Podcasts about Dark universe

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey trace the ambitious — and ultimately ill-fated — vision for Universal's Dark Universe, from the scrapped sequel to The Mummy to Tom Cruise's push to reinvent himself as the studio's modern Van Helsing. NEWS Universal courts talent and headlines by hiring Mark Platt and director Lorene Scafaria for a Sabrina Carpenter–led Alice in Wonderland musical. Comcast explores a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs advising. Competing interest from Netflix and Apple raises the stakes ahead of WBD's planned corporate split. Peacock sets a new premiere date for The Epic Ride documentary, now featuring rare dragon-drone testing footage from Epic Universe. A closer look at how the industry shake-ups could affect theme park rights, licensing, and future Universal IP development. FEATURE The original plan for a direct sequel to 2017's The Mummy — and how the story would have expanded Dr. Jekyll's organization and the gods-and-monsters mythology. Why Tom Cruise's version of Nick Morton was conceived as the entry point to a larger shared universe… and how internal plans positioned him as the modern Van Helsing, monster hunter and connective tissue between films. How Cruise's hands-on creative control — the same instinct that later led Top Gun: Maverick to a $1.4B box office — clashed with Universal's rollout of the Dark Universe brand. A breakdown of what actually killed the Dark Universe: mismatched expectations, a premature cinematic universe announcement, and a marketing campaign Cruise felt undermined the film he delivered. Why Epic Universe's Dark Universe land succeeds where the films didn't — channeling classic-monster storytelling without the burden of a forced franchise blueprint. HOSTS Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.comEric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com PATREON Love the show? Support more insider stories, deep dives, and history of themed entertainment at:https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ FOLLOW US Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia PRODUCTION Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlocked Magic — Save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including discounts on after-hours events like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Start planning at UnlockedMagic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE BEST BOOK CLUB IN THE MULTIVERSE! Join Aeric and Malcolm as they conclude Brad Meltzer's time with the JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA and herald the return of THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE! With the new Justice League assembled, it's time for a team-up! The JLA is visited by the Justice Society of America to solve a mystery: why is Karate Kid of the Legion of Superheroes in the present day, and are there other Legionnaires stranded in this time period? The mystery leads to a Legion scavenger hunt that may result in the death of one hero… and the return of another! Covers Justice League of America (2006) #8-12 and Justice Society of America (2006) #5-6 by Brad Meltzer, Geoff Johns, Ed Benes, Shane Davis, Gene Ha, Fernando Pasarin and Dale Eaglesham Time Stamps: 00:00:32 Intro & Whatcha Doin'? 00:10:53 Book Club Begins 02:39:57 Break 02:42:08 Speed Force Mailbag 03:03:10 Patreon Shout-Outs & Wrap-Up Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/geeksplained Geeksplained Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/user/geeksplained Follow us! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/geeksplained.bsky.social Instagram: www.instagram.com/geeksplainedpod/?hl=en Send us your questions for the Geeksplained Mailbag! Email: Geeksplained@gmail.com Check out THE POD UNIVERSE! Writers Dalton Deschain and Dylan Roth first joined together to create Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe? a podcast in which they pitched new installments of the canceled Dark Universe of monster movies. After completing their 30-part saga, they've set out to do something new - an all-original cinematic universe of imaginary movies, written, workshopped, and performed on all podcatchers and YouTube: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Dfy9XX1PMGZbu8iSxtPW3 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV48aQBx58PA5d_HqNyRZeQ Music Sampled: “Alive” by Warbly Jets

It's time for a podcast about a podcast!Yes, we're talking about Star Trek: Khan, the official Star Trek podcast.What happened between Space Seed and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan? Dr Rosalind Lear wants to know and brings some familiar faces to Ceti Alpha V to dig up some old recordings. Does she want to humanise this space tyrant or exonerate Kirk for his actions?Flashbacks, being stranded in a hostile wilderness, Naveen Andrews… Is this Lost? Kind of. At least, it's enough for Charlie and Miles to talk about Lost a lot, as well as serialised fiction and the plot of the first three episodes of Star Trek: Khan.01:41 What Non-Star Trek Thing We've Been Enjoying: 11:33 What is Star Trek: KHAAAAAN!?26:45 Kind of a recapTalking points include: Lost in Space, Journey into Space, Lessons in Magic and Disaster, Charles Dickens, freelancer rates in RPGs, Tales of the City, serialised prose, we should not be so impressed that we finished a book (Miles) and a video game (Charlie), Hades, fiction podcasts, Welcome to Night Vale, Silt Verses, Wolf 359 (non-Star Trek), Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe, Lost, Alan Sepinwall “The Revolution was Televised”, Mo Ryan “Burn It Down”, Spaceballs, Khan quoting Milton (always), manifest destiny, Alien: Earth, what kind of 90's nerd Khan would have been. Oh, and occasionally Star Trek.Casual Trek is by Charlie Etheridge-Nunn and Miles Reid-LobattoMusic by Alfred Etheridge-NunnCasual Trek is a part of the Nerd & Tie Networkhttps://ko-fi.com/casualtrekMiles' blog: http://www.mareidlobatto.wordpress.com Charlie's blog: http://www.fakedtales.com

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a newly surfaced Universal guest survey that hints at Epic Universe joining the resort's Annual Pass lineup — and what that could mean for crowds, pricing, and park strategy. Plus, Jim shares a real-life road trip saga straight out of a Hallmark movie, and the guys unpack Universal's latest headlines from Orlando to Hollywood. NEWS A listener-sent Universal survey suggests Epic Universe may soon be included in AP tiers. Comcast's Q3 results show a 19% jump in theme park revenue, driven by Epic's first full quarter. The Burning Blade Tavern's fire effect goes dark — and fans dub it “The Invisible Blade.” Jim explains why Spider-Man still appears in Universal marketing — thanks to a contract clause requiring 20% Marvel representation in Islands of Adventure ads. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz return for a brand-new Mummy sequel, proving Universal's monster legacy isn't dead yet. FEATUREJim continues his deep dive into Universal's ill-fated Dark Universe — the studio's ambitious attempt to build a monster-filled cinematic universe. From Dracula Untold to The Mummy (2017), discover how even A-list stars and big budgets couldn't resurrect the undead franchise. Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Eric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com PatreonSupport Epic Universal and other Jim Hill Media shows at patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow UsFacebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer CreditsEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic — where you can save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including after-hours events. Visit UnlockedMagic.com today and tell them Eric and Jim sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not Couple Goals: “The Mummy” (2017)Welcome to “Not Couple Goals” where co-hosts Allie Nelson and Tyler McCarthy do a deep dive into a different ridiculous romantic thriller from the vantage point of their long-term relationship.Allie, a TV writer/producer and actress, has an affinity for romantic thrillers, the more salacious the better. Tyler, an entertainment reporter and critic, often finds himself drawn in despite his better judgment. Join them as they explore all the ways it's possible to love too hard… like WAY too hard.In this episode, Allie and Tyler get spooky for their (belated) Halloween movie - The Mummy… (2017, sorry). Join them as they discuss Tom Cruise's vanity project, the death of the Dark Universe and, yes, heavily compare it to the 1999 movie of the same name. Did we expect too much from a movie about a magic mummy's curse? Listen and find out! Special thanks to Mallory Johns for the introduction music.Please don't forget to follow our hosts on Twitter @ANelRetentive & @TylerMcCarthy and Instagram @ANelRetentive.

