Cosmic Circus Podcasts

Interview with Prehistoric Planet’s Mike Gunton and Tim Walker

Prehistoric Planet is a documentary series on Apple TV+ that combines state-of-the-art realistic animation with stunning cinematography to transport viewers back to the Cretaceous period, 66 million years ago. The series features never-before-seen "footage" of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures in their natural habitats. Sir David Attenborough, the legend of documentary series like Planet Earth, even narrates it. Executive Produced by John Favreau, Prehistoric Planet uses tech from hit shows like The Book of Boba Fett to bring these animals to life. 
On Tuesday, The Cosmic Circus had the opportunity to sit down over Zoom with the show's executive producer Mike Gunton and showrunner Tim Walker. Both are highly accomplished filmmakers in the world of natural history. Gunton is known for his work on the Emmy and BAFTA-winning Planet Earth II, as well as  Galapagos, Yellowstone, Madagascar, and Life. Walker has a similarly impressive career, with 20 years of bringing natural history to the screen. 
There are five episodes in the new season, each tied to a different habitat and the animals that lived there. In our interview, we chatted about dinosaurs (of course!) but also how they built on the technology from season 1, creating empathy for these prehistoric characters and more.
Host: Ayla Ruby of thecosmiccircus.comTheme: "Coffee and You" by Vladislav Kurnikov via Pixabay.Recorded 5/16/2023

’Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Discussion | The Cosmic Circle

After a long wait, the Guardians of the Galaxy are back. This past weekend, James Gunn delivered the third and perhaps most emotionally resonant entry in the cosmic saga, titled Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3. Star-lord aka Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and the team is adjusting to their new place in the cosmos. After an attack on their celestial haven of Knowhere, where one of their own is threatened, the Guardians must face off against a wicked and new foe in the High-Evolutionary, played by Chukwudi Iwuji. 
In the newest Cosmic Circle podcast episode, host Ayla Ruby and writers Anthony Flagg and Brian Kitson discuss their favorite and least favorite moments from the new movie including some epic action sequences. They cover the exciting and sad reveal of one guardian's origins, cameos, the post-credit scene, and whether this movie is the end of the ride for the Guardians of the Galaxy as we know it. 
SPOILER WARNING FOR GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3!
Podcast credits and show notes
Contributors/Writers
Anthony Flagg
Ayla Ruby
Brian Kitson
Executive Producer/Editor
Lizzie Hill
Recorded on 05/07/23
Superhero theme by HumanoideVFX on Pixabay.

Mandalorian Season 3 Recap (Spoilers) | The Cosmic Circle

Watch out for spoilers from season 3 and the season finale of The Mandalorian!
Season 3 of The Mandalorian concluded on Wednesday with Chapter 24: The Return. Expectations were high for the finale, which continued the story of The Mandalorian, aka Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal/Brendan Wayne/Lateef Crowder), and adorable found family, the Child, aka Grogu, as they worked with Bo Katan (Katee Sackhoff) and Axe Woves (Simon Kassianides) to defeat Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) and restore Mandalore. 
Host Ayla Ruby and writers Anthony Flagg and Drew Reed chat about their favorite and least favorite moments from the season finale. They take listener questions and share their thoughts on whether or not Moff Gideon is really dead, Bo Katan's growth over the season, and whether there will be a Season 4 of The Mandalorian. 
Podcast credits and show notes
Contributors/Writers
Anthony Flagg
Ayla Ruby
Drew Reed
Executive Producer/Editor
Lizzie Hill
Recorded on 04/21/23
Superhero theme by HumanoideVFX on Pixabay.
Full article at: https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/cosmic-circle-ep-28-the-mandalorian-season-3-finale/

Journey to ’Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ | The Cosmic Circle

Guardians of the Galaxy was one of the first entries in the MCU to take fans to the stars, bringing the cosmos into the spotlight. With humble beginnings as a rag-tag team of A-holes thrust together by fate and bad luck, the group grew into a family full of love and harassment. The Guardians have faced some tough moments together, but have always come out closer than ever though perhaps a bit battle-scarred. So with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 almost here, we couldn't wait to discuss the team's journey from Vol. 1 to their Holiday Special.
Host Brian Kitson, along with fellow writers Ayla Ruby and Anthony Flagg discuss some of their favorite memories from the previous Guardians of the Galaxy films as well as things they wish were a bit different from their journey through the MCU. Listen to see if listener's question gets answered, such as which scenes or songs are their favorites, or who their favorite Guardian is from across the many entries. And stay tuned, as a follow-up podcast reviewing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will arrive alongside the release of the film in theaters in early May. Let us know your favorite Guardians moments on Twitter or in the Cosmic Circus discord!
Podcast credits and show notesContributors/Writers
Anthony Flagg
Ayla Ruby
Brian Kitson
Executive Producer/Editor
Lizzie Hill
Recorded on 04/16/23
Superhero theme by HumanoideVFX on Pixabay.
Full article available at: https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/cosmic-circle-ep-27-journey-to-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3/

