Sydney Freeland is an impressive director with an eye for detail. Not only did she direct an episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but she also lent her talents to Marvel's Echo, helming four of the series' five episodes along with executive producing it.

The series helped introduce viewers to the world of Maya Lopez, played by Alaqua Cox, who made her first on-screen appearance in Hawkeye. Echo broke barriers when it was released by featuring Marvel's first deaf and Indigenous character. Unlike the usual Marvel fare, the series was grittier and had a TV-MA rating. (And ahem, an appearance by little-known Marvel character Daredevil, too.) The show pretty much immediately shot to the top of the Disney+ charts and is a massive success for the streamer.

Several weeks ago, we had the chance to sit down with Freeland over Zoom and discuss everything Maya Lopez and more. The director shared that it was the hardest and most rewarding thing she's ever done. Freeland discussed the vision for the project, including how the heart of the series was the relationship between Maya and Kingpin, along with bringing the character home to Oklahoma. She talked about how she got on board with Echo, and it started with an e-mail from fellow directors Bert and Bertie. Read ahead for the full interview. But if you haven't seen Echo yet, beware, there are some spoilers ahead. (And what are you waiting for, anyway?)

Host: Ayla Ruby

Theme: "Coffee and You" via Pixabay.

Find the companion article to this podcast on thecosmiccircus.com

The Cosmic Circus' Editor-In-Chief Lizzie Hill steps in for an interview with voice artists Megan Shipman and Natalie Van Sistine, who play Anya and Yor Forger in the hit anime series Spy x Family on Crunchyroll. The three chat about the audition process for the show, the preparation they go through when they dub the anime, and their new movie Spy x Family CODE: White which is now in theaters!

Host: Lizzie Hill

Theme: "Coffee and You" via Pixabay.

You can find the companion article to this podcast at https://thecosmiccircus.com/spy-x-family-code-white-interview-anya-yor-forger/

It's never the wrong time to watch a horror film, right? While so many I know wait until October and stockpile their scary movies to marathon for Halloween (peak spooky season vibes), I'm in the wheelhouse that horror is perfect for any reason and any season. While the snow piles up outside my window and the wind roars throughout the sky, it smells like the perfect time for a new horror film. So if you're like me, there's a new horror film that's just having its premiere! Thorns begins its limited release in theaters on February 23 and opens with a wider release on March 13. I was able to sit down with director/writer Douglas Schulze and one of the stars Doug Bradley (who you may know as Pinhead from Hellraiser) about the experience with this film!

In our conversation, Schulze discusses how he developed the story of Thorns, how the monster came to be, how the practical effects and 80s vibes came to be, and the positives of filming in Michigan. Bradley speaks on what drew him to the film and role and why it's important to support indie films in an industry of superhero blockbusters!

Thorns arrives in theaters for a limited release at Emagine theaters on February 23 and opens with a wider release on March 13. https://www.emagine-entertainment.com/movies/thorns/

Host: Brian Kitson

Theme: "Coffee and You" via Pixabay.

Find the companion article to this podcast on thecosmiccircus.com

Stefan L. Smith is a talented composer who lent his talents to the animated Batman film Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham last year. He's back with another set of superhero compositions, this time for PBS. Smith scored Super Why's Comic Book Adventures, a show geared towards helping young children improve their reading skills, with a superhero twist. The music is catchy and has a great purpose, so we were excited to chat over Zoom with him about bringing this project to life.

Host: Ayla Ruby

Theme: "Coffee and You" via Pixabay.

Find the companion article to this podcast on thecosmiccircus.com

Lunella Lafayette (Diamond White), aka Moon Girl from Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, is a super-genius who just wants to help and protect her community. Season 2 of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur hits the airwaves on February 2 on the Disney Channel and Disney XD and the next day on Disney+. Last week over Zoom, we chatted again with executive producer Steve Loter and co-executive producer Rodney Clouden, two of the creative minds who have helped bring the amazing Lunella to the screen.

It was exciting to talk to the duo about this upcoming season, and we learned a lot about what to expect for Lunella and her family. Loter and Clouden shared some of how Lunella's superhero life would clash with her family life, and what that would mean for both of them. We talked about one of the new big villains this season, Molecule Man (Edward James Olmos), and some other guest voices.

Host: Ayla Ruby

Theme: "Coffee and You" by Vladislav Kurnikov via Pixabay.

Find the companion article to this podcast on thecosmiccircus.com

Apple TV+'s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters series roars back this Friday with "Terriyfing Miracles", the sixth episode that deepens the dive into the Monsterverse's primordial depths. There are action-packed clashes and mystery ahead as the legacy of the 2014 film unfolds, unleashing secrets and Godzilla-sized thrills. We sat down over Zoom for an exclusive interview with Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski, who play Monarch operatives Tim and Duvall in the streaming show.

In this spoiler-lite conversation, Tippett shared some insight into the Monarch "desk jockey" named Tim that he embodies and the character's interest in going more into the field. Lasowski talked about working with stunts to film the dramatic car crash scene where we meet her character. And both Tippett and Lasowski shared how they got the role on Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and their favorite Godzilla version from across history.

Host: Ayla Ruby

Theme: "Coffee and You" by Vladislav Kurnikov via Pixabay.

A companion article for this interview can be found at thecosmiccircus.com (https://thecosmiccircus.com)

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is the newest entry into the MonsterVerse franchise and takes us to the heart of things: Godzilla and more terrifying creatures. Apple TV+'s new Godzilla series continues this Friday with the sixth episode, "Terrifying Miracles", which picks up after the 2014 Legendary Godzilla film. Created by Chris Black and Matt Fraction, the show delves deeper into the monster-filled world of that universe. We sat down over Zoom for an exclusive interview with Mari Yamamoto and Anders Holm, who play Keiko Miura and Bill Randa in the streaming show.

The duo shared what it was like filming the show and a story about a huge and scary four-legged visitor they encountered in the Canadian Forest. Anders Holm shared whether or not he got advice from John Goodman before taking up the mantle of his character from Skull Island. Mari Yamamoto opened up about her fear of heights and how filming a challenging scene in the first episode, which involved being quite high up, unintentionally served as exposure therapy for her. Listen to the interview to learn more, but beware, mild spoilers are ahead.

Host: Ayla Ruby

Theme: "Coffee and You" by Vladislav Kurnikov via Pixabay.

Find the companion article to this podcast on thecosmiccircus.com

Los Angeles Comic Con 2023 featured many celebrity guests, including someone I wasn’t expecting! Janeshia Adams-Ginyard is a stunt performer, voiceover artist, and actress who starred as Nomble, a member of Wakanda’s Dora Milaje, in several MCU projects.

I noticed her booth on the convention floor thanks to a large Black Panther: Wakanda Forever poster. I was fascinated by the different aspects of her career and love Wakanda Forever, so I jumped at the chance to speak with her for a few minutes about her MCU role.

Host: Uday Kataria

Theme: "Coffee and You" by Vladislav Kurnikov via Pixabay.

Find the companion article to this podcast on thecosmiccircus.com