"Luke Skywalker has vanished."

It’s been ten years since those iconic words crawled across theater screens, ushering in a new era of Star Wars.

In this special 10th Anniversary Review, we are joined by Kyra Navarrete (Relatable Nerds) and Chris Ryons (Broaxium) to revisit The Force Awakens. ‪@relatablenerds‬ ‪@BROAXIUM‬

From the shock of the 2012 Disney acquisition to the "mystery box" of J.J. Abrams, we break down the characters that defined a generation. We discuss the cocky charm of Poe Dameron, the complex rage of Kylo Ren, and the incredible—yet underutilized—potential of Finn. We also look at the "bridge" of the sequel era: Harrison Ford’s pivotal performance as Han Solo. Whether you’re a die-hard Original Trilogy fan or a Sequel defender, join us as we head back to Jakku to see how the film holds up a decade later.

We discuss Marvel's extensive lineup for 2026, including animated series like Spider-Man and X-Men, as well as live-action shows such as Wonder Man and Daredevil. Along with our friend Craig from Comic Book Gurus, we explore the significance of character connections, the evolution of storytelling in Marvel's universe, and the anticipation surrounding upcoming releases. Our discussion highlights the blend of humor and action in new series, the return of beloved characters, and the overarching theme of interconnected narratives within the Marvel franchise. We also discuss the intricate connections between Marvel characters, upcoming series, and films, particularly focusing on the legacy of Ultron, the anticipation for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and the implications of Avengers: Doomsday. We explore character arcs, potential storylines, and the impact of new characters in the Marvel universe, while also speculating on the future of Marvel films and their interconnected narratives.

In this episode, we join forces with guests Craig Liggeons and Rob Templeton from Comic Cook Gurus Podcast for a spoiler-packed deep dive into Marvel Zombies. We explore the top-tier animation, tragic hero arcs, and cosmic chaos that define this twisted take on the Marvel Universe. From Kamala Khan’s rise as a new Avenger to Wanda Maximoff’s haunting motivations, this discussion unpacks it all—the battles, sacrifices, and storylines that push our favorite heroes to their limits.

John Williams is the most celebrated film composer alive, yet the man behind the music has remained notoriously private, famously elusive. He has composed the definitive scores for cinema's greatest visions.

Join Kerwin and biographer Tim Greiving, author of the first major Williams biography, John Williams: A Composer’s Life, for an unprecedented conversation. Greiving, granted rare access to Williams and his closest collaborators, takes us beyond the blockbuster themes to explore the deeper truths, tensions, and artistic evolution that fueled this unprecedented career.

The interview explores the central duality of the Maestro’s legacy: the lifelong tension between the demands of Hollywood and his profound aspirations as a serious concert composer. Discover the personal drive and the professional sacrifices required to bridge the perceived chasm between film music and the classical concert hall, and why his success in legitimizing the art form was a battle won where other contemporaries failed.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Tim Greiving

01:42 The Early Influences of John Williams

05:18 The Journey to Becoming a Film Composer

09:11 The Spielberg-Williams Collaboration

15:04 The Impact of Star Wars on Film Music

22:43 Tanglewood: A Hub for Classical Music

30:39 John Williams' Longevity and Future Prospects

In this episode, we explore Lucas Wars by Laurent Hopman and Renaud Roche. The book reveals how a life-altering car crash in Modesto, CA, changed George Lucas's path forever, leading him to film school where he met the likes of Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola. We discuss his untold struggles, from the first film that bankrupted his company to a studio that wasn't thrilled with his vision. The book takes us behind the scenes of the on-set disasters, actor casting challenges, and studio interference that plagued the production of Star Wars: A New Hope. This is a must-read for any film fan, revealing the true grit and creative vision that built a galaxy far, far away.

Writer and co-executive producer Marc Bernardin discusses his journey from writing for Black Panther to co-writing the new Disney+ animated series Eyes of Wakanda. He shares illuminating insights into the creative process, the unique choice to focus on the War Dogs, and the integration of Greek mythology into Wakanda's narrative. From the complexity of Memnon's character to the implications of time travel in the finale, this episode is a deep dive into the rich history and future of Wakanda.

This episode features a conversation with the stars of Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, Gaten Matarazzo (Sig) and Tony Hale (Dev). In this roundtable discussion with fellow podcasters, they share never-before-told stories about bringing their characters to life and what it means to be part of the Star Wars legacy.

Becoming Sig and Dev: Find out how Gaten's lifelong fandom made him the perfect fit for Sig and how Tony built the character of Dev like a "Frankenstein monster" with creative input from the showrunners.

The Power of Family: The actors discuss the core moral of the series: the importance of fighting for family. Learn why this theme of loyalty extends beyond blood relatives to the bonds forged with friends.

From Fan to Franchise Star: Gaten and Tony share their personal connections to the Lego Star Wars universe, from favorite games to the sheer joy of hearing the "True Jedi" chime. Hear Tony's hilarious story about playing the Lego games before ever seeing the original movies.

A Childhood Dream Fulfilled: The duo reflect on the incredible honor of becoming a Lego minifigure and how being part of the Star Wars franchise fulfills a lifelong dream. They also touch on the unique challenges and creative freedom that came with returning for the second season.

Ever wonder how Star Wars went from a shaky idea to a cultural phenomenon? In this short clip, co-host Keith discusses how George Lucas turned a $7 million budget and initial doubts into a cinematic triumph. Get the behind-the-scenes story through the graphic novel Lucas Wars, which chronicles his trials, perseverance, and ultimate victory.

And Mr. Lucas, if you are listening, we'd be thrilled and honored to have you share your story with us!