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What was it really like to experience San Diego Comic-Con 2026 from the convention floor? In this special episode of Beyond the Play, we're breaking down our entire San Diego Comic-Con 2026 experience day by day. From Hall H reveals and exclusive panels to activations, surprise announcements, premiere events, and everything in between, we're diving deep into what made this year's SDCC one of the biggest Comic-Cons in recent memory. Whether you couldn't make it to San Diego or you simply want to relive the week, this podcast is your complete recap of everything we experienced across the convention. We discuss the biggest moments, our favorite panels, unforgettable surprises, what exceeded expectations, and the stories you didn't see online. This year's Comic-Con delivered huge moments across movies, television, animation, gaming, collectibles, and fan experiences. From Marvel Studios' Hall H presentation, Avengers: Doomsday, Ryan Gosling's Ghost Rider reveal, Black Panther 3, and Deadpool's surprise appearance, to Spaceballs 2, Avatar: Seven Havens, exclusive trailer premieres, immersive activations, and countless memorable fan interactions, we cover everything that made SDCC 2026 unforgettable. Throughout the episode we also share behind-the-scenes stories, our favorite convention memories, tips for attending Comic-Con, and discuss what surprised us the most throughout the week. Whether you're a longtime Comic-Con veteran or someone who's always wanted to attend, this episode celebrates everything that makes San Diego Comic-Con one of the greatest pop culture events in the world. Topics We Cover Our complete San Diego Comic-Con 2026 experience Day-by-day breakdown of the convention Marvel Studios Hall H reactions Biggest movie and TV announcements Best exclusive trailers and first looks Favorite panels and celebrity moments The coolest activations and immersive experiences Hidden gems from the convention floor What surprised us the most Our favorite overall SDCC memories If you're looking for a San Diego Comic-Con 2026 recap, SDCC podcast, Comic-Con discussion, Marvel Hall H breakdown, Comic-Con reactions, Beyond the Play podcast, or a complete conversation about everything that happened during one of the biggest entertainment events of the year, you've come to the right place. What was your favorite announcement or moment from San Diego Comic-Con 2026? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE if you enjoy movie discussions, gaming conversations, convention coverage, and weekly episodes of Beyond the Play. #SDCC2026 #SanDiegoComicCon #BeyondThePlay #Marvel #ComicCon #Podcast

Leviticus interview — I sat down with director Adrian Chiarella and stars Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen to talk about their terrifying, emotional queer horror film. In this interview, I speak with Adrian Chiarella, Joe Bird, and Stacy Clausen about Leviticus, a new supernatural horror film from NEON. The film follows Naim, played by Joe Bird, and Ryan, played by Stacy Clausen, two teenage boys in a rural Australian town who must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most: each other. What makes Leviticus so fascinating is the way it blends coming-of-age romance, supernatural horror, religious repression, identity, desire, fear, and survival into one haunting story. This is not just a monster movie. It is a story about what happens when love, shame, trauma, and fear are turned into something physically terrifying. During this conversation, we talk about the emotional core of the film, the relationship between Naim and Ryan, how horror can be used to explore queer identity, what it was like bringing such vulnerable performances to life, and how Adrian Chiarella approached making a horror film that is both deeply personal and genuinely frightening. We also discuss the unique challenge of balancing tenderness with terror. Leviticus works because the horror only hits harder when you care about the people at the center of it. Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen bring so much emotion to Naim and Ryan, while Adrian Chiarella crafts a story where desire itself becomes dangerous in a world determined to demonize it. In this interview, we discuss: Adrian Chiarella’s inspiration behind LeviticusJoe Bird and Stacy Clausen building the relationship between Naim and RyanThe film’s mix of queer coming-of-age story and supernatural horrorHow the entity reflects fear, desire, and repressionWhy horror is such a powerful genre for this storyThe emotional vulnerability of the performancesBalancing romance, dread, and terrorWorking with NEON on this releaseWhat audiences should take away from LeviticusIf you enjoyed this interview, make sure to like the video, subscribe, and comment your thoughts on Leviticus.

