Just a year after Batman Begins relaunched the Caped Crusader back into Gotham's crime-ridden streets, Superman Returns flew into theaters, attempting to bridge the gap between Richard Donner’s Superman and the modern superhero era.

Starring Brandon Routh as the Man of Steel, the film honors Christopher Reeve’s legacy while paving its own path. Film critic Sara Michelle Fetters joins us to explore its ambitious vision, the risk of its nostalgia-fueled approach, and how it fits within Superman’s cinematic journey.

Join us as we bid farewell to the last son of Krypton with a Superman film like no other!

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For the penultimate stop on our Superman mega-series, Franchise Detours takes flight with 1987’s Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
 
Christopher Reeve not only dons the cape once more but also contributes to the story this time around, though the result isn’t exactly what he had in mind.

Due largely to Cannon Films’ budget cuts, Reeve’s final flight became one of the most infamous superhero sequels ever made. Now we unpack why this well-intended effort fell so very flat. 

Dallin Curtis, The Film Fanatic, joins us as we revisit perhaps the Man of Steel’s most controversial hour. Does The Quest for Peace deserve its reputation, or is there more to appreciate beneath the rubble?

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1984’s Supergirl attempted to expand the Superman cinematic universe with a new hero, fresh mythology, and a bold new direction. But did it live up to its promise?
 
On this episode of Franchise Detours, Robert Yaniz Jr. welcomes The Vern from Cinema Recall to discuss Helen Slater’s debut as Kara Zor-El, the film’s campy villain turn from Faye Dunaway, and where this underrated entry fits into the legacy of superhero cinema.

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It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s a tonal shift! Robert is joined by Sandro Falce of Oldie But a Goodie to discuss Superman III, the movie that trades high-stakes heroics for slapstick hijinks.

From Richard Pryor’s chaotic tech wizardry to Clark Kent’s trip down memory lane, the third Christopher Reeve Superman film is as infamous as it is fascinating. We talk evil Superman, high school reunions, synthetic kryptonite (with… tar?), and why this sequel's weirdest legacy might be inspiring Office Space.

The final entry in the franchise to definitively turn a profit, Superman III also marked the beginning of the end for the Donnerverse. But how does it play decades later?

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On this episode of Franchise Detours, we continue our deep dive into the original Superman film series with 1980's Superman II — both the theatrical cut and the 2006 Richard Donner Cut.

Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast and Back To Bluey joins us to explore how the behind-the-scenes turmoil affected the film’s tone and vision, from Richard Lester’s more comedic approach to Donner’s darker, character-driven version. We'll also discuss Superman’s (Christopher Reeve) relationship with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), the legacy of Terence Stamp's General Zod as a villain, and what both versions reveal about the evolution of superhero storytelling.

Did Superman II essentially create the template for modern superhero sequels? Perhaps. But whichever version you prefer, this episode has something for every fan of truth and justice.

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A new Franchise Detours mega-series takes flight! Deanna Chapman of The Podcast Life joins us to take a fresh look at 1978’s iconic Superman: The Movie just as James Gunn’s 2025 reboot starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult soars into theaters.
 
We’ll discuss Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal of the Man of Steel, how the original film set the blueprint for superhero cinema, and the enduring legacy that continues to influence the genre and filmmaking today. We’ll also dive into the film’s groundbreaking special effects, its hopeful storytelling, and what Superman: The Movie means for this beloved character’s big-screen future.
 
No matter which version is “your” Superman, this episode welcomes all fans as a celebration of the superhero myth and its cinematic evolution. Join us as we revisit the series launched by director Richard Donner’s original film, including 1984’s Supergirl and 2006’s Superman Returns.

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Buckle up — we’re cruising into a major milestone! Four years and 100 episodes later, Franchise Detours is putting the pedal to the metal with a special celebration that takes you on a high-octane journey through the 16 mega-series we’ve covered so far.

Past and future guests Lauren Robinson of the Beer’d Al Podcast, Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast, Ryan Luis Rodriguez of One Track Mind, filmmaker Jackson Smith, Brian Skutle of the Sonic Cinema Podcast, and David Rosen of Piecing It Together make pit stop appearances as we pull over to revisit favorite moments, unforgettable conversations, and what makes these franchises legendary.

Along the way, we'll steer you through reflections on the trip from Episode 0 to now, discussing all 16 mega-series to date in a bracket-style format that leaves one franchise standing. And we'll also announce the first mega-series queued up for 2026. 

Whether you’re a seasoned co-pilot or just hopping in for the ride, this episode is all about celebrating the road traveled and mapping out the journey ahead. So fill up your tank, roll down the windows, and enjoy the ride as we commemorate 100 exits to date.

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On this episode of Franchise Detours, we reach the final stop in Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy with 2013’s Before Midnight. Jackson Smith returns to the show to unpack this raw, reflective chapter in the ongoing story of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy).
 
Set nearly two decades after their first meeting, Before Midnight trades youthful idealism for hard-earned honesty as the couple confronts what lasting love really looks like. We’ll discuss how Linklater, Hawke, and Delpy bring a lived-in authenticity to this bittersweet installment, one that challenges everything that came before it.

