Episode 527 – Doom, Gloom, and a 172-Minute Odyssey

Corporate confusion, multiversal panic, Gotham body horror, dragon-fueled paranoia, and one very expensive boat trip. This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl unpack the Paramount-Warner Bros. regulatory whiplash, judge the new Avengers: Doomsday and Clayface trailers, survive another cheerful hour in Westeros, and set sail with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Episode Index Intro: 0:07 Doomsday Trailer: 12:19 WBD/Paramount News: 20:40 Clayface Trailer: 28:54 House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 5: 36:45 X-Men ’97 Season 2, Episode 6: 50:20 The Odyssey: 60:00:30 Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Paused as States’ Challenge Proceeds A federal judge has granted a bid from a coalition of 12 states to temporarily stop Paramount from closing its $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín on Monday issued a temporary restraining order after the states sued last week. The emergency motion sought to prevent the studio from moving ahead with the merger for 14 days. “The Court ultimately finds the public interest favors their requested TRO to stay the merger in the interim,” Martínez-Olguín wrote in the order. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-warner-bros-merger-paused-states-challenge-1236651179/ Avengers: Doomsday | Official Trailer | In Theaters December 18 In Avengers: Doomsday, universes collide as the Multiverse Saga enters its final chapter. The Avengers, New Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men converge across realities to face Doctor Doom, an existential threat. The film sets the stage for a universe-shattering conflict that paves the way for Avengers: Secret Wars. Clayface | Official Trailer Clayface, explores Hagen’s psychological descent from a tragic victim into a revenge-filled monster, delving into themes of lost identity, corrosive love, and the dark side of scientific ambition. While originally pitched as a standalone horror film, it is now framed as the story of a disfigured victim driven by obsession rather than a traditional villain origin. The movie is scheduled for release in theaters on October 23, 2026. House of the Dragon (HBO Max) House of the Dragon, Season 3, Episode 5 Title: Unbowed and Unbent Air date: July 19, 2026 Director: Nina Lopez-Corrado Writer: Philippa Goslett Summary: As the hunt for Aemond and Vhagar continues, Rhaenyra’s grip on King’s Landing grows shakier and Daemon tries to contain a campaign of increasingly gruesome violence. Alicent and Helaena search for a way out of the city, Alys Rivers tightens her hold over a recovering Aemond, and Ormund begins positioning Daeron as a rival king. Meanwhile, Criston Cole marches toward what looks increasingly like an elaborate suicide-by-Riverlander, while a bloody “feast for traitors” makes it clear that Team Black has enemies hiding everywhere. Rating Out of 5, That’s One Hell of a Last Super Art Installation Brian: 3.68/5 Darryl: 3.4/5 X-Men ’97 (Disney+) X-Men ’97, Season 2, Episode 6 Title: Danger.exe Air date: July 22, 2026 Director: Emmett Yonemura Writers: Beau DeMayo, Mariah Wilson, and Bailey Moore Summary: Polaris returns to Xavier’s mansion just as the Danger Room develops a mind—and several grudges—of its own. Xavier’s unhealthy habit of repeatedly simulating Magneto’s death helps transform the training system into a very real threat, forcing the mutants to confront what their home has become. Meanwhile, Xavier launches X-Corp as the team’s new public-facing operation, while Apocalypse completes a resurrection that turns an old friend into something much more dangerous. Because apparently grief counseling was never an option. Rating Out of 5, You’re in the Dangerzone… err… Room Now Charles Brian: 4.33/5 Darryl: 4/5 The Odyssey (2026) Release Date: July 17, 2026 Runtime: 172 minutes Director: Christopher Nolan Writer: Christopher Nolan Based On: The Odyssey by Homer Studios: Universal Pictures, Syncopy, and Woodsted Picture Company Distributor: Universal Pictures Summary: After the fall of Troy, Odysseus, king of Ithaca, begins a brutal voyage home to his wife Penelope and son Telemachus. His journey becomes a years-long battle against monsters, gods, temptation, grief, and his own worst instincts, while the family he left behind struggles against the suitors consuming his kingdom. Christopher Nolan turns Homer’s foundational epic into a massive, brooding survival story about war, memory, loyalty, and the consequences of being the cleverest man in every room. Main Cast: Matt Damon as Odysseus Tom Holland as Telemachus Anne Hathaway as Penelope Robert Pattinson as Antinous Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra Zendaya as Athena Charlize Theron as Calypso Samantha Morton as Circe Jon Bernthal as Menelaus Benny Safdie as Agamemnon John Leguizamo as Eumaeus Himesh Patel as Eurylochus Ellen Page as Sinon Mia Goth as Melantho Production Notes: The Odyssey reunites Christopher Nolan with producer Emma Thomas and the Syncopy team behind Oppenheimer. Nolan wrote, directed, and produced the film, which was shot around the world and became the first feature photographed entirely with IMAX film cameras. The production built much of its ancient world practically and mounted a full-scale, globe-spanning shoot designed to make Odysseus’ voyage feel physical, dangerous, and appropriately enormous. Rating Out of 10, Nobody… Nobody Was Attacking Me or Was It? Brian: 6/10 Darryl: 5.8/10 Contact Us The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings. @infamouspodcast facebook/infamouspodcast instagram/infamouspodcast stitcher Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeart Radio [email protected] Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com. The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor. Subscribe today!