The Furious interview — Joe Taslim and director Kenji Tanigaki break down the making of one of the most intense martial arts action movies of the year. In this interview, I sit down with Joe Taslim and Kenji Tanigaki to discuss The Furious, the brand-new martial arts action film from Lionsgate. Directed by Tanigaki and starring Xie Miao / Mo Tse, Joe Taslim, Yang Enyou, Brian Le, Joey Iwanaga, Jeeja Yanin, and Yayan Ruhian, the film delivers a relentless story of vengeance, rescue, and bone-crushing action. After seeing The Furious, I genuinely believe this is one of the most exciting action films of the year and a true showcase for modern martial arts cinema. The movie brings together an incredible international cast of action performers and creates fight sequences that feel brutal, balletic, emotional, and completely exhausting in the best way possible. In this conversation, we talk about what it takes to create action that feels real, painful, fast, and character-driven. Kenji Tanigaki has built a career around action choreography and stunt work, and with The Furious, he brings that experience into a full-throttle martial arts film that feels designed for fans of practical action, hand-to-hand combat, and movies like The Raid, John Wick, and classic Hong Kong action cinema. I also talk with Joe Taslim about stepping into this world, preparing for the physical demands of the film, and how working on The Furious compares to some of his past action roles, including Mortal Kombat and The Raid. Joe brings such intensity, emotion, and physicality to this movie, and hearing him talk about the preparation behind these fights makes the final result even more impressive. This The Furious interview dives into the fight choreography, martial arts preparation, working with Kenji Tanigaki, building trust on set, creating emotional stakes through action, and why this movie feels like a love letter to action cinema. In this interview, we discuss: Joe Taslim and Kenji Tanigaki’s work on The Furious How the film’s brutal fight scenes were created What makes the action feel emotional and character-driven The physical preparation required for a movie like this How Joe Taslim approached this role compared to Mortal Kombat and The Raid Kenji Tanigaki’s approach to directing action The influence of Hong Kong action cinema and modern martial arts films Working with an international action cast Why practical fight choreography still matters Why The Furious is a must-watch for action movie fans If you enjoyed this interview, make sure to like the video, subscribe, and comment your favorite martial arts action movie of all time.

On this episode, Zach Pope reviews Marvel’s The Punisher: One Last Kill, the brand-new Jon Bernthal-led Punisher special that brings Frank Castle back in raw, brutal, and emotional fashion. Zach breaks down why this feels like a Punisher MAX comic brought to life, how the special explores Frank Castle’s grief, PTSD, and violent sense of justice, and why Jon Bernthal continues to be the definitive live-action Punisher. He also discusses how The Punisher: One Last Kill may connect to Daredevil: Born Again, where it could place Frank Castle heading into Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and whether this 48-minute Marvel special delivers enough for longtime fans. Is this the perfect Punisher special? Should Marvel give Jon Bernthal another series, more specials, or let Frank Castle appear across the MCU? Let’s talk about it in this non-spoiler review. Topics include The Punisher: One Last Kill, Jon Bernthal, Frank Castle, Marvel, MCU, Daredevil: Born Again, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Punisher MAX, and the future of The Punisher in the MCU.

Zach reviews Obsession (2026), the new horror film from director Curry Barker. Centered on a hopeless romantic whose wish for love turns into a nightmare, the movie explores obsession, desire, and dark consequences. Zach explains why he believes Obsession is one of the best horror films of the year and a true modern horror standout.

this review, I’m talking about The Devil Wears Prada 2, the long-awaited sequel to one of the most beloved fashion films of the 2000s — and somehow… I think it’s better than the original.🔔 SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/@ZachPopeReviews Following the iconic legacy of The Devil Wears Prada, this sequel returns to the world of high fashion, ambition, power, and impossible standards. With returning favorites and a fresh new story, The Devil Wears Prada 2 balances nostalgia with modern commentary on media, career identity, and evolving relationships. Featuring powerhouse performances led by Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt, the sequel delivers sharp dialogue, emotional stakes, and the glamour fans hoped for. In this review, I break down: 👠 Why I think it tops the original film👠 Returning cast performances👠 The fashion, humor, and drama👠 How the sequel updates the story for today👠 Why this is one of the year’s biggest surprises The Devil Wears Prada 2 had every reason to fail — but instead, it becomes a smart, stylish, and emotionally satisfying sequel that honors the first film while standing on its own. If you loved the original, this may shock you. What did YOU think of The Devil Wears Prada 2

Zach counts down his 10 most anticipated summer movies of 2026. Featuring major titles like Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Toy Story 5, The Backrooms, Supergirl, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and more, Zach breaks down why this summer movie season could be one of the biggest in years.