On this episode, we're diving into the new Epic Universe ticket options starting in 2026, what they include, and how they'll fit into the Universal Orlando Resort lineup. We also break down what's confirmed to be coming to the park when it opens. From Super Nintendo World to How to Train Your Dragon Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park, plus share some speculation on what Universal might add in the years ahead. With Epic Universe shaping up to be a game-changer for theme parks, we're breaking down everything you need to know about tickets, attractions, and the exciting possibilities for the park's future. Join Club 32 Help us to fund & grow the show by becoming part of Club 32! You'll get more additional content, CTM Apparel discounts, 1901 Candle Company discounts, private Facebook Group, private podcast & more! - head to ctmvip.com CTM Apparel Get the best Disney, Universal and/or Pop Culture apparel that is hand made in our shop - shop at ctmshirts.com Subscribe To The Show & Leave Us A Review Apple Podcasts - Click Here Stitcher - Click Here Spotify - Click Here Follow Us on Social Media CTM Facebook Group: @capthemagic Twitter: @capthemagic Instagram: @capthemagic Visit Us Online Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Capture the Magic Podcast – find the latest episodes! Capture The Magic Apparel – you can find a great Disney-inspired t-shirt collection! Join Club 32! Our private group with access to exclusive livestreams, podcasts, and MORE! Visit ctmvip.com Our Sponsors Zip Travel - visit travelwithzip.com to see how they can help you have the vacation of a lifetime! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this Halloween episode, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig up the spooky story of Universal's Dark Universe - the ambitious attempt to build a monster-filled cinematic universe that never rose from the grave. From The Mummy's box office stumble to the Wolfman's cursed production, the duo unpacks how a failed film series still inspired one of Epic Universe's most anticipated lands. Along the way, they discuss park attendance stats, ticket changes, and a few frightfully fun surprises. 2024 Themed Entertainment Association attendance report reveals Universal's shifting rankings Why Universal paused 3-Day Annual Pass sales and what it means for Epic Universe access The rise and fall of The Mummy reboot and the costly chaos behind The Wolfman Inside Universal's forgotten plans for Creature from the Black Lagoon and Dracula Untold How the ashes of a movie misfire gave life to Epic Universe's monster-filled Dark Universe land Even the monsters couldn't scare away Jim and Eric's curiosity—hear the full tale of how Universal's cinematic dream turned into a theme park triumph. Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back, not only with our first episode of the year, but in our beloved Rankin/Bass cinematic universe. ITM covers the bizarre Halloween film Mad Monster Party?which features plenty of classic monsters, an horror icon Boris Karloff himself. Did Mad Monster Party? succeed where Universal's Dark Universe fails? Maybe not. Does this film have plenty of non-sequiturs that make no sense and cheap, borderline offensive humor? Of course. ITM also addresses the pod's long hiatus and is very excited for the return of Christmas programming in a few weeks.

It's the (hopefully) thrilling conclusion of Dylan's space sci-fi drama, Last Flight of the Stone Hammer! Will the Ley-to and Eridai find a way to survive this cosmic calamity? And what will this mean for our Pod Universe going forward? PLUS: Check out Dalton's newest single, a refreshed and rearranged "Some Dark Magik," at the end of this episode. THIS WEEK'S SPONSORS: Vampirocene by merritt k. - When viral pop star Janie Mack "comes out" as a vampire, most people think it's just a play for attention. But when she launches a new movement to stop climate change, people start listening... - merrittk.itch.io/vampirocene Return to Blacktail Harbor by Rogue Centaur - A single-player murder mystery journaling game, where you play as a guest investigating the mysterious events surrounding the wedding and try to stay alive. - Roguecentaur.Itch.Io/Blacktail The Frankencast by Mad Scientist Anthony Bowman - If you're missing Frankenstein after the conclusion of the Dark Universe, the Frankencast has been watching a discussing Frankenstein movies for over 200 episodes. And as always you can check out our merch on shop.thepoduniverse.com or support us directly at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton.https://Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Discussion 00:09:56 - Previously On 00:14:37 - Act Two Part Two 00:25:09 - Ad Break 1 00:26:02 - Ad Break 2 00:27:13 - Discussion 00:38:34 - Act Three 01:00:05 - Ad Break 3 01:00:44 - Mid-Credits Scene 01:02:41 - Discussion01:22:59 - “Some Dark Magik”

In this week’s group chat, Jason and Rosie dive into the world of classic horror films, focusing on the legacy of Universal Monsters and the failed attempts to create a modern Dark Universe. Then they explore the lessons we can learn from the box office trends in 2025, and wrap up by sharing their favorite Halloween treats. Follow Jason: IG & Bluesky Follow Rosie: IG & Letterboxd Follow X-Ray Vision on Instagram Join the X-Ray Vision DiscordSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've been looking forward to experiencing Universal Orlando's brand-new Epic Universe: Dark Universe for well over a year, and finally we made it! Walking through the fog into Darkmoor Village felt like stepping inside a classic monster movie. We rode Curse of the Werewolf and were blown away by Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. There's a reason all the vloggers keep praising this attraction. We also share our thoughts on food, merchandise, characters, and atmosphere. Meeting the NEW Bride and Frankenstein in person was the perfect ending to an unforgettable visit. Next, we joined our friend Tati Perez for a wet and wild time at Halloween Horror Nights Orlando, where ten haunted mazes awaited us—and nonstop Florida rain. But hey - it's a story! We each share our Top 3 horror mazes. Five Nights at Freddy's topped our list with its creepy animatronics, while others impressed with their artistic environments. Between mazes, we wandered through eerie “Scare Zones” like The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane, where trick-or-treaters slowly turned into feral cats under glowing jack-o'-lanterns. What's not to love about spooky season!! There are 4 other “lands” or “portals' at Epic Universe, but to keep to our Halloween theme, we focued on Dark Universe in this episode. To hear more about our entire trip, including our Skywalking Meet-up, Ministry of Magic attraction, and How To Train Your Dragon: Isle of Burke, watch our Livestream dated 10/13.

