Join us for Episode 11 of the Offbend Podcast, where we dissect the latest in film with precision and passion.

• Together – We unpack this genre-blending body horror romance starring Alison Brie and Dave Franco. The film merges gut‑wrenching physical transformation with sharp emotional stakes—part visceral, part poignant ‑– delivering horror with humor and heart.

• The Naked Gun (2025) – We dive into the over-the-top revival of the spoof comedy classic. Liam Neeson takes center stage as Frank Drebin Jr., delivering deadpan brilliance in a relentless stream of gag‑loaded absurdity. The film’s nostalgic spirit is refreshed for 2025 with rapid-fire slapstick, a vibrant ensemble including Pamela Anderson, and bold, ridiculous set‑pieces.

• The State of Theatrical Comedy – We tackle the core issue: Are theatrical comedies fading—or waking up? From declining studio risk appetite to recent sparks like Naked Gun pushing humor back into theaters, we plot the path forward for communal laughter on the big screen.

This episode blends deep-dive analysis and sharp cultural critique with the nimble energy of two creators interrogating the future of comedy in cinema.

In Episode 10, we dive into Fantastic Four: First Steps — Marvel’s biggest launch since No Way Home. Did the retro reset actually work? And what can indie studios learn from it?

We run through the latest industry headlines, including:

• Marvel skipping Comic-Con — smart move or signs of struggle?

• A24 teasing genre expansion (yes, even animation)

• Netflix testing “Live Director Mode” — letting viewers control how a movie plays out

• Apple going all-in on theatrical with Pompeii 2045

Then we play “Take Two,” a cursed movie guessing game featuring trees, clowns, and prison breaks.

The main segment tackles the big question: how much creative control should filmmakers give the audience? With platforms letting viewers edit, choose, and influence content, is this the beginning of something great—or the death of vision?

We wrap with a spoiler-friendly review of Fantastic Four: First Steps and break down what it means for the future of the MCU and OFFBEND.

🎧 Honest convos. Sharp takes. Two guys building a studio their own way.
Follow OFFBEND Studios: @offbendstudios | offbend.com | #HighStakesMovie

The OFFBEND crew is back on the air with sharper mics, a new guest, producer Marshal Hodges, and three of summer 2025’s headline releases front-and-center. We kick off with a rapid-fire rundown of the week’s biggest industry moves: SAG-AFTRA’s new AI safeguards, Jurassic World Rebirth’s July-4 box-office stampede, Apple’s F1 victory lap, Amazon folding Freevee into Prime Video, AMC’s mid-week half-price push, and Texas’ beefed-up film incentives.

Next up: “Movie Chain,” a zero-prep trivia battle you can play along with. We then drill into why certain reboots (F1, Jurassic World Rebirth, James Gunn’s Superman) are cutting through audience fatigue before dropping spoiler-light reviews of all three. Lean, lively, and wrapped in under an hour—hit play, leave a five-star rating, and enjoy the ride.

Support Kerrville Flood Relief

Several families in Kerrville, TX are facing devastating losses after the recent floods. If you’re able, please consider donating:

• Urgent Help: Kerrville Recover from Flooding

  https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-help-kerrville-recover-from-flooding

• Ease the Burden: Funeral Costs for Flood Victims

  https://www.gofundme.com/f/ease-the-burden-for-kerr-co-flood-victims-funerals

• Support Meal Deliveries for Flood-Affected Families

  https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-meal-deliveries-for-floodaffected

Our thoughts are with everyone affected. Any contribution, large or small, will make a difference.

Warner Bros. Discovery just slipped to junk-status debt and rumors of an HBO spin-off are flying. Disney is swinging the axe again, ESPN finally prices its stand-alone streamer, and the summer box-office race heats up. We rank every major service, wrap Apple TV+’s STUDIO Season 1, and play our new remote game Budget Blackjack—guess the budget, feel the shame. Strap in.

