In 2022, Dylan Roth and Dalton Deschain set out to finish writing the Dark Universe that began and ended with Universal's 2017 remake of The Mummy. Three years and 29 scripts later, they're embarking on a whole new journey, leaving the realm of fan fiction behind to write, workshop, and perform an entire new universe of imaginary movies on their podcast.

You are now entering... THE POD UNIVERSE.

This episode was sponsored by three independent creative projects:

PV Guide - Ditch the algorithm with PV Guide, featuring recommendations, reviews, and interviews from former Polygon senior curation editor Pete Volk. Forget the robots: Find what to watch next with a human touch.

Vampirocene by merritt k. - When viral pop star Janie Mack "comes out" as a vampire, most people think it's just a play for attention. But when she launches a new movement to stop climate change, people start listening...

Bloodbound by Chase McPherson - Bloodbound is a gripping saga of identity, resilience, and redemption—where every choice could save two worlds… or doom them both. Learn more at byChaseMcP.com for direct links to your favorite online book retailers.

Want to promote your art on our show? Look us up at thepoduniverse.com for details.

CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - What is the Pod Universe? 00:38:00 - Sponsor: PV Guide 00:40:15 - Slate Reveal, Part 1 00:58:52 - Sponsor: Vampirocene 01:01:11 - Slate Reveal, Part 2 01:14:03 - Sponsor: Bloodhound 01:19:28 - Pod People teaser trailer

It's the opening chapter of Dylan & Dalton's original cinematic universe of imaginary sci-fi movies!

Pod People is a sci-fi thriller set in Silicon Valley, where a pair of brilliant young engineers discover that their employers, their co-workers, and maybe even their friends and family are being systematically replaced by doppelgängers. But for what purpose, and how deep does the conspiracy go?

It’s a modern riff on 1950s paranoid thrillers, most obviously Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but if you know us, then you know we’ve got our own wild twist on the premise.

SPONSORS Has to Do With Spider-Man, I Think? - a podcast that expands on Sony's failed cinematic universe of Spider-Man characters Bloodbound - a fantasy/espionage/romance novel series by Chase McPherson Vampirocene - a horror novella by merritt k.

And of course you can join our Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton for access to our bonus podcast, Discord server, and other fun perks.

CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Cold Open 00:04:10 - Discussion 00:15:04 - Act One 00:45:07 - Sponsors: Has to Do With Spider-Man, I Think? & Bloodbound by Chase McPherson 00:54:31 - Act Two 01:22:36 - Sponsor: Vampirocene by merritt. k 01:23:24 - Discussion 01:29:37 - Patron acknowledgements

It's the thrilling conclusion to the sci-fi thriller that kicks off our entire shared universe of imaginary sci-fi movies! What's the secret of Alterr, the shadowy tech corporation that seems to be replacing people with clones? What does their plan have to do with a failed quantum computing experiment? And, most importantly of all, where do we go from here?

Featuring Sarah Norcross as the voice of Stephanie.

SPONSORS

Order your copy of Dim Stars: A Novel of Outer-Space Shenanigans from Amazon, or from your favorite bookseller. Check out Dimstarsbook.com for more information.

Check out DC3cast, your exhaustive guide to DC Comics, at DC3cast.com or searching on your podcatcher of choice.

Ditch the algorithm with PV Guide, featuring recommendations, reviews, and interviews from former Polygon senior curation editor Pete Volk. Find it at pvguide.ghost.io

And of course you can join our Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton for access to our bonus podcast, Discord server, and other fun perks!

CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Intros 00:04:22 - Our Story So Far... 00:09:12 - Act Two, continued 00:28:10 - Discussion 00:37:34 - Sponsors: Dim Stars, DC3Cast 00:39:21 - Act Three 01:15:37 - Sponsor: PV Guide 01:16:56 - Mid-Credits Scene 01:18:42 - Discussion 01:29:15 - Post-Credits Scene 01:31:41 - Unpacking that Post-Credits Scene! 01:35:07 - Patron Acknowledgements

CONTENT WARNING: This episode is about "The Happening," a film in which a toxin compels people to kill themselves in a variety of weird and novel ways. If you are sensitive to the topic of suicide or self-harm, this might not be for you.

Emmy-winning writer and comedian Josh Gondelman visits the Pod Universe to re-examine M. Night Shyamalan's disastrous disaster movie, "The Happening." What makes this potentially poignant thriller so disappointing, and how would Josh do it differently if he could remake it after the COVID-19 outbreak?

Also, should Ted from the movie "Ted" be involved? (No. No he shouldn't. We're trying to make a serious movie over here.)

OUR SPONSORS: Dim Stars: A Novel of Outer-Space Shenanigans PV Guide Bloodbound

Sign up for our Patreon!

CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Introducing our guest 00:11:30 - Let's talk about The Happening (2008) 00:55:32 - Sponsor: Dim Stars 00:56:43 - Josh's pitch 01:44:54 - Sponsor: PV Guide 01:46:04 - Trailer: Last Flight of the Stone Hammer 01:49:38 - Sponsor: Bloodbound 01:50:34 - What's coming up?