We've been looking forward to experiencing Universal Orlando's brand-new Epic Universe: Dark Universe for well over a year, and finally we made it! Walking through the fog into Darkmoor Village felt like stepping inside a classic monster movie. We rode Curse of the Werewolf and were blown away by Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. There's a reason all the vloggers keep praising this attraction. We also share our thoughts on food, merchandise, characters, and atmosphere. Meeting the NEW Bride and Frankenstein in person was the perfect ending to an unforgettable visit. Next, we joined our friend Tati Perez for a wet and wild time at Halloween Horror Nights Orlando, where ten haunted mazes awaited us—and nonstop Florida rain. But hey - it's a story! We each share our Top 3 horror mazes. Five Nights at Freddy's topped our list with its creepy animatronics, while others impressed with their artistic environments. Between mazes, we wandered through eerie “Scare Zones” like The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane, where trick-or-treaters slowly turned into feral cats under glowing jack-o'-lanterns. What's not to love about spooky season!! There are 4 other “lands” or “portals' at Epic Universe, but to keep to our Halloween theme, we focued on Dark Universe in this episode. To hear more about our entire trip, including our Skywalking Meet-up, Ministry of Magic attraction, and How To Train Your Dragon: Isle of Burke, watch our Livestream dated 10/13.

Chris has gone big with his next pick, Van Helsing, Universal's flashy attempt to revive their classic monsters for a modern blockbuster audience. Directed by Stephen Sommers, hot off the success of The Mummy films, the project was designed as both a gothic action spectacle and a potential launchpad for a wider franchise. With a hefty budget of around $160 million, the film spared no expense on lavish sets, elaborate costumes, and state-of-the-art visual effects to bring together Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, werewolves, and more in a single monster-mash universe. Universal saw Van Helsing as a tentpole production that could recapture the energy of their golden age monsters.The production itself was an enormous undertaking, with filming spanning locations such as Prague, Paris, and a host of detailed soundstages built to recreate grand gothic landscapes. ILM and other VFX houses were tasked with delivering cutting-edge digital effects, while Hugh Jackman, in the title role, underwent intense training to perform many of his own stunts. Despite all the ambition and money thrown at it, Van Helsing was met with mixed reviews upon release — critics praised the spectacle but criticised its overstuffed narrative and heavy reliance on CGI. Still, it's a fascinating example of early-2000s Hollywood excess, where studios swung for the fences trying to build franchises before “shared universes” became the norm.If you enjoy the show, we have a Patreon, so become a supporter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.Referral links also help out the show if you were going to sign up:⁠⁠NordVPN⁠⁠⁠⁠NordPass⁠⁠Trailer Guy Plot SummaryIn a time when monsters walk the earth… one man hunts them all. Hugh Jackman is Van Helsing — the ultimate warrior against evil. Armed with gadgets, grit, and a grim sense of duty, he'll face Dracula, werewolves, Frankenstein's monster, and a horde of nightmares that refuse to stay dead. With danger around every corner and darkness closing in, the battle between man and monster is about to erupt in a gothic showdown like no other. This summer… evil has met its match.Fun FactsThe enormous set for Dracula's castle was one of the largest ever constructed at Prague's Barrandov Studios, showcasing Universal's investment in the film's gothic style.Director Stephen Sommers insisted on practical stunts wherever possible, leading to Hugh Jackman doing many of his own wirework sequences.The vampire brides' flying scenes were achieved with a mix of motion capture and practical harness work, which was notoriously difficult for the actresses to perform.The film's werewolf transformations were a blend of prosthetics and CGI, considered cutting-edge at the time, but often criticised for looking dated only a few years later.Dracula's three brides were modelled after classic vampire lore, but with a modern twist — Sommers wanted them to feel like “supermodels crossed with banshees.”The production team used more than 1,500 visual effects shots, making it one of the most VFX-heavy films of 2004.Kevin J. O'Connor, who played Igor, was a longtime collaborator with Sommers, having appeared in both The Mummy and The Mummy Returns.The iconic horse-drawn carriage chase scene was filmed on massive outdoor sets in the Czech Republic, with many practical explosions added to heighten the chaos.Universal Pictures released a tie-in video game for Van Helsing on PlayStation 2 and Xbox, voiced by Hugh Jackman.The film's attempt to revive Universal's monster legacy would later inspire the failed “Dark Universe” reboot attempt with The Mummy (2017).⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thevhsstrikesback@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/vhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Dark Universe had an epicenter... it also happen to be where it basically ended too. We start spooky season with Dracula UntoldDirected by Gary ShoreScreenplay byMatt Sazama, Burk SharplessBased on Dracula: Year One by Matt Sazama, Burk SharplessDracula by Bram StokerProduced by Michael De LucaStarring: Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon, Charles DanceCinematography John SchwartzmanEdited by Richard PearsonMusic by Ramin DjawadiProduction companies Universal Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Michael De Luca ProductionsDistributed by Universal PicturesRelease date October 10, 2014Running time 92 minutesBudget $70,000,000 (estimated)Gross US & Canada $56,280,355Opening weekend US & Canada$23,514,615Oct 12, 2014Gross worldwide $217,124,280

Tim and AJ have their longest episode ever on Dark Universe, and are perfectly willing to acknowledge Victoria Frankenstein's flaws (She has none), and can hold her accountable for her wrongdoings (She has never done anything wrong in her life), and call her out on her actions (Which are always correct).Editor's Note: When Tim and AJ noted that the Dark Universe soundtrack had not been officially released on streaming, neither of them thought to actually check on that.  If they had, they would have seen that Universal HAD released it in August.  The soundtrack also totals approximately 40 minutes, not 28.  Those responsible have been sacked.Hosted by Tim O'Connor and AJ SalisburyCover art by @chipstercreates.bsky.social on BlueskyFacebook: facebook.com/Standby-LineInstagram: instagram.com/standbylinepodcastPatreon: patreon.com/standbylinepodcastEmail: standbylinepodcast@gmail.com

Join us on this episode as we discuss Epic Universe's Dark Universe Land! 

Like The Mummy 2017, everything we've been covering up to this point has lead us here. The Dark Universe has had its fair share of failures but none quite as spectacular as the 2017 reboot/sequel/franchise launching Tom Cruise vehicle The Mummy. With Universal pumping nearly 200 million dollars into the budget including a brand new logo and the reveal of it's upcoming film slate in a hilarious promo photo featuring the likes of Javier Bardem and Johnny Depp this outing was nothing but an unmitigated disaster. And thats's why we love it. Not the movie but all the stuff around it. Thanks for watching our Caravan Of Garbage reviewSUBSCRIBE HERE ►► http://goo.gl/pQ39jNHelp support the show and get early episodes ► https://bigsandwich.co/Patreon ► https://patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesJames' Twitter ► http://twitter.com/mrsundaymoviesMaso's Twitter ► http://twitter.com/wikipediabrownPatreon ► https://patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesT-Shirts/Merch ► https://www.teepublic.com/stores/mr-sunday-movies The Weekly Planet iTunes ► https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-planet/id718158767?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 The Weekly Planet Direct Download ► https://play.acast.com/s/theweeklyplanetAmazon Affiliate Link ► https://amzn.to/2nc12P4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for episode 459 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! We finally stepped foot inside Universal's brand-new EPIC Universe, and we're giving you the full review! From the jaw-dropping Celestial Park to the spooky thrills of Dark Universe, plus Mario Kart chaos in Super Nintendo World, we cover every land, every ride, and whether it truly lives up to the hype. If you're planning a trip — or just want to know what's next for Orlando's theme park wars — this is the episode for you. A reminder, if you have any questions for us, send us a message on TikTok or Instagram.