Marvels Trailer & Star Wars Celebration 2023 Discussion | The Cosmic Circle

It's a great time to be a Star Wars fan! Not only has The Mandalorian returned to our screens over on Disney+, but this past weekend the biggest gathering in the galaxy happened in London, with the 2023 Star Wars Celebration. Across the four days, tons of announcements and trailers dropped for what's to come to a galaxy far, far, away. So of course some of the writers at The Cosmic Circus couldn't wait to break down every juicy detail from the long weekend of out-of-this-world fun.
Host Ayla Ruby, along with head writer Brian Kitson and fellow writer Wiktor Reinfuss come together in their Millennium Falcon and jet off to explore all the excitement. Join them as they discuss the three new films announced at the Star Wars Celebration, their joy or disappointment around the updates on some of the Disney+ series, and what they wished they saw at this year's convention.
We also have a short discussion about that The Marvels trailer that just dropped to open all the fun!
Podcast credits and show notes
Contributors/Writers
Ayla Ruby
Brian Kitson
Wiktor Reinfuss
Executive Producer/Editor
Lizzie Hill
Recorded on 04/11/23
Superhero theme by HumanoideVFX on Pixabay.

Interview with Bill Motz & Bob Roth from ’The Ghost and Molly McGee’

We're big animation fans at The Cosmic Circus and always love getting the chance to sit down with the creators behind these fantastic stories. Earlier this week, Cosmic Cafe host Ayla Ruby chatted over zoom with Bill Motz and Bob Roth from Disney's fantasy show The Ghost and Molly McGee. 
The Ghost and Molly McGee is about a young girl named Molly McGee who is an optimist and always sees the brighter side of things. There's always something to have joy about. When Molly's family moves to a new home and town, she discovers their house is haunted by a grumpy ghost named Scratch. Awesome, right? When Scratch's attempts to haunt Molly go wrong, the two are bound together forever. The show follows them through this unlikely and sweet growing friendship. 
The show is Emmy-nominated, and for a good reason - it's a joy to watch. The talented cast includes Ashly Burch (as Molly), Dana Snyder (as Scratch), Jordan Klepper, Sumalee Montano, Michaela Dietz, and Lara Jill Miller. 
Bill Motz and Bob Roth are equally as talented as their cast. The duo has been writing partners for 30 years, working on things like Darkwing Duck, LEGO Star Wars, and The Penguins of Madagascar. They're the creators and executive producers of The Ghost and Molly Mcgee and were so much fun to speak with. 
Full article available on
https://www.thecosmiccircus.com⁠
Timestamps:
00:25 - Intros
02:20 - Bill Motz and Bob Roth tell us more about The Ghost and Molly McGee
04:00 - Talk about season 2 and the introduction of autistic character June Chen, and the importance of representation.
08:10 - More will be revealed about Scratch's past in the second season
09:05 - Guest stars in season 2
10:10 - Discussing the detailed work of the designers and the Mega City game from season 1
11:40 - Roth and Motz talk about the process of going from a kernel of an idea to a script.
15:25 - What is the status of The Ghost and Molly McGee season 3?
16:15 - The show is about "humor, heart, and hope."
17:30 - Ayla asks what Motz and Roth are working on next.
18:35 - Outros
Host: Ayla Ruby of thecosmiccircus.comTheme: "Coffee and You" by Vladislav Kurnikov via Pixabay.Recorded 3/23/2023

Interview: Matt Youngberg from Skydance Animation Talks ”Bad Luck Spot”

If you have kids and an Apple TV+ subscription, the chances you’ve seen the movie Luck are pretty high. It’s an Apple Original movie with a tremendous amount of heart. Last week, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the Luck universe grew. We sat down with director Matt Youngberg from Skydance Animation to discuss his short Bad Luck Spot from the same Luck universe. Bad Luck Spot features the Hazmat Bunnies that had an adorable but short appearance in the movie.
Matt Youngberg has an impressive career. Before he joined Skydance, he spearheaded the Ducktales reboot for Disney Television Animation. (As part of Ducktales, he even brought this writer’s favorite hero, Darkwing Duck, back to the screen!) Youngberg is both Emmy and Annie nominated, and he’s worked on other beloved franchises, like Batman Beyond, Teen Titans, and Ben 10.
Cosmic Cafe credits:
Host: Ayla Ruby
Theme: “Coffee and You” by Vladislav Kurnikov via Pixabay.
Recorded 3/14/2023
other links: ⁠https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/
The Bad Luck short: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLpFAOQyAKw&feature=youtu.be

Interview with Jared Gerritzen and Sophia Leader from Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed

Ayla Ruby of thecosmiccircus.com interviews Jared Gerrizen and Sophia Leader of Illfonic about the Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed game.
Cosmic Cafe credits:
Host: Ayla Ruby
Theme: “Coffee and You” by Vladislav Kurnikov via Pixabay.
Recorded 2/15
other links: https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/
https://www.illfonic.com/

Shazam! Fury of the Gods Discussion | The Cosmic Circle

Join host Ayla Ruby and fellow writers Brian Kitson and Wiktor Reinfuss as they discuss Shazam: Fury of the Gods. The trio talks about what worked for them and what didn’t in this latest DC Studios adaption. They discuss cameos, post-credit scenes, and even the somewhat controversial product placement. And if that wasn’t enough, the writers also answer questions from the Cosmic Circus community and more.
Ep. 24: Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Timestamps:
00:20 - Intros
01:15 - First and pre-viewing impressions on Shazam! Fury of the Gods, going in. Did you expect to like it? What did you like?
11:02 - Do you want to see more of Shazam in future?
14:15 - Spoiler alert! Talking about what they did and didn't get right with tone and whether or not there should be a reboot for the characters
17:09 - Discussion about bringing in Peacemaker characters, and talk about the difference in tone between Shazam! and that show.
20:40 - What did you really like about the movie?
27:45 - Praising Lucy Liu's performance
29:45 - What did you not like about the movie?
36:15 - What is going on with the end credits scene anyway? 
38:30 - Discussing the dragon and VFX
41:00 - Discussing product placements in the film.
44:18 - Did you like Steve?
46:00 - Final thoughts on Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Vic's theory... is Shazam's world going to be connected to The Flash film coming up?
49:45 - Outros
Podcast credits and show notes
Contributors/Writers
Brian Kitson
Ayla Ruby
Wiktor Reinfuss
Executive Producer/Editor
Lizzie Hill
Recorded on 03/19/23
Superhero theme by HumanoideVFX on Pixabay.
full article at:
https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/cosmic-circle-ep-25-shazam-fury-of-the-gods-discussion/

HBO’s The Last of Us Season 1 Discussion | The Cosmic Circle

If there's one show that people can't seem to stop talking about recently it's The Last of Us. HBO build another hit, which audiences can't get enough of. That includes us here at The Cosmic Circus, so of course we had to jump on Zoom for The Last of Us discussion podcast, capping the end of an excellent season.
Join host Brian Kitson and fellow writers Ayla Ruby and Anthony Flagg as they break down what they liked, how The Last of Us compares to other video game adaptations, and what they hope to see in future seasons!
Timestamps (SPOILER WARNING for The Last of Us season 1 and the game)
00:20 - Intros
02:20 - General thoughts on The Last of Us season 1
05:45 - Audience reception
10:45 - What parts of season 1 did we like the most?
20:41 - What didn't we like?
28:00 - Where do we think this ranks as far as game adaptations? Do we have hope for future game adaptations to be this good?
32:00 - Commenting on Ashley Johnson's appearance on the show, and how similar she looks to Bella Ramsey.
34:20 - Theories for next season (more spoilers discussed for the game and possibly future seasons)
37: 20 - Would the cure have worked?
41:40 - Outros
Podcast credits and show notes
Contributors/Writers
Anthony Flagg
Ayla Ruby
Brian Kitson
Executive Producer/Editor
Lizzie Hill
Recorded on 03/13/23
Superhero theme by HumanoideVFX on Pixabay.
Full article available at: https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/cosmic-circle-ep-24-the-last-of-us-season-1-discussion/

Quantumania Q&A | The Cosmic Circle

In this episode, host Ayla Ruby, along with fellow podcasters Brian Kitson, and Anthony Flagg delve into everything from Jonathan Majors' Kang to our thoughts on Cassie Lang's future. And although he couldn't be on the podcast in person, cosmic writer Alex Perez answered some of those curious inquiries in writing.
(SPOILER warning for Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania)
Timestamps
00:20 Intros
01.10 Will we ever see Hope and Scott married with kids?
03:25 Will Cassie and Peter Parker ever meet and become friends?
05:35 Comments on audience response to MODOK
07:50 If Janet had those discs then why didn't she escape before?
11:25 Was Kang planned for way back when Ant-Man and the Wasp came out?
12:40 What are they planning ahead now?
13: 30 Alternate ways to defeat Kang and what is Kang without his suit?
16:00 Why does Scott act sort of immaturely? Why doesn't he tell people about his worries?
19:00 What did you think of Cassie Lang in this film?
24:44 Questions for Alex Perez
25:15 When will we see Kang next in the MCU?
28:50 Should Peyton Reed return for Ant-Man 4 or Secret Wars?
32:01  What was your favorite part of Quantumania?
33:20 What is the future of the Quantum Realm in the MCU? Was this a one off?
36:10 Will Kang always be the main antagonist when he shows up?
39:14 Will Scott and Hope mentor the Young Avengers in Ant-Man 4?
41:09 How many Kangs will we see as main characters? Will there be new MCU Kang variants?
42:40 What is the plan for Janet and Hope going forward? (this was briefly talked about by Alex in our previous Quantumania episode)
44:17 Outros
Podcast credits and show notes
Contributors/Writers
Anthony Flagg
Ayla Ruby
Brian Kitson
Executive Producer/Editor
Lizzie Hill
Recorded on 03/05/23
Superhero theme by HumanoideVFX on Pixabay

