office, it seems a safe bet! But that's only scratching the surface of things to talk about, as we also discuss the film's questionable FX, awkward humor, nostalgia...2023-11-211h 44
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighty-Two - Black Adam (2022)Over ten years in development. A narrative connection to a recently successful superhero franchise starter, Shazam. And a globally beloved megastar in the lead role. And yet none of that could keep 2022's Black Adam from becoming the next entry in our "DCPU" series. So what exactly went wrong with this long-in-the-works entry about one of DC's biggest anti-heroes? How much blame can fall onto that leading man, Dwayne Johnson, who promised to change the hiearchy of the DC universe, but instead walked away from the experience looking more fragile than ever before? And just how dirty did they...2023-11-071h 30
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighty-One - Green Lantern (2011)Happy HALoween!! Light your GREEN jack-o-LANTERN, and join us for an extra spooky(?) episode, as we continue our trip through the "DCPU" with 2011's Green Lantern. That's right, the superhero debacle so infamous, even its own star still frequently mocks it today. But how did a comic book movie released at the height of the character's comic popularity, and at a time when superhero movies were undeniably on the rise, end up such a pop culture punching bag? And is the reputation deserved? We discuss these questions, and more! Our Twitter Our Facebook ...2023-10-241h 37
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighty - Superman Returns (2006)Our look at the "DC-PU" continues, with Superman Returns, directed by...uhh, never mind. The film stars Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, and...uhhh...never mind about that, also. Look, clearly this isn't the easiest movie to talk about that we've ever done, for obvious reasons. But it IS, nonetheless, an important part of the history of arguably the most iconic superhero of them all - an attempt to resurrect and reboot a failed franchise and send it soaring to new heights. But was it perhaps too weighed down by its adherence to what came before? Our Twitter2023-10-101h 51
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventy-Nine - Steel (1997)When is a Superman movie not a Superman movie? Heck, when is a superhero movie barely a superhero movie? And, just because a superstar athlete is charismatic both on and off the court, does that mean they're ready for movie stardom? We ponder all these questions and more, as our look into the "DC-PU" continues with 1997's Steel, starring Shaquille O'Neal. With a mega-producer shepherding the project and one of the world's most beloved cultural icons in the lead, this might have seemed like a can't-miss proposition back in '97. Instead, Steel's ultimate legacy might be a cautionary tale...2023-09-261h 11
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventy-Eight - Supergirl (1984)You've heard of the DCEU, but for the next three months, we're examining the "DC..P-U." That's right - we're looking at nearly 40 years' worth of failed DC superhero franchise starters. Kicking things off is 1984's Supergirl, a spin-off of the popular Christopher Reeve Superman series, but one so troubled and misguided that DC Comics parent company Warner Bros. washed their hands of it after financing it, and let another company altogether release it. Starring an unknown-at-the-time Helen Slater as Superman's titular cousin, and cinema icon Faye Dunaway as the evil witch Selena, Supergirl is one of Hollywood's first...2023-09-121h 26
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventy-Seven - Artemis Fowl (2020)"Summer Surprise" concludes with what is, in some ways, our most unexpected episode yet. The randomizer has decided to send us back to a movie we both already watched together during COVID-19 quarantine, a movie neither of us were eager to visit again. It defeated us then...will it somehow defeat us again?? You'll have to listen to find out, as the discussion takes a turn, resulting in one of our most unique episodes yet. But hey, maybe that's appropriate for a Disney family movie where Josh Gad eats dirt and blows it out his ass...literally. ...2023-08-291h 27
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventy-Six - The Haunted Mansion (2003)"Summer Surprise" continues, with an unexpectedly relevant movie selection from the online randomizer! As Disney's recent Haunted Mansion reboot is currently bombing in theaters (most likely on its way to be covered on this show someday), we take a look back at the original cinematic take on the popular ride, from 2003. Released the same year as Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, this was meant to seal the deal that theme-park-rides-turned-movies would be Disney's next big movie trend. Starring Eddie Murphy and from one of the co-directors of The Lion King, and based on one Disney's...2023-08-151h 21
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventy-Five - Surf Ninjas (1993)And now, back to our regularly scheduled "Summer Surprise" programming. Travel back with us to the early nineties, a time when the world was still ninja-crazy, Leslie Nielsen's star-power was so on the rise that even a few minutes of screen-time seemed like it might boost a movie, and when Hollywood was ready to see if this Rob Schneider guy from SNL could maybe cross over into movies. Clearly designed by New Line Cinema to capitalize on their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles success, and meant as a star vehicle for a unique father-son martial arts team, the family action-comedy...2023-08-011h 16
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventy-Four - Source Code (2011)"Jake JULYenhaal" concludes with a look at 2011's time-travel thriller, Source Code. But wait - was this legit hit actually meant to launch a franchise? We discuss the film's journey from spec script to movie to potential series starter, as well as diving into the movie itself. Do the story's logical and ethical hiccups hamper the film? Does it play fair by its own time travel rules? Is the man of the hour, Jake Gyllenhaal, better served here than he was in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time? And why the heck does Hollywood keep underutilizing Michelle Monaghan...2023-07-181h 23
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventy-Three - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)We interrupt your regularly scheduled "Summer Surprise" programming to instead bring you "Jake JULYenhaal," a month dedicated to the failed franchise starters of Jake Gyllenhaal. First up, the 2010 video-game adaptation Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, a rare example of Gyllenhaal trying his hand at "action blockbuster leading man." Despite a poor track record for previous video game movies, Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer were confident this would be the next Pirates of the Caribbean mega-franchise. Well, clearly, that did not happen. So what went wrong? Does the movie live up to the games? Is the casting of...2023-07-041h 34
