Paramount had a monster week, Greta Gerwig’s Narnia is taking shape, a young Rambo is on the way, and parents are asking serious questions about Roblox. We break all of that down in this week’s Geek Freaks, plus an interview with Alex Austin on turning a podcast app into a social platform. Reviews land for Alien Earth and the new King of the Hill season, and we share where you can catch us at upcoming cons.
Paramount after Skydance: a real plan, not just headlines
Paramount is shifting from eight theatrical titles this year to a target of 15 to 20 films annually. That is the kind of volume that brings back the mid budget comedy and adventure slot many of us miss. Think Superbad, Step Brothers, and all the lively one offs that used to surprise you on a Friday night.
Highlights from the episode:
- UFC rights deal starting in 2026, with events on Paramount Plus and select cards on CBS. It broadens reach and gives the service appointment viewing.
- Family adventure focus. Paramount name checked The Goonies style stories as a lane they want to own. Big win for parents and for anyone who is not in the mood for another grim epic.
- Duffer Brothers inbound. Expect new series and films, not just a rerun of Stranger Things. If you are building modern franchises, you sign world builders.
- Two new Star Trek films. One connected to the Kelvin crew, another from director Toby Haynes. Our take is in the episode, but the short version is that Trek thrives when you let different creative teams chase distinct tones.
“Family adventure is the missing lane.”
First look at Greta Gerwig’s Narnia
Set photos show a lived in 1950s London and period detail that feels instantly right. The key choice is starting with The Magician’s Nephew. It is the creation story of Narnia, which makes this feel fresh even for longtime fans of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The timeline shift from the late 1800s to the 1950s also matches the series’ established look while giving Gerwig color and texture to play with.
What we are watching for:
- How the film handles the story’s bigger ideas for younger audiences
- Whether the prequel setup builds momentum for a full series run rather than a one off
Young Rambo is coming. Should it be a new hero instead
Noah Centineo will play a young John Rambo in a Vietnam era prequel. We talk about why the brand will draw attention, but also why this is a moment studios could choose to mint a new action icon. If you want Gen Z to show up, you give them someone of their own, not just a retro nameplate.
Roblox safety that works today
Roblox says it uses AI and moderation tools, yet ugly experiences are still slipping through. Lawsuits and documentary projects are circling. Parents need practical steps they can use right now.
Four quick tips we walk through on the show:
- Private servers only. Create invite only servers and add only real life friends. Skip public lobbies.
- Lock communication. Set chat and DMs to Friends or No one. Turn voice chat off for kids.
- Friends whitelist. Only friends can follow into games or send invites. Disable Everyone wherever you see it.
- Spending and settings PIN. Add a Parent PIN, turn Account Restrictions on, and require purchase approval at the device level.
We would still like to see Roblox publish monthly safety updates that report bans and policy changes. Transparency builds trust.
Reviews
Alien Earth
Score: 9 out of 10. Practical creature work, slow burn tension, and a world that suddenly cares about the lines between humans, synthetics, and something in between. It plays like Fargo in space in the best way, with patient chapters that keep paying off. If the pacing holds, this could be the most interesting take on the Alien universe in years.
King of the Hill
Score: 10 out of 10. It does not feel like a reboot. It feels like the next season. Bobby reads as a real mix of Hank and Peggy, the town has aged in ways that make sense, and the jokes land without winking at you. If you loved the original, this is an easy yes.
Interview: Alex Austin on building a social platform for podcasters
Frank talks with Alex Austin about growing a social layer out of a podcast app. We dig into:
- Early community growth without losing the vibe
- Moderation that protects users and creators
- Why podcasters need a home for clips, comments, and giveaways that is not buried by an algorithm
We will be posting giveaways there as the new social features launch. Details are in the episode.
Convention plans and network news
- LA Comic Con: September 26 to 28. We will be on site.
- Crocker Con: The week before LACC with panels and creator chats.
- Frank joined the Sacramento Developer Collective board to support local game dev education. Expect more coverage of jams, student showcases, and how to get started.
Across the network this week you will also find coverage of Peacemaker, Survivor Australia, Stranger Things spinoff ideas, Walter Mitty, and the top selling manga of 2025.
How to listen and follow
- Full episode and show notes: GeekFreaksPodcast.com
- Follow: @geekfreakspodcast on Instagram and Threads, @geekfreakspod on X, Facebook at /thegeekfreakspodcast, TikTok @geekfreakspodcast
- Hashtag: #GeekFreaks
Have a question or a hot take
Drop it in our DMs or reply on social. We are collecting listener questions for next week’s mailbag.
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