We've all been having the best time revisiting different failures within the Dark Universe. This week it's Dracula Untold, a thinly veiled attempt to turn Dracula into a comic book action hero. Which is weird because Dracula already exists in both the Marvel and DC Universes. Anyhoo Luke Evans stars as Vlad The Impaler, a kind and gentle family man who just wants to forget the time he literally impalled 1000 people. BUT THEN an man from his past returns to get all the boys and Vlad's like "NO WAY" and he turns into a Dracula. Other things happen but that's the main thrust of it. Thanks for watching our Caravan Of Garbage reviewSUBSCRIBE HERE ►► http://goo.gl/pQ39jNHelp support the show and get early episodes ► https://bigsandwich.co/Patreon ► https://patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesJames' Twitter ► http://twitter.com/mrsundaymoviesMaso's Twitter ► http://twitter.com/wikipediabrownPatreon ► https://patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesT-Shirts/Merch ► https://www.teepublic.com/stores/mr-sunday-movies The Weekly Planet iTunes ► https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-planet/id718158767?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 The Weekly Planet Direct Download ► https://play.acast.com/s/theweeklyplanetAmazon Affiliate Link ► https://amzn.to/2nc12P4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2010 Universal took another step towards rebooting the Dark Universe with a straight shot at a remake of the 1941 classic The Wolf Man starring Lon Chaney Jr. This time starring Benecio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving and with the late addition direction of Joe Johnston it does manage to capture some of the magic of a classic monster movie. But also it's not that good even though Mason liked it. Thanks for watching our Caravan Of Garbage review!SUBSCRIBE HERE ►► http://goo.gl/pQ39jNHelp support the show and get early episodes ► https://bigsandwich.co/Patreon ► https://patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesJames' Twitter ► http://twitter.com/mrsundaymoviesMaso's Twitter ► http://twitter.com/wikipediabrownPatreon ► https://patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesT-Shirts/Merch ► https://www.teepublic.com/stores/mr-sunday-movies The Weekly Planet iTunes ► https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-planet/id718158767?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 The Weekly Planet Direct Download ► https://play.acast.com/s/theweeklyplanetAmazon Affiliate Link ► https://amzn.to/2nc12P4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2004 Universal attempted the impossible, recreate the success of The Mummy reboot from 1999 using the classic monsters of old. At it turns out that was impossible and would continue to be so until The Invisible Man in 2020. Over the next four weeks we're going to take a look at a series of movies that each tried to start their own Dark Universe incorporating classic movie monsters. This week it's Van Helsing starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale which pits Gabriel Van Hesling against a really bizarre version of Dracula. Thanks for watching our Caravan Of Garbage reviewSUBSCRIBE HERE ►► http://goo.gl/pQ39jNHelp support the show and get early episodes ► https://bigsandwich.co/Patreon ► https://patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesJames' Twitter ► http://twitter.com/mrsundaymoviesMaso's Twitter ► http://twitter.com/wikipediabrownPatreon ► https://patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesT-Shirts/Merch ► https://www.teepublic.com/stores/mr-sunday-movies The Weekly Planet iTunes ► https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-planet/id718158767?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 The Weekly Planet Direct Download ► https://play.acast.com/s/theweeklyplanetAmazon Affiliate Link ► https://amzn.to/2nc12P4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2022, Dylan Roth and Dalton Deschain set out to finish writing the Dark Universe that began and ended with Universal's 2017 remake of The Mummy. Three years and 29 scripts later, they're embarking on a whole new journey, leaving the realm of fan fiction behind to write, workshop, and perform an entire new universe of imaginary movies on their podcast. You are now entering... THE POD UNIVERSE. This episode was sponsored by three independent creative projects: PV Guide - Ditch the algorithm with PV Guide, featuring recommendations, reviews, and interviews from former Polygon senior curation editor Pete Volk. Forget the robots: Find what to watch next with a human touch. Vampirocene by merritt k. - When viral pop star Janie Mack "comes out" as a vampire, most people think it's just a play for attention. But when she launches a new movement to stop climate change, people start listening... Bloodbound by Chase McPherson - Bloodbound is a gripping saga of identity, resilience, and redemption—where every choice could save two worlds… or doom them both. Learn more at byChaseMcP.com for direct links to your favorite online book retailers. Want to promote your art on our show? Look us up at thepoduniverse.com for details. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - What is the Pod Universe? 00:38:00 - Sponsor: PV Guide 00:40:15 - Slate Reveal, Part 1 00:58:52 - Sponsor: Vampirocene 01:01:11 - Slate Reveal, Part 2 01:14:03 - Sponsor: Bloodhound 01:19:28 - Pod People teaser trailer