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventy-Two - Maximum Ride (2016)"Summer Surprise" continues with another YA lit adaptation, this time from one of the world's most successful authors. We're looking at Maximum Ride, the story of lab-created, winged teenagers on the run, based on the popular series by James Patterson. But this one has us in a new, confusing situation, as we're forced to question whether this even counts as a "movie." How does a bestselling series from a widely beloved author become something like...this? That's what we're here to try to figure out, because I guess someone has to do it. Our Twitter ...2023-06-201h 20
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventy-One - The Seeker: The Dark is Rising (2007)June is here, so you (maybe) know what that means! That's right, it's time for the start of our annual "Summer Surprise," where we let an online randomizer choose which movies from our oh-so-long F2F list we'll be covering next. First up, it's back to the land of misguided YA adaptations trying to cash in on the Harry Potter phenomenon. But this time, the source material actually pre-dates JK Rowling's works, as we examine The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, the 2007 feature adaptation of Susan Cooper's "The Dark is Rising Sequence" of novels from the 60s and 70s...2023-06-061h 24
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventy - The Love Guru (2008)"Mike MAY-ers" concludes with our look at 2008's The Love Guru, Mike Myers' ill-fated attempt to kick-start another character-based franchise in the vein of Austin Powers. Instead, this movie essentially ended his days as a leading man. So just what the heck happened? Is the film's heart in the right place, or is it an insensitive, offensive trainwreck that everyone involved with should have known better than to participate in? We discuss all this, plus, we discover the randomly chosen films we'll be watching for our upcoming annual "Summer Surprise" series! Our Twitter Our Facebook2023-05-231h 16
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixty-Nine - The Cat in the Hat (2003)We're kicking off "Mike May-ers," a month devoted to Canadian comic icon Mike Myers, with a look at his ill-fated Dr. Seuss adaptation, The Cat in the Hat. One of the more..., let's say, perplexing movies we've looked at, this one begs a lot of questions. Do adult jokes have a place in Seuss adaptations? Is the Cat in the Hat an inherently sinister character? What's the logic of the Cat's powers? And should Seuss's short, verse-focused books even be adapted to feature length in the first place? We discuss all this and more, as we examine the movie...2023-05-091h 20
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixty-Eight - The Phantom (1996)We're closing out two month's of "Pulp Frustration" with a look at 1996's ill-fated adaptation of Lee Falk's classic comic-strip hero, The Phantom. Intended as a star vehicle for Billy Zane, The Phantom was shepherded by two mega-producers, and came complete with a script co-written by beloved genre icon Joe Dante. But when the writers aren't on the same page as, well, nearly everyone else involved, it can spell disaster. How does The Phantom stack up against the other pulp heroes we've seen so far? Is Treat Williams in a different movie than everyone else? And were they honestly...2023-04-251h 27
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixty-Seven - The Shadow (1994) "Pulp Frustration" continues, as we look at the movie based on arguably one of the greatest pulp heroes of them all, The Shadow! The Alec Baldwin star vehicle asks an intriguing question: When a character has a complicated, decades-long history, with various origins and abilities established across his different permutations in print, radio, and film, is it easy to make a definitive version of him onscreen? Well...nope! Still, in 1994, they gave it a try anyway. Join us as we discuss the film's odd narrative decisions, the character's debatable big-screen potential, and just what the hell is up with Baldwin's...2023-04-111h 27
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixty-Six - The Rocketeer (1991)"Pulp Frustration" continues, as we look at another early-90s Disney action movie. But this time, it's not one of the original, beloved pulp characters from yesteryear, but rather an adaptation of a cult favorite 80s comic meant to pay homage to the classic serial heroes of old. Part superhero origin story, part historical pastiche, part Indiana Jones-esque adventure (complete with clubbering Nazi's), The Rocketeer seemed to be an easy recipe for success in a post Batman '89 world. And yet...here we are, covering it on this show. So, what went wrong? Strap on your rocket-pack, head to y...2023-03-281h 44
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixty-Five - Dick Tracy (1990)We kick off our two-month "Pulp Frustration" series, dedicated to the 90s obsession with adapting pulp heroes to the big screen, with the 1990 Warren Beatty vanity project, Dick Tracy! How long was a Tracy movie in development before finally happening? How did Beatty convince an all-star cast to appear in something so outrageous? Was the character still relevant enough to entice modern audiences of the time? Why did the movie forever change how Disney did business moving forward? What the heck was up with that recent Dick Tracy TV special Beatty made? And how many "Dick" jokes will we...2023-03-141h 47
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixty-Four - Vampire Academy (2014) w/ Special Guest: Jackie Charniga"Will You Be My VAMPentine" concludes with a trip back to one of our most dreaded genres - the YA Lit adaptation! But this time, we weren't willing to do it alone. We're joined by our friend Jackie, an ardent fan of the Vampire Academy book series, to discuss its 2014 big screen adaptation. With the director of Mean Girls and the writer of Heathers(!!) in charge, what could have possibly gone wrong? Well...about that. We're taking a look at Vampire Academy's place in a post-Twilight world, a questionable romance, a strange protagonist, and a perhaps inappropriate tone, so...2023-02-281h 58
Failure to FranchiseSuccess to Series #4 - UnderworldIn this special bonus "Will You Be My VAMPentine"-themed episode of our "Success to Series" spin-off, we're squeezing into our tightest leathers, cranking the early 2000's nu-metal, and diving into the immortal war between vampires and werewolves...err, sorry, "lycans." That's right, it's a look at Underworld, the critically maligned but financially successful action/monster mash-up that we can't help but love...maybe even more than its own leading lady. What is it about this series that attracted so many fans and prestigious British actors alike? We try to figure it out, with an in-depth discussion on the...2023-02-211h 35
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixty-Three - Vampirella (1996)Travel back with us to a time when comic-book movies were less cool (and certainly less respectable), to examine how one of comic's most enduring cult heroines ended up with only one feature film to her name: a little-known, made-for-cable oddity from cult-movie king Roger Corman, and T&A/Schlock movie "maestro" Jim Wynorski. Between a leading lady the director didn't want, to the surprising casting of a famous rock star in the villain role, to a Vegas-based production fraught with problems...Vampirella is definitely one of those movies where the behind-the-scenes might be more interesting than the movie...2023-02-141h 33
