Following FanQuest the ToB Crew decided to take a short break while in the midst of the summer doldrums to recharge their batteries. That R&R is now over and the guys are back to break down the latest in film and TV news. On the docket this week is the confirmation that Joaquin Phoenix has signed on to play The Joker in a standalone origin film, Billy Dee Williams will likely return to the role of Lando Calrissian for Star Wars Episode IX and Halo is finally coming to TV. All this and so much more on this week's Tower of Babble Podcast!

Unfortunately Dan had other, more pressing (job related), engagements to take care of and wasn't able to join the podcast this week. However, look for him alongside Julian as they continue their Game of Thrones Season 1 Rewatch.

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Show Notes

Movies

Joaquin Phoenix has officially signed on to play The Joker in a standalone origin film directed by Hangover director Todd Phillips.
Reports are saying that BIlly Dee Williams will be reprising the role of Lando Calrissian in JJ Abrams, Star Wars Episode IX.
Keri Russell of The Americans fame cast in Star Wars Episode IX as well.
Sonic the Hedgehog live action movie lands Jim Carrey in the role Dr Robotnik/Dr Eggman.
Miles Teller cast as the son of Goose in Top Gun 2.
Black Widow movie gets a director. After meeting with over 65 candidates Marvel has decided to go with Australian director Cate Shortland.
Nathan Fillion, of Castle and Firefly fame, teased something to do with Uncharted on his Instagram account.

TV

The 70th Annual Primetime Emmy nominees were announced. Look for our predictions as we get closer to the ceremony.
After two marginally successful internet miniseries and several popular live action commercials it looks like the video game franchise Halo will be coming to television in a more official capacity. Originally announced in 2013 nothing really happened with the project until news broke recently that the show will begin production this fall. Airing on Showtime it’s notably being produced in partnership with Steven Spielberg under his banner, Amblin Entertainment.

What We've Been Watching

Ant-Man and the Wasp
Handmaid’s Tale Season 2
GLOW Season 2

Oct 19, 2025

Bonus Episode - ToB Film Club - Kingpin (1996)

Before Matt officially joined the show as a co-host he was invited on as guest to talk about one of his favourite movies of all time, ‘Swingers’. Now returning in an official capacity to the ToB Film Club, he brings with him another film from his top-3, another comedy, ‘Kingpin’. A Farrelly brothers film that followed up their smash hit breakout, ‘Dumb and Dumber’, and you can see the through lines. Like ‘Dumb and Dumber’ we follow two guys who are down on their luck as they head out on the road where chaos and hilarity ensue. Unfortunately it wasn’t the hit they hoped despite a killer cast, including legends Bill Murray, Randy Quaid and Woody Harrelson and as a result it didn't leave as large of a cultural footprint as some of the other Farrelly brothers films from this era. It's been nearly 30 years so now seems as good a time as any to revisit this sleeper and see what everyone was missing back then.

Oct 9, 2025

Episode 200 - Meet Matt!

After an extended hiatus, ToB returns with a fresh voice on the second chair. Julian is joined by long-time friend of the show, Matt Tworek. We spend this first episode of the "new" ToB getting to know him and setting up what else is to come.

Jun 5, 2025

SSSW - Tales of the Underworld

Lucasfilm Animation has been hard at work on their next major project, 'Maul: Shadow Lord', but they've found the time to deliver another installment in their "Tales of" anthology series. The first ones covering the Jedi and the Empire, they now turn their focus towards the Underworld. However, be warned, this is a bit of a misnomer. Don't expect any crime syndicates or really any large scale criminality here. These 2 mini-arcs instead focus on Asajj Ventress (I know, not the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions the Underworld) as she assists a young Jedi on the run from the Empire, and the origin story of Cad Bane. Which admittedly is closer in line with the criminal underworld concept, but is really more interested in telling a western style revenge story instead. All in all, despite the always great visuals and sound/music design, and few interesting ideas, there's not enough meat on the bone here to satisfy most viewers. But most disappointing is its failure to capitalize on the potential of the Underworld concept.

May 22, 2025

SSSW/ToB Film Club - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

It's hard to believe that 'Rogue One' premiered nearly a decade ago. At the time, it was fairly well received, considered to be a decent first step into the standalone Star Wars movies, if not a bit messy. As the years passed, we learned more about the production. Gareth Edwards, who retained sole directing credit, was assisted by Tony Gilroy to "fix" the project. Tony went so far as to call it a "corpse" when he came aboard for rewrites and reshoots. It was Tony's inclusion that brought us some of the movies most memorable moments, and ultimately led him to leading the charge on 'Andor', a prequel project that flew under the radar as hits like 'The Mandalorian' hogged the spotlight. With 'Andor' now complete, considered by many to be a masterpiece in storytelling, not just in Star Wars but on television in general, now is the most appropriate time to reexamine the movie that spawned the Cassian-centered prequel series with fresh eyes. 'Andor', which leads directly into the events of 'Rogue One' recontextualizes much of the film, creating a unique viewing experience that pays off a multitude of threads that are brilliantly laid over the two seasons of 'Andor'. It takes the movie, which was already pretty good, and makes it great. Now existing as part of a whole that weaves a cohesive narrative from the nascent moments of the Rebellion all the way through to the destruction of the Death Star in 1977 (the seed that begat ALL Star Wars, and what we appropriately align our Star Wars BBY calendars to). It all feels wholistic and considered when viewed from the broader perspective - an accomplishment that should set a shining example of what Star Wars can and should aspire to.

Episode 116 - The Return of the Lando

Show Notes

Movies

TV

What We've Been Watching

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