📣 Join the Conversation

Vote on today’s Budget Blackjack winner and drop your streamer hot takes on X and Instagram @OFFBEND. Want more behind-the-scenes? Follow Hayden’s personal channel for daily founder logs.

Hit “Follow” and leave a 5-star review if you dig the show—it helps more indie filmmakers find us. Let’s build the new Hollywood together. #StreamingWars #HBO #WBD #Disney #ESPN #BoxOffice #IndieFilm #OFFBENDStudios

This week on the OFFBEND Podcast, we kick things off with Lilo & Stitch demolishing the Memorial Day box office—then jump into rapid-fire takes on Top Gun 3, David Tennant’s Marvel ambitions, and Kieran Culkin joining the Hunger Games universe.

We bring the chaos with our new game “Reboot Me This,” where each host pitches wild modern-day reboots of iconic films—cast, concept, and all—under the clock.

Then we take you behind the curtain of OFFBEND Studios: how the High Stakes journey is really going, our mission to build a new kind of studio in Texas, and why the old rules of Hollywood don’t apply anymore.

Finally, we review Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning using our signature OFFBEND 5 framework: plot, stunts, chemistry, box office, and rewatchability. Does Cruise stick the landing or stall midair?

Tune in, rate us, and visit HighStakes-Movie.com to help bring the future of film to life.

This week, Hayden and Carson break down Hayden’s trip to Atlanta for OFFBEND’s short film shoot and training with Greg Alan Williams. Then they dive into real, unfiltered reviews of Sinners, Thunderbolts, and Warfare — what landed, what missed, and what it means for the state of movies. Finally, they close out with a brand-new game: pitching ridiculous sequels to famous movies under the clock.

Raw takes, big laughs, and a look inside OFFBEND’s world.

In this episode, we dive into the latest industry news and headlines - breaking down what’s happening in Hollywood and why it matters. We give our honest thoughts on Episodes 3–6 of THE STUDIO, share where things stand with OFFBEND, and lay out the roadmap we’re building to change the game.

Plus, we close with a new segment we’re calling “Greenlight or Pass” - pitching absurd movie ideas rapid-fire and deciding on the spot if they deserve the greenlight… or the trash bin.

Stay tuned for hot takes, real talk, and a few pitches we’re weirdly serious about making.

In Episode 4, we’re back from our Louisiana scout trip and breaking down everything we saw, from potential shoot locations to unexpected surprises. We dive into the growing momentum of the Texas film scene and what it means for OFFBEND’s future as a part of it. Plus, we review the latest episodes of THE STUDIO, unpacking the drama, comedy, and chaos behind the scenes. All that and more on this packed episode.

In this episode, we break down the biggest shifts shaping the industry. We dive into the Sundance Film Festival’s bold move to Boulder, Colorado—what does this relocation mean for independent cinema? Then, we analyze the massive $8 billion merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global and explore the implications of self-tape auditions dominating Hollywood.

But that’s not all. We review Black Bag, dissecting its strengths and weaknesses, and take a deep dive into the controversy surrounding Disney’s Snow White remake. Did Disney strike the right balance between honoring a beloved classic and modernizing for today’s audience, or did they miss the mark?

Finally, we tease an exciting recurring segment with Marshal Hodges, who will join future episodes to give behind-the-scenes updates on Offbend Studios and High Stakes. Don’t miss this packed episode!

Hollywood is changing fast, and in this episode, we break down the biggest shifts shaping the industry. We dive into the Russo Brothers’ AI-powered studio—is this the beginning of a new creative era or the downfall of real filmmaking? Plus, we discuss Netflix’s $320M flop, The Electric State, and the latest on-set controversies shaking up Hollywood.

Then, we shift gears to movie reviews, taking a deep look at Bong Joon-ho’s highly anticipated Mickey 17—did it live up to the hype? It doesn't stop there. We also dive into Jack Quaid's Novocaine and the fun violence it left on screen.

Finally, we tease an exciting new segment with Marshal Hodges, who will be joining future episodes to give behind-the-scenes updates on Offbend Studios and our film High Stakes.