Distance NERDing

Zoinks! This week Yung Phil, Jenn the Fray Girl, and SHDU are back to break down another ridiculous week in nerd news... assuming Jenn doesn't swipe left on the story first. 😂 Marvel kicks things off with Vision Quest , the MCU's upcoming X-Men , Angel casting talk, Al Pacino rumors, and the possibility of The Maker appearing in Avengers: Secret Wars . Over at DC, we're talking The People vs. Gorilla Grodd , Matt Reeves expanding his Gotham universe, and theories surrounding the Court of Owls. Then the Mystery Machine crashes directly through the studio. Netflix's live-action Scooby-Doo Origins inspires perhaps our greatest terrible idea yet: Scooby-Doo: How to Catch a Predator , where Scooby solves the crimes, Shaggy translates because he's definitely seeing things, and nobody believes the detective because... he's a dog. Plus: Netflix goes to Hell with an animated Diablo series, Yung Phil nerds WAY too hard over StarCraft , Jenn continues swiping through stories like Nerd Tinder, and The Odyssey becomes an excuse to argue about Greek mythology, Homer, IMAX, and spoilers for a story that's roughly 3,000 years old. Just another completely normal Tuesday at Distance NERDing. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS & TOPICS 00:00 – Welcome to Chapter 291 + Jenn returns 05:00 – Vision Quest and the future of Vision 09:50 – Marvel's X-Men , Angel & Apocalypse talk 16:25 – Al Pacino joining the MCU?! 21:15 – The Maker in Avengers: Secret Wars 24:10 – The People vs. Gorilla Grodd gets wonderfully weird 30:35 – Matt Reeves expands his Batman universe 36:05 – Court of Owls theories for The Batman Part II 40:40 – Scooby-Doo Origins + a REAL Great Dane 43:45 – SCOOBY-DOO: HOW TO CATCH A PREDATOR 💀 45:20 – Netflix's animated Diablo series 47:30 – BlizzCon, Diablo , Warcraft & Yung Phil's StarCraft meltdown 53:05 – The Odyssey conquers the box office 55:00 – SHDU's Greek mythology origin story 58:40 – Spoilers for a 3,000-year-old book 59:25 – Distance NERDing schedule + what's next 1:02:00 – Subscribe, review & KEEP NERDING TOGETHER! 🧠 KEY TAKEAWAYS Vision Quest may operate more as its own Vision story than simply the finale of the WandaVision/Agatha saga. The crew dives deep into how the MCU could approach Angel, Mister Sinister, Apocalypse and the next generation of X-Men. Gorilla Grodd in a true-crime/mockumentary-style DC series is exactly the kind of comic-book weirdness we want. A grounded Gotham TV universe could explore Arkham, Hugo Strange, Scarecrow, Harley Quinn and other corners of Batman mythology. Netflix's live-action Scooby-Doo needs to remember one crucial ingredient: Scooby has to feel like SCOOBY. Diablo has plenty of lore for animation, while Yung Phil is apparently willing to wait until the next geological era for more StarCraft . The Odyssey discussion proves you apparently CAN spoil a 3,000-year-old story... but you've had time. 😂 QUOTES & BEST BITS Jenn the Fray Girl: "I think what they should do is make it Scooby-Doo: How to Catch a Predator." Yung Phil: "Zoinks! The dog just talked to me, man." Jenn the Fray Girl: "Scooby is actually the one solving all of the crimes, but nobody believes it because he's a dog." SHDU: "It has been out for 3,000 years. You have had time." Jenn the Fray Girl: "I've read them a couple of times in the 3,000 years that they've been out." Yung Phil: "Because she is immortal." 📣 KEEP NERDING TOGETHER! Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe , leave us a 5-star review , and send Chapter 291 to the Scooby-Doo, Marvel, DC, gaming or Greek mythology nerd in your life. Share your favorite moment using #DistanceNERDing and tell us: Which story gets YOUR swipe right... and which one are you launching directly into the sun? 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy: Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud Partner: Geek Freaks Network – GFpods.com 👕 Merch: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📱 FOLLOW US Follow @DistanceNERDing on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and BlueSky. Join the NERDington Post Facebook Group and hang with us on Discord for even more nerdy nonsense. ❓ LISTENER QUESTIONS What are YOU nerding out on? Send us your questions, theories, hot takes and future episode topics. Would you watch Scooby-Doo: How to Catch a Predator ? Who should Al Pacino play in the MCU? And which nerd-news story are you swiping right on? Come join the conversation. ⚡ KEEP NERDING TOGETHER!

It's morphin' time... apparently, MATT DAMON?! ⚡ Yung Phil, Jahmez and SHDU dive headfirst into another week of pop culture chaos as Marvel rumors multiply faster than Gremlins after midnight, the DCU may have found its new Wonder Woman, Vin Diesel potentially eyes the director's chair, and Matt Damon shows up looking suspiciously ready to yell, "IT'S MORPHIN' TIME!" We break down the future of NOVA in the MCU, the surprising end of SPIDER-NOIR, Sydney Sweeney casting rumors, possible AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY cameos and Noah Jupe potentially playing an older Franklin Richards. Over in the DCU, could Adria Arjona secretly be WONDER WOMAN? Then Matt Damon's mysterious new Daniels movie gives us major Power Rangers energy, Dave Bautista gets absolutely SHREDDED for KRATOS, Florence Pugh could enter the JAMES BOND universe as Moneypenny, and THE KANE CHRONICLES could expand Disney's Percy Jackson mythology. We also celebrate BRUCE CAMPBELL, somehow develop a business plan involving Graveyard, roadside pizza balls and a lawsuit, and debate whether THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU belonged in theaters or on Disney+. Because apparently the road to meeting Bruce Campbell begins with intellectual-property-infringing pizza. 🍕😂 ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS & TOPICS 00:00 – Welcome to Chapter 290 04:16 – Should Marvel's NOVA be a movie or Disney+ series? 08:09 – SPIDER-NOIR canceled after one season 13:04 – Sydney Sweeney MCU casting rumors 15:44 – AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY rumors go completely feral 19:30 – Noah Jupe as Franklin Richards? 23:42 – WATCHING THE WATCHTOWER 24:15 – Adria Arjona secretly playing WONDER WOMAN? 28:22 – HEADLINES 28:59 – Could Vin Diesel direct FAST FOREVER? 31:10 – GO GO MATT DAMON RANGERS! ⚡ 34:26 – Dave Bautista getting shredded for KRATOS 37:06 – Florence Pugh as Moneypenny in the James Bond universe 40:28 – THE KANE CHRONICLES coming to Disney+ 44:26 – Bruce Campbell update and celebrating his career 45:19 – Pizza Balls, Graveyard & the world's strangest Bruce Campbell plan 🍕 47:32 – Did THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU belong in theaters? 51:46 – Why audiences may be waiting for streaming 55:55 – Final thoughts & outro 🧠 KEY TAKEAWAYS • The crew votes for NOVA getting room to breathe as a series rather than squeezing Richard Rider's cosmic MCU story into one movie. • AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY rumor fatigue is real... until somebody drops another juicy Deadpool, Wolverine or Tobey Maguire rumor. • Adria Arjona's comments aren't exactly helping convince anyone that she ISN'T the DCU's Wonder Woman. • Matt Damon plus The Daniels plus superhero suits equals one giant "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" that we absolutely want to see. • Dave Bautista already looks Kratos-ready, and somehow he's STILL training. • Florence Pugh could be an intriguing way to expand the James Bond universe beyond 007. • Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles opens the door to an even bigger shared mythology universe on Disney+. • The Mandalorian & Grogu debate exposes a larger Hollywood problem: audiences increasingly wait for streaming unless a movie feels like a MUST-SEE theatrical event. 💬 QUOTES & BEST BITS ⚡ "Go, go, Damon Rangers!" 😂 "He looks... kind of like a low-rent One Punch Man." 💪 "He looks more ripped than a sheet of paper, bro." 🍕 "Why don't they have pizza balls in Avengers Campus? I want a pizza ball." 😂 The plan to meet Bruce Campbell: Move Graveyard to Oregon, open a roadside Pizza Ball stand, wait for Bruce to sue him... and BOOM, introduction secured. 🎬 On endless Doomsday leaks: "Give us the damn movie." 🚀 JOIN THE NERDINGTON POST Enjoyed the episode? SUBSCRIBE, leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and share Chapter 290 with another nerd! Join the conversation on social media and tell us what YOU'RE nerding out about using #DistanceNERDing. And remember: KEEP NERDING TOGETHER! 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network – GFpods.com 👕 Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📱 FOLLOW DISTANCE NERDING Follow @DistanceNERDing on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, X/Twitter and BlueSky. Join the NERDington Post Facebook community and keep the conversation going between episodes! ❓ LISTENER QUESTIONS What should we talk about next? Send us your questions, casting debates, theories, convention stories and gloriously unnecessary nerd arguments! Who should play Wonder Woman? Is Matt Damon officially an honorary Power Ranger? Should Mando have stayed on Disney+? And most importantly... would YOU eat a Pizza Ball? Send us your questions and you might hear them discussed on a future chapter!

