Franchisography

With Superman: The Movie turning into a massive success (the highest grossing movie in Warner Bros history at that point), everyone was anxious to get back on set and finish production on the remaining 30% Richard Donner’ sequel. However, to … Continue reading →

In a time before superhero movies, at the birth of the blockbuster, a father/son producer team met with DC and Warner Brothers to discuss a radical idea: what if Superman was made into a movie? Agreeing upon a negative pick-up … Continue reading →

It’s a Betweenisode! Join Nick & Scott as they discuss/rank the Shrek franchise, speculate about where the franchise could go from here, and announce our next mini-series! Next week: Our next franchise begins! FRANCHISE POTENTIAL: Antz (1998) / Shark Tale … Continue reading →

Although a critical and box office success, the first Puss In Boots did not linger long in the zeitgeist, and the culture seemed to have moved on from the Shrek franchise in general. And so it was that over a … Continue reading →

The animators behind Shrek 2 were the first to fall in love with Puss In Boots, quickly sensing the potential this mysterious feline had to lead his own animated adventure. Originally developed to be released on home video, but soon … Continue reading →

Jeffery Katzenberg was rarely accused of thinking too small. Back in 2004, before Shrek 2 had even hit theaters, the mastermind of DreamWorks Animation announced no less than three more adventures starring the beloved grumpy and horny ogre. But despite … Continue reading →

The son of a bitch had done it again. Shrek 2 may have lost the Best Animated Feature Oscar to The Incredibles, but the film was another massive success both with critics and at the worldwide box office. DreamWorks co-founder … Continue reading →

Somewhere in the making of Shrek, Jeffery Katzenberg had a feeling he had a hit on his hands. And with his fledging DreamWorks Animation still fighting to stay in the ring with Disney and Pixar, little time was lost before … Continue reading →

Once upon a time… there was a powerful film producer named Jeffery Katzenberg who had a crisis upon him of a fearful sort, which could only be fixed by creating a hit animated film. Katzenberg was banished from his old … Continue reading →

The 2024 Listener Pick Tournament has come to an end! Join Nick and Scott as they discuss the results of the second half of the tournament and the winning franchise. Afterward, we announce when Franchisography will return with new episodes … Continue reading →

Round 1 of this year’s Listener Pick Tournament is over and Nick & Scott are here to discuss where the choices made by our listeners on Discord and Patreon have led us. There were surprising victories, devastating losses, and obvious … Continue reading →

It’s a Listener Pick Tournament Hiatusode! With March less than a  week away, Nick & Scott are joined by Patreon Producers Mark Ybarra and Matt Bennett to reveal the 32 franchises that were chosen for this year’s Listener Pick Tournament … Continue reading →

February is almost here and March is right around the corner… …which means it’s almost time for this year’s Listener Pick Tournament! Join Nick and Scott as they discuss this year’s Tournament rules and structure! Ya know, fun stuff! (It’s … Continue reading →

It’s a Finale-sode! Join Nick & Scott as they discuss/rank the Muppets franchise, pitch ideas for future Muppet movies, look back at our second season, and look forward to Season Three, coming Summer 2024! Next week: Our hiatus begins! FRANCHISE … Continue reading →

After the runaway success of The Muppets, Disney quickly greenlit a sequel. While Jason Segal opted to not return, Nicholas Stoller instead co-wrote the next Muppet adventure with director James Bobin. This time, Kermit would take center stage for the … Continue reading →

Twelve years after the failure of Muppets From Space, Disney had purchased the rights to The Muppets but was letting them languish in TV specials, commercials, and music videos. The idea of another feature film starring Kermit and the gang … Continue reading →

After the failure of Muppet Treasure Island, Disney had no interest in continuing their relationship with Jim Henson Productions. Instead, the company signed a three-picture deal for The Muppets with Sony Pictures that would include another adaptation from classic literature … Continue reading →

The modest theatrical success of The Muppet Chrismas Carol lead Brian Henson and the rest of the Henson company to decide on a new literary classic to adapt with the Muppets. This time, though, they wanted to focus on comedy … Continue reading →

Jim Henson was dead: to begin with. But that wasn’t the only thing that had changed for the Henson company in the eight years since the Muppets took Manhattan: Frank Oz had become a successful film director; the company had … Continue reading →

After the back-to-back productions of Muppet Caper and Dark Crystal, Jim Henson was ready for a break from directing. So when the studio wanted a third Muppet Movie, he turned to his creative partner Frank Oz to take over the … Continue reading →

After the box office success of The Muppet Movie and The Muppet Show’s time on the air coming to an end after 5 seasons, Jim Henson was ready to take on his next challenge: film director. But it wasn’t a … Continue reading →

It’s time to play the music… it’s time to light the lights… our coverage of The Muppets franchise begins TONIGHT! While he had earned huge success with the creation of Sesame Street, Jim Henson wanted to break out of children’s … Continue reading →

It’s a Betweenisode! Join Nick & Scott as they discuss the conclusion of the Mummy mini-series, rank each movie, speculate about the future of the franchise, and announce our final mini-series of Franchisography Season Two! Next week: Our final franchise … Continue reading →

Welcome to a new world of gods and monsters. After Tomb of the Dragon Emperor failed to win over fans, Universal Pictures would bury their beloved franchise for another nine years before raising it from the dead yet again as … Continue reading →

Seven years after The Mummy Returns, Universal Pictures was finally able to resurrect the franchise with a third adventure, but they would do so with some key members absent: Writer/director Stephen Sommers would be replaced by The Fast & The … Continue reading →