Marvel Prints Money, Star Wars Sells Nostalgia, Fast & Furious Just Defies Physics

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has raked in a mind-numbing $31.5 billion at the global box office. That’s 3x more than Star Wars, and let’s be honest—Luke never had Iron Man’s merch game. From capes to wands to high-speed car chases and moody Batmen, this episode slices through the glitzy veneer of your favorite franchises to reveal the monstrous cash factories beneath.

Max wonders how Fast & Furious made $7.3B on what’s essentially a franchise about muscle cars and family barbecues. Lisa unpacks what this says about storytelling, consumerism, and the myth of originality in a billion-dollar sequel economy.

Note: This project explores the new creative potential unlocked by generative AI, showcasing how a single person, in just two hours, can curate (not create, but curate) a polished podcast series. I recognize the critiques around AI-generated content and the potential for digital clutter but invite you to take a listen on your next walk or drive and see what you think. Audio is AI-generated by Google's NotebookLM. Images by Grok-3 and Magic Studio.