In this week's episode, I look at what goes into a successful theme park, and compare it to the process of creating a compelling story. This coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in the Dragontiarna series at my Payhip store: FALLDRAGON25 The coupon code is valid through September 8, 2025 (please note the shorter expiration date). So if you need a new ebook this fall, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 266 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller and today is August 29th, 2025, and today we are considering if theme parks are like writing. Before we get into this topic, we'll have Coupon of the Week and then a progress update on my current writing projects. This week's coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in the Dragontiarna series at my Payhip store, and that coupon code is FALLDRAGON25. And as always, we'll have the coupon code and links in the show notes for this episode. This coupon code is only valid through September 8, 2025. That's only one week, so if you want to use it, act now. And if you need a new ebook for fall, we have got you covered. Now an update on my current writing projects. I am 63,000 words into Blade of Flames, the first book in my new epic fantasy Blades of Ruin series, and I think 63,000 words puts me about almost two thirds of the way through. I think the book will end up being between 90,000 and 100,000 words, so hopefully we are on track to have that out before the end of September. I'm also 5,000 words into Cloak of Worlds, which will be the 13th book in the Cloak Mage series. And if all goes well, I think that will probably be out in October, towards the end of October, maybe a Halloween book. In audiobook news, recording is still underway for Shield of Power (that will be excellently narrated by Brad Wills); we're coming up on the end of that, so should have some good news on that before too much longer. Recording is underway for Ghost in the Siege, and that will be excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy. So that is where I am at with my current writing and audiobook projects. Some good progress this week. 00:01:53 Main Topic: What Epic Universe Can Teach Us About Creating Memorable Characters Now on to our main topic this week: are theme parks like writing and what theme parks can teach us about creating memorable characters and settings. I have to admit, this is an unusual topic for me because I am not really a theme park person. I have several family members who are interested in the history of Disney Corporation, so I've picked up some through osmosis, but that's essentially it. This topic was suggested by my podcast transcriptionist, and it was an interesting idea, so I thought we would go with it. I don't really know all that much about theme parks. As I mentioned, I'm not really in the target audience and I'm not in the sort of demographic where I would watch, for example, someone's four hour live stream through the latest Disney attraction or whatever. Though I did watch the video that Jenny Nicholson put out last summer about her experience with the Star Wars “hotel”, and I think that was interesting as a piece of essentially documentary journalism depicting a tale of sort of corporate greed and cost cutting and how that can lead to inevitable failure. But that is a bit of a tangent from our main topic, which is whether or not writers can learn anything from theme parks. I did pick up enough through osmosis from the history of Disney to know that in the early days before the Disney Corporation became as sort of corporatized and cost cutting as is now, that when they built a new attraction, the attraction had to be able to tell a story, like there was some sort of a story that needed to be told or an essential narrative that needed to be followed through the layout of the attraction so the guests, if they were paying attention, would be told a story. So apparently the big news in the theme park universe this year is that Universal opened a new theme park called Universal Epic Universe in Florida in May 2025. The park is built on a central hub, which then divides out into five intellectual property based lands like Super Nintendo World with all of the Mario characters. What's interesting is that two of the five lands in the theme park are directly based on content that began as book series, the How to Train Your Island- Isle of Berk (which was originally written by Cressida Cowell) and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Ministry of Magic, which was originally written by J.K. Rowling. One other land, The Dark Universe, draws heavily on the Frankenstein story, which was originally written by Mary Shelley (among other creatures like Dracula, who as a character originated in Bram Stoker's novel in the 19th century). Now, what does this have to do with writing? I mean, for most writers, the idea of becoming popular enough that people build theme parks based on your characters is probably a bit unrealistic as a career goal. However, I think there are lessons that can be learned there for writers about holding the interest and compelling readers. All three of the intellectual properties we discussed previously were more often known for their movie adaptations than the books they were originally based upon. But we can learn what makes memorable characters and settings in the book series and how a theme park would draw upon a beloved book series to generate ticket, merchandise, and food sales. I think it is both fair to say and a profound understatement that books, movies, and theme parks are wildly different kinds of art forms. However, the fundamental principles of storytelling, of world building do seem to apply across all three. So let's take a look at some of those principles. Part I: Creating Fictional Worlds Memorably People like distinct and creative worlds that make them feel immersed in something beyond mundane reality, even if that reality is not safe, easy, or pleasant. In all three stories that inspire these theme parks, the main character faces something that no one has before. Harry Potter readers can imagine that they're an owl delivery letter away from arriving at a new school full of friends, magic, and danger. How to Train Your Dragon lets readers soar through the air while rescuing a lovable dragon from a dark fate. Dragon riders are considered to be a special group of people in this world. Frankenstein allows us to imagine a world where humans are powerful enough to have power over life and death itself, though in the grand tradition of science fiction and horror, this always goes horribly wrong. After all, creating an artificial life form did not end particularly well for Victor Frankenstein in the first book. And where this comes into theme parks is that readers want to find a way to be included in the fictional world. In Harry Potter, readers can imagine which house they're sorted into based on personality traits. By choosing a house in the Hogwarts school or magic wands whose components reflect their personalities, they feel more included in the story because they know where they would belong in it. Many, many, many young adult series since then have tried to include some sort of factions or special lands or organizations in their stories for this reason, but it never seems to land quite as well as it did in the Harry Potter series. Though to be honest, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry seems like it would be immediately shut down if any sort of educational authority or ministry of education or department of education ever investigated it because it (laughs) is not a well-run school. In How to Train Your Dragon, dangerous dragons are not only faced, they're befriended and protected. Something frightening becomes a chance to feel powerful and help others. And readers often enjoy reading about dark creatures or villains like Frankenstein's monster because it makes the real world seem more secure or stable by comparison or because they feel like misfits or outcasts and can sympathize with these characters. Now, for writers, specific world building details often are very distinct things that readers remember, sometimes even more than the plot. For myself, that's worked advantageously with several of my different settings where some of the distinct details of the Cloak Games settings or the Half-Elven Thief settings stick in people's minds. For the examples we're talking about here, some readers might remember a biting textbook, a flying broomstick, or what's on the Hogwarts banquet table more than they remember the plots of the individual Harry Potter movies or books. Now for the theme parks, Universal Studios capitalizes on this and makes money by creating merchandise and food items from those moments in the books, and they give visitors an opportunity to buy a nice cold glass of Butterbeer or a t-shirt from their Hogwarts house. And that feels more special than buying a pair of, for example, Mickey Mouse ears because they have a preexisting connection with Harry Potter, and though it's extremely unlikely that any of us will end up owning a theme park, as writers, don't be afraid of adding details like that, very specific details like that to the world building because it does help create a distinctive atmosphere and help the readers connect with the story. Part II: Investing Audiences in Your Characters Now onto part two, investing audiences in your characters. It's a good idea to find a way to make the readers root for your characters. Harry Potter and Toothless the dragon both begin as scrawny, unloved, and unimpressive, but they rise in the face of danger to become brave and important. When characters team up in a structured way, such as Dumbledore's Army or the creation of the Berk Training Academy, it gives the readers a chance to imagine how they could join the main characters and be part of the group. It's also important to remember a character doesn't have to be likable to be memorable, though obviously this often works better for villains. For example, Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter is a very memorable character, even though she's totally unsympathetic and unlikable because she represents a sort of bureaucratic, pettiness, and evil that we inevitably all have to deal with at some point in our lives, whether in school or dealing with various bureaucracies (whether government or corporate) as we get older. Frankenstein's creature likewise isn't always likable, though he is sympathetic because he didn't ask to be created. His creator mistreated him. He tried to fit into human society and totally failed. So while he does many morally reprehensible things like for example, murdering Victor Frankenstein's bride to be, nonetheless he retains an element of sympathy because if he's a monster, it's because Victor Frankenstein created him to be a monster. Even when his decisions aren't ideal or are quite bad, his loneliness and curiosity are still deeply relatable. Part III: Adapting To Grow With Your Audience Now, Part III, adapting to grow with your audience/adding new characters to an existing world or an interconnected series. Don't be afraid to age up your characters and change them across a series. In Harry Potter and How to Train Your Dragons, the characters age through series and face new and more complex challenges. Watching characters change is a great way to make them feel more lifelike and give them new complexities. I was reminded of that very recently with the publication of Ghost in the Siege, where I believe that is the 34th novel with Caina as the main character. Obviously she has changed and grown quite a bit since that first book all those years ago and some part of the plot was Caina coming to terms with how much she's changed and how much she's changed as a result of what she's had to do to save people she cares about, which is kind of an interesting comparison to the fact that I found it a bit challenging to write the book just because Caina has changed so much from her original start in trying to find a way to write that while remaining true to the character. Given how well the book has been received (thanks, everyone!), I think I might have landed on the mark for that one. If you want to continue in the world and write another series in the world, it's usually a good idea to include some carryover characters between the series. I've done that a lot with Frostborn, Sevenfold Sword, Dragontiarna, Dragonskull, and Shield War, where some characters continue over between the series. In the theme park, for example, in the Dark Universe, Dr. Victoria Frankenstein continues the work of her ancestor, Victor Frankenstein. That can also help to remind readers why they like the series so much by bringing back favorite characters. Returning to favorite locations in the series is a way to keep fans engaged, as long as it makes sense or fits the story. Give your books emotionally satisfying, not necessarily happy conclusions. Give them a chance to say goodbye to characters in places they've come to care about. Remember, the ending doesn't have to be happy. It doesn't have to be sad. It can be a bit of both. But what is important above all else is that the ending provides emotional resolution to the emotional conflicts and stakes raised within the story. Anything else and the readers will feel cheated. And now the conclusion. Fortunately, your readers won't have to wait in line for two hours to experience your characters the way that Epic Universe visitors must. But it's a testament to strong writing that people are willing to pay very large sums of money to do that, especially in Florida where the heat and the extreme humidity are constant, especially in summer. It's proof that well-developed settings, memorable characters, and immersive plots are important to readers and go a long way. Although you and I will probably not ever be theme park owners and I do not plan to ever go to Florida and go to Epic Universe, you can learn from how they build and maintain the relationship between their intellectual properties and their paying guests. Remember that you want compelling characters, a good story, and a satisfying conclusion. So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.  

