Our X-MEN mini-series comes to a close after thirteen films with the culmination of a nearly 20 year journey, whether you like it or not, 2019’s Dark Phoenix!

After the chaos on set caused by Bryan Singer on Apocalypse, franchise screenwriter Simon Kinberg was coaxed into directing the next installment by the cast. Kinberg decided to take this opportunity to right a wrong by taking another swing at adapting the Dark Phoenix Saga but “doing it right this time.” His goal? To make a small, but emotionally gripping drama film that would be released in the dead of winter. Instead, Fox decided to release it as a summer tentpole blockbuster in the middle of June. It did not go well.

Joining Nick and Scott to talk about space missions, presidential phone lines, and poorly adapting an iconic comic storyline twice is podcaster, Mark Watlington (Best Pictures).

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features frank discussions about some of the allegations against Bryan Singer, et al. through the testimony of their victims and public records. While there are many allegations against Singer, we focused on the events leading to and surrounding the making of this particular film.

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Edited by Scott Tofte.

Our X-MEN mini-series continues as we investigate the trouble YA horror spin-off originally set to be released in 2018, The New Mutants.

When Fox execuitves greenlit three “experimental” X-Men movies, they paid off big time in the form of 2016’s Deadpool and 2017’s Logan. But when it came time to give the same creative freedom to The New Mutants, trouble came in the form of a change in Fox leadership who no longer believed in the direction that director Josh Boone was taking the film. Instead they wanted it to chase the YA adaptation craze, before changing their mind to instead chase the Stranger Things / IT craze, before changing their minds again to be a superhero reboot for the X-Men franchise. Reshoots were scheduled, release dates pushed back, and then the movie went into limbo as the film’s parent company sold itself off to Disney. Eventually, the movie was finally released, incomplete, in the middle of a pandemic, to scathing reviews.

Join us as we discuss the good, the bad, and the two bears behind The New Mutants!

No guests! Just vibes!

Send us your X-MEN-related memories, questions, or feelings and we’ll read them in the next Betweenisode! [email protected]

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Our X-MEN mini-series continues as we take a look at the sequel to the R-rated mega-hit, 2018’s Deadpool 2.

When an incredibly successful first film gets a sequel greenlit, the last thing you would do is fire the director, right? Not so, says Deadpool 2! Tim Miller was asked to depart Deadpool 2 early on and is replaced by John Wick co-director David Leitch at the behest of Ryan Reynolds and the screenwriters Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick over “creative diffences” that supposedly had nothing to do with Kyle Chandler or the casting of Cable. Can Deadpool 2 stick the landing after killing off Vanessa, the entire point of the first film, in the opening minutes of the sequel? I mean sort of? Basically? It’s complicated.

Joining Nick and Scott to talk about time travel, finding a family, and fridging the love interest is podcaster and Franchisography editor Adam Sheehan (Tales From The Short Box, TMNT Minute).

Send us your X-MEN-related memories, questions, or feelings and we’ll read them in the next Betweenisode! [email protected]

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Edited by Scott Tofte.

Our X-MEN mini-series continues as we take a look at the final film to feature Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, 2017’s Logan.

After his lead role in Days of Future Past, Hugh Jackman knew it was time to hang up the adamantium claws for good. Together with The Wolverine director James Mangold, he was determinted to make Logan’s swan song something special. And so, with approval from a studio willing to make some risks (at this very particular moment), an R-rated drama featuring an aging Wolverine, a senile Charles Xavier, and a final hope for mutantkind was greenlit. What was made could be considered one of the greatest comic book films of all time.

Joining Nick and Scott to talk about reading glasses, toe claws, and Shane is actor and podcaster Ray Ruzzo (Geek By Night, True Believers).

Send us your X-MEN-related memories, questions, or feelings and we’ll read them in the next Betweenisode! [email protected]

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Edited by Adam Sheehan

Our X-MEN mini-series continues as we investigate the 80s set sequel to Days of Future Past, 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse!

After the back-to-back massive success of Days of Future Past and Deadpool, there was only one place for the franchise to go next: downhill! Apocalypse is a film that attempts to end the story of the adults introduced in the 60s while introducing a new generation of mutant kids; but ultimately it seems confused by its villain, its characters, and the timeline reset in the previous film, resulting in an all-around baffling and bloated mess (and an honestly offensive misuse of Oscar Isaac). It’s not great!

Joining Nick and Scott to talk about hair loss, false gods, “…and now they’re the X-Men” is writer and podcaster, Michael Nixon (The Game of Rassilon).

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features frank discussions about some of the allegations against Bryan Singer, et al. through the testimony of their victims and public records. While there are many allegations against Singer, we focused on the events leading to and surrounding the making of this particular film.

