A Talking Balrog? The Big Fantasy News From Films to TV to Books

Julia Golding is joined today by Jacob Rennaker to look back at the summer for fantasy in the movie theatres and look forward to the major fantasy TV series coming up over the next few months.

What tone will the first season of Harry Potter strike—more child-friendly like the first film, or darker to appeal to adult audiences? What’s happening with Season 3 of The Rings of Power? Which characters will we be rooting for? And what about a talking Balrog played by Simon Pegg?

Julia and Jacob then turn to news about their own fantasy books and discuss what it’s like to be part of a publicity drive, before wrapping up with Brandon Sanderson’s latest updates on the Mistborn screenplay.

00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Fantasy News Catch-Up

00:59 Christopher Nolan's Odyssey: The Big Summer Fantasy Film

06:30 The Gods Question: Divine or Psychological?

10:48 Sirens and Disappointments: What Didn't Work

11:29 The Greek Myth Renaissance: What's Next for Fantasy?

13:53 Hadestown: Greek Tragedy Meets American Folk

20:02 Backrooms and Horror: Liminal Spaces on Screen

22:23 HBO's Harry Potter Series: First Impressions and Expectations

28:13 Rings of Power Season 3: Fixing the Story Problem