In this exciting episode, we explore the controversial decision to give fictional characters like Batman a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We also dive into trailers for The Last of Us Season 2 and Marvel's Thunderbolts, along with discussions about DC's upcoming movie featuring Bane and Deathstroke. To wrap things up, we sit down with special guest David Howard, writer of Blood World: Phoenix Throne, to chat about world-building, storytelling, and his creative journey. Whether you're a superhero movie fanatic or a lover of sci-fi/fantasy worlds, this episode has something for everyone!
Timestamps and Topics: 00:00 – Introduction and fictional characters on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 10:00 – The Last of Us Season 2 trailer and House of the Dragon critique 18:17 – Thunderbolts trailer and Marvel's grounded approach 22:56 – Bane and Deathstroke's DC movie: What we know so far 28:29 – Casting for Lanterns series and thoughts on Green Lantern in the DCU 34:14 – Live service games and the downfall of Concord 45:02 – Interview with David Howard on his new book Blood World: Phoenix Throne 59:04 – How David Howard blends fantasy, technology, and humanity in his world-building 01:19:00 – Closing remarks and October streaming recommendations
Key Takeaways:
- The decision to give fictional characters stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has sparked debate about prestige vs. commercialization.
- The Last of Us Season 2 trailer teases new characters and challenges, including potential comparisons to The Walking Dead.
- Marvel's Thunderbolts will showcase a grounded, spy-thriller vibe, expanding its universe with more anti-heroes and complex characters.
- DC is developing a movie featuring Bane and Deathstroke, which could offer a fresh villain-focused story for fans.
- Live service games continue to struggle with longevity; Concord is the latest example of a big-budget failure.
- David Howard's Blood World explores intricate world-building with elements of fantasy, technology, and deep storytelling.
Quotes:
- "Giving Batman a star opens a whole new can of worms. What about Superman or Iron Man?"
- "Splitting The Last of Us Part 2 into multiple seasons feels like a risk, but it could pay off if done right."
- "Marvel's Thunderbolts feels like the spy thriller we've been missing in the MCU. It brings the action but keeps the stakes grounded."
- "In Blood World, I wanted to explore how humanity interacts with technology in a way that feels both futuristic and relatable." – David Howard
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Links and Resources:
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- Learn more about David Howard's Blood World: Phoenix Throne and where you can get your copy: https://dwhoward.com/
- Howard on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.howard.1238
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Apple Podcast Tags: Movies, TV, Marvel, DC, superheroes, gaming, The Last of Us, Thunderbolts, Green Lantern, Bane, Deathstroke, Blood World, David Howard, live service games, Hollywood Walk of Fame