Zach reviews Michael (2026), the new Michael Jackson biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson. Zach discusses the performances, musical recreations, emotional beats, and why he believes the harsh critic response may be overblown. While not a great film, Zach explains why it’s still a solid and worthwhile watch.

Zach reviews Normal (2026), a neo-western crime film starring Bob Odenkirk and directed by Ben Wheatley. The story follows a substitute sheriff uncovering dark secrets in a small Midwestern town after a botched bank robbery. With a tone reminiscent of Hot Fuzz, Zach breaks down why this weird, energetic film ends up being such a fun and unexpected watch.

Zach reviews Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, the revival mini-series bringing back the iconic sitcom. He breaks down whether the show captures the magic of the original, how the returning cast performs, and whether this nostalgic comeback is actually worth watching.

Zach reviews You, Me & Tuscany (2026), a romantic comedy starring Halle Bailey, Lorenzo de Moor, Regé-Jean Page, and Isabella Ferrari. Directed by Kat Coiro and produced by Will Packer, the film follows Anna as she travels to Tuscany and navigates unexpected romance, lies, and comedic chaos. While it’s predictably cheesy at times, Zach explains why this modern rom-com works as a sweet, feel-good escape for audiences.

The Boys Season 5 is here and as the FINAL season, this show delivers one of its darkest, most emotional, and most intense chapters yet… and honestly, it’s almost perfect. Created by Eric Kripke and based on the comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys has been one of the most brutal and thought-provoking superhero series on Amazon Prime Video — and Season 5 raises the stakes higher than ever.The final season sees the return of Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, and Karen Fukuhara, as the story builds toward an explosive and emotional conclusion.Season 5 feels like a return to what made the earlier seasons so special — blending shocking moments, brutal satire, and real emotional stakes in a way that few shows can pull off.It’s intense, it’s messy (in the best way), and it’s a powerful conclusion to one of the most unique superhero shows ever made.If you’ve been following The Boys from the beginning, this final season is something you won’t want to miss. Especially as Homelander takes center stage as a with a GOD complex this time around. What did YOU think of the final season?

🎬 After the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and now Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Nintendo is clearly building something BIG on the big screen.In today’s video, I’m breaking down 10 Nintendo games that NEED movie adaptations, whether it’s for their storytelling, world-building, or just how perfect they’d be for a cinematic experience.From iconic franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Star Fox, to some more unexpected picks, these are the games I think Nintendo should prioritize next as they expand their movie universe.In this video, I cover:🎮 10 Nintendo games that would make amazing movies🎮 Why each one works as a film🎮 The potential tone, story, and style🎮 My vision for Nintendo’s cinematic futureWith Nintendo teaming up with studios like Illumination, the possibilities are endless — and if Mario is just the beginning, we could be looking at a full-blown Nintendo Cinematic Universe.Which Nintendo game do YOU want to see turned into a movie next?

Zach reviews The Drama, the latest A24 film from director Kristoffer Borgli starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. What starts as a seemingly typical romantic story quickly turns into something far more unsettling and bizarre. Zach breaks down the film’s shocking twist, its deconstruction of the rom-com genre, and why — despite being a total WTF experience — it ended up being one of his most fascinating watches of the year.

The Mario universe expands to the stars in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie—but does this sequel truly evolve the franchise, or does it play things a little too safe? In this review, I break down my full thoughts on the latest Nintendo/Illumination adventure, starring Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, and Jack Black returning as Bowser. With the introduction of fan-favorite characters like Rosalina and the Lumas, the film takes us into the cosmic world inspired by the beloved Super Mario Galaxy games. Visually, the Super Mario Galaxy Movie is absolutely stunning—bringing vibrant galaxies, gravity-defying worlds, and nostalgic elements from the games to life in a BIG way. The humor lands, the energy is high, and it’s undeniably a FUN time at the movies. However… while I enjoyed the ride, I couldn’t help but feel like the film holds back in key areas. The story plays things a bit too familiar, certain characters feel underdeveloped, and some of the emotional or narrative depth I was hoping for just isn’t fully explored. This is a movie that delivers entertainment—but doesn’t quite reach the next level it could have. Is the Super Mario Galaxy Movie a worthy follow-up to The Super Mario Bros. Movie? Or is it a missed opportunity to truly push the franchise forward?