Interview with Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’s Steve Loter and Rodney Clouden

Cosmic Cafe host Ayla Ruby sits down with Steve Loter and Rodney Clouden, Executive Producers of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, to talk about the new Marvel/Disney show. The series is now airing on Disney Channel and Disney+. 
Timestamps:
00:30 - Intros
01:20 - What is Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur?
02:11 - What inspired you to bring these characters to TV?
03:10 - How did you get introduced to Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur?
04:50 - What was the inspiration for the art style of this series?
07:25 - What was the process for pairing the music with visuals?
10:23 - Pitching the series to Raphael Saadiq
13:10 - What can you tell me about Lunella's journey in season 1?
17:20 - Ayla's daughter asks, "Does Lunella's parents know she is a superhero, will they find out later?"
18:05 - Guest stars on the series, Mae Jemison, Cobie Smulders, and May Calamawy
21:20 - Anything else you'd like to share about the show this season?
23:30 - Outros
Are you a fan of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur? Please join the conversation and share your thoughts on Twitter @MyCosmicCircus or @CosmicPodcasts.
Cosmic Cafe credits:
Host: Ayla Ruby
Theme: “Coffee and You” by Vladislav Kurnikov via Pixabay.
Recorded: 1/20
Full article available at : https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/cosmic-cafe-interview-with-moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-eps-steve-loter-and-rodney-clouden/

The Mandalorian Season 3 Discussion | The Cosmic Circle

It's been over two years since the last season of The Mandalorian, but finally, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu are back. Join host Brian Kitson, along with fellow Cosmic Circus writers Anthony Flagg and Wiktor Reinfuss, as they break down the Mandalorian season 3 premiere and share their predictions for the rest of the season.
What are your thoughts on The Mandalorian season 3 premiere? Is there anything you liked? What would you have liked to see differently? Let us know on social media. And if you enjoy this podcast, please consider sharing it with friends and supporting it via The Cosmic Circus Patreon, following us on Twitter @cosmicpodcasts, or joining our Discord.
Recorded on 03/05/23
Superhero theme by HumanoideVFX on Pixabay.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Review and Multiverse Saga (SPOILERS) | The Cosmic Circle

Cosmic Circus writers Ayla Ruby, Anthony Flagg and Alex Perez discuss the latest Marvel film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Warning for HEAVY SPOILERS as well as some hints and spoilers about the future of the Multiverse Saga shared by Alex Perez. 
Podcast credits and show notes
Contributors/Writers
Alex Perez
Anthony Flagg
Ayla Ruby
Executive Producer/Editor
Lizzie Hill
Recorded on 02/19/23
Superhero theme by HumanoideVFX on Pixabay. Full article with timestamps: https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/cosmic-circle-ep-21-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania/

Interview with Pilar Flynn from Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Ayla Ruby of thecosmiccircus.com talks with EP and co-showrunner of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Pilar Flynn about the new Disney Marvel animated series.
Read the full article at: https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/cosmic-cafe-interview-with-pilar-flynn-from-moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur/
For a comics reading guide to Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur go to: https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-reading-guide/
Time Stamps:  
00:00 - Intro 
00:34 - Interview with Pilar Flynn begins, introduction 
01:35 - What does a producer do? 
04:00 - What's the story of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur? 
05:50 - Talk about the shows writing, sophisticated and fun, a show for adults and kids. 
08:05 - Talk about the decision to "age up" Lunella Lafayette from 9 to 13 years old. 
09:48 - They are in contact with the creators of the original comics Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder. They are "so excited" and "on board." 
10:21 - Talk about animation influences for the show. 
12:54 - Talk about cast and crew and the importance of diversity. 
16:35 - About Diamond White casting as Lunella 
18:05 - Where were you when you got the call about season 2 being greenlit? 
19:30 - Anything else you'd like people to know about the show? 
20:35 - Does this show fit into the larger MCU at all? 
20:12 - If Moon Girl could team up with any Avenger, who would it be? 
21:56 - Outro
Cosmic Cafe credits:
Host: Ayla Ruby
Theme: “Coffee and You” by Vladislav Kurnikov via Pixabay.
Recorded: 12/07/2022