Episode Summary The studios are merging, the Avengers need more chairs, Tom Cruise is climbing back into a race car, RoboCop is returning, and somehow SHDU STILL hasn't read Dungeon Crawler Carl. Clearly, civilization is thriving. Yung Phil, Jahmez and SHDU dive into a packed week of nerd news, including Jeremy Renner teasing Hawkeye's return, Avengers: Doomsday reportedly adding even MORE cameos, and rumors surrounding Hulk, Scarlet Witch, Ghost Rider and Deadpool. Then we enter the Crisis in Infinite Studios as the crew debates James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU future, Paramount's potential Warner Bros. takeover, stalled DC projects, Supergirl's box office performance, and why Lanterns, Clayface and genre-driven storytelling could keep the DCU moving forward. Elsewhere, Coyote vs. Acme finally hits theaters, Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway head toward Days of Thunder 2, Murderbot loads up Season 2, and Dan Stevens becomes RoboCop. The episode also takes a heartfelt turn as we remember the extraordinary careers and legacies of Peter Cullen and Tim Curry before debating whether Hayden Christensen really needs his own Darth Vader movie. Finally, Paramount wants to release THIRTY movies every year. Thirty. Apparently sleep is no longer part of the theatrical business model. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Welcome to Distance NERDing 03:30 – Jeremy Renner teases Hawkeye's return 05:34 – Avengers: Doomsday adds MORE cameos 08:22 – Ghost Rider, X-Men & Deadpool rumors 10:21 – Has the Doomsday plot leaked? 11:54 – Crisis in Infinite Studios: the future of DC 13:12 – Supergirl, James Gunn & DC's growing pains 16:22 – What gets audiences back into theaters? 19:18 – Coyote vs. Acme hits the box office 20:45 – Tom Cruise & Anne Hathaway in Days of Thunder 2 23:24 – Murderbot Season 2 stacks its cast 24:48 – Dan Stevens becomes RoboCop 27:17 – SHDU's required RoboCop homework 29:23 – Remembering Peter Cullen 34:16 – Remembering Tim Curry 39:34 – Hayden Christensen's rumored Star Wars deal 40:03 – Do we REALLY need a Darth Vader movie? 45:21 – Paramount promises 30 theatrical movies a year 47:35 – Are longer theatrical windows coming back? 49:18 – Paramount/Warner Bros. monopoly concerns 50:27 – Can 30 movies a year actually be GOOD? 🧠 Key Takeaways Avengers: Doomsday could be turning into an enormous MCU reunion with rumored cameos from across Marvel. James Gunn and Peter Safran appear to remain central to DC Studios despite corporate uncertainty. DC's genre-first strategy could be one of the DCU's biggest strengths. Coyote vs. Acme finally getting released proves shelving finished movies isn't the only option. Dan Stevens could be a fascinating choice to bring RoboCop back to television. Hayden Christensen returning as Anakin/Vader sounds exciting, but Vader may work better as a looming threat than the center of another movie. Paramount committing to 30 theatrical releases could help theaters, but quality control, ticket prices and corporate consolidation remain huge concerns. Peter Cullen and Tim Curry leave behind extraordinary bodies of work that shaped generations of nerd culture. SHDU has somehow found time for Star Wars, Murderbot discussions and RoboCop homework, but still hasn't read Dungeon Crawler Carl. Goddammit, Donut. 😂 Quotes & Best Bits "We need a Hulk." "I think I'm cursed to have crushes on all of the Jean Greys." "NASCAR has a senior circuit." "My friends call me Murphy. You call me RoboCop... excuse me, I have to go somewhere. There is a crime happening." "He's an unstoppable force." "A broken clock is right twice a day." 🚀 Keep NERDing Together! Enjoying Distance NERDing? Subscribe , leave us a 5-star review , and share Chapter 289 with the nerdiest person in your multiverse. Post your favorite moment using #DistanceNERDing and help another nerd stumble onto the worst-kept secret on the internet. 🔗 Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy: Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network: GFpods.com 👕 Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📲 Follow Us Follow @DistanceNERDing on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, X/Twitter and Bluesky, and join the Distance NERDing community on Discord. ❓ Listener Questions Should James Gunn stay in charge of the DCU? Who do you think is secretly appearing in Avengers: Doomsday? Do we need a Darth Vader movie? And most importantly: How many more chapters until SHDU finally reads Dungeon Crawler Carl?! Send us your questions and future episode topics!

Episode Summary Grab your Green Lantern ring, summon the Power Sword, and make sure the minivan has a full tank because Yung Phil and Jahmez are back for Chapter 288 of Distance NERDing! This week, Marvel rumors tease new Disney+ projects, Avengers: Doomsday , Rogue joining Secret Wars , and a massive 2028 MCU lineup. Over in the DCU, Guy Gardner's haircut becomes legitimate breaking news , Gorilla Grodd goes to court, and we dive into theories surrounding Lanterns . Then things get delightfully unhinged: Charles Melton could become Kakashi in Naruto , Kit Harington heads from Westeros to Hogwarts, Masters of the Universe finds a massive streaming audience, and Dave Bautista picks up Kratos' Leviathan Axe . We also celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Dolly Parton , ponder Matt Damon leading a movie that sounds suspiciously Power Rangers-adjacent, and discover that Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is apparently one helluva Honda . Yes, somehow this became a minivan podcast. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Welcome to Distance NERDing 04:16 – Marvel's Disney+ future 07:44 – X-Men casting & Kitty Pryde possibilities 11:15 – Doomsday: Cap & Bucky vs. Doctor Doom 14:04 – Rogue rumored for Secret Wars 18:00 – Ghost Rider & Marvel's huge 2028 23:38 – Guy Gardner's new haircut 28:32 – The People vs. Gorilla Grodd 32:05 – Lanterns theories & SPOILERS 39:26 – Charles Melton as Kakashi in Naruto 44:03 – Kit Harington heads to Hogwarts 45:45 – Extraction 3 47:42 – Masters of the Universe dominates streaming 58:18 – Dave Bautista becomes Kratos 1:04:10 – Remembering Dolly Parton 1:10:52 – Matt Damon's Power Rangers-ish superhero movie 1:15:14 – The Odyssey is one helluva van 1:20:15 – Hayao Miyazaki is STILL creating 🧠 Key Takeaways Marvel may be quietly loading Disney+ and preparing a huge mutant future. Rogue appearing before the X-Men movie could help gradually introduce the MCU's new mutant generation. The DCU is getting wonderfully weird with an in-universe Gorilla Grodd true-crime documentary. Masters of the Universe may have found the audience on streaming that it missed theatrically. Dave Bautista's dramatic chops could make him a fascinating Kratos. Hayao Miyazaki continuing to create at 85 is pure artistic passion. Apparently being a dad automatically qualifies you for minivan ownership. 😂 Quotes & Best Bits "All I'm hearing is we have to fire some interns." "Order in the court… I'll take a banana." "How did he live out of the first? I don't know. Anyway, okay. He's Thor." "I mean, it's no Morbius, but that's fine." "Are you suggesting that I own a minivan?" "Because you're a dad. You're gonna have dad cars." 🤓 Keep NERDing Together! Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe , leave us a 5-star review , and share the show with the nerd in your life who has VERY strong opinions about Guy Gardner's haircut. Join the conversation on social media using #DistanceNERDing and tell us what YOU'RE nerding out on! 🔗 Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy: Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network: GFpods.com 👕 Merch: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📲 Follow Distance NERDing Follow @DistanceNERDing on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, X/Twitter and BlueSky for clips, interviews, convention coverage, nerd news and more. ❓ Listener Questions Got a nerdy question, wild theory, casting choice, or topic you want Yung Phil and Jahmez to tackle? Send it our way! Your question could fuel a future chapter.

