The Health of the IP-Verse and ‘Expats’ With Joanna Robinson
Feb 2, 2024
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Joanna Robinson joins Andy to discuss the strength of big IP franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. They also talk about the new Amazon show 'Expats' starring Nicole Kidman and preview the latest episode of 'True Detective: Night Country'.
Marvel's ability to attract top talent is changing with recent exits but Deadpool 3 and upcoming projects like Fantastic Four and Spider-Man could reshape the MCU narrative.
House of the Dragon and expanding the Game of Thrones universe present both excitement and challenges.
Expats showcases Lulu Wong's venture into television, with its serious tone and impressive performances, while navigating artistic vision within streaming platforms.
Star Wars faces complexities and evolving challenges in expanding its universe beyond main cinematic releases with shows like In Our and Acolyte.
Choosing the right platform is crucial for TV storytelling, as different streaming platforms offer unique creative opportunities and impact a project's visibility and success.
Death and Lightning represents an audacious TV project with muted reception and experimental storytelling pushing boundaries.
Deep dives
Summary of Death, Taxes, and Bananas podcast episode
The Death, Taxes, and Bananas podcast, hosted by Johnny Bananas, gives an in-depth look at the treachery, deceit, and murder in Season 2 of the Traders US. The podcast features behind-the-scenes stories and details from the filming process, with fellow castmates joining Johnny Bananas to share their experiences. The episode also includes advertisements for Amazon Prime and Peacock. Overall, the podcast provides a comprehensive exploration of the events and drama in Season 2 of Traders.
The state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The podcast hosts discuss the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). They mention the recent exits of actors Stephen Yeun and Yodie Brie from the upcoming Thunderbolts movie, highlighting the shift in Marvel's ability to attract top talent. The hosts speculate on the impact of Deadpool 3 in potentially turning the tide for Marvel and look ahead to the significance of upcoming projects like Fantastic Four and Spider-Man in shaping the narrative of the MCU.
The future of Game of Thrones and the Thronesverse
The podcast covers the upcoming second season of House of the Dragon and the larger Game of Thrones universe. They discuss the recent announcement of Dan and Dave's involvement in the show Death by Lightning, as well as other in-development projects such as Night of the Seven Kingdoms. The hosts express their anticipation for upcoming Thrones-related shows, while also acknowledging the challenges of expanding the universe beyond the original series.
Assessing Lulu Wong's TV venture with Expats
The podcast delves into Lulu Wong's venture into television with the show Expats. They discuss the unique storytelling opportunities presented by the TV medium and the challenges of finding the right platform for a TV project. The hosts provide their insights on the show, noting its serious and heavy tone, as well as the impressive performances, particularly from Nicole Kidman. They also touch upon the potential clash between Wong's artistic vision and the dynamics of streaming platforms like Amazon Prime.
State of Star Wars and the impact of In Our on the TV landscape
The hosts examine the current state of Star Wars and its impact on the TV landscape. They discuss the upcoming second season of In Our and its potential to captivate audiences. They also mention other Star Wars projects in development and the challenges of expanding the universe beyond the main cinematic releases. While they express enthusiasm for certain upcoming shows like Acolyte and Andor, they note that Star Wars remains a complex and evolving franchise.
Exploring the best platforms for TV storytelling
The podcast explores the importance of choosing the right platform for TV storytelling. They discuss the pros and cons of different streaming platforms, including Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime. They highlight the creative opportunities and challenges that come with each platform, as well as the impact of platform decisions on a project's visibility and success.
Analysis of Death and Lightning and Nicole Kidman's recurring roles
The hosts analyze the TV series Death and Lightning and Nicole Kidman's recurring roles in similar projects. They discuss the critical reception and impact of the show, highlighting the unique storytelling elements brought by director Lulu Wong. They also express their opinions on Kidman's performances in recent TV projects, pointing out the familiar theme of a wealthy, grieving protagonist that can be seen across her roles.
The role of ADR and the challenges of Expats
The podcast delves into the role of ADR in TV shows and the challenges faced by Expats. They discuss the heavy use of ADR in the show and its impact on the viewing experience. They also touch on the challenges faced by Lulu Wong in navigating the creative process within a streaming platform like Amazon Prime, including the difficulty of getting projects greenlit and the potential interference from various decision-making teams.
The positioning of Death by Lightning in the TV landscape
The hosts analyze the positioning of Death by Lightning within the TV landscape. They discuss the muted reception of the show's premiere and its overall visibility in comparison to other TV projects. They also acknowledge the audacity and experimental nature of the show, appreciating Lulu Wong's commitment to trying out new ideas and pushing boundaries in storytelling.
The podcast discusses the potential for a John Snow series and its uncertain future
The speaker highlights rumors that a John Snow series may not be moving forward, but emphasizes that this is not confirmed. They also note their focus on the industry season three and highlight the challenges of managing and growing audiences.
The podcast explores the upcoming Harry Potter TV show and the potential for its success
The speaker discusses the Harry Potter TV show in development, sharing that it is expected to be faithful to the books and will ignore the Fantastic Beasts films. They mention the enduring popularity of the Harry Potter IP and express optimism for the show's potential success.
Andy is joined by Joanna Robinson to talk about the strength of various big IP franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and Harry Potter (1:00), and what upcoming projects, if any, to look out for from these properties (19:47). Then, they talk about the first two episodes of ‘Expats,’ the new Amazon show starring Nicole Kidman (38:31), and preview this Sunday’s episode of ‘True Detective: Night Country’ (52:31).