In the far reaches of space, two civilizations are locked in an endless conflict. The Eridai’s reckless industry cost the Ley-to their homeworld. The Ley-to’s quest for vengeance has consumed their entire culture, and there’s no end in sight. But when a twist of fate brings their starships to a halt, two opposing crews will have to bring their long conflict to a conclusion — one way or another.

It’s Dylan’s first solo pitch for The Pod Universe, and he’s jumping directly into his favorite sci-fi subgenre: the Space Opera! It’s Battlestar Galactica meets Pirates of the Caribbean, but is that going to mean anything to Dalton — who, improbably, has no interest in either? Tune in to find out!

OUR SPONSORS The DC3cast, a weekly podcast about DC Comics that recently celebrated its 500th episode! dc3cast.com

Dim Stars: A Novel of Outer-Space Shenanigans by Brian P. Rubin - dimstarsbook.com

RPG Zine Club, a subscription service for artisan tabletop games - rpgzine.club/zineuniverse

Check out our new MERCH STORE, shop.thepoduniverse.com

And as always you can join our Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Cold Open 00:09:59 - Discussion 00:15:24 - Fan Predictions 00:26:40 - Lore Recap 00:32:04 - Act One 01:01:11 - Discussion 01:12:47 - Act Two Part One 01:32:39 - Discussion

It's the (hopefully) thrilling conclusion of Dylan's space sci-fi drama, Last Flight of the Stone Hammer! Will the Ley-to and Eridai find a way to survive this cosmic calamity? And what will this mean for our Pod Universe going forward?

PLUS: Check out Dalton's newest single, a refreshed and rearranged "Some Dark Magik," at the end of this episode.

THIS WEEK'S SPONSORS:

Vampirocene by merritt k. - When viral pop star Janie Mack "comes out" as a vampire, most people think it's just a play for attention. But when she launches a new movement to stop climate change, people start listening... - merrittk.itch.io/vampirocene

Return to Blacktail Harbor by Rogue Centaur - A single-player murder mystery journaling game, where you play as a guest investigating the mysterious events surrounding the wedding and try to stay alive. - Roguecentaur.Itch.Io/Blacktail

The Frankencast by Mad Scientist Anthony Bowman - If you’re missing Frankenstein after the conclusion of the Dark Universe, the Frankencast has been watching a discussing Frankenstein movies for over 200 episodes.

And as always you can check out our merch on shop.thepoduniverse.com or support us directly on Patreon. https://Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - Discussion
00:09:56 - Previously On
00:14:37 - Act Two Part Two
00:25:09 - Ad Break 1
00:26:02 - Ad Break 2
00:27:13 - Discussion
00:38:34 - Act Three
01:00:05 - Ad Break 3
01:00:44 - Mid-Credits Scene
01:02:41 - Discussion
01:22:59 - “Some Dark Magik”

Fan favorite guest Branson Reese (Swan Boy, Rude Tales of Magic) returns for another insane new take on a classic film property. This time his sights are set on one of pop culture's most radioactive franchises, GHOSTBUSTERS, which no one has ever made a fool of themselves trying to relaunch before! How does Branson suggest recapturing the magic of the original while avoiding the pitfalls of the underwhelming 1989 followup, the disproportionately hated 2016 remake, or the creatively bankrupt legacy sequels of the 2020s?

PLUS: The trailer for Dalton's upcoming scripted pitch, LOS ALAMOS!

Our sponsors this week: Return to Blacktail Harbor by Rogue Centaur: Roguecentaur.Itch.Io/Blacktail Ritual Deck RPG: PlusOneExp.com Dim Stars: DimStarsBook.com

And as always you can check out our store at shop.thepoduniverse.com or support us on Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton.

CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:26 - Let's Talk Ghostbusters 00:23:01 - The Leprechaun Bit 00:27:13 - Back to Ghostbusters 00:41:28 - SPONSORS: Return to Blacktail Harbor & Ritual Deck 00:44:31 - Branson's Pitch for Ghostbusters 01:33:11 - SPONSOR: Dim Stars by Brian P. Rubin 01:36:01 - Los Alamos trailer 01:39:11 - Acknowledgements and Coming Attractions

In 1944, scientists in the employ of the United States Military were on the cusp of the most consequential discoveries in history. Fearing that the US might use their invention — an atomic fusion bomb — to hold the world hostage, a few of its creators attempted to leak its specifications to the Soviet Union. One tried to stop its construction altogether. This is his story — but in our Pod Universe, nothing is quite so simple as a spy drama, is it?

It's Dalton's first solo pitch of the Pod Universe, and like Dylan's space opera, it's a big swing! Will this historical sci-fi thriller capture the interest of the Pod Universe faithful? Has Dalton stepped too far out of their monster movie wheelhouse?

Only one way to find out.

OUR SPONSORS:
Ritual Deck RPG: plusoneexp.com
The Frankencast
Return to Blacktail Harbor: roguecentaur.itch.io/blacktail

OUR PATREON: patreon.com/dylananddalton
OUT SHOP: shop.thepoduniverse.com

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - Cold Open
00:04:21 - Predictions and Expectations
00:21:30 - Act One
00:45:17 - Sponsor: Ritual Deck RPG
00:46:05 - Discussion
01:02:13 - Act Two (part one)
01:26:29 - Sponsors: The Frankencast & Return to Blacktail Harbor
01:29:04 - Discussion
01:40:32 - Previews & Acknolwedgments