Episode 266: Can Anything Save Hollywood?

On today's podcast, Brian and Mandy discuss whether Hollywood is “on life support,” using the 2026 live-action Moana as an example of expensive, largely shot-for-shot remakes that may lose money after a roughly $100 million opening against a reported $250 million budget. They talk about audience reluctance to go to theaters, weak publicity for upcoming releases like Disney’s original IP “Hexed,” and worries around recent DC box-office performance as new projects like Superman and the R-rated Clayface approach. Mandy praises The Long Walk as a visceral, faithful Stephen King adaptation (with a slightly changed ending) that underperformed theatrically but became #1 on streaming, highlighting the “second look” problem for studios. Brian argues streaming and binge metrics are truncating TV seasons and degrading storytelling, and says spectacle can’t replace character-driven writing that motivates communal moviegoing. 00:00 Is Hollywood Dying 00:37 Moana Live Action Doubts 02:48 Box Office Worries 04:32 The Long Walk Revival 07:38 Second Looks Don’t Pay 12:10 What Gets Us to Theaters 16:05 Streaming Changed Storytelling 21:10 Spectacle vs Story 25:43 Final Thoughts and Sign Off