Hollywood sequels, messy comebacks, and a coaching cliffhanger

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Sequels, scandals, and sideline drama meet at the crossroads of second chances. We dive into reports that Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ follow-up is moving ahead in Rome with a completely new cast, unpacking why a clean slate might be the boldest—and riskiest—choice. From the challenge of recasting Jesus to the tightrope between artistry and controversy, we explore what it would take for a sacred story to feel fresh without losing its gravity. We also tackle the listener prompt head-on: who would you choose for Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the apostles, and why?

Then the mood flips from sacred to slick as George Clooney hints that Oceans 14 is real, budgeted, and awaiting schedules. We celebrate the promised return of Roberts, Pitt, Damon, and Cheadle while asking the bigger question: how do you revive a beloved heist franchise without repeating old tricks? From modern marks like crypto fraud and art laundering to the Soderbergh style that made the films swing, we chart the path to a caper that feels both nostalgic and new.

Finally, we turn to Bill Belichick’s turbulent UNC chapter—buyouts, alleged violations, leadership drift, and the complicated math of legacy. Does a legendary résumé guarantee culture fit in college football? We examine communication breakdowns, program stability, and whether stepping away might be the smartest play for everyone involved. Along the way, we connect the dots between Hollywood comebacks and coaching exits: the power of timing, the cost of reputation, and the art of choosing when to return—or retire.

Tell us your casting picks for the Passion sequel, then follow, share, and leave a quick review so more curious listeners can find the show. Your take could shape a future episode.

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Well, hello and good morning, my little love bunnies.
Okay, let's get right to it.
Um I've got two Hollywoodstories, I guess I could bring
to you, some entertainment news,and one sports-related article.
Alright, let's start with thetwo Hollywood things.

(00:22):
I think they're interesting.
I think this is gonna be good.
We'll see.
The first one up is Mel Gibson'smaking a sequel.
I think he said sequel.
It's gotta be sequel, right?
Not prequel.
I don't know.
Uh about his Passion of theChrist.
Sequel.
All right, sequel.

(00:42):
It's the second coming ofChrist, but the original cast
won't be resurrected.
So this is happening.
Uh Mel Gibson's long just datingsequel to The Passion of the
Christ will start shooting inRome, but with a completely new
cast.
Let's see, Jim Cavisa won'treturn as Jesus, and Monica
Bellucci won't be back as MaryMagdalene in the resurrection of

(01:05):
the Christ, we hear.
So there was a lot of back andforth.
They said adding to the flick,adding the flicked has been in

(01:28):
pre-production for a couple ofmonths.
Well, how about that?
What do y'all think about that?
My question, I guess, might bemy question of the day might be
who would you want to see playJesus?
And and the other players inthis in this story.
Who else would who want who howwould you cast this movie?

(01:50):
Uh, controversies in oh wellyeah, Gibson's much anticipated
follow-up to 2004's massiveindie hit was derailed by
several of the actor scandals insubsequent years, controversies
including a DUI and the surfacesurfacing of anti-Semitic and
homophobic remarks found theonce a lister excommunicated

(02:12):
from Hollywood with mainstreamstudios shutting him.
I remember when that happened.
Woo! In 2010, Power TalentAgency WME dropped him as a
client after studio, I'm sorry,after audio leaked of him
berating ex-girlfriend Oksana,well, I can't pronounce that
name, uh, with mis mis uhmisogynistic and racist remarks.

(02:37):
Well, the now sober brave heartstar got a taste of his former
Hollywood glory in 2016 when hereceived an Oscar nomination for
directing the war film HacksawRidge.
His return to Christ may findhim back in the on the nominee
list.
Well, there you go.
What do you think about thatlittle story that was from page

(02:59):
six?
All right, moving on to another,another uh Hollywood
entertainment story, which I amso excited about.
This I can't wait.
Because I think it's reallyhappening.
I know, forgive me, you're gonnathink less of me.
I know it.
George Clooney teases MajorOceans 14 update and reveals

(03:20):
which A-listers are set toreturn.
I know.
I know, but I can't help it.
I love this Ocean series, thesemovies.
I love them.
They're one of my favorites.
I they really are.
I might I have James Bond and Ihave Ocean's 11, okay?
Sue me.
George Clooney revealed thatOcean's 11 stars Julia Roberts,

(03:42):
Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and DonCheadle are ready to return to
the beloved Heist moviefranchise.
We just got the budget approvedat Warner Brothers, and we're
trying to set up the actors 64told uh eNews last week.
So this is happening.
It's just scheduling, so it'sjust setting a start date for

(04:04):
us, Clooney added beforeexplaining that Oceans 14 will
probably start in about nine orten months shooting.
The post reached out to WarnerBrothers for comment.
The film was a 2011 blockbusterremake of the original 1960s
movie, and yes, I have watchedit too.
Uh 13 uh hit theaters in 2007and brought on Ellen Barkin and

(04:28):
Al Pacino.
While spinoff of Oceans 8, Ialso like that movie too with
the women.
I know you probably don't likeit.
Features Sandra Bullock, KateBlanchett, Anne Hathaway, Sarah
Paulson, and Rihanna.
I know, I know, because it's abunch of women.
You probably don't like it.
I get it, I understand, but Iliked it.
Um, I just I'm easy to amuse.

