Explore every episode of the podcast Failure to Franchise
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 132 - Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) | 04 Nov 2025 | 01:40:36 | |
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." | |||
| Episode 131 - Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) | 21 Oct 2025 | 01:42:08 | |
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. | |||
| Episode 123 - Tekken (2009/2010/2011???) | 17 Jun 2025 | 01:25:16 | |
"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! | |||
| Episode Thirty-Eight - Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) | 01 Feb 2022 | 01:32:13 | |
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? | |||
| Episode Thirty-Seven - Robin Hood (2018) | 18 Jan 2022 | 01:33:01 | |
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? | |||
| Episode Thirty-Six - Robin Hood (2010) | 04 Jan 2022 | 01:16:58 | |
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?? | |||
| Episode Thirty-Five - Tank Girl (1995) | 21 Dec 2021 | 01:39:15 | |
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." | |||
| Episode Thirty-Four - Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013) | 07 Dec 2021 | 01:28:56 | |
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 all that witch's candy making us sick to our stomachs... | |||
| Episode Thirty-Three - Jupiter Ascending (2015) | 23 Nov 2021 | 01:45:06 | |
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. | |||
| Episode Thirty-Two - Speed Racer (2008) | 09 Nov 2021 | 01:53:07 | |
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. | |||
| Episode Thirty-One - The Mummy (2017) | 26 Oct 2021 | 01:47:41 | |
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, that is) was the Tom Cruise-starring reboot of THE MUMMY. Cursed, or just misguided? We certainly have our thoughts. | |||
| Episode Thirty - Dracula Untold (2014) | 12 Oct 2021 | 01:42:23 | |
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 with the character? An inability to effectively grapple with these questions might play a key role in the downfall of 2014's DRACULA UNTOLD, as our two-month "Curse of the Dark Universe" event continues. | |||
| Episode Twenty-Nine - The Wolfman (2010) | 28 Sep 2021 | 01:53:27 | |
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 just truly as cursed as its titular protagonist? | |||
| Episode 122 - DOA: Dead or Alive (2006) w/ Special Guest: Jackie Charniga | 03 Jun 2025 | 02:06:06 | |
"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! | |||
| Episode Twenty-Eight - Van Helsing (2004) | 14 Sep 2021 | 01:31:55 | |
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 up-and-coming movies stars of the era. A hot director. A hot leading man. And a movie full of time-tested iconic horror characters. What could could possibly go wrong with 2004's VAN HELSING? | |||
| Episode Twenty-Seven - Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2011) | 31 Aug 2021 | 01:21:02 | |
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 in a modest budget, first-time live-action director, and a collection of well-trodden genre cliches, with 2011's DYLAN DOG: DEAD OF NIGHT. | |||
| Episode Twenty-Six - Assassin's Creed (2016) | 17 Aug 2021 | 01:14:25 | |
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 for the worse? | |||
| Episode Twenty-Five - Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) | 03 Aug 2021 | 01:56:28 | |
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 what IS the film's ultimate legacy within the STAR WARS franchise? And why exactly is this movie responsible for perhaps our most contentious episode yet? | |||
| Episode Twenty-Four - Jem and the Holograms (2015) | 20 Jul 2021 | 01:33:42 | |
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. | |||
| Episode Twenty-Three - The Karate Kid (2010) | 06 Jul 2021 | 01:33:31 | |
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 our "Summer Surprise" editions. | |||
| Episode Twenty-Two - The Fifth Element (1997) | 22 Jun 2021 | 01:57:25 | |
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 we'll be covering, as we get ready for the "F2F Summer Surprise!" | |||
| Episode Twenty-One - Hellboy (2019) | 08 Jun 2021 | 01:51:03 | |
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 dedicated to the failed franchise starters of Milla Jovovich. | |||
| Episode Twenty - The Three Musketeers (2011) | 25 May 2021 | 01:35:22 | |
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 not well enough to get a sequel, but what did WE think of it? | |||
| Episode Nineteen - Ultraviolet (2006) | 11 May 2021 | 01:33:29 | |
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. | |||
| Episode 121 - Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009) | 20 May 2025 | 01:31:12 | |
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! | |||
| Episode Eighteen - King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) | 27 Apr 2021 | 01:43:55 | |
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 director more known for tales of down-on-their-luck hoodlums than virtuous knights - to craft a brand new, epic Arthur film, and promised it would be the beginning of a new multi-movie cinematic universe. Spoiler: it wasn't. | |||
| Episode Seventeen - King Arthur (2004) | 13 Apr 2021 | 01:40:30 | |
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 as we explore KING ARTHUR. | |||
| Failure to Series #2 - Not Another High School Show | 30 Mar 2021 | 00:49:37 | |
In 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. | |||
| Episode Sixteen - Mortal Engines (2018) | 16 Mar 2021 | 01:47:32 | |
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 what the hell went wrong. | |||