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with another packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, diving into the latest Universal news, fan reports, and theme park history. Highlights this week include: Firsthand impressions of Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, thanks to listener John T. – from house walkthroughs to surprisingly short wait times. A look at Universal Orlando's new “Deathly Afraid” necklace option at Halloween Horror Nights and the debate it's sparked online. News from the West Coast, including the Slash Bar pop-up at HHN Hollywood and the arrival of Chainsaw Man. Updates on the new Museum of Antiquities Tribute Store packed with Easter eggs for longtime fans. Breaking down NBC's Inside the Worlds of Epic Universe TV special and Steven Spielberg's surprising connection to Dark Universe. Jim kicks off a new multi-part feature on the history of Dueling Dragons and whether Disney's never-built Beastly Kingdom really influenced Universal's iconic coaster. As always, Jim and Eric mix news, rumors, and personal stories—including Eric sending his son off to college and Jim recalling how he helped break Disney's Animal Kingdom news decades ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom and Jenny discuss the latest entry in Universal’s “Dark Universe,” Leigh Whannell’s take on the Wolf Man character. Audio version: Video version: Please support us on Patreon! Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram. Also check out Jenny's horror channel, The Scare Salon, and her true crime channel, Crime Immemorial. … Continue reading Movie Time: Wolf Man (2025)

This week our pals Glen and Rebecca take us along to explore the Lands of Epic Universe – including the innovative Nintendo Land, the alluring Dark Universe, the heartwarming Isle of Berk from ‘How to Train Your Dragon,' and the magically engaging world of Harry Potter. Featuring: Reach Momma and Auntie Judy for trip planning – TravelinTiaras@gmail.com Contribute to the show at www.patreon.com/geekinonwdw Show tshirts available at our Teepublic store Email me at curt.stone@GeekinOnWDW.com

This month's episode of the bonus pod, Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? is free for everybody, and there's even a video version available on our YouTube channel! Become a Patron at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton to get access to the whole series and all future episodes. (Most of them are just audio, but we've been doing more video episodes lately!) This month's Studio Mandate, selected by one of our Patrons, is "Harry and the Hendersons!" How will Dylan & Dalton reimagine this 1987 family film into a canonical chapter in our bootleg Dark Universe? We've got movies to review, including the head-to-head superhero blockbusters Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman! PLUS: It's the final installment of our first movie exchange series, "Treks Education" and "The Dalterion Collection." Dalton completes their mandated watchthrough of the entire Star Trek film series with 2016's Star Trek Beyond, while Dylan watches one last prestige picture in "The Wicker Man!" What did they think? Click on through to find out. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro! 00:02:59 - Bev Check 00:05:45 - Dylan & Dalton At Da Movies 00:06:04 - 28 Years Later 00:07:45 - Presence 00:08:43 - Final Destination: Bloodlines 00:11:51 - Interview with the Vampire 00:13:49 - Eddington 00:18:03 - Oh, Hi! 00:21:20 - Fantastic Four: First Steps & Superman 00:28:17 - Studio Mandate: Harry & the Hendersons 00:37:32 - Our pitch for Harry & the Hendersons 00:49:37 - Dylan guest stars on Original Podcast Do Not Steal 00:51:47 - What's next after Treks Education & The Dalterion Collection? 00:55:46 - Treks Education - Star Trek Beyond 01:07:07 - Dalton's final Star Trek rankings 01:13:21 - The Dalterion Collection - The Wicker Man

PTR and the returning Chelsea Rebecca (Dead Meat) don capes and cloaks and little half masks to travel undetected through Epic Universe's new monster-themed land. Do they enjoy the dyed food and gentleman monsters?  "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Michael Graves Causeway" episode is up at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/PodcastTheRide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW PODCAST: THE RIDE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/PodcastTheRide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/podcasttheride⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ BUY PODCAST: THE RIDE MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.teepublic.com/stores/podcast-the-ride⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PODCAST THE RIDE IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/podcast-the-ride⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The episode James has been waiting for is finally here. We hope it doesn't SUCKKKKK BLEGHHHHHH VAMPIRE NOISES.Hear all about the best ride at Epic Universe, some spooktacular meet and greets, and a land built entirely out of aura.Don't forget to like, subscribe, rate, review, comment, share, and do the mash.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/cticketpodCHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE:https://youtube.com/@cticketpod?si=ig6ODv0zvbaXuFPhFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@cticketpodINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/cticketpod/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CTicketPodEMAIL US:cticketpod@gmail.comMERCH AVAILABLE NOW!https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-c-ticket-podcastThe C-Ticket Podcast: It's not the best theme park podcast, but it's probably somebody's favorite!Hosted by Nick D'Ambrosia and James PerlasMusic:Delightful D Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this week's episode, the team discusses their full experience after visiting Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe. With so much to say regarding our opinions, tips, tricks, do's, and don'ts, this is one you will not want to miss if you plan on visiting Epic Universe any point soon!This episode is the 2nd of two parts, with this episode containing anything and everything involving Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, and Dark Universe. We also give our full attraction rankings for Epic Universe. In episode 76, we discussed our experience inside Celestial Park and Isle of Berk!So sit back, relax, and hope you enjoy our episode featuring Jarrett, Piper, Jake Lindsey, and Jacob!Remember, if you enjoy what you hear, and want more content, or just want to support the show, why not do both?! Head to patreon.com/wtmhpodcast to join our Magic Mafia today!Support the show