With its intimate long takes and emotionally charged dialogue, Before Midnight shifts the trilogy’s tone from romantic fantasy to grounded reality. It's a love story, yes, but one that dares to ask what happens after the fairy tale. Join us as we complete our trek through one of the finest trilogies in cinema history.

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On this Franchise Detours, we continue our stroll through Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy with a stop in Paris and the heartbreaking honesty of 2004’s Before Sunset. Dallin Curtis, The Film Fanatic, joins us to unpack the film’s real-time structure, emotional depth, and themes of missed opportunities and second chances.
 
Nine years after their unforgettable night in Vienna, Jesse and Céline reunite for another epic conversation. But was their brief connection just a fleeting moment or the beginning of something lasting? We’ll dig into how Before Sunset shifts the tone, raises the stakes, and digs deeper into the characters' emotional evolution.

Join us as we talk Linklater’s direction, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy’s electric chemistry, and what Before Sunset teaches us about love, regret, and timing. And be sure to check back next episode as we revisit Jesse and Céline one last time, with an in-depth chat about 2013’s trilogy-ending installment Before Midnight.

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On this episode, we’re kicking off a mega-series on the Before trilogy, which quietly redefined what a franchise could be. Megan Kearns of Spoilerpiece Theatre joins us to unpack Richard Linklater’s 1995 romantic drama Before Sunrise, the film that launched one of cinema’s most intimate and epic love stories.

Before Sunrise captures a fleeting connection between two strangers, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy), as they wander, talk, and fall in love over the course of a single night in Vienna. We’ll discuss how the film's naturalistic dialogue, romantic spontaneity, and subtle direction helped redefine modern love stories.
 
We’ll also dive into how Jesse and Céline’s dynamic continues to resonate with audiences decades later and what makes Before Sunrise such a timeless beginning to Linklater’s masterful trilogy. Whether you're new to the Before series or revisiting it with nostalgic eyes, this episode sets the tone for the cinematic journey ahead.

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Franchise Detours wraps up its wild ride through the Naked Gun trilogy as we welcome The Famous Ashley Grant to take on 1994’s Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.
 
As Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) comes out of retirement for one last case, Robert and Ashley break down how this third installment pushes the parody further to deliver a grand finale.

Together, we’ll explore the film’s biggest swings — from its over-the-top look at police to that unforgettable Oscars climax — and debate whether the final Naked Gun takes solid aim.

It’s the end of the line for Frank Drebin. But will he go out with a bang, a whimper... or one last ridiculous pratfall? Catch the finale of Franchise Detours’ Naked Gun mega-series!

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The chaos continues on Franchise Detours as Leslie Nielsen’s bumbling Frank Drebin returns for more slapstick mayhem in 1991’s The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear.
 
Ryan Luis Rodriguez of One Track Mind — inaugural member of the Franchise Detours five-timers club — returns to tackle this comedy sequel. But does director David Zucker retain the deadpan humor that made the first film such a classic?

Robert and Ryan explore Drebin’s evolution as a comedic force, the film’s razor-sharp jabs at politics and energy policy (yes, really), and how the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team doubled down on sight gags and wordplay. Plus, they discuss the series’ staying power and its influence on modern comedy. 

Ready for another round of pratfalls, puns, and perfectly timed chaos? With such a wide range of gags both high-brow and low in The Naked Gun 2 1/2, we guarantee “[you’ll] love it!”

Franchise Detours is back on the case with a brand-new mega-series on the hilariously offbeat journey of The Naked Gun trilogy. Of course, we’re starting with the David Zucker-directed 1988 original that turned Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin into a slapstick legend.
 
Lauren Robinson of the Beer’d Al Podcast returns to the show to break down why this deadpan detective remains one of comedy’s greatest characters and how his absurd antics helped shape the comedic sensibilities of a generation.

From banana peels to baseball games, The Naked Gun is packed with quotable one-liners, ridiculous sight gags, and wall-to-wall parody that redefined spoof comedy. And of course, we’ll touch on The Naked Gun’s connection to another comedy icon: Weird Al Yankovic.

Whether you’re a lifelong Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker fan or just discovering Frank Drebin for the first time ahead of the 2025 edition starring Liam Neeson, this episode delivers all the chaos, charm, and unyielding silliness you could ask for.

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Few characters capture the essence of camp and horror quite like Elvira. With her signature style and irreverent humor, Cassandra Peterson's sultry and sarcastic creation has reigned supreme as a perennial fan favorite. This beloved pop culture phenomenon even headlined two movies. As spooky season winds down, Kai Yaniz joins Franchise Detours to discuss 1988's Elvira: Mistress of the Dark and Elvira's Haunted Hills from 2001. We'll discuss how the character evolved from improv comedy into a global sensation, why Elvira's first movie still packs such a punch, and how she represents a type of stardom that has all but vanished in today's world. While Elvira: Mistress of the Dark emerged as a cult classic—following Elvira as she inherits a dilapidated mansion in a conservative town—Elvira's Haunted Hills is far more under-seen. But is this tribute to classic horror tropes set in the Carpathian Mountains worth digging up? Or should fans simply revisit Elvira's film debut? Give our chat a listen to find out.