(04:51):
Okay.
All projects were directed bySteven Soderbergh, the first
Oceans film gross near.
Okay, we don't need to knowabout how much money it made.
I'm just excited this ishappening, and they're bringing
back some of the main the maincharacters.
I hope they bring back some ofthe other ones too.
Um, it's a good movie.
I enjoyed it.
Alright, the next one movingBill Belichick might be on his

(05:15):
way out.
And both parties agreed this isprobably not a good fit for
Bill.
Bill wants out, the footballteam wants him out.
And I think once he exits, Ithink his little girlfriend is
gonna drop him like a hotpotato.
We'll see.
Sorry, Bill Belichick days inChapel Hill may already be

(05:37):
numbered.
Surprise, surprise.
247 247 Sports Andrew Jonesreported that potential exit
strategy discussions took placeat North Carolina on Tuesday as
the Belichick experiment goesoff the rails.
Yeah, he's they're not happywith him.
Uh, but I also understand thatthe school was already in a much

(06:01):
disarray.
The sports team or whatever wasnot good when he stepped in to
try to fix it anyway.
But he's not doing his job.
The school has reportedly hadpreliminary conversations about
firing the legendary footballcoach just five games into the
new era, which has included I'msorry, y'all, included the

(06:25):
constant presence of Belichick's24-year-old girlfriend, Jordan
Hudson.
There you go.
That's why.
Okay, complicating matters,Jones added in Belichick's
massive$20 million buyout.
Good heavens.
Maybe she won't drop it.

(06:46):
Alleged rules, uh, alleged rulesviolation could help the program
either eliminate or reduce thebuyout down from that number,
the outlet wrote.
Belichick, who is 73, may belooking for an out as well.
I think he wants to leave.
College football journalistOllie Connolly reported that

(07:06):
Bilichek has discussed buyoutoptions with North Carolina's
hierarchy, and he has signaled awillingness to trigger his own$1
million buyout if he can find asoft landing with another team
or in media.
Oh heavens, no.
No, no, no.
Right off into the assistedliving sunset, Bill.

(07:28):
You're 73.
You don't need to be on TV andthe media.
No.
I'm sorry.
And you can't chalk it up tothis old white guy either.
No, you're just old.
You don't need to be doing this.
Go live your life.
I don't know if he has childrenor grandchildren.
Just go.

(07:49):
Go live your life.
Go live the rest of your lifeenjoying things.
You have the money.
Just go.
Alright, I'm sorry.
I never have liked the mananyway.
Uh Connolly added that Bilichekhas reportedly been weird and
distant with his staff and thatsome coaches were unable to get
a hold of him during the team'sbye week.

(08:10):
Earlier this week, Tar Hill'scornerbacks coach Almond Hawkins
was suspended for allegedlygiving extra benefits to
players, such as sideline passesto family members.
What?
Last month a lawsuit allegedthat the UNC board hired
Bilichick illegally.
What?
A source told Jones there aremany other violations that have

(08:33):
occurred, many on the recruitingfront.
So forgive me if I'm beingignorant about this because I I
don't follow sports on aregular, so I don't know what
they're talking about.
How they could have hired himillegally.
Maybe that's already news to youguys.
I don't know.
The latest news comes after areport from uh W R A L News
painted a picture of adysfunctional program under

(08:55):
Bilichick marred by a dividedlocker room and a disorganized
coaching staff.
Well, yeah, I can see that.
I can see that.
I don't think Bill I don't thinkBill cares.
I really don't.
I think he's already checkedout.
Um anyway, the article goes on,blah blah blah, has pictures of
his girlfriend, whatever.
Okay, so Mike, you already knowthe question of the day with the

(09:18):
Passion of the Christ sequelcoming out.
Who do you want to see play themain role?
Jesus.
And maybe if you want to throwin some other actors for the
other roles, that would be goodtoo.
I'm not sure.
I haven't really thought aboutit.
I haven't sat down to thinkabout it.
I just read that article thismorning thinking, oh, that's
interesting.

(09:38):
Uh I'd probably watch it.
But I don't know who I I don'tknow.
I don't really keep up withactors anymore, so I don't know
who's out there that would be agood fit.
Jonathan Roomy from the uhchosen.
He would probably be good,right?
Maybe?
Okay.
I gotta go.
Thanks for listening, and uhhappy Thursday.