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixty-Two - Charlie's Angels (2019)When the latest big-screen reboot of the popular 70s TV series Charlie's Angels - this time written and directed by Elizabeth Banks - hit in 2019, the franchise had already proven its cinematic bankability (Banks-ability??). And yet, despite the much-buzzed-about excitement of seeing Kristen Stewart taking on a "fun" role in a big Hollywood action-blockbuster, and the intrigue of two potential new stars with Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska, Banks's film failed to connect with audiences. But was this simply the fault of the movie itself, or was it - as the director herself would argue in the following days...2023-01-311h 30
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixty-One - Baywatch (2017)Baywatch, the series, was once the most watched television show in the world. Baywatch, the movie, was...well...not the most watched movie of 2017, to put it lightly. So, what went wrong? Did they simply wait too long to make a Baywatch movie? Was it a bad idea to go the tongue-in-cheek parody route? Or could the problem perhaps lie with the lead actor, Dwayne Johnson, who - despite his oft-repeated "Franchise Viagra" reputation - failed to rescue this one from the choppy box office waters. We're continuing to "Ring in 2023 with the ABC's of TV," with our look...2023-01-171h 37
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixty - The A-Team (2010)Are you ready to "Ring in 2023 with the ABC's of TV?" That's right - we're kicking off the new year with three episodes dedicated to feature adaptations of beloved TV shows. First up, Joe Carnahan's adaptation of the classic 80s Mr. T action series, The A-Team. This movie version had a lot to accomplish - solidify Liam Neeson's new action-star career resurgence, make a movie star out of UFC fighter Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, prove Sharlto Copley's District 9 success wasn't a fluke, and show that Bradley Cooper could be more than just a comedy star. Did it pull off these...2023-01-031h 25
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifty-Nine - Lost in Space (1998)In the second installment of this year's "Failure to Franchise with Trev & Chris-tmas," it's a blast from Chris's past, as we're looking at the 90s reboot of a beloved 60s sci-fi series whose reruns were a childhood favorite of Chris's. But does the movie version live up to the show? How does it play for someone less familiar with the original series, like Trev? And why the heck did this thing seemingly kill Matt Leblanc's Hollywood leading man status just as it was beginning? We discuss all this, and more, as we get Blarp'd and examine Lost in Space.2022-12-201h 52
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifty-Eight - Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)The second annual "Failure to Franchise with Trev and Chris-tmas" kicks off with a tribute to the recently departed Kevin Conroy, in the form of an episode dedicated to the one theatrical adventure spun off from Batman: The Animated Series. Long considered by many fans to be one of the finest Batman films ever produced, why did Mask of the Phantasm nonetheless fail at the box office? And, despite its financial failure, how does it succeed in so many elements that the live-action Batman films never quite managed to get right? Join us as we pay tribute to arguably...2022-12-061h 39
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifty-Seven - The Last Witch Hunter (2015)After Vin Diesel's full return to the Fast & Furious franchise in 2009 steered the series back on track (see what we did there?), he once again enjoyed the sort of clout he hadn't seen since early in his career. He utilized this clout to indulge in some of his "nerdier" sci-fi and fantasy interests. First, by bringing back his beloved Riddick character for a third film. And then, in 2015, by trying to start up a brand-new franchise loosely based on the original character he had created for his own real-life Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. But do audiences want to see Diesel...2022-11-221h 32
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifty-Six - The Pacifier (2005)It's a time-honored "rite of passage" tradition. The biggest action stars of Hollywood attempt to also show their softer side with a light family comedy. Schwarzenegger had Kindergarten Cop. Stallone had Stop, Or My Mom Will Shoot! Dwayne Johnson had The Tooth Fairy. John Cena had Playing With Fire. Dolph Lundgren had, uh, Kindergarten Cop 2. And in 2005, one of the industry's more recent rising action stars teamed with Disney to make his own attempt at this image evolution. The film was a big success, but years later - and despite what the star has himself claimed about franchise potential...2022-11-081h 47
Failure to FranchiseSuccess to Series #3 - The SAW FranchiseDo you want to play a game? It's Halloween, so we're dropping an extra-special surprise bonus episode. In the latest installment of our "Success to Series" spin-off, we're looking at one of our favorite horror franchises...Saw! That's right, the James Wan/Leigh Whannell created series that used to be synonymous with Halloween...and perhaps will be again soon? We discuss why we think the series is better than its critical reputation suggests, our favorite twists and traps of the various films, and each give our full franchise ranking. All this, and more. So crank up "Hello, Zepp," and...2022-10-311h 32
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifty-Five - Shocker (1989)In the 70s, Wes Craven shocked unsuspecting audiences with the unrelenting brutality of The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes. In the 80s, he redefined what the slasher-film could be with A Nightmare on Elm Street. In the 90s, he gave horror a thrilling meta-edge with both New Nightmare and Scream. But in 1989, he was, uh, a little less successful with Shocker. So what exactly went wrong with Craven's own attempt to out-do Freddy Krueger with the creation of a new supernatural slasher? Listen on to find out, in the final installment of our "Fall...2022-10-251h 36
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifty-Four - Masters of the Universe (1987)After multiple years as a best-selling toy-line and popular animated series, it seemed like a live-action movie was a can't-miss proposition for Mattel's Masters of the Universe property. But between an untested leading man, a notoriously cheap studio, and disagreements over what the movie should be between various involved parties, even the mighty He-Man was no match for the difficulties of Hollywood franchise filmmaking. "Fall Back to the 80s" continues as we take a look at the film that confused and angered many children back in 1987....well, at least the ones who even bothered to see it in the...2022-10-111h 34
