Time marches on and we all feel old. This week, 'Toy Story 5' hit theaters, and while reviews have been positive, it's crazy to think we're onto the fifth installment in that franchise. In a similar vein, we recently learned that Mike Myers is interested in returning to 'Austin Powers', on the heels of his appearance in the trailer for another fiver, 'Shrek 5' (which already has people in it's own tizzy). Matt and Julian debate the merits of either prospect, and then turn the page to stare into the abyss that is AI invading Hollywood. Plus a grab-bag of entertainment stories covering odd popcorn bowls, a Knicks documentary, a scrapped Palpatine show and much more! Finally, to wrap things up, a brief discussion on 'House of the Dragon' season 3 premiere, 'Obsession', 'The Furious', and 'Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' (both in and out of concert).
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Show Notes
Movies
Mike Myers, on the heels of the ‘Shrek 5’ trailer, tells reporters that he plans to return to Austin Powers.
‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ box office.
New ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ trailer and its unhinged popcorn bucket.
Also ‘Supergirl’ has a VERY odd popcorn bucket as well.
Lionsgate has taken an equity stake in AI company Runaway. They plan to make AI-generated short-form shows with some of their franchises.
Google invests $75m in A24 to develop AI powered Filmmaking tools.
Hollywood, according to THR, is searching Reddit for short stories and ideas that could be turned into movies following the success of ‘Backrooms’.
Paramount/WB deal approved by US Justice Department.
Casting is officially underway for James Bond.
George Miller is looking to develop a final ‘MAD MAX’ movie and TV series. Amazon, Universal, and Sony are interested in the rights.
A movie adaptation of the videogame franchise ‘Battlefield’ is in the works. Michael B. Jordan is currently attached to produce and potentially star. Christopher McQuarrie is set to direct.
TV
Ian McDiarmid says that George Lucas was developing a live-action Palpatine TV series that would have “followed the Emperor’s progress, like Hitler’s” but was scrapped when Lucas sold the SW rights to Disney.
A multi-part Knicks documentary is in the works at A24 and HBO that would follow the Knick’s entire history up to their first NBA Championship in 53 years. It will be directed by Ben Stiller.
Conan will return to host next year’s Oscars (3rd straight)
What We've Been Watching
House of the Dragon S3E1
Obsession
The Furious
Punisher: One Last Kill
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert (theatrical cut)