You didn't think we'd go radio silent for August, did you? While we toil away at the next phase of our show, we'll be keeping the party going by releasing a few of our favorite bonus episodes — usually exclusive to our Patreon — onto the main feed. Enjoy! Sign up at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton to enjoy more goofy nonsense like this. Originally published to Patreon on February 16th, 2025. On this episode, D&D stray from the path and grant one Patron's wish: to create a Dark Universe version of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods! Dalton has an unexpected reaction to one of Trek fandom's least favorite features, and Dylan auditions Audition! Heads up that we will be FULLY spoiling Audition. PLUS: The hosts try to agree on when the last good Marvel movie was. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro and Dylan's Makeover 00:02:34 - Bev Check 00:07:42 - Dylan & Dalton At Da Movies - Babygirl, Flow, Emilia Perez, The Brutalist, Captain America: Brave New World 00:18:52 - When was the last good Marvel movie? 00:23:54 - Studio Mandates - Into the Woods 00:54:33 - Treks Education - Star Trek: Insurrection 01:08:37 - Dalton's updated Trek rankings 01:12:12 - The Dalterion Collection - Audition FULL SPOILERS

It is a pleasure to welcome actor Jacob Skidmore to The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.Jacob is one of Hollywood's next breakout stars thanks to his starring turn as AJ in the popular Netflix series, Trinkets. He also provided the English dubbing voice for Mark in Boom Boom Bruno and Alex in Viaje de fin de curso: Mallorca.  Recently, Jacob starred as Sebastian Bousman in SKILL HOUSE. Written and directed by Josh Stollberg (Spiral: From the Book of Saw), SKILL HOUSE is a horror thriller that delivers a chilling commentary on the dark side of influencer culture, taking the audience on a shocking, unfiltered journey through the dangerous obsessions with fame. Bryce Hall, Hannah Stocking, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Neal McDonough, Gunner Burkhardt, Paige VanZant, and Rumer Willis also star in the film.Beyond his work in film, Jacob is deeply passionate about LGBTQ representation and inclusion in entertainment, using his platform to advocate for more diverse, authentic storytelling that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. As Hollywood continues to evolve, Jacob is committed to being part of the movement pushing for meaningful change—both on-screen and behind the scenes.On this episode of The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Jacob Skidmore previewed SKILL HOUSE, described the “dark side of influencer culture,” and reminisced about filming Trinkets. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

Last week we took you on a journey exploring the amazing thrills of Universal’s Epic Universe and diving into the colorful worlds of Super Nintendo World and Dark Universe. This week we’re taking you even deeper. Get ready to step into the enchanting Ministry of Magic—where wizardry and secrets await—and set sail to the legendary […]

Halloween Horror Nights Orlando announced two "all-new street experiences - "Mel's Die-In Zombies," featuring zombie carhops, and "Club Horror," featuring undead DJs. While we've seen 'street' shows in prior years, they're not typically announced and this could mean a stronger entertainment for this year's event. Also: The Texas Haunters Convention is this weekend; Summerween Spurs Creativity and Spooky Vibes Before Fall Celebrations; Applications Now Open for the Haunted Attraction Association's Award Winning Haunts Program; "Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition" to Feature Halloween Horror Nights & Dark Universe; Official Teaser Released for Stranger Things: Season 5. Read more here.

This episode continues a series of shows retelling stories from our June 2025 podcast trip. Danny, Eli, and Kevin traveled down to Central Florida to say goodbye to MuppetVision 3D, have an Epic day, and enjoy new Disney experiences like Tiana's Bayou Adventure and the Country Bear Musical Jamboree. This episode is Part 3 of our Universal Epic Universe day. We discuss our second visit to Dark Universe, including our encounter with Elias the Hunter, dinner at the Atlantic, the fountain show, and our final thoughts on Epic Universe. What did you think of our adventures? Let us know at show@magicourway.com or call at 815-669-4226, or slide into our social media DMs. Every thought and opinion will forever be welcome on this Disney fan podcast. This is show #586.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Chad Pennycuff (My DVC Points Podcast), we're diving deeper into Universal Orlando's brand-new theme park: Epic Universe — and there's so much more to explore! After attending the Grand Opening event for media, I share my insight on the parks along with Chad's an Orlando local and "theme park junkie."This episode covers:

Ever wondered what it would be like to stroll through a classic monster movie? Or race alongside Mario and friends? This week, we’re unlocking the secrets of Epic Universe’s Dark Universe and Super Nintendo World! We’ll tell you what to expect, what not to miss, and how to make the most of your visit! Sandy […]

In the final episode before the big relaunch, Dylan & Dalton take one last look at the film that started it all, 2017's The Mummy, and try and figure out what they'd do differently if they'd been able to start the Dark Universe totally from scratch. Then, at long last, we answer as many fan questions as possible before closing Death's Door for good. PLUS: A clip from this month's new episode of the bonus pod, in which we pitch a Dark Universe horror-western based on a forgotten Universal flick, Curse of the Undead. Become a subscriber at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton to listen to all of our bonus episodes, plus join our lovely Discord community. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro & why we're remote this week 00:04:04 - Reflecting on Hell on Earth 00:19:12 - Dylan & Dalton watch The Mummy (2017) AGAIN. 00:31:01 - How would we have done the Dark Universe? 00:54:00 - Clip from the Bonus Pod 00:55:53 - Fan questions: Process 01:30:23 - Fan questions: Hypotheticals 01:42:01 - Fan questions: Semantics 01:46:46 - Fan questions: Kudos

This episode continues a series of shows retelling stories from our June 2025 podcast trip. Danny, Eli, and Kevin traveled down to Central Florida to say goodbye to MuppetVision 3D, have an Epic day, and enjoy new Disney experiences like Tiana's Bayou Adventure and the Country Bear Musical Jamboree. This episode is Part 2 of our Universal Epic Universe day. We discuss our first visit to Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and the Battle at the Ministry, The Blue Dragon restaurant, Dark Universe, Isle of Berk, Flora Taverna, and Hiccup's Winged Gliders. What did you think of our adventures? Let us know at show@magicourway.com or call at 815-669-4226, or slide into our social media DMs. Every thought and opinion will forever be welcome on this Disney fan podcast. This is show #585.