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifty-Three - Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)Positioned as a "red, white, and blue-collar" alternative to the James Bond franchise, based on an extremely popular series of paperback novels, and starring an up-and-coming leading man...the producers of REMO WILLIAMS has every reason to believe the adventure would not just begin, but continue for many years. So what the heck went wrong? Why is a future Star Trek captain so wasted here? Did Wilford Brimley charge producers more if they asked him to stand up? And is it even possible to discuss the film at all without examining its very questionable casting choice in one of...2022-09-271h 29
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifty-Two - Streets of Fire (1984)"Custom cars, kissing in the rain, neon, trains in the night, high-speed pursuit, rumbles, rock stars, motorcycles, jokes in tough situations, leather jackets and questions of honor." These were the elements director Walter Hill (The Warriors, 48 Hrs.) said he wanted to include in Streets of Fire, a "Rock'n'Roll Fable" which he saw as a tribute to everything he loved about movies in his youth. But did this mixture of so many influences result in a pretentious, style-over-substance mess, or an ambitious, cutting-edge, modern action classic? We'll be the judges of that, in the latest installment of our "Fall Back...2022-09-131h 35
Failure to FranchiseSuccess to Series #2 - Rocky "The Italian Stallion" BalboaIn the second edition of our "spin-off" series focusing on franchises that actually succeeded, we're sticking with the "Fall Back to the 80s" theme to take a look at a series that might not have started in the 80s, but nevertheless is often associated with the decade thanks to two of its most bombastic entries. So what is it about the saga of Rocky Balboa that speaks to audiences so much? Why do these films transcend the mere "sports movie" label? Are the Creed movies a worthy successor to the original series? Is Rocky V really that bad? And...2022-08-301h 24
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifty-One - The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)It's own lead actors didn't understand the script. The studio had no idea how to market it. And many critics of the time were utterly baffled by it. And yet, over the years, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension has still attracted a devoted cult following. Is this wild tale of a rock'n'roll scientist battling interdimensional aliens actually a misguided failure, or a misunderstood masterpiece? We're here to discuss that very question, in the latest installment of our "Fall Back to the '80s" mini-series. Give a listen, and always remember...wherever you go, there you...2022-08-161h 35
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifty - Flash Gordon (1980)Join us as we "Fall Back to the 80s" (yeah, we know we're starting in the summer...what of it??), a special three-month event dedicated to some of the most infamous failed franchise starters of the 80s. First up, Dino De Laurentis' cult-classic adaptation of a beloved sci-fi character, Flash Gordon. Not only was this movie clearly made to cash in on the Star Wars-mania of the time, but it even has another fascinating connection to George Lucas. But, needless to say, the movie did not fare as well as Star Wars...could the gamble of hiring an untested...2022-08-021h 37
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Forty-Nine - V.I. Warshawski (1991)A bestselling book series about a tough-talking female detective, adapted into a feature starring one of the most successful actresses of the previous decade. It sounds like a can't-miss proposition. And yet 1991's V.I. Warshawski failed to connect with audiences, denying star Kathleen Turner her own crime-thriller franchise. So what happened? Was the hard-boiled style simply out of style? Was the mix of comedy and drama too tough for viewers to take? Or was it just that damn title? Like Warshawski herself, we investigate whether this movie is better than its reception at the time deserved, or if...2022-07-191h 25
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Forty-Eight - The Darkest Minds (2018)The "Summer Surprise" series continues, with this look at the adaptation of the first book in Alexandra Bracken's popular YA dystopian sci-fi series. A world where the only surviving children of a mysterious plague all end up with superpowers, and are thus targeted for extermination, or worse, by the government - it should have been a perfect match-up of the successful YA and Superhero genres. So what happened? Was it simply too late in the YA movie cycle, or were there larger problems at play? Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram ...2022-07-051h 36
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Forty-Seven - Son of the Pink Panther (1993)In the second installment of our second annual "Summer Surprise," we're looking at the final feature film of a legendary comedy director. Not only that, but it was another entry in a mega-successful, beloved franchise from that very same director. So why didn't this attempt to restart the series after a long break catch on with audiences? Well, there are many answers to that (and we discuss many of them here), but let's just go ahead and say the transition from Peter Sellers to Roberto Benigni was probably always destined to be a tough sell to audiences. But is...2022-06-211h 26
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Forty-Six - Men In Black: International (2019)It's the first instalment of the second annual "Summer Surprise," where we're letting an online randomizer choose our next watches. First up, a very recent attempt to relaunch a once mega-successful summer sci-fi/comedy blockbuster series...without the original stars or director. But is the addition of two MCU actors (Chris Hemsworth & Tessa Thompson) fresh off the success of another humorous box-office hit (Thor: Ragnarok) enough to nevertheless revive this franchise? Well...no. The real question is...why? What went wrong? And why has one of the most beloved blockbuster hits of the 90s had such a hard time...2022-06-071h 29
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Forty-Five - Vacation (2015)In part two of "May the Farce be with You," we're looking at 2015's attempt to reboot a beloved comedy franchise...but this time with a new leading man, new attitude, and without a signature part of the original title. What makes for an effective "legacy sequel?" Is Ed Helms as strong a lead as Chevy Chase? And just how mean-spirited is too mean-spirited, when it comes to comedy? All this and more is discussed, as we look at "NOT National Lampoon's" Vacation. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube2022-05-241h 21
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Forty-Four - Mortdecai (2015)Our "May the Farce be with You" event kicks off with a look at 2015's Mortdecai, the movie that seeks to answer the eternal question - just how many jokes can one film make about a single mustache? While star Johnny Depp had enjoyed an impressive, long-time-coming reign as one of Hollywood's biggest stars during the first decade of the 2000's, his career was clearly floundering by the time he strapped on Mortdecai's signature handlebar mustache...and the resultant critical and box-office reaction certainly didn't help matters. But could this adaptation of the cult series of British novels about...2022-05-101h 38
