Franchisography

Starting it’s inception as a horror film about “dream thieves”, Nolan would write and rewrite the screenplay for his dream heist film dozens of times over the course of a decade until a vacation with his family would inspire the final piece of the puzzle needed to complete the story. And while he would need 4 times the budget of The Prestige to fully realize the concept, The Dark Knight had proven that Christopher Nolan was a franchise in and of himself, so WB had no issues signing the check.

This is 2010’s INCEPTION.

Join Nick and Scott as they discuss why and how the rules behind the dream logic of Inception’s reverse brain heist work within its very Bond inspired set-pieces.

NEXT WEEK: Interstellar

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Dueling Genre Associate Producer:
Matt Bennett
Mark Ybarra
Harley Winfrey

After taking on a studio film (2002’s Insomnia) and reinventing the superhero film (2005’s Batman Begins), Christopher Nolan finally had enough clout to fund the adaptation of a Christopher Priest novel that he had PLEDGED to be his next project when he pitched it to his brother Jonathan five years earlier.

But the story of two rival magicians at the TURN of the century was more complicated to adapt than either of them initially believed and the screenplay would not be finished until mere days before the start of production.

This is 2006’s THE PRESTIGE.

Join Nick and Scott as they discuss a film they both believe is a masterpiece of cinematic narrative and the backlash it received at the time for “cheating” the ending.

NEXT WEEK: Inception

Become a Premier Tier PATREON supporter to hear our “Franchise Potential” companion podcast, plus bonus podcasts each week including Dueling Genre Tonight hosted by Nick & Scott!

Join the Dueling Genre Discord Server: https://discord.gg/rngwTkz8yw

Dueling Genre Associate Producer:
Matt Bennett
Mark Ybarra
Harley Winfrey

Season 4 of FRANCHISOGRAPHY begins with a look at the original feature films of Christopher Nolan, the filmmaker who became a franchise. And it all started with the breakout success of his second feature, 2000’s MEMENTO.

Originally pitched to him on a long cross country road trip by his brother Jonathan “Jonah” Nolan who was working on a short story about a man with a particularly rare form of amnesia. Working on the story and the screenplay together in tandem, Nolan cracked the film when he realized he would have to put the audience into the experience of the protagonist by structuring the film in reverse. A bold storytelling choice that would get him the film turned down for being “too complex” by every studio in town… except one.

Join Nick and Scott as they traverse backward through the plot of Nolan’s twisty thriller and discuss how Sir Chris went from making a nothing budget black and white feature on Saturdays with his friends, to a favorite film of college aged cinema bros everywhere.

NEXT WEEK: The Prestige

Become a Premier Tier PATREON supporter to hear our “Franchise Potential” companion podcast, plus bonus podcasts each week including Dueling Genre Tonight hosted by Nick & Scott!

Join the Dueling Genre Discord Server: https://discord.gg/rngwTkz8yw

Dueling Genre Associate Producer:
Matt Bennett
Mark Ybarra
Harley Winfrey

In 2024, two of the biggest production companies in modern horror, James Wan’s Atomic Monster and Jason Blum’s Blumhouse, would successfully merge with the goal of increasing their output of horror hits. Their first major production would be an untitled film written and directed by Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin, hot off the success of 2023’s Evil Dead Rise. The untitled film would later be revealed as a reimagining of The Mummy. And that’s where things get interesting.

This is LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY.

After much speculation and uncertainty, here now at last is the final word on this mysterious film. Strap in and hold on tight as FRANCHISOGRAPHY returns to the world of ancient Egyptians curses, hidden tombs and massive mummy mayhem!

NEXT WEEK: Franchisography Season 4 begins!

Become a Premier Tier PATREON supporter to hear our “Franchise Potential” companion podcast, plus bonus podcasts each week including Dueling Genre Tonight hosted by Nick & Scott!

Join the Dueling Genre Discord Server: https://discord.gg/rngwTkz8yw

Dueling Genre Associate Producer:
Matt Bennett
Mark Ybarra
Harley Winfrey

Round 1 of this year’s Listener Pick Tournament is over and Nick & Scott are here to discuss where the choices made by our listeners on Discord and Patreon have led us. There were surprising victories and devastating losses, but no obvious frontrunners. Let’s break it down.