Episode Summary D23 dropped a MOUSE-SIZED MOUNTAIN of nerd news , and Yung Phil & Jahmez are breaking down the biggest announcements from Marvel, Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and the Disney Parks! Marvel's new X-Men cast is officially assembling , including Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm and Adam Driver entering the mutant universe as Nathaniel Milbury, aka Mister Sinister. Plus, we dig into Avengers: Doomsday , VisionQuest , Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man , Namor rumors and the MCU's road toward Secret Wars . Then D23 opens the floodgates: a revamped Tomorrowland, Avengers Campus expansion, Harrison Ford joining the new Indiana Jones attraction, a massive Disney Villains Land, Kingdom Hearts IV , a Disney+ Kingdom Hearts series, Pixar's Ghost Market , Hexed , Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Incredibles 3 , Zootopia 3 and more. Finally, we jump to a galaxy far, far away for Star Wars: Zero Company , the Fortnite/Galaxy's Edge crossover and an Ahsoka Season 2 trailer loaded with lightsabers, Thrawn, witches, space battles and explosions . Along the way, we ask why Tomorrowland still smells like gasoline, demand a Power Rangers anime, contemplate Toy Story 17 and Frozen 31 , and discover the inevitable Disney sequel: Frozen Assets . 😂 ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:23 – Welcome to Chapter 287 03:33 – Marvel News: Straight From J. Jonah 04:00 – Spider-Man: Brand New Day box office 06:57 – Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 2 09:54 – VisionQuest , Ultron & the original Human Torch 13:00 – Namor, Black Panther 3 & Doctor Doom theories 15:35 – Peggy Carter's possible Doomsday twist 17:00 – Avengers: Doomsday trailer & Endgame Encore 20:01 – Marvel's new X-Men cast & Adam Driver 26:41 – DC News: Watching the Watchtower 27:08 – Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner in Mister Miracle 32:08 – Lanterns discussion 33:55 – One Shots & farewell to Hayden Panettiere ~40:00 – More rapid-fire entertainment news ~46:00 – Why we NEED a Power Rangers anime 50:34 – THE D23 MEGA-BREAKDOWN begins 50:49 – Disneyland's Tomorrowland overhaul ~56:00 – Avengers Campus expansion & new Marvel rides 1:01:26 – Harrison Ford & the new Indiana Jones attraction 1:05:52 – Disney Villains Land 1:09:56 – Kingdom Hearts IV & Coco 1:11:32 – Kingdom Hearts Disney+ series 1:14:47 – Pixar enters horror with Ghost Market 1:17:15 – Hexed and Disney's marketing problem 1:20:36 – Jon Favreau's Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 1:22:58 – Incredibles 3 1:26:40 – Zootopia 3 ~1:28:00 – More Disney/Pixar announcements 1:40:10 – Star Wars takes over 1:40:42 – Star Wars: Zero Company 1:42:50 – Galaxy's Edge x Fortnite: Smuggler's Gambit 1:45:36 – Ahsoka Season 2 1:51:04 – Was D23 a win for Disney? 1:52:12 – What's next for Distance NERDing 💡 Key Takeaways Marvel's X-Men era is taking shape , with a young mutant roster and Adam Driver positioned as Mister Sinister. VisionQuest looks significantly bigger thanks to James Spader's Ultron and deep-cut Marvel Easter eggs. Disney saved plenty of ammunition for D23 rather than letting Marvel dominate every announcement. Villains Land could become one of Walt Disney World's biggest draws , especially with its Maleficent coaster and Magic Mirror attraction. Kingdom Hearts is expanding in a huge way with both Kingdom Hearts IV and a Disney+ series . Pixar continues experimenting with original ideas through the supernatural Ghost Market . Ahsoka Season 2 appears ready to dramatically increase the scale of its lightsaber action, space battles and Thrawn storyline. Disney's 2027-2028 pipeline is getting absolutely ridiculous. It is, as Yung Phil puts it, "a good year to be a nerd." 😂 Best Bits & Quotes "Can we put them on a break?" Yung Phil's proposed Facebook solution for perpetually angry fanboys. "There you go. Now we're paying Pedro." Jahmez finally gets the Reed Richards emotion he wanted. "Why do the X-Men have so many Nathans and Nathaniels?" "There better be a dragon on that." Yung Phil establishes the minimum acceptable standard for a Maleficent roller coaster. "Frozen taxes. Frozen assets." The Disney sequel machine has officially entered accounting. "It's for research." Jahmez, giving Yung Phil the legally binding excuse he needed to play Fortnite. And after pitching a Power Rangers anime, the chat naturally escalates matters to a John Wick x Power Rangers crossover . Because apparently subtlety was never invited to Chapter 287. 📣 Call to Action What was the BEST D23 announcement ? New X-Men? Ahsoka ? Villains Land? Kingdom Hearts ? Let us know! ⭐ Subscribe and follow Distance NERDing ⭐ Leave a 5-star review ⭐ Share the episode with your fellow nerds ⭐ Join the conversation using #DistanceNERDing Keep NERDing Together! 🤓 🔗 Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy: Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network: GFpods.com 👕 Merch Store: Distance NERDing Merch 📱 Follow Distance NERDing Follow @DistanceNERDing on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and X/Twitter, plus join us on BlueSky and Discord for more pop culture news, convention coverage, celebrity interviews and weapons-grade nerdiness. Listener Questions: What should Yung Phil & Jahmez tackle next? Send in your questions, theories, hot takes or future episode topics!

Episode Summary To us, our casting rumors! 🧬 This week, Yung Phil and Jahmez dive headfirst into Marvel's rapidly mutating X-Men reboot casting rumors , including Daphne Keen potentially returning as X-23, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Professor X possibilities, and Marvel seemingly assembling a younger generation of mutants ahead of D23. But the rumor machine doesn't stop there. We talk Ryan Gosling's Ghost Rider , Rosamund Pike, Sacha Baron Cohen's Mephisto, Hercules potentially stealing Thor's thunder, Marvel's shrinking Disney+ strategy, Zack Snyder possibly entering the MCU, the future of Sony's Spider-Man universe, Booster Gold surviving another day, and the mysterious message hidden in Doctor Doom's SDCC jacket. Then One Shots unloads Michael Jackson sequel news, Jim Carrey's live-action Jetsons , God of War recasting, Squid Game, Spaceship Earth, and the possible return of Gargoyles before we roll a natural 20 into Star Wars. Dave Bautista may be headed to the galaxy far, far away, Hayden Christensen could bring more Clone Wars-era Anakin to Ahsoka Season 2 , and Dave Filoni's rumored Heir to the Empire project might become a Disney+ limited series. Somewhere along the way we discover Latveria is apparently a cereal box, debate whether using the Force still counts as a natural 20, and learn that having cable in 2026 apparently comes with an immediate doctor's appointment. Peak journalism. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Welcome to Distance NERDing 04:24 – Ghost Rider: Rosamund Pike & Mephisto rumors 08:46 – Hercules replacing Thor as Marvel's leading god? 12:07 – Daredevil & the future of Marvel on Disney+ 16:10 – 🧬 X-Men reboot casting rumor MEGA breakdown 22:54 – Champions & Strange Academy becoming movies? 24:41 – Zack Snyder directing an MCU movie? 30:00 – Spider-Man, Sony & the multiverse 39:02 – Doctor Doom's secret SDCC message 41:45 – Booster Gold lives! Who should play him? 46:06 – Michael Jackson sequel 49:40 – Jim Carrey joins live-action Jetsons 53:43 – God of War recasting 56:18 – Squid Game America reportedly killed 59:27 – Disney's Spaceship Earth series 1:02:01 – Gargoyles could finally return 1:05:21 – Star Wars x Dungeons & Dragons 1:07:38 – Dave Bautista joining Star Wars? 1:10:25 – Anakin, Ahsoka & Obi-Wan together? 1:13:59 – Heir to the Empire becoming a Disney+ series? 🧠 Key Takeaways Marvel appears to be building a younger X-Men roster , with D23 potentially becoming the big reveal. Yung Phil and Jahmez agree that Marvel risks losing something valuable if it abandons long-form Disney+ storytelling. Zack Snyder in the MCU could work, but only with a project suited to his gigantic, highly stylized filmmaking. Sony's brightest Spider-Man success remains Spider-Verse. In other words: LET LORD & MILLER COOK. Dn ep286 (1).txtTXT Booster Gold isn't dead, so the fan-casting machine may continue operating at unsafe temperatures. A Star Wars/D&D crossover raises the important theological question: Does using the Force invalidate a Nat 20? Dn ep286 (2).txtTXT Heir to the Empire may work better as a series where years of interconnected storytelling can actually breathe. 😂 Quotes & Best Bits "Our cereal box was Latveria." "I don't give two Fuchs if I'm wrong." "If you use the Force to get yourself a Nat 20... is that still a Nat 20?" "They're not the problem. You're the problem." "Let Lord and Miller cook." 📣 Keep NERDing Together! Subscribe, leave us a review, and share the episode with your fellow nerds using #DistanceNERDing . Tell us YOUR X-Men casting picks and what Dave Bautista should play in Star Wars! 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy: Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network: GFpods.com 👕 Merch: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch Follow Distance NERDing Find @DistanceNERDing on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and across social media. Follow, subscribe, join the conversation, and Keep NERDing Together! 💬 Listener Questions Got a casting hot take, fandom question, news story, or topic you want us to tackle? Send it our way and you might hear it discussed in a future chapter!