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Forty-Three - Sky High (2005)In part two of "April Showers Bring April Powers," we're looking at Disney's mid-aughts superhero comedy, Sky High. With Kurt Russell, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Danielle Panabaker, Kelly Preston, Bruce Campbell, Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Kevin Heffernan, Lynda Carter, Jim Rash, Cloris Leachman, and even the voice of Patrick Warburton, it's one of the most impressively geek-friendly casts of all time. But was a pre-MCU audience ready for a movie designed to poke fun at tropes that hadn't yet fully entrenched themselves into the very core of the cinematic landscape? Well, we're covering the movie on this show, so you...2022-04-261h 29
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Forty-Two - Hancock (2008)In a surprisingly topical kick-off to our "April Showers Bring April Powers" event, we're taking a look at a film where beloved Hollywood "good guy" Will Smith plays a jerk who the public doesn't really trust, and who is in desperate need of some image-restoring PR. Sound oddly familiar? Well, that's just a happy coincidence, because Hancock was actually a long-gestating project - a superhero genre deconstruction that, ironically, hit theaters just as the superhero genre was really about to take off. What do we think of the film's narrative and tonal shifts? Was Will Smith the right man...2022-04-121h 40
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Forty-One - The Rhythm Section (2020)Is 2020's THE RHYTHM SECTION an artsy, introspective deconstruction of the spy-movie and revenge-thriller genres, or is it a high-octane, blockbuster attempt to create a new female-led James Bond-style franchise? The answer, depending on who you ask, is "yes," and therein perhaps is the problem. When EON Productions decided to branch out from Bond and give another literary spy-action series a whirl as a cinematic venture, they probably figured their experience guiding the most successful, enduring action franchise of all time would guarantee smooth sailing. And yet here we are, with all the hard work of EON, director Reed...2022-03-291h 25
Failure to FranchiseSuccess to Series #1 - James Bond 007And now, for something completely different. In the first edition of our new "spin-off" show, we're turning out attention from the world of failed franchises to franchises that not only very much worked, but that we're big fans of. Join us as we discuss the James Bond franchise, sharing our thoughts on what makes this particular franchise work - why it's so iconic, why it has stood the test of time, and how we each rank the individual Bond actors. All this and more, in what we hope is a little bit of a more positive discussion than usual...2022-03-151h 09
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Forty - Salt (2010)It's a new month, and a new theme. We're kicking off "March Mix-Up," a series devoted to both the bad and good of spy cinema, with a look at Phillip Noyce's Salt, from 2010. Originally developed as a spy thriller franchise for Tom Cruise, the film was ultimately reworked to instead be a star vehicle for Angelina Jolie. Was this an upgrade? Are influences of the Bourne films a hindrance or a benefit? And how does the movie, while only being a little over ten years old, hold up today, in a landscape now dominated by more fanciful superhero fare...2022-03-011h 26
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirty-Nine - My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009)It's the second installment of "February Frights 3D," AND it's the most romantic time of the year. So what better way to celebrate than with a look at the remake of one of the 80s' signature slashers, My Bloody Valentine. Sure, horror remakes like this were all the rage in the mid to late 00s, but how many starred one of the leads of Supernatural?? Well, alright, the Friday the 13th reboot from that very same year did, as well...but hey, that one didn't have the added benefit of also utilizing the latest in at-the-time cutting edge 3D...2022-02-151h 26
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirty-Eight - Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013)In the first installment of "February Frights 3D," we're looking at Lionsgate's 2013 attempt to relaunch the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. Following two entries from Platinum Dunes that established a brand new continuity, the 2013 film instead decided to follow the lead of previous sequels and simply make a direct follow-up to Tobe Hooper's 1974 classic original - this time with the added benefit of the 3D gimmick. But would the surprising story decisions of the film leave fans of the franchise feeling "revved up," or would they be begging for a hammer to the head? Our Twitter ...2022-02-011h 32
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirty-Seven - Robin Hood (2018)In the second installment of "New Year's Robin-lutions," we're jumping forward just eight years, to 2018's ROBIN HOOD. If Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe couldn't deliver a successful franchise based on the legend back in 2010, would an emerging star and a director known mostly for TV fare much better? Well, I think we all know the answer to that. But does upping the action and utilizing time-tested tropes from a multitude of other films and TV shows at least make this one a more entertaining endeavor? Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram 2022-01-181h 33
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirty-Six - Robin Hood (2010)Happy New Year! We're kicking off 2022 by sharing with you our "New Year's Robin-lutions," looking at two of Hollywood's many attempts to adapt the classic legend of Robin Hood. First up, the 2010 film, which - despite one of the most baffling pre-production journeys in film history - still seem poised for big things, as the reunion of Gladiator director and star Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe in a similar big-budget historical action drama. So, uh...what the heck happened?? Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd2022-01-041h 16
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirty-Five - Tank Girl (1995)When is a Harley Quinn movie NOT a Harley Quinn movie?? When it's the 1995 cult favorite, TANK GIRL! Directed by Rachel Talalay, and starring Lori Petty, Naomi Watts, Ice-T, and Malcolm McDowell, this comic book adaptation introduced the moviegoing public to the titular character, an icon of both indie-comics AND the "Riot Grrl" movement of the 90s. But could a mainstream studio version possibly stay true to the anarchic, anti-authority attitude of the original comic? Find out here, in the second installment of "Failure to Franchise with Trev & Chris-tmas." Our Twitter Our Facebook ...2021-12-211h 39
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirty-Four - Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)In the first installment of "Failure to Franchise with Trev and Chris-tmas," we're ringing in the holidays by "gifting" each other a single movie from our long list of potential topic films. First up, with 2013's Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Chris attempts to give Trev what was meant as a harmless little fairy tale/action mash-up, in order to pay tribute to the man of the hour himself, Jeremy "Hawkeye" Renner. However, an unforeseen dark element of the film's director's cut is waiting around the corner to potentially destroy our festive spirits. And here we thought it would be...2021-12-071h 28