Daily match-ups end March 31st!

Vote in our March Madness Listener Pick Tournament by Joining the Dueling Genre Discord Server: https://discord.gg/rngwTkz8yw

Get a second vote in every daily match-up by supporting us on PATREON!

Patreon Associate Producer: Matt Bennett, Mark Ybarra & Harley Winfrey

Well… that happened.

Originally conceived for Happy Death Day and Freaky director Christopher Landon, Scream 7 was going to feature new franchise stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega as the returning Carpenter Sisters… until all of that was thrown out the window.

Now, Scream 7 has been reconceived by original franchise writer Kevin Williamson in the vacated director’s chair and original franchise star Neve Campbell back as Sydney Prescott.

The result is a film that has the worst reviews in the franchise’s history, while having its biggest opening weekend box office ever.

A mixed bag? Or something worse? Find out on FRANCHISOGRAPHY.

Become a Premier Tier PATREON supporter to hear our “Franchise Potential” companion podcast, plus bonus podcasts each week including Dueling Genre Tonight hosted by Nick & Scott!

Join the Dueling Genre Discord Server: https://discord.gg/rngwTkz8yw

Dueling Genre Associate Producer:
Matt Bennett
Mark Ybarra
Harley Winfrey

It’s a Listener Pick Tournament Bonus-ode!

With March barely a week away, Nick & Scott are joined by Patreon Producer Mark Ybarra to reveal the 32 franchises that were chosen for this year’s Listener Pick Tournament and discuss their potential as future Franchisography mini-series.

Daily match-ups begin March 1st!

Vote in our March Madness Listener Pick Tournament by Joining the Dueling Genre Discord Server: https://discord.gg/rngwTkz8yw

Get a second vote in every daily match-up by supporting us on PATREON!

Patreon Associate Producer: Mark Ybarra, Matt Bennett & Harley WInfrey

February is almost here and March is right around the corner…

…which means it’s almost time for this year’s Listener Pick Tournament!

Join Nick and Scott as they discuss this year’s Tournament rules and regulations! What’s off limits? What’s back IN limits?

Find out all of the details and get your picks ready as nominations are officially open on the Dueling Genre Discord Feb. 1 thru Feb. 7!

Join the Dueling Genre Discord Server to nominate franchises and vote on which ones make into the tournament: https://discord.gg/rngwTkz8yw

Become a Premier Tier PATREON to suggest MORE franchises and get DOUBLE VOTES** in this year’s listener pick tournament!

(**the opportunity to vote twice if you’re on Patreon AND Discord)

Patreon Associate Producer: Mark Ybarra, Harley Winfrey, & Matt Bennett

The second act of Wicked lives in infamy for many Broadway fans. When the filmmakers behind the big screen adaptation made the decision to split their saga into two movies, they were left with an interesting challenge: an entire film made up of the most divisive, polarizing aspects of the musical.

Did John M. Chu and company find a way to fix Act Two’s problems and deliver a sequel that lives up to Part 1’s promise? This is 2025’s WICKED: FOR GOOD!

Nick and Scott return to Oz in this uproarious episode of FRANCHISOGRAPHY

Become a Premier Tier PATREON supporter to hear our “Franchise Potential” companion podcast, plus bonus podcasts each week including Dueling Genre Tonight hosted by Nick & Scott!

Join the Dueling Genre Discord Server: https://discord.gg/rngwTkz8yw

Dueling Genre Associate Producer:
Matt Bennett
Mark Ybarra
Harley Winfrey

It’s a Finale-sode!

Join Nick & Scott as they discuss/rank the Oz franchise, pitch ideas for future Oz movies, look back at our third season, and look forward to Season Four, coming in Summer 2026!

Next week: Our hiatus begins!

FRANCHISE POTENTIAL: Labyrinth (1986) episode now available on PATREON!

Become a Premier Tier PATREON supporter to hear our “Franchise Potential” companion podcast, plus bonus podcasts each week including Dueling Genre Tonight hosted by Nick & Scott!

Join the Dueling Genre Discord Server: https://discord.gg/rngwTkz8yw

Dueling Genre Associate Producer:
Matt Bennett
Mark Ybarra