In this week's episode, the team discusses their full experience after visiting Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe. With so much to say regarding our opinions, tips, tricks, do's, and don'ts, this is one you will not want to miss if you plan on visiting Epic Universe any point soon!This episode will be split up into two parts, with this episode containing anything and everything involving Celestial Park, and Isle of Berk. Our 2nd part of the episode, we will discuss our experience at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and also give you each of our attraction rankings from last to first!So sit back, relax, and hope you enjoy our episode featuring Jarrett, Piper, Jake Lindsey, and Jacob!Remember, if you enjoy what you hear, and want more content, or just want to support the show, why not do both?! Head to patreon.com/wtmhpodcast to join our Magic Mafia today!Support the show

Louie recently got back from a trip to Epic Universe (Orlando, Florida) and finally got to check out the highly anticipated Dark Universe, the new land themed around the Universal Monsters. He shares his thoughts on the attractions, food, merch, and more in this episode, along with deciding if it lived up to the legacy of these iconic characters from horror history.   Support Haunted Hangover over on Patreon and gain early access to episodes, exclusive bonus content, and more: https://www.patreon.com/HauntedHangover31   Check out the video versions of our episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/Hauntedhangover   Official Site: https://www.hauntedhangover.com Official Store: https://hauntedhangover31.bigcartel.com/   Follow us on all social media platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hauntedhangover Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hauntedhangover Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HauntedHangover31 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hauntedhangover

This episode continues a series of shows retelling stories from our June 2025 podcast trip. Danny, Eli, and Kevin traveled down to Central Florida to say goodbye to MuppetVision 3D, have an Epic day, and enjoy new Disney experiences like Tiana's Bayou Adventure and the Country Bear Musical Jamboree. This episode is Part 1 of our Universal Epic Universe day. We discuss Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, The Blue Dragon restaurant, Dark Universe, and Monsters Unchained. What did you think of our adventures? Let us know at show@magicourway.com or call at 815-669-4226, or slide into our social media DMs. Every thought and opinion will forever be welcome on this Disney fan podcast. This is show #584.

Back in April, Dylan & Dalton sat down to decide how to end their Dark Universe. This is the entire story break meeting in which the two hosts determined how to make their two separate visions for Dark Legion: Hell on Earth into one cohesive story. IN TWO WEEKS: One last look back through Death's Door, before venturing out into a new frontier... TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Planning 00:22:46 - Field of Nightmares Deleted Post-Credits Scene 00:25:12 - Planning Continued 00:59:13 - The Ending

Have you ever considered the lighter side of dark matter? Comedy has proved an unexpectedly succesful way to engage people with science - as today's guest knows first-hand. Astrophysicist Catherine Heymans is a Professor at the University of Edinburgh and the current Astronomer Royal for Scotland. She's spent her career studying dark matter and dark energy: the mysterious ingredients that make up an estimated 95% of our cosmos, but which we still know surprisingly little about. Using increasingly powerful telescopes, both on earth and in space, Catherine has spent years building detailed maps of dark matter - even to the extent of capturing rare images of this mysterious cosmic component.On top of her research achievements, she's committed to making science accessible to all; not least by taking an astronomy-themed comedy show to the Edinburgh Festival and beyond. In conversation with Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Catherine talks about her passion for sharing the joys of astrophysics - and reveals how health challenges over the last few years have forced her to readdress her career, her ambitions and even her sense of self... Presented by Jim Al-Khalili Produced by Lucy Taylor

Andy and Martin open the crypt of Universal Classic Monsters to discuss the modern prometheus, the monster of Frankenstein! In anticipation of Guillermo Del Toro's upcoming adaptation of the original novel, the duo discuss the history of Frankenstein on film and focus on a few of their favorite takes on the story.

Three years ago, we resurrected the Dark Universe. Now, we're ending it. It's the finale to the Death's Door Saga, and this era for our podcast. We're so grateful to everyone who's been with us for this journey, and we're so excited to embark on a new one. In two weeks, as always, we'll post the complete story break session we recorded before writing the script to Dark Legion: Hell on Earth, then one more episode to wrap up our Dark Universe experiment. After that? A blank page... TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:02:43 - Act Three 01:17:29 - Credits 01:22:19 - Post-Credits Scene 01:23:47 - Discussion And now, a bunch of credits and acknowledgments, which may contain spoilers. STARRING Julian Ames as Larry Talbot Ella Dawson as Jennifer Halsey Dalton Deschain as Nick Morton & Victor Frankenstein Anique Evans as Marya Zaleska and Emily Abe Goldfarb as The Master, Henry Jekyll, and Eddie Hyde Jenna Kass as Caroline Clerval Tyler McCall as Carol's Mother Victoria McNally as Angela Rachel Millman as Gwen Conliffe Sarah Norcross as Evelyn O'Connell and Young Carol Sam Paxton as Arm Demon & Carol's Father Dylan Roth as Dracula & Rick O'Connell Steph Salo as Carol Laemmle Joe Stando as Jack Griffin Frankie Starker as Ahmanet Andy Webb as Dr. Chapman and Chris Vail Kendra Wells as Hunter Marin And Patrick Willems as David MUSIC Original score by Dylan Roth Includes themes from "The Mummy" by Jerry Goldsmith, "The Mummy Returns" by Alan Silvestri, "The Mummy" by Brian Tyler "DESTROYA" by My Chemical Romance "Love Never Dies" by Andrew Lloyd Webber "Stork & Owl" by TV on the Radio "We're the Dark" by Dylan Roth

We continue our deep dive into EPIC UNIVERSE, Universal's newest park that opened in Orlando, Florida on May 22, 2025. Host Jessica Gardner, along with correspondents Doug Perry, Gerik Gooch, returning guest Brichette Reid, and first-time guest Gregory Golub break down the must-see park's worlds, mind-blowing innovations, and everything you need to know. Whether you're trip-planning or just Celestian-curious, this two part episode is your front-row seat to the future of immersive entertainment. Worlds Featured in Part 2 - Dark Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk   1:00 - Dark Universe 23:24 - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic 1:06:40 - How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk 1:23:00 - Is Epic Universe good for kids?  1:30:00 - Overall thoughts and Advice      Podcast Episode Team Host: Jessica Gardner Producers: Derek Perry and Doug Perry Editors: Bob Randolph and Derek Perry Correspondent: Gerik Gooch Production Manager: Corey Wooten

It's Act Two of our massive saga-ending crossover, and this time, we'll see you in Hell. Only one episode left in the Death's Door Saga, coming in just three days... There are some MAJOR SPOILERS in the cast credits below, so most of this description is going to be us warning you to stop scrolling. Last chance to avoid cast spoilers. Okay, here we go. FEATURING THE VOICES OF... Julian Ames as Larry Anique Evans as Marya Abe Goldfarb as Jekyll & Hyde Jenna Kass as Caroline Tyler McCall as Mother Victoria McNally as Angela Sarah Norcross as Evelyn and Girl Sam Paxton as Father Joe Stando as Jack Frankie Starker as Ahmanet Andy Webb as Dr. Chapman Kendra Wells as Hunter and Patrick Willems as David TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:06:03 - Act Two 00:38:25 - Discussion 00:44:15 - Act Two Continued 01:28:01 - Discussion

On this episode we bring you our review of Epic Universe, beginning with Celestial Park and Dark Universe, which includes an interview with Peter Carsillo. Join us in The Producers Club Follow us: LINKTREE