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirty-Three - Jupiter Ascending (2015)In part two of our special month dedicated to the Wachowski's, in preparation for THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS, we're looking at their last theatrical feature as a filmmaking duo (at least for now) - 2015's ambitious space opera, JUPITER ASCENDING. Is Mila Kunis a worthy replacement for Natalie Portman? Is Channing Tatum best utilized as a half man, half dog super soldier? And just what the hell is Eddie Redmayne trying to do here?? All these questions and more are pondered, as we scrub some toilets and then go on a wild intergalactic adventure. Our Twitter O...2021-11-231h 45
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirty-Two - Speed Racer (2008)With the eagerly anticipated MATRIX RESURRECTIONS on the horizon, we're spending November looking at two of the Wachowski's failed attempts at post-MATRIX franchises. First up, their colorful, hyperactive, and heartfelt adaptation of the classic 60s anime series, SPEED RACER. Is it a misguided mess, or an ahead of its time masterpiece? We certainly have our very strong opinion on it. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd2021-11-091h 53
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirty-One - The Mummy (2017)Which is ultimately more dangerous - a mummy's curse, or the ego-driven demands of a movie star? Well, one of the two is at least partly responsible for the sinking of not just this episode's movie, but arguably the entire cinematic universe it was meant to kick off. That's right, our two-month "Curse of the Dark Universe" event concludes with the movie that inspired it all - Universal's recent attempt to launch a brand new series of connected franchises starring the classic Universal Monsters. And the film they chose to kick-start it all (after the failure of DRACULA UNTOLD...2021-10-261h 47
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirty - Dracula Untold (2014)Given the immense popularity of the Dracula character over the 100+ years since Bram Stoker's original novel, it's not surprising that many fans and writers alike would be keen to explore the origin of the villainous vampire. But how does one go about crafting an "official," audience-pleasing backstory for a character who has enjoyed so many different interpretations throughout the decades? What version of the character do you want to build to? And should the formula you aim to emulate be taken from the popular superhero movies that currently dominate the box-office, instead of the horror genre more commonly associated...2021-10-121h 42
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twenty-Nine - The Wolfman (2010)Undeterred by the failure of 2004's VAN HELSING, Universal Pictures were still eager to resurrect their famous Universal Monsters film properties. In 2006, they signed Benicio Del Toro, a superfan of 1941's THE WOLF MAN, to both produce and star in a remake of the Lon Chaney Jr classic. Four years later, following a tumultuous production period consisting of a last-minute director change, costly reshoots, a strange controversy regarding the score, and multiple release date delays, the new WOLFMAN finally hit theaters...and quickly became one of the costliest bombs in Hollywood history. So what went wrong? Was the film...2021-09-281h 53
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twenty-Eight - Van Helsing (2004)Failure to Franchise's two-month "Curse of the Dark Universe" event kicks off, with a look at this much maligned Monster mash from the early 2000s. In the wake of director Stephen Sommers' wildly successful THE MUMMY and THE MUMMY RETURNS, Universal was eager to have him potentially relaunch the entire classic Universal Monsters line. His solution for this was to dive right into a crossover-type film featuring several of the monsters, but not focusing on ANY of them. Instead, Sommer's title character would be a drastic reinvention of Dracula's most famous enemy, now played by one of the biggest...2021-09-141h 31
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twenty-Seven - Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2011)When no sequel materialized for 2006's SUPERMAN RETURNS (a tale to be told in a future episode of this show), it might have seemed like star Brandon Routh's dreams of headlining his own comic book movie franchise were over. But the up-and-coming leading man would get a second chance in 2011...and THEN his dreams of headlining a comic book movie franchise seemed more or less over. So, what happened? In this episode, we take a look at the pitfalls of adapting a popular Italian action-horror comic series for an international audience largely unfamiliar with the character, especially when adding...2021-08-311h 21
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twenty-Six - Assassin's Creed (2016)If ever the "video game movies always suck" axiom was going to be disproved, 2016 ASSASSIN'S CREED seemed like a great candidate to do so. Based on a very successful video game franchise, the movie version came along with a popular leading man determined to do right by the property, an impressive supporting cast, a critically acclaimed director, and the creative involvement of the actual video game company behind the game. Everyone involved seemed intent on making something quite unique and special in the "video game movie" genre. But at what point does that sort of experimentation take a turn...2021-08-171h 14
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twenty-Five - Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)Before 2018, the idea of a failed franchise starter in the world of STAR WARS might have seemed somewhat ridiculous. But little did the world know the trials and tribulations that would face SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, the prequel film many fans already considered to be ill-advised in the first place. Between the much publicized change of directors mid-production (leading to major costly reshoots) and being released in the aftermath of one of the franchise's most divisive films ever, SOLO certainly faced an uphill battle upon its release...a battle the box-office returns would suggest it substantially lost. So...2021-08-031h 56
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twenty-Four - Jem and the Holograms (2015)A popular sci-fi/fantasy rock cartoon from the 80s is resurrected for the big screen treatment by one of the most successful production companies in Hollywood. But what seemed like a sure-fire hit was marred by a perceived lack of respect for the source material and a controversial contest that might have exploited the original property's fanbase. We discuss all this and more, as we look at 2015's JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd2021-07-201h 33