Send us your X-MEN-related memories, questions, or feelings and we’ll read them in the next Betweenisode! [email protected]

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Edited by Scott Tofte

Our X-MEN mini-series continues with the Ryan Reynolds passion project, 2016’s Deadpool!

Beginning development in the early 2000s, Ryan Reynolds had been trying and failing to get a Deadpool solo film off the ground for over a decade when 2011’s Green Lantern was released and almost ruined any chance of it being greenlit. But after a test footage leak created a fan furvor for the film, Fox finally relented and we recieved an R-rated Deadpool movie featuring the most faithful translation of an X-character to ever make it from the comic page to the silver screen.

Joining Nick and Scott to talk about modern romance, breaking the fourth wall, and tiny baby hands is writer Preeti Chhibber (Marvel/Star Wars).

Send us your X-MEN-related memories, questions, or feelings and we’ll read them in the next Betweenisode! [email protected]

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Edited by Adam Sheehan

Our X-MEN mini-series continues as we investigate 2014’s timeline straddling event film, X-Men: Days of Future Past!

After the modest success of First Class, only one thing could come next: a generation spanning crossover film, of course! Much to the chagrin of director Matthew Vaughn, who felt it was too early in the lifespan of the new cast to do it, the studio was all-in on the concept of bringing back the original cast for an adaptation of the seminal X-Men comic by Chris Claremount and John Byrne. So, when Vaughn stepped away to direct Kingsman instead, Fox turned to Bryan Singer to return to the director’s chair (if only they could have kept him in it!).

Joining Nick and Scott to talk about speed runs, peaking too early, and baffling final shots is writer, artist, and podcaster, Jason Hammons (That Might Be Cool).

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features frank discussions about some of the allegations against Bryan Singer, et al. through the testimony of their victims and public records. While there are many allegations against Singer, we focused on the events leading to and surrounding the making of this particular film.

Send us your X-MEN-related memories, questions, or feelings and we’ll read them in the next Betweenisode! [email protected]

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Edited by Scott Tofte

Our X-MEN mini-series continues as we revisit the sequel to X-Men Origins, 2013’s The Wolverine!

The first proper X-Men sequel in 7 years, The Wolverine is a loose adaptation of the seminal Wolverine comic book mini-series by Chris Claremount and Frank Miller, turning a revenge story into a film about grief, depression, and finding the will to keep going after a personal tragedy. We watched the Extended Cut of the film, which we believe might be on par with director James Mangold’s follow-up film Logan (we’ll find out for sure in a few weeks). Skip the theatrical edition and experience the film for what will feel like the first time! 

Joining Nick and Scott to talk about misunderstood gems, long action sequences, and big ronin energy is writer and podcaster, Benny Bennett (Beyond Geek By night).

Send us your X-MEN-related memories, questions, or feelings and we’ll read them in the next Betweenisode! [email protected]

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Edited by Adam Sheehan

Our X-MEN mini-series continues as we launch a new timeline to discuss 2011’s X-Men: First Class.

After the poor reception of the last two X-Men movies, a new direction was needed to get the franchise back on track. Enter (or re-enter, rather) Matthew Vaughn fresh off of directing Kick-Ass and ready for another swing at the mutant bat. Another prequel, First Class benefitted from a fun script and a strong ensemble cast, but while it is a very good, it still suffers from a handful of questionable decisions throughout. #JusticeForDarwin

Joining Nick and Scott to talk about groovy mutations and the swinging 60s is podcaster and X-Men academic, Joe Darowski.

Send us your X-MEN-related memories, questions, or feelings and we’ll read them in the next Betweenisode! [email protected]

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Edited by Scott Tofte

Our X-MEN mini-series continues as we take a look at the franchise’s first prequel, 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Fans had high hopes for a Wolverine solo film, but for a while the High Jackman and the producers struggled to find the right director. Loosely adapted from the Origin and Weapon X comics, the script went through several hands, staying in development longer than intended. When a director was finally chosen, and a cameras were rolling, behind the scenes drama lead to a tonally inconsistent film. But the final nail came when a full work print of the film was released online months before the film was due to hit theaters, with the reaction (not good!) and pervasiveness (15 million downloads) leading to the film becoming one of the biggest jokes of 2009.

Joining Nick and Scott to discuss the origin story of everyone’s favorite adamantium-clawed mutant is podcaster, Travis Bow (Reel Comic Heroes).

Send us your X-MEN-related memories, questions, or feelings and we’ll read them in the next Betweenisode! [email protected]

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Edited by Adam Sheehan