The BEST episodes of Icons Unearthed

#1 - The Empire Strikes Back

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/26/2022

Attempting to break away from the studio system, George Lucas risked it all by self-funding Empire Strikes Back. With Lucas focused on the business, a new director took the reins.

#2 - Return of the Jedi

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/2/2022

Star Wars had taken its toll on George Lucas. While his marriage, relationships, and physical health were breaking down, expectations were higher than ever for the series finale.

#3 - A New Hope: Part II

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/19/2022

After A New Hope's difficult production, the all-important post-production and special effects loomed. A ragtag group of filmmakers gave the term "fix it in post" a new meaning.

#4 - The Phantom Menace

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/9/2022

After more than a decade on ice, Star Wars returned with impossible expectations. Can this new Star