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twenty-Three - The Karate Kid (2010)Before COBRA KAI resurrected the KARATE KID franchise, another attempt was made to reboot the series on the bring screen - this time with a new set of characters, a different setting, and even a different type of martial arts. Developed by Will & Jada Pinkett Smith as a star vehicle for their young son, Jaden, the new KARATE KID would also feature international mega-star Jackie Chan stepping into the mentor role made famous by Pat Morita. How does this retelling of the story stack up against the original 80s classic? Listen and find out, in the first installment of...2021-07-061h 33
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twenty-Two - The Fifth Element (1997)When a giant ball of evil that makes phone calls is one of the LEAST wild things in your movie, you know you got a special one. "May-la June-vovich" concludes with a look at Milla's star-making turn in Luc Besson's bonkers sci-fi epic. It doesn't really get any more 90s than this, folks - an engaged, interested Bruce Willis! A super over-the-top Gary Oldman! A constantly screaming Chris Tucker! A healthy mix of CGI and practical effects! And of course, Milla, in her most iconic role ever (sorry, Alice). Plus, we randomly draw the next five movies w...2021-06-221h 57
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twenty-One - Hellboy (2019)When Guillermo Del Toro's HELLBOY franchise sputtered out, it was only a matter of time until Hollywood tried to give Mike Mignola's popular comic series another cinematic try. With a popular horror movie and TV director at the helm, a fan-favorite geek icon actress as the main villain, and a star from the beloved STRANGER THINGS taking over in the lead role, the ingredients seemed promising. Could this new HELLBOY possibly live up to the high standards set by Del Toro's two films? Well, probably not...but why? We discuss, in the third installment of "May-la June-vovich," two months...2021-06-081h 51
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twenty - The Three Musketeers (2011)Our two-month "May-la June-vovich" extravaganza continues, with a look at a collaboration between Milla Jovovich and her husband, Paul W.S. Anderson. No, not the RESIDENT EVIL movies. And no, not last year's MONSTER HUNTER, either. Instead, we're tackling Anderson's 2011 THREE MUSKETEERS adaptation, in which the writer/director bravely answered the question readers have been asking for almost 200 years - would this story be better with giant flying airships blasting each other with cannons? As for Milla, she takes on the role of Milady de Winter, one of literature's great villains. How did it all shake out? Well, certainly...2021-05-251h 35
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Nineteen - Ultraviolet (2006)What happens when someone makes a vampire movie, but forgets to bring the vampires? Our two month "May-la June-vovich" extravaganza kicks off with a look at ULTRAVIOLET, Milla's 2006 mash-up of THE MATRIX, UNDERWORLD, RESIDENT EVIL, and every techno song you've ever heard. From poorly-rendered CGI to confusing mythology to "gun-kata," this one has it all. So slip on your best color-changing, midriff-baring outfit, and join us for a celebration of this bizarre Milla Jovovich star vehicle. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris...2021-05-111h 33
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eighteen - King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)With centuries of retold and rewritten tale to choose from when deciding to adapt Arthurian legend for a modern audience, it's easy to see why the task might feel overwhelming. Perhaps the solution is to simply choose the BEST, most interesting elements of the story, and concentrate on those moments for your film. Or, I dunno, maybe the better idea is just to say "eh, don't worry, we'll eventually get to all of it cause we're clearly gonna make six of these babies." That was certainly the approach Warner Bros. took in 2017, when they hired Guy Ritchie - a...2021-04-271h 43
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seventeen - King Arthur (2004)Arthurian legend. The phrase calls to mind classic tales of romance and magic, of timeless myths of noble heroes passed down through the ages, becoming arguably inextricably infused into both pop culture and our entire understanding of storytelling, in general. But, in 2004, Disney said "forget all that," and instead offered up a down-and-dirty, gritty retelling of the King Arthur myth...this one supposedly delivering the "true story" behind the legend. How true? Was this a worthy endeavor? And just how ironic was the James Bond-inspired casting of Clive Owen in the lead role? We discuss these questions and more...2021-04-131h 40
Failure to FranchiseFailure to Series #2 - Not Another High School ShowIn the second installment of our spin-off series about failed TV pilots, we're looking at Comedy Central's 2007 attempt to turn the hit 2001 film NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE into a weekly series, with NOT ANOTHER HIGH SCHOOL SHOW. Despite reuniting the original film's creative team, and featuring young up-and-coming stars like Alison Brie and Jennifer Lawrence, the show didn't work nearly as well as the film that inspired it. What went wrong? Well, there's no Chris Evans...but there're gotta be more to it than that. We're here to figure it out. Our Twitter Our Facebook2021-03-3049 min
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Sixteen - Mortal Engines (2018)In 2001, author Philip Reeve published "Mortal Engines," the first in a series of YA books about a post-apocalyptic world where survivors now live in large, warring, mobile "traction cities." In 2009, acclaimed filmmaker Peter Jackson purchased the rights to the series, intrigued by the story's cinematic potential. In 2016, production on the film began, under the guidance of first-time director and Jackson protégé Christian Rivers. In 2018, the film was released, into a crowded and highly competitive holiday movie season. And by 2019, the film was almost completely forgotten. But WE remembered...and now we're here to try to figure out...2021-03-161h 47
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fifteen - The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)F2F's "Mortal March" kicks off with another dive into the waters of YA fantasy cinematic adaptations. This time, we're looking at a tale of half-human/half-angel warriors tasked to protect Earth from vampires, werewolves, and demons, and the "average" teenage girl pulled into their world after learning her secret destiny. It's a tale of ancient runes, goth costuming, and forbidden romance...VERY forbidden romance, in fact. Will the Hollywood version of this story have the guts to tackle one of the most controversial elements of the original book series? What is the point where "a lot" of exposition...2021-03-021h 33
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Fourteen - I Am Number Four (2011)In the wake of TWILIGHT's pop-culture explosion in 2008, every major studio was looking to launch the next big movie franchise based on a popular Young Adult literary series. In this episode, we take our first dive into these crowded YA waters. When Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg were eager to cash in on the TWILIGHT-craze themselves, they turned to the manuscript of an at-the-time unreleased sci-fi adventure book by a controversial author (writing, with a partner, under the pen-name "Pittacus Lore"), called I AM NUMBER FOUR. While the book WOULD go on to spawn a successful literary series, the...2021-02-161h 41