It all ends here. After nearly five decades and nine films, the world of Rocky Balboa — and, by extension, Adonis Creed — comes to a close. Of course, there's still more in the works from these beloved fighters. But until we learn more about Creed IV's development or whatever Amazon has in store for Rocky fans, this marks the final round of our Rocky/Creed mega-series. Kevin the Critic joins us for our final punch, as we talk 2023's Creed III from star and first-time director Michael B. Jordan. We'll discuss how the movie sees Adonis' forge his own path, what new antagonist Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors) brings to the franchise, and where we hope to see the Creed family saga go with the now-in-development fourth entry.

Congratulations! You've successfully relaunched the Rocky series for a whole new generation, perfectly encapsulating what made the franchise great while updating it for a modern sensibility. So, now what? Where is a sequel to a legacy sequel to go next? That's the task ahead for Creed II. With Steven Caple Jr. stepping in for Ryan Coogler as director, the second film follows Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) as he claims the title, only to find the past creeping its way back. None other than Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) — who killed Donnie's father in the ring — and his boxer son Viktor (Florian Munteanu) reappear with a showdown in mind. Jason of Binge Movies joins Franchise Detours to discuss 2018's Creed II for an epic-length chat. We'll cover whether the film is helped or hindered by its ties to 1985's Rocky IV, how it undermines its theme of fathers and sons, and if it serves as a fitting final appearance for Sylvester Stallone's Rocky. This may be the swan song for "The Italian Stallion" on the big screen. So join us for a heart-wrenching journey through the entire Rocky franchise to date. Next up? The most recent entry, 2023's Stallone-less Creed III!

After Rocky Balboa restored the franchise to its former glory — winning back fans and critics who were left cold after Rocky V — it really had seemed like this time the world had seen the last of Sylvester Stallone's iconic character. But that was before director Ryan Coogler got involved. Coogler is now best known for the cultural phenomenon that was Black Panther, but he had made only one feature film when he stepped into the director's chair for 2015's Creed. Moreover, the film was to star frequent Coogler's Fruitvale Station star Michael B. Jordan, coming off of Fant4stic, opposite Stallone's seventh round as the retired champ himself. The Lady-Wan of Screen Run joins Franchise Detours to discuss how its director and star went the distance with 2015's Creed . We'll discuss how the film honors the previous Rocky films, why it needs to earn its place within the beloved franchise, and whether it's the best legacy sequel ever made.

While the story started by Rocky had seemingly come to a close, Sylvester Stallone's dissatisfaction with the fifth film — and perhaps the declining state of his own career — led him to consider bringing his signature character back for just one more fight. And thus, he returned to write, direct and star in Rocky Balboa, released 30 years after the first film. Film critic Phoenix Clouden joins us to discuss 2006's Rocky Balboa, the film which defied the odds to earn critical acclaim and box office success. We'll discuss how the film handles the absence of Talia Shire's Adrian, why it feels like a necessary project for both Rocky and Stallone alike, and where it feels the door open for the character's return nearly a decade later in Creed. We'll also delve into the film’s thematic elements, such as aging and legacy. Serving as both a conclusion to Rocky's story and a fresh entry point for a new generation, we'll discuss how Rocky Balboa encapsulates the film’s message of perseverance. Join us for an engaging discussion celebrating the enduring spirit of one of cinema’s most beloved characters.

With Rocky IV taking the franchise to new commercial heights, the film represented, in some ways, the biggest victory yet for both writer/director/star Sylvester Stallone and his fictional counterpart. However, that success — which saw the scale of the franchise expand to international levels — might have set unfair expectations for the future. Enter Rocky V. On one hand, the return of the original film's director, John G. Avildsen, signaled a return to Rocky's roots as an underdog, as the champ finds himself back in the neighborhood and searching for relevance. But audiences and critics at the time didn't appreciate this seemingly more downbeat approach, perhaps sensing the magic of the series was missing. Pete of Middle Class Film Class joins us to discuss what was once intended as the finale of the Rocky series, 1990's Rocky V. We'll discuss whether the film deserves its lackluster reputation, how it inadvertently sets up subsequent movies, and why the surprise addition of one cast member carries so much weight. So lace up those gloves and join our discussion.

If Rocky III marks the promise of how the franchise could grow beyond the championship belt, then the next film arguably shows its limitations. With star Sylvester Stallone again serving as writer and director, Rocky IV sees the iconic cinematic hero facing his most devastating blow yet, sending him all the way to Russia to represent his country on a quest for vengeance. Ryan Luis Rodriguez of One Track Mind joins us to discuss 1985's Rocky IV, a film that remains the biggest worldwide box office hit in the Rocky/Creed franchise. We'll discuss why the film is the most dated installment of the series, how it underutilizes one of its most charismatic stars, and the 2021 release of Stallone's Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago – The Ultimate Director's Cut. Although Rocky IV has more than its share of defenders, this is often the point where many film franchises start to falter. With an established storytelling formula and a generally intimate focus on a handful of main characters, how does Rocky IV manage to keep the title character in the cinematic ring? And where does it key up the 1990 flop that was Rocky V?