| Episode Fifteen - The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) | 02 Mar 2021 | 01:33:07 | |
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 becomes "too much" exposition? And why did Phil Collins go so hard on the Disney TARZAN soundtrack? (Trust us, that last question actually has a connection here.) | |||
| Episode Fourteen - I Am Number Four (2011) | 16 Feb 2021 | 01:41:41 | |
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 movie adaptation...well, we're talking about it on this show, so you get the idea. But what went wrong? Let's discuss. | |||
| Episode Thirteen - Fantastic Four aka Fant4stic (2015) | 02 Feb 2021 | 01:46:14 | |
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. | |||
| Episode Twelve - Spawn (1997) | 19 Jan 2021 | 01:44:29 | |
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 to the bottom of it. Plus, a brand new episode of everyone's favorite podcast-within-a-podcast, "Let's Go, Leguizamo!" | |||
| Episode Eleven - Battleship (2012) | 05 Jan 2021 | 01:52:53 | |
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. | |||
| Failure to Series #1 - Wonder Woman | 29 Dec 2020 | 00:50:22 | |
This 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 in recent years...why wasn't this one of them? Listen on to find out. | |||
| Episode 120 - Street Fighter (1994) | 06 May 2025 | 01:41:16 | |
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? | |||
| Episode Ten - Catwoman (2004) | 22 Dec 2020 | 01:40:33 | |
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. | |||
| Episode Nine - Wild Wild West (1999) | 08 Dec 2020 | 01:42:24 | |
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. | |||
| Episode Eight - Dredd 3D (2012) | 24 Nov 2020 | 01:56:06 | |
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 with all of it? We explore these questions and more in part two of our Judge Dredd spectacular. | |||
| Episode Seven - Judge Dredd (1995) | 10 Nov 2020 | 01:51:26 | |
"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 that was, by most accounts, fraught with tension between the megastar at its center and a young, unproven director determined to do right by the comic he grew up loving? The answers...will probably NOT shock you. But listen anyway! | |||
| Episode Six - A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) | 27 Oct 2020 | 01:36:18 | |
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 to answer these questions would result in one of the more maligned examples of the 2000's horror remake boom...but do we believe it deserves its frightfully bad reputation? | |||
| Episode Five - Friday the 13th (2009) | 13 Oct 2020 | 01:50:42 | |
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. | |||
| Episode Four - Super Mario Bros. (1993) | 29 Sep 2020 | 01:29:01 | |
"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, in order to try to answer that question. Plus, the debut of everyone's next favorite podcast-within-a-podcast, "Let's Go, Leguizamo!" | |||
| Episode Three - Waterworld (1995) | 15 Sep 2020 | 01:31:39 | |
After a wave of independent and foreign MAD MAX rip-off films dominated video store shelves throughout the 1980s, Hollywood finally took its own shot, in a big way, at the post-apocalyptic wasteland action genre in the mid-90s. Swapping vast desert for a flooded earth, and starring mega-star (at the time) Kevin Costner, WATERWORLD arrived in theaters amidst bad behind-the-scenes buzz and a reputation as the most expensive movie ever made. But would it be able to overcome all that and still launch a wildly successful franchise?? Well...no. And in this episode, we discuss why not. | |||
| Episode Two - Ghostbusters (2016) | 01 Sep 2020 | 01:24:39 | |
How could the reboot of a beloved '80s comedy classic, coming from the filmmaker behind one of the 2010's most successful comedies and starring a number of popular performers, end up one of the most controversial films in recent memory? The hysteria and heated debates surrounding 2016's GHOSTBUSTERS might be one of the elements it is ultimately best remembered for...but are they really the only reasons this attempted franchise relaunch didn't take off? Join us as we attempt to find out, cause we ain't afraid of no GHOSTBUSTERS discussion. | |||
| Episode One - John Carter (2012) | 18 Aug 2020 | 01:29:30 | |
An iconic character that influenced 100 years of storytelling. An award-winning, critically-acclaimed filmmaker. A rising star in the lead role. All in the hands of the biggest movie studio in the world. When Disney's JOHN CARTER arrived in 2012, it seemed to have a lot going for it. And yet, it ended up arguably the most infamous bomb in recent cinematic history. So what happened? In our first episode, we investigate the behind-the-scenes decisions that may have sunk the film fans had been waiting a century for. | |||
| Episode 119 - Spenser Confidential (2020) | 22 Apr 2025 | 01:25:53 | |
"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. | |||
| Episode Zero - Introductions | 09 Aug 2020 | 01:08:15 | |
Before embarking on a bi-weekly quest to chronicle some of Hollywood's most infamous failures, we take a moment to introduce ourselves, and explain what lies ahead. How will we go about discussing the movies we cover? What do we think constitutes a franchise non-starter in the first place? And how do we feel about the modern day dependence on franchise film-making in general? All these questions and more are covered, as we gear up for Failure to Franchise. | |||
| Episode 118 - Mile 22 (2018) | 08 Apr 2025 | 01:21:54 | |
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! | |||
| Episode 117 - The Italian Job (2003) | 25 Mar 2025 | 01:42:17 | |
"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! | |||