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Thirteen - Fantastic Four aka Fant4stic (2015)A rare case of a superhero movie where the behind-the-scenes drama was more action-packed than anything onscreen, Josh Trank's 2015 reboot of FANTASTIC FOUR has become a go-to example of the dangers of conflicting visions, tonal uncertainty, and conflicts between cast, crew, and studio. But is the movie really AS bad as its reputation? Strap on your blonde wigs and take a listen, as we dive into this infamous attempt to once again bring Marvel's first family to the big screen. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's...2021-02-021h 46
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Twelve - Spawn (1997)Billed as the "Special Effects Movie Event of the Year," SPAWN seemed to have a lot going for it when it arrived in theaters in 1997. Based on a popular comic book that had been the centerpiece of a brand new company that revolutionized the comic industry in the early '90s, and arriving only a few months after the debut of a well-received HBO animated series, the film was also the first mainstream superhero movie with an African American hero in the lead. So what the heck went so wrong that it's being featured on our show? We get...2021-01-191h 44
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eleven - Battleship (2012)You sunk our franchise! Get it?? That's right, in this episode, we're looking at BATTLESHIP, the second of TWO failed 2012 Taylor Kitsch blockbusters. This time, it was an attempt to turn a popular board game about naval combat into a TRANSFORMERS-like sci-fi/action series, complete with aliens, bombastic action, and in-your-face patriotism. But why here have there been six TRANSFORMERS movies to date, and only one BATTLESHIP? Listen on to find out. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd2021-01-051h 52
Failure to FranchiseFailure to Series #1 - Wonder WomanThis is a show about franchises, and we all know a big part of franchises is spin-offs. So here then is the first installment of our occasional bonus spin-off series, in which we take a brief look at failed TV pilots that never made it to series. Just in time for the release of WW84, we're kicking off with a look at the 2011 WONDER WOMAN pilot, from writer David E. Kelley and starring Adrianne Palicki as the Amazonian superhero (and, interestingly enough, WW84's Pedro Pascal in a supporting role). DC has had a number of successful TV series...2020-12-2950 min
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Ten - Catwoman (2004)When is a Batman movie NOT a Batman movie? How literal can a movie's title be? Can you convince an Academy Award winning actress at the height of her stardom to rub her face in catnip and swat at insects? Is there anything sexier than an alley pick-up game of one-on-one basketball? And who is the mysterious man known only as...Pitof?? In this episode, we answer these questions and more, as we take a look at the ill-fated 2004 attempt to create a new version of an iconic DC comic character. Our Twitter Our Facebook2020-12-221h 40
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Nine - Wild Wild West (1999)One of the biggest movie stars of the moment, re-teaming with the director of his recent mega-success sci-fi comedy blockbuster for ANOTHER sci-fi comedy blockbuster. What could possibly go wrong? Well, clearly something did, or else we wouldn't be talking about 1999's WILD WILD WEST on this show. So join us as we try to get to the bottom of this infamous mess, with all the misplaced sexual innuendo, casual racism, and giant mechanical spiders it entails. It will be a "wicky-wicky-wild" time. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube2020-12-081h 42
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Eight - Dredd 3D (2012)While the failure of 1995's JUDGE DREDD might have left some believing the character's cinematic journey was over, time has shown that Hollywood will let no IP with a substantial enough fanbase be left alone forever. And so, in 2012, we were given a brand-new attempt at bringing Mega-City One's toughest Judge to the screen...and this time, the helmet stays on. But how does the movie stack up even beyond that one crucial detail? Why isn't Karl Urban a bigger star? When is a director maybe NOT a director? And just what exactly does Justin Bieber have to do...2020-11-241h 56
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Seven - Judge Dredd (1995)"He takes off the helmet?!" This became the go-to, angry exclamation of JUDGE DREDD fans around the world when the cult favorite British comic book series was adapted into a 1995 Hollywood summer blockbuster. For these "Dredd-heads," this betrayal of an iconic visual tradition was indicative of a larger sense that the film didn't understand the spirit of their beloved character. But IS the movie really as bad as the comic fans (and, to be fair, most of the rest of the world, too) claimed at the time? And, if so, who is ultimately to blame, when considering a production...2020-11-101h 51
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Six - A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)In the wake the financial success of 2009's FRIDAY THE 13th reboot, New Line and Platinum Dunes were eager to revive the other slasher icon of the '80s. But this time, they faced different significant challenges...is it possible to recast Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger? Could a music video director making his feature debut bring the same class and style as horror master Wes Craven? And what would audiences expect to see from a more modern take on the franchise, with a bigger budget and an allegedly more "serious" and "realistic" take on the story? The attempt...2020-10-271h 36
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Five - Friday the 13th (2009)After dominating the slasher sub-genre throughout the '80s, and heading to space and then doing battle with his biggest box-office rival Freddy in the early 2000's, what else was left for everyone's favorite hockey-masked, homicidal mama's boy to do? Why, take part in the horror remake craze of the mid-'00s, of course! This episode, we take a look at Platinum Dunes' 2009 reboot of FRIDAY THE 13th, discussing both its worth as an overall entry in the franchise, and why, despite financial success, it didn't kick-start a new era of Camp Crystal Lake as clearly intended. ...2020-10-131h 50
Failure to FranchiseEpisode Four - Super Mario Bros. (1993)"Video game movie." This three-word phrase has sent a shudder down the spine of gamers and movie fans alike for almost three decades. To say this particular sub-genre has a spotty track record is an understatement. And it all started with a failed attempt to begin a new cinematic series featuring the most popular video game franchise of them all. In terms of pop culture in 1993, it didn't get much hotter than Super Mario Brothers...so what exactly went wrong with the movie? In this episode, we take a look at the film's troubled production and bizarre creative decisions...2020-09-291h 29