The nerd news cycle chose violence this week! Yung Phil, Jahmez, and Graveyard dive into Marvel's changing plans, the future of Blade, Ghost Rider and the supernatural MCU, the developing X-Men roster, Spider-Man: Brand New Day's monster box office, DC's Booster Gold shake-up, Lanterns, dueling Nightmare on Elm Street projects, God of War, Avatar, Disney's live-action obsession, and the future of Star Wars. Along the way, we discover that Freddy Krueger may be responsible for Jahmez's snoring, Graveyard pitches a horrifying Mad Hatter movie, Avatar pronunciation becomes a battlefield, and the crew wonders whether Freddy simply needs to "get his groove back." Produced with precision. Powered by chaos. Approved by the Council. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Chapter 285 04:08 – Wonder Man & Marvel/Disney+ shake-ups 07:46 – Mahershala Ali exits Blade 10:02 – Ryan Gosling, Ghost Rider & Midnight Sons 15:32 – Professor X, Magneto & the Skarsgård brothers 18:33 – Emma Frost, Cyclops & Marvel's X-Men plans 25:19 – Spider-Man: Brand New Day explodes at the box office 32:25 – DC: Watching the Watchtower 32:47 – What happened to Booster Gold? 39:30 – Lanterns & the mystery of Earth's Green Lanterns 45:10 – Two Nightmare on Elm Street projects?! 51:53 – Alicia Silverstone returns to Clueless 53:51 – Amazon's animated Mad Hatter movie 58:09 – Dave Bautista and God of War 1:02:51 – Avatar expands again 1:07:15 – Disney's live-action Tangled debate 1:12:48 – Macaulay Culkin & another Home Alone? 1:16:53 – Star Wars heads beyond the Skywalker Saga 1:25:00 – Final thoughts & what we're nerding out on 🤓 Key Takeaways • Marvel's shifting TV strategy sparks a bigger debate about whether streaming or theatrical releases are the better home for superhero stories. • The crew sees huge potential in Marvel's supernatural corner with Ghost Rider, Blade, Midnight Sons, Moon Knight and Wolverine. • Building the X-Men slowly could make future stories like Dark Phoenix far more emotionally meaningful. • Spider-Man: Brand New Day shows audiences still have a massive appetite for superhero movies when the story delivers. • Announcing projects too early may be making DC's evolving slate look more chaotic than it actually is. • Horror reboots need more than nostalgia. Freddy Krueger needs to feel dangerous again. • Familiar IP works best when creators expand or reinterpret it instead of simply photocopying the original. • Star Wars has an enormous universe available once it finally leaves the Skywalker neighborhood. 😂 Best Bits "Produced with precision, powered by chaos, approved by the council." "Distance makes the ring grow fonder." "That's why I snore. It's because of Freddy Krueger." "Freddy needs to get his groove back." "I only support one Avatar, and that's by M. Night Shyamalama Ding Dong." "So what you're saying is I can make a Mad Hatter movie?" 🚀 Join the Nerd Herd Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, follow, leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review, and share Chapter 285 with the nerd in your life who has WAY too many opinions about the MCU. Tell us what YOU think: Who should lead Marvel's X-Men? Are we ready for a new Freddy Krueger? And which franchise desperately needs to escape reboot purgatory? Share your thoughts using #DistanceNERDing and KEEP NERDING TOGETHER! 🔗 Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network – GFpods.com 👕 Merch: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📲 Follow Distance NERDing YouTube • Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Threads • X/Twitter • BlueSky Find us @DistanceNERDing 💬 Listener Questions What should we nerd out about next? Send us your questions, theories, hot takes, convention stories, or topics you want tackled in a future chapter. Your question might make it onto the show!

San Diego Comic-Con 2026 absolutely exploded with announcements, surprise reveals, and enough trailers to overload even the most powerful geek brain... so naturally, Yung Phil and Jahmez had to unpack ALL of it. This week we're breaking down the biggest SDCC reveals including Marvel, DC, Avatar, Blade Runner, Spaceballs, Lord of the Rings, Wolverine, Lanterns, Vision Quest, Matchbox, Atari movies, and much more! Along the way we ask life's most important questions: Why does John Cena keep ending up near nuclear weapons? Who honestly asked for a Pong movie? Has Charles Dickens been trapped in an endless reboot cycle? And can Mel Brooks still out-parody Hollywood? (Spoiler: absolutely.) Whether you missed Comic-Con or just want two nerds to sort through the chaos for you, this chapter has you covered. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome to Distance NERDing! 05:00 - SDCC One Shots begin 05:05 - Johnny Depp's Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol 07:35 - John Cena's Matchbox movie fights... nukes? 09:35 - Atari wants TEN movies (yes... even Pong) 14:50 - Avatar: Seven Havens revealed 19:15 - Dark Matter Season 2 21:25 - Blade Runner 2099 24:20 - Rings of Power Season 3 58:58 - Spaceballs steals Comic-Con 1:06:20 - Lanterns Hall H breakdown 1:12:45 - Marvel's Wolverine gameplay 1:16:10 - Avengers: Doomsday theories 1:19:15 - Spider-Man casting rumor discussion 1:21:10 - Vision Quest release date ...plus even more Marvel and SDCC surprises! 🔥 Key Takeaways • SDCC 2026 delivered one of the biggest Comic-Con weekends in years. • DC's Lanterns continues to look like HBO's next must-watch series. • Marvel's Wolverine is embracing brutal comic-accurate combat. • Vision Quest officially has a release date. • Spaceballs may have won Comic-Con without even showing a full movie. • Hollywood still refuses to stop turning literally everything into a movie. • Somehow... John Cena is once again trying to stop a nuclear disaster. 💬 Favorite Quotes "How many times does Ebenezer need to go back in time?" "I'm gonna need that Pong movie." "John Cena fights nukes... what does that have to do with Matchbox?" "Spaceballs understands modern Hollywood better than modern Hollywood." "More cabbages!" 🚀 Join the Conversation! What was YOUR favorite San Diego Comic-Con announcement? Would you actually watch a Pong movie? Let us know in the comments! If you enjoyed this episode, please: ⭐ Subscribe ⭐ Leave a 5-star review ⭐ Share this episode using #DistanceNERDing 🎧 Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy Use code NERDING10 for 10% OFF 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network GFpods.com 👕 Merch www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📱 Follow Distance NERDing YouTube Instagram Facebook TikTok Threads X BlueSky (@DistanceNERDing on social media) ❓ Listener Questions Have a topic, debate, rumor, or fandom you'd like us to cover? Send us your questions and you might hear them discussed on an upcoming episode!

Episode Summary This week on Distance NERDing , Yung Phil and Jahmez dive headfirst into another packed week of geek culture with hot takes, wild speculation, and just enough chaos to make J. Jonah Jameson proud. The guys debate whether the MCU should ever reboot Tony Stark, break down the avalanche of Avengers: Doomsday news, speculate on Spider-Man: Brand New Day , and wonder if Adam Driver belongs in Marvel... or Weapon X. Elsewhere, they're cautiously optimistic about Naruto's live-action future, celebrate (and immediately rage about) Avatar: The Last Airbender's theatrical plans, mourn Ryan Hurst's unfortunate exit from God of War , and discuss everything from Far Cry and Call of Duty to Lord of the Rings , G.I. Joe , and beyond. Along the way, the night's biggest laughs include Yung Phil's growing obsession with Dungeon Crawler Carl , Paramount somehow finding a way to disappoint Avatar fans anyway, and the realization that apparently... even gods need health insurance. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 - Welcome back! Dungeon Crawler Carl hype, new merch, and what's coming this week 05:00 - Armor Wars rumors and whether Tony Stark should ever return 08:00 - Ryan Reynolds teases the future of Deadpool 11:00 - Adam Driver rumored for the MCU 14:00 - Spider-Man: Brand New Day theories and Venom speculation 20:00 - Avengers: Endgame Encore & Doomsday connections 24:00 - Russo Brothers explain handling Doomsday's massive cast 26:00 - Avengers: Doomsday poster breakdown 30:00 - DC's Batman universe continues raising questions 39:00 - Superman, DC Studios & future projects 47:00 - Modern Warfare TV series and Taylor Sheridan 01:01:00 - Live-action Naruto ages up Team 7 01:06:00 - Avatar: The Last Airbender movie drama 01:10:00 - Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum begins production 01:13:00 - God of War loses its Kratos 01:17:00 - Steve Buscemi joins Far Cry 01:22:00 - G.I. Joe movie updates 01:30:00 - Final headlines, wrap-up, and more nerdy tangents 🔥 Key Takeaways Marvel may finally be laying the groundwork for the next era of the MCU. Spider-Man: Brand New Day could become one of the franchise's biggest setup films. The Russo Brothers appear confident handling Doomsday's enormous ensemble. Live-action anime adaptations continue evolving by aging characters appropriately. Paramount somehow managed to make Avatar fans both happy... and immediately frustrated. Ryan Hurst's injury is an unfortunate setback for Amazon's God of War series. Far Cry's anthology approach could become one of gaming's strongest TV adaptations. Never underestimate Yung Phil's ability to get emotionally invested in fictional release schedules. 💬 Favorite Quotes "Even gods need health insurance." "You fucking dick bags, Paramount." "That's your secret? You're always angry about something." "We should just become a Dungeon Crawler Carl podcast." "Your cabbages are in Burbank." 🎙️ Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe , leave us a 5-star review , and share the show with your fellow nerds using #DistanceNERDing . Your support helps more fans discover the show and keeps us bringing you the latest in movies, TV, comics, gaming, conventions, and everything in between. 🔗 Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy: Use code NERDING10 for 10% OFF 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network: GFpods.com 🛍️ Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📱 Follow Us Follow Distance NERDing everywhere! 📺 YouTube: @DistanceNERDing 📘 Facebook: Distance NERDing 📸 Instagram: @DistanceNERDing 🎵 TikTok: @DistanceNERDing 🧵 Threads: @DistanceNERDing 🦋 Bluesky: @DistanceNERDing 💬 Discord: Join our growing community of nerds! ❓ Listener Questions Have a question, hot take, or topic you'd like us to cover? Drop us a comment on social media, send us a message, or join us LIVE every Tuesday and become part of the conversation! After all... Keep NERDing Together!

Rumors are running wild this week, so before anyone starts treating every headline like official Marvel canon... remember: this episode should be treated as a rumor. 😆 Yung Phil and Jahmez dive into the biggest stories in geek culture, including Nova's move to the big screen, a flood of X-Men casting rumors, Adam Driver and The Rock potentially joining the MCU, new Avengers: Doomsday concept art, Green Lantern speculation, Batman casting buzz, Poison Ivy's rumored HBO series, and all the latest updates heading into San Diego Comic-Con. They also break down news from Spaceballs, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Reacher, Nightmare on Elm Street, X-Files , and more, while delivering plenty of laughs, debates, and the kind of nerdy chaos that only happens when the rumors start flying. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 Intro, welcome & Comic-Con updates 04:50 Marvel Headlines begin 05:00 Nova officially moving from Disney+ to a feature film 08:30 The Hand reportedly getting its own MCU project 10:20 X-Men casting rumors: Rogue, Millie Bobby Brown & more 14:15 Adam Driver reportedly eyed for an X-Men villain 17:50 Could The Rock become Apocalypse? 21:20 Avengers: Doomsday concept art discussion 26:00 DC Watchtower begins 26:05 Poison Ivy HBO series rumor 28:55 Lanterns rumor: Is Hal Jordan dying? 34:45 Sebastian Stan Batman villain rumors 40:35 Is Tom Brittney the next Batman? 45:20 One Shots rapid-fire news begins 46:10 Spaceballs: The New One 48:15 Avatar franchise expansion 49:50 Reacher & Neagley updates 52:00 Nightmare on Elm Street returns 55:55 X-Files reboot update ...plus More TV, movie, gaming and Comic-Con news throughout the episode! 🔑 Key Takeaways Nova is officially heading toward the MCU as a feature film. Marvel's X-Men reboot casting rumors continue to accelerate. Adam Driver, The Rock and several major actors are tied to unconfirmed MCU speculation. Avengers: Doomsday concept art has fans talking...mostly about who's not in it. DC rumors continue surrounding Poison Ivy, Lanterns and Batman casting. Spaceballs is finally getting a sequel. Avatar, Reacher, Nightmare on Elm Street and X-Files all received major updates. Remember: A rumor is not confirmation... no matter how many YouTube thumbnails say otherwise. 💬 Favorite Quotes "Treat this episode as a rumor." "Bring on the space cops." "No comment is Hollywood for, 'I'm under NDA.'" "We're stupid." "More reason to watch us live... because stuff like this happens." "I ship it." 🎧 Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe , leave us a 5-star review , and share this episode with your fellow nerds using #DistanceNERDing . Every share helps more fans discover the show, and remember... Keep NERDing Together! 🔗 Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy - Use code NERDING10 for 10% OFF 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network - GFpods.com 🛍️ Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📲 Follow Distance NERDing 🎥 YouTube: @DistanceNERDing 📘 Facebook: @DistanceNERDing 📸 Instagram: @DistanceNERDing 🎵 TikTok: @DistanceNERDing 🦋 Bluesky: @DistanceNERDing 🐦 X/Twitter: @DistanceNERDing 💬 Discord: Join the Distance NERDing community and nerd out with us live every week! ❓ Listener Questions Have a rumor you want us to break down? A topic we should cover? A debate we absolutely need to settle? Send us your questions through social media or drop them in the live chat during the next episode. Your question might make it onto the show!

The multiverse got weirder this week, and we're here for every glorious second of it! Yung Phil, Jahmez, SHDU, and the crew break down the latest Marvel, DC, Star Wars, animation, gaming, and comic book news while debating everything from Avengers: Doomsday LEGO spoilers to whether Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs on the big screen. We also dive into the return of Doctor Who , Ghostbusters , Firefly , Fallout , G.I. Joe , and more. Plus, the running campaign to convince everyone to read Dungeon Crawler Carl continues… and somehow SHDU still hasn't read it. At this point we're convinced Princess Donut has personally blacklisted him. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 - Welcome to Chapter 281 & what's on deck 05:00 - Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse heads to IMAX 08:00 - X-Men '97 gets a brighter future 12:00 - Sabrina Carpenter joins the X-Men rumor mill 15:00 - LEGO may have spoiled Avengers: Doomsday 19:00 - Everyone dies…? Doomsday rumors explained 23:00 - Thor Corps and Marvel multiverse discussion 31:00 - DC updates and movie news 48:00 - Avatar: The Last Airbender heads to Paramount+ 52:00 - Moana 3 officially confirmed 54:00 - Fallout Season 3 casting 56:00 - Doctor Who returns in audio form 60:00 - Ghostbusters: Night Shift expands the canon 1:05:00 - Danny McBride tackles G.I. Joe 1:10:00 - Firefly returns with a brand-new comic …plus plenty of tangents, laughs, bad impressions, and nerd debates. 🎯 Key Takeaways • Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is aiming to become one of the biggest animated IMAX experiences ever. • Marvel's X-Men future looks much more consistent with yearly releases planned. • LEGO continues to be Marvel's accidental spoiler department. • The rumored Thor Corps and Dark Avengers could reshape Avengers: Doomsday. • Avatar skipping theaters may be leaving serious money on the table. • Ghostbusters continues expanding its connected universe. • Fallout keeps adding an incredible cast. • Danny McBride might finally deliver the G.I. Joe movie fans have wanted. • Dungeon Crawler Carl continues to recruit new fans… except SHDU apparently remains immune. 💬 Favorite Quotes "They're leaving money on the table." "LEGO is the worst when it comes to spoilers." "Everyone dies." "Buttloads. Is that a unit of measurement?" "God damn it, Donut!" 🎧 Listen & Support 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy Use code NERDING10 for 10% OFF 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network GFpods.com 🛒 Merch Store www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📱 Follow Distance NERDing YouTube: @DistanceNERDing Instagram: @DistanceNERDing Facebook: Distance NERDing TikTok: @DistanceNERDing Threads: @DistanceNERDing Bluesky: @DistanceNERDing Discord: Join our community through DistanceNERDing.com ❓ Listener Question What story are you most excited for: Thor Corps, Avengers: Doomsday, Ghostbusters, Avatar, Firefly, or Spider-Verse? Let us know! We might feature your comments on a future episode. ⭐ If you enjoyed Chapter 281, subscribe wherever you listen, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a fellow nerd using #DistanceNERDing . Apple Podcasts Tags: Marvel, MCU, Avengers Doomsday, Thor Corps, Spider-Man, Spider-Verse, X-Men 97, Ghostbusters, Doctor Who, Avatar The Last Airbender, Fallout, Firefly, G.I. Joe, DC Comics, Comic Books, Pop Culture Podcast, Nerd Podcast, Geek Culture, Movies, TV Shows, Comic Con, Distance NERDing

This week on Distance NERDing, the crew dives into a multiverse-sized stack of pop culture news featuring Marvel, DC, gaming, animation, and one glorious chaos goblin named Nicolas Cage. We break down Daredevil's new MCU suit, X-Men '97 Season 2, Spider-Man: Brand New Day rumors, Wanda's possible Mutant Saga future, Margot Robbie vs. Sydney Sweeney as Emma Frost, Disney's Infinity Vision theater push, DC's huge animation slate, Halo adaptation drama, and Nic Cage joining Call of Duty. Somehow, Onyx becoming MCU canon also enters the chat. Timestamps & Topics: 00:00 - Welcome to Chapter 280 04:45 - Daredevil's new MCU suit 09:15 - X-Men '97 Season 2 trailer and Apocalypse hype 13:20 - Spider-Man: Brand New Day rumors, Hulk, Punisher, and Sadie Sink 17:20 - Shocker returns and Onyx MCU canon? 20:40 - Scarlet Witch and the Mutant Saga 24:40 - Is Barbie a mutant? Emma Frost casting rumors 28:40 - Disney's Infinity Vision and Avengers: Endgame Encore 33:30 - Supergirl and the DCU 51:00 - Joker anime, Absolute Batman, Krypto, and DC animation news 01:01:00 - One Shots: Zendaya Bourne, Blair Witch, Young Magicians, Yellowstone 01:08:00 - Halo, Master Chief, and video game adaptations 01:24:00 - Nicolas Cage joins Call of Duty Key Takeaways: • X-Men '97 Season 2 looks ready to go full Apocalypse. • Spider-Man: Brand New Day rumors are getting spicy. • Wanda could become a major Mutant Saga player. • DC is going all-in on animation with Absolute Batman and more. • Halo works best when Master Chief keeps the helmet on. • Nic Cage in Call of Duty is ridiculous, perfect, and very Nic Cage. Favorite Bits: • "Classic Coke Daredevil suit or Coke Zero Daredevil?" • "Barbie's a mutant because she has like 30 different jobs." • "Infinity Vision." Repeated until it became a lifestyle. • "One looks like Nic Cage. The other looks like John Travolta." • "Football is life. Football is magic." Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, follow, leave a 5-star review, and share the show using #DistanceNERDing. Send us your nerdy questions, hot takes, and future topics through social media or join us live on YouTube every Tuesday night! 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network - GFpods.com Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, Bluesky, and X/Twitter: @DistanceNERDing Apple Podcast Tags: Marvel, MCU, Spider-Man Brand New Day, X-Men 97, Daredevil Born Again, Scarlet Witch, DC Comics, DC Animation, Absolute Batman, Joker Laugh Riot, Halo, Master Chief, Nicolas Cage, Call of Duty, Disney Infinity Vision, Avengers Endgame, Comic Books, Pop Culture News, Geek Culture, Nerd Podcast, DistanceNERDing

This week on Distance NERDing, nostalgia grabbed the Infinity Gauntlet and snapped half of Hollywood into sequel mode! Yung Phil and Jahmez dive into Spider-Man: Brand New Day rumors, Grey Hulk theories, X-Men casting speculation, George Lucas becoming a Minion (somehow), Austin Powers 4 finally stirring to life, Toy Story 5 smashing the box office, Lilo & Stitch 2 getting the green light, and ThunderCats making a comeback. Along the way, they debate Emma Frost casting, wonder how Skaar got invited to the Hulk family cookout, pitch Josh Gad as Snarf, and discover that George Lucas may have a deep and unexpected love of bananas. Whether you're here for Marvel rumors, movie news, comic con adventures, or just the chaos of Conformity Gate, this chapter is packed with enough nerd fuel to power a Quinjet. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 Welcome to Chapter 279 03:06 Episode Preview: Spider-Man, Grey Hulk, George Lucas & Nostalgia Overload 05:00 Marvel Special Presentations Return? 10:12 Hulkling Rumors & Young Avengers/Champions Discussion 13:09 X-Men Casting Rumors: Beast & Emma Frost 19:04 Spider-Man: Brand New Day Detective Mystery 23:00 Grey Hulk Theory & World War Hulk Speculation 25:13 Is Sadie Sink Really Jean Grey? 47:12 Austin Powers 4: Yeah, Baby! Yeah! 50:40 Toy Story 5 Breaks Franchise Records 52:37 Lilo & Stitch 2 Officially Moves Forward 57:05 ThunderCats Return to Animation 01:00:25 Netflix Cancels The Burrows After One Season 01:05:18 George Lucas Joins the Minions Universe 01:09:08 Disney & Higher Ground's New Animated Series "Journey" 01:25:39 Keep NERDing Together! 🔑 Key Takeaways Marvel fans may finally be getting Grey Hulk. Spider-Man: Brand New Day rumors continue to dominate nerd discourse. Sydney Sweeney as Emma Frost remains one of the internet's hottest debates. Austin Powers 4 appears to be happening after years of speculation. Toy Story 5 proved the franchise still has serious box office power. Lilo & Stitch 2 is being developed as an original story rather than adapting previous sequels. ThunderCats refuses to stay dead and is heading back to animation. George Lucas now voices characters in Minions projects because 2026 is weird. Nostalgia remains Hollywood's favorite superpower. 💬 Favorite Quotes "How do you introduce Skaar at a cookout? You just bring Son of Hulk to a picnic and act like it's nothing." "George Lucas is just pushing himself into Minions movies." "What if the banana was a lightsaber?" "Give me Austin Powers. Let's go have fun at the movies again." "Josh Gad as Snarf might actually work." 🚀 Call to Action Enjoying the show? Help us grow the NERD herd! ⭐ Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform ⭐ Leave a 5-star review ⭐ Share this episode with your fellow nerds ⭐ Join the conversation using #DistanceNERDing 🔗 Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network – GFpods.com 🛒 Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📱 Follow Us 📺 YouTube: @DistanceNERDing 📸 Instagram: @DistanceNERDing 🎵 TikTok: @DistanceNERDing 🦋 BlueSky: @DistanceNERDing 🐦 X/Twitter: @DistanceNERDing 📘 Facebook: Distance NERDing 💬 Discord: Join the NERD Herd Community ❓ Listener Question What sequel are YOU most excited for? Austin Powers 4? Toy Story 5? Lilo & Stitch 2? ThunderCats? Something else entirely? Send us your thoughts, questions, and future topic suggestions. You might hear them featured in an upcoming chapter! Apple Podcast Tags: Distance NERDing, Nerd Podcast, Marvel Podcast, Spider-Man Brand New Day, Grey Hulk, World War Hulk, X-Men Reboot, Emma Frost, Sydney Sweeney, Sadie Sink, Jean Grey, Austin Powers 4, Toy Story 5, Lilo and Stitch 2, ThunderCats, George Lucas, Minions, Pop Culture Podcast, Geek Culture, Comic Books, Movies, TV Shows, Comic Con, Marvel News, Disney News, Nerd News, Entertainment Podcast

Episode Summary Welcome back, Nerds! This week on Distance NERDing, we accidentally discover the afterlife for geeks everywhere... Nerdhalla. ⚡ From wild Spider-Man rumors and X-Men speculation to Wonder Woman's future in the DCU, Lobo's alien swear words, Fallout expanding its wasteland lore, Doctor Who's uncertain future, and whether Lord of the Rings really needs a Hunt for Gollum movie, this episode takes more twists than a multiversal timeline. Along the way, we debate whether Apocalypse was secretly the third wheel in the greatest mutant love triangle ever assembled, determine that Brainiac is basically just a very angry librarian, and wonder why every conversation somehow ends with hot sauce. Grab your helmets, charge your Green Lantern rings, and prepare your seat in Nerdhalla. This week's Download is packed with enough nerd news to make even Odin subscribe. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 - Welcome to Chapter 278 02:00 - Tank tops, tanks, and podcast chaos 07:00 - Spider-Man: Brand New Day discussion 12:00 - The birth of Nerdhalla 18:00 - X-Men speculation and mutant drama 24:00 - Yelena, Mystique, and hot sauce rankings 30:00 - Batman Part II villain theories 36:00 - Supergirl, Brainiac, and DCU future 42:00 - Lobo movie rumors and alien curse words 46:00 - Wonder Woman reboot updates 53:00 - Moana live-action news 54:00 - Jessica Cruz joins My Adventures with Superman 56:00 - Only Murders in the Building Season 6 casting 57:00 - Game of Thrones: The Sea Snake updates 1:01:00 - Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum casting news 1:05:00 - Fallout Season 3 expands the wasteland 1:11:00 - Doctor Who future and streaming speculation 1:16:00 - The Last of Us Season 3 updates 1:20:00 - Weekly schedule and closing thoughts 💡 Key Takeaways • Spider-Man speculation season is officially in full swing. • Nerdhalla may be the greatest accidental Distance NERDing creation yet. • Wonder Woman should be the heart of the DCU. • Brainiac is apparently a cosmic librarian. • Fallout continues to be one of the best video game adaptations ever made. • Doctor Who's future remains uncertain, but far from dead. • Lobo should absolutely use alien swear words instead of human ones. • Lord of the Rings fans are cautiously optimistic about Hunt for Gollum. • The Sea Snake deserves his own adventure series. 💬 Favorite Quotes "It's not Nerdvana... it's gotta be Nerdhalla." "Brainiac is basically just a librarian." "The hell is a fuck?" "Why did it have to be mushrooms?" "Apocalypse was the third wheel." 🎧 Listen & Connect 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud Partner of the Geek Freaks Network – GFpods.com 🛒 Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📢 Call To Action Enjoying the show? Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow nerds! Every share helps more fans discover the podcast and join our growing community. If you enjoyed this episode, let us know: What would YOUR version of Nerdhalla look like? Tag us and use: #DistanceNERDing ❓ Listener Questions Have a topic, debate, rumor, fandom question, or hot take you'd like us to discuss? Send us your questions through social media or at DistanceNERDing.com and your topic could be featured on a future episode! 📱 Follow Distance NERDing YouTube: @DistanceNERDing Facebook: Distance NERDing Instagram: @DistanceNERDing TikTok: @DistanceNERDing Threads: @DistanceNERDing Bluesky: @DistanceNERDing X/Twitter: @DistanceNERDing 🍎 Apple Podcast SEO Tags Distance NERDing, Nerd Podcast, Geek Culture, Marvel, DC Comics, Spider-Man, X-Men, Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Supergirl, Lobo, Doctor Who, Fallout, Lord of the Rings, The Last of Us, Game of Thrones, Geek News, Pop Culture Podcast, Comic Books, Movies, TV Shows, Nerd News, Sci-Fi Podcast, Fantasy Podcast, Gaming Podcast, Marvel Rumors, DCU, MCU, Fandom

AI is getting weird, horror movies are taking over Hollywood, and somehow Deadpool & Wolverine ended up on a sailboat. This week on Distance NERDing, Phil and James dive into the latest Marvel, DC, Star Wars, and movie news while trying to process the growing "AI Ick" taking over the internet. We break down Spider-Man: Brand New Day rumors, Lex Luthor's new battle armor, The Mandalorian & Grogu's surprising box office competition, and why the Backrooms movie might be changing Hollywood forever. Along the way we discuss Doctor Doom coffee conspiracies, Ryan Reynolds' bizarre sailing obsession, He-Man nostalgia, Toy Story 5, Bluey tangents, and the legendary legacy of Star Wars editor Marcia Lucas. Plus: Feet Juice. We wish we could explain it. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 - Warning: Live show chaos begins 03:30 - Spider-Man: Brand New Day rumors & Hulk showdown 07:20 - Punisher and Spider-Man team-up discussion 12:40 - The Doctor Doom coffee controversy ☕ 15:30 - Lex Luthor's new war suit revealed 21:40 - Batman Part II, Hush & Two-Face theories 27:15 - Mandalorian & Grogu slips at the box office 31:15 - Why Backrooms could change filmmaking forever 35:45 - Zack Snyder's Escape From New York reboot 37:50 - He-Man, Dolph Lundgren & Masters of the Universe 43:15 - Taylor Swift joins Toy Story 5 46:30 - Remembering Star Wars legend Marcia Lucas 53:00 - Deadpool, Wolverine & competitive sailing?! 57:30 - Star Wars Zero Company game discussion 01:20:00+ - AI, fandom, conventions & listener chat 🎯 Key Takeaways • Spider-Man: Brand New Day rumors continue to heat up. • Marvel fans were not thrilled by the Doctor Doom coffee "reveal." • James Gunn's DCU continues embracing comic-accurate designs. • Backrooms proves internet-born creators can dominate theaters. • A24 keeps winning by betting on unique ideas. • Masters of the Universe is generating surprisingly positive buzz. • Marcia Lucas' impact on Star Wars cannot be overstated. • Ryan Reynolds can apparently turn any hobby into a TV show. 💬 Best Bits "Hashtag Feet Juice." "We want the Doom trailer!" "Did we just backroom our way into a new era of filmmaking?" "My name is Tom Slingsby." "Vader would force choke the entire Borg collective." 🎧 Listen Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network – GFpods.com 🛒 Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📲 Follow Us Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads, Bluesky, Twitch & YouTube: @DistanceNERDing ❓ Listener Questions Have thoughts on AI, Spider-Man, Backrooms, DCU theories, or the future of fandom? Send us your questions and topic suggestions for a future episode! If you enjoyed this chapter, subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode using #DistanceNERDing Apple Podcast Tags: Distance NERDing, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Marvel, Spider-Man Brand New Day, Punisher, Hulk, Doctor Doom, Avengers Doomsday, DCU, Superman, Lex Luthor, Batman Part II, Hush, Two-Face, Star Wars, Mandalorian and Grogu, Backrooms, A24, Horror Movies, Masters of the Universe, He-Man, Toy Story 5, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Geek Culture, Pop Culture Podcast, Comic Books, Movies, TV Shows

Browncoats, this one's for you! We headed straight into the Verse at Gem State Comic Con 2026 to sit down with three members of Serenity's legendary crew: Sean Maher (Simon Tam), Jewel Staite (Kaylee Frye), and Adam Baldwin (Jayne Cobb)! From behind-the-scenes stories and hilarious set memories to stolen props, mysterious hotel strawberries, Jayne's famous hat, and why Firefly still inspires one of the most passionate fandoms in science fiction, this conversation is packed tighter than a smuggling compartment on Persephone. Along the way we learn that Adam Baldwin collected enough props to start his own Firefly museum, Sean Maher was apparently the only adult in the room, and Jewel Staite may have accidentally taught an entire audience that stealing props is part of an actor's compensation package. Whether you're a lifelong Browncoat or discovering Firefly for the first time, you'll find plenty of laughs, nostalgia, and stories from aboard Serenity. You can't take the sky from us. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: Welcome to the Verse 01:34 - Introducing Sean Maher, Jewel Staite & Adam Baldwin 04:24 - Creepy dolls, Boise adventures & convention chaos 05:52 - Creating Jayne, Simon & Kaylee 07:30 - Adam Baldwin's secret to stealing scenes 08:35 - Strawberries, cheeseburgers & Kaylee's legacy 12:10 - Sean Maher on becoming Simon Tam 14:13 - Jayne's dating profile and Firefly rumors 17:24 - The origin of the legendary Jayne hat 20:35 - Kaylee's relationship with Serenity 22:32 - Space medical jargon and learning Chinese dialogue 25:11 - Alan Tudyk stories and Serenity memories 26:56 - Which Firefly props the cast stole 29:36 - Audience Q&A 31:00 - Favorite Firefly episodes 33:22 - Favorite quotes and memorable lines 37:39 - Casting a future Shepherd Book 39:37 - Tacos, Xenomorphs & rapid-fire questions 41:26 - Social media, future projects & final thoughts Key Takeaways • Firefly's cast knew the chemistry was special long before the fandom exploded. • The first conventions revealed just how passionate the Browncoat community had become. • Adam Baldwin intentionally used props to draw attention and create memorable moments. • The iconic Jayne hat almost wasn't worn as much as fans remember. • Jewel Staite believes Kaylee's confidence and authenticity are why fans still love her. • Sean Maher credits Firefly's writers for making Simon feel real despite all the sci-fi jargon. • Several cast members may have "liberated" props from set after production wrapped. Favorite Quotes "More screen time." - Jewel Staite "You gotta dare to be bad." - Adam Baldwin "No one was watching the show… lies, lies!" - Jewel Staite "Sean was the adult in the room." - Jewel Staite "I'm a cheeseburger girl." - Jewel Staite "That's the only way you get things is by stealing, kids." - Jewel Staite "You can't take the sky from me." Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud Partner of the Geek Freaks Network – GFpods.com 🛒 Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch Follow Distance NERDing Facebook: @DistanceNERDing Instagram: @DistanceNERDing TikTok: @DistanceNERDing X/Twitter: @DistanceNERDing YouTube: @DistanceNERDing Twitch: @DistanceNERDing Join the Conversation Have a question, topic suggestion, or dream guest you'd like us to interview? Send us a message on social media or visit DistanceNERDing.com and let us know! Support the Show If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Subscribe ⭐ Leave a Review ⭐ Share with your fellow Browncoats ⭐ Tag us using #DistanceNERDing Apple Podcast Tags: Firefly, Browncoats, Serenity, Sean Maher, Jewel Staite, Adam Baldwin, Jayne Cobb, Kaylee Frye, Simon Tam, Sci Fi Podcast, Comic Con, Gem State Comic Con, Science Fiction, Geek Culture, Fandom, TV Cast Interview, Nerd Podcast, Space Western, Cult Classic TV, Distance NERDing

Marvel tears. DC hype. Anime Scooby-Doo. Jesus on an 80s revenge tour. Yep… this episode went completely off the rails in the most Distance NERDing way possible. 🤘 Phil and Jahmez dive deep into the emotional future of the MCU with Yelena and Steve Rogers potentially grieving Natasha together in Avengers: Doomsday , speculate wildly about Spider-Man: Brand New Day introducing mutants, and debate whether Sebastian Stan secretly belongs in Gotham instead of Marvel. Meanwhile DC fans feast on fresh Supergirl footage, anime officially invades Scooby-Doo , and somehow Mel Gibson's Resurrection of the Christ turned into an imaginary Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie. There are tacos, super chats, Baywatch dads, and enough fandom chaos to power a Comic-Con panel for three straight days. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Intro & welcome to Chapter 276 03:24 – Beaver State Comic Con hype & celebrity guests 04:56 – Tatiana Maslany returning as She-Hulk? 10:23 – Spider-Man: Brand New Day rumors & mutants incoming 12:20 – Yelena and Steve Rogers emotional Doomsday scene 14:35 – Major Marvel Comics leadership shakeup 20:59 – New Supergirl footage reactions 24:26 – Sebastian Stan rumored for Batman villain role 33:05 – Sinners haunted house coming to Halloween Horror Nights 35:07 – Choose Your Own Adventure movie discussion 38:12 – China-made Tom & Jerry movie surprises everyone 40:04 – Resurrection of the Christ Part 1 & 2 updates 42:12 – "80s Action Jesus" accidentally becomes canon 45:57 – Matt Damon comeback era discussion 46:22 – Tom Hardy reportedly fired from MobLand 48:53 – Demon Slayer Infinity Castle trilogy updates 51:18 – House of the Dragon Season 4 timing revealed 54:03 – Baywatch reboot officially happening 56:55 – Anime Scooby-Doo is real and we're confused 🔥 Key Takeaways Marvel may be setting up one of its most emotional scenes ever with Yelena and Steve Rogers reflecting on Natasha Romanoff. Spider-Man: Brand New Day could quietly introduce the MCU's first real mutant team setup. Brad Winderbaum taking over Marvel Comics could reshape how comics and MCU stories connect moving forward. DC's Supergirl movie looks far more cosmic and brutal than fans expected. Sebastian Stan as Hush? Theories are spiraling harder than Gotham villains. Anime Scooby-Doo somehow makes more sense the longer you think about it. The phrase "Jesus reboot revenge movie" happened and nobody stopped it. 💬 Best Bits "A view is a view." "Marvel is about to make you cry. DC is about to make you cry. We're crying about how cute Grogu is." "It's like an 80s Mel Gibson movie… but with Jesus." "Anime Scooby-Doo? I don't know if I like that… but I kinda like that." "Matt Damon doesn't do comebacks. He does resurrections." 🎧 Listen & Support 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network - GFpods.com 🛒 Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch 📲 Follow Distance NERDing Instagram: @DistanceNerding TikTok: @DistanceNerding Facebook: Distance Nerding YouTube: Distance Nerding Threads: @DistanceNerding Bluesky: @distancenerding Discord: Join the Distance NERDing community! ❓ Listener Questions What fandom moment got YOU emotional recently? Would you rather see Sebastian Stan as Hush or Harvey Dent? And are we all secretly watching anime Scooby-Doo now? Send your questions, theories, hot takes, and fandom chaos our way for future episodes! ⭐ Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode using #DistanceNERDing Apple Podcast Tags Marvel, MCU, DC Comics, Batman, Supergirl, Spider-Man Brand New Day, Avengers Doomsday, Yelena Belova, Natasha Romanoff, She-Hulk, Tatiana Maslany, Sebastian Stan, Hush, Demon Slayer, House of the Dragon, Baywatch, Scooby-Doo Anime, Comic Books, Nerd Culture, Pop Culture Podcast, Geek Podcast, Distance Nerding

Episode Summary The nerd train has no brakes in Chapter 275 of Distance NERDing. This week the crew dives into massive Marvel news, DC news, movie news, and comic con chaos, including fresh details on the Vision Quest Marvel series, the new Lanterns HBO Max trailer, Metal Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 , and Arnold Schwarzenegger returning for King Conan . Along the way the gang delivers wild theories, zombie exhaustion, accidental inappropriate names, and enough Green Lantern speculation to light up Oa itself. 🤖⚡ The crew debates whether Wanda is secretly still alive, questions James Cameron's suspicious "cheaper Avatar technology," and somehow turns Arnold Schwarzenegger fan updates into "ArnoldFans." Meanwhile, zombie franchises continue shambling forward like immortal convention attendees after a 14-hour Saturday con floor shift. Also discussed: Why The Walking Dead may literally outlive humanity Metal Sonic looking "pretty freaking metal" Sean Astin becoming the nicest Scrooge ever Keanu Reeves joining a samurai stop-motion movie Green Lantern theories that spiral directly into Blackest Night territory It's chaos. It's nerdy. It's Distance NERDing. 🎙️ ⸻ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Intro chaos & "275th time nerding together" 02:59 – Vision Quest details revealed 08:11 – Lanterns trailer breakdown & Green Lantern theories 17:14 – The Batman Part II casting confirmations 21:12 – King Conan officially happening 24:51 – Sean Astin in a modern Scrooge 28:56 – Keanu Reeves joins Heidari 31:31 – George A. Romero's Twilight of the Dead 33:07 – First look at Metal Sonic 35:10 – James Cameron making Avatar cheaper?! 38:37 – John Rambo prequel updates 40:25 – Walking Dead: Dead City returns again somehow 42:56 – Big Bang Theory multiverse chaos 46:39 – White Lotus Season 4 news 49:55 – Disney revives Ella Enchanted ⸻ Key Takeaways Vision Quest could reshape Marvel's AI characters Lanterns finally convinced skeptical DC fans The crew thinks Lanterns may secretly set up Blackest Night Arnold returning for King Conan still feels unreal James Cameron talking "cheaper Avatar tech" instantly raised AI concerns Walking Dead may now qualify as an immortal organism Stop-motion samurai movie + Keanu Reeves = instant hype ⸻ Best Quotes & Bits "Baba Yaga has a katana." "This zombie show will never die." "Metal Sonic looks pretty freaking metal, man." "You guys are looking for excuses to be pissed off." "ArnoldFans sounds like a very different website." ⸻ Call to Action Enjoyed this episode? Help support the show by subscribing, leaving a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review, and sharing the episode using #DistanceNERDing ! 🛸 ⸻ Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network – GFpods.com 🛒 Merch: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch ⸻ Follow Us Instagram / TikTok / Threads: @DistanceNERDing X/Twitter: @DistanceNERD YouTube & Facebook: Distance NERDing ⸻ Listener Questions Got a wild theory or terrible movie take? Send us your questions for future episodes through social media or DistanceNERDing.com! ⸻ Apple Podcast Tags: Distance NERDing, Marvel podcast, DC podcast, nerd culture, comic books, Green Lantern, Lanterns HBO Max, Vision Quest Marvel, Batman Part II, geek podcast, pop culture podcast, Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Arnold Schwarzenegger, King Conan, movie news podcast, sci fi podcast, fandom podcast

This week on Distance NERDing, the crew dives headfirst into the mutant madness surrounding X-Men '97 Season 2, Marvel's future X-Men reboot, and the growing chaos of the MCU. The gang also debates Matthew Lillard's mystery DC role, Danny DeVito as Wario, and the bizarre real-life disappearance of Agatha Christie. Plus: Punisher goes darker than ever, Blue Eye Samurai returns, Star Fox gets revived again, and somebody definitely suggests Scooby Snacks were edibles. 🧬 ⸻ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Intro & nerd chaos begins 04:03 – Punisher: One Last Kill update 07:15 – Daredevil: Born Again & possible Defenders return 08:47 – MCU Spider-Man changes Uncle Ben's legacy 14:44 – Huge X-Men '97 Season 2 reveals 18:37 – Marvel's live-action X-Men reboot plans 20:47 – Avengers: Doomsday had 35 actors on set 23:26 – Matthew Lillard joins DC's Man of Tomorrow 32:18 – Edge of Tomorrow 2 may be stalled 33:27 – Box office talk: Mortal Kombat , Michael , & more 35:24 – Agatha Christie disappearance discussion 40:13 – New Planet of the Apes director 42:55 – Hocus Pocus 3 officially brewing 44:05 – Danny DeVito as Wario? 46:05 – Star Fox 64 remake announced 51:22 – Ghost in the Shell anime reboot 52:15 – Blue Eye Samurai Season 2 confirmed 54:07 – Animated Ghostbusters update ⸻ Key Takeaways Marvel is fully embracing mutant storytelling X-Men '97 is expanding into multiple teams like the comics Matthew Lillard could fit almost anywhere in DC Danny DeVito as Wario somehow makes perfect sense Agatha Christie's real life was stranger than fiction Blue Eye Samurai Season 2 hype is very real ⸻ Best Quotes "They're herding cats in wigs." "Scooby Snacks are just edibles." "This year has lasted about a decade and two seconds." "Danny DeVito doing Wario would be perfection." ⸻ Call To Action If you enjoyed this week's mutant-fueled chaos, subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share the episode using #DistanceNERDing ⚡ ⸻ Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Proud partner of the Geek Freaks Network – GFpods.com 🛒 Merch Store: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch ⸻ Follow Us TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, YouTube & Bluesky: @DistanceNERDing ⸻ Listener Questions Got a fan theory, hot take, or topic suggestion? Send it our way on social media or through DistanceNERDing.com! ⸻ Apple Podcast Tags: Marvel, X-Men 97, MCU, Avengers Doomsday, Spider-Man, Daredevil Born Again, DC Universe, Superman, Matthew Lillard, Danny DeVito, Wario, Star Fox, Blue Eye Samurai, Ghostbusters, Planet of the Apes, Mortal Kombat, Anime, Comics, Geek Podcast, Pop Culture Podcast, Distance NERDing

Episode Summary This week's episode is a sugar rush of nerd news and chaotic commentary as the crew celebrates Cinco de Mayo with tacos, tangents, and just a hint of cinematic existential dread. From Marvel potentially rewriting its own history with an Endgame re-release, to accidental spoilers slipping out faster than multiverse variants, to a surprisingly passionate breakdown of Wonka 2 , things get weird… in the best way. Highlights include Nicole Kidman-inspired emotional theater trips, a "hot breath lizard" buddy cop pitch, and the ongoing debate: is Disney finally learning restraint… or just buffering? ⸻ ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Intro, Taco Tuesday chaos & Cinco de Mayo vibes 03:10 – Marvel re-releasing Endgame with new footage 👀 08:54 – Accidental Avengers: Doomsday spoiler?? 13:00 – DC updates: Clayface, Supergirl IMAX hype 20:08 – Wonka 2 officially stirring the chocolate pot 24:15 – MonsterVerse madness: Godzilla x Kong chaos 27:56 – Bond delays… again 30:29 – Top Gun 3 director debates 32:35 – Gen V future & The Boys universe expansion 36:57 – Animated Stranger Things surprise drop 38:08 – Netflix updates: Night Agent & Narnia 43:47 – Comic Con plans & Geek Freaks Network 45:08 – Tribute to He-Man creator Roger Sweet 47:55 – Disney cancels Tangled 2 (growth??) 53:06 – Grogu leveling up in Mandalorian film ⸻ 🧠 Key Takeaways Marvel may be quietly "resetting" the Multiverse Saga via Endgame Spoilers don't leak… they trip and fall out of interviews Wonka 2 has real potential if it leans into creativity over nostalgia DC is going BIG with IMAX storytelling Streaming platforms are finally letting some projects breathe theatrically Disney canceling projects for quality? Rare. Suspicious. Intriguing. ⸻ 💬 Quotes "I just want a good cry… heartbreak feels good in a place like that." "Hot breath lizard teams up with one-armed monkey." "We didn't know it was a secret… that's why it's the worst kept secret." "Unless you kiln Clayface at 5,000 degrees, he's coming back." "Gene and Johnny had a baby… and it's Timothée." ⸻ 📢 Call to Action If you laughed, learned, or questioned reality just a little bit— 👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your fellow nerds using #DistanceNERDing ⸻ 🔗 Links & Resources 🎧 Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 🌐 Visit: DistanceNERDing.com ⚡ Dubby Energy – Use code NERDING10 for 10% off 💥 Geek Freaks Network – GFpods.com 🛒 Merch: www.streamlabs.com/distancenerding/merch ⸻ 📱 Follow Us Stay connected for clips, chaos, and con coverage: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Twitter/X → @DistanceNERDing ⸻ ❓ Listener Questions Got a hot take? A wild theory? Or a debate we NEED to settle? Send it in and you might hear it on the next episode! ⸻ 🍎 Apple Podcast Tags pop culture, nerd news, marvel, dc comics, movies, tv shows, geek culture, podcast, entertainment news, comedy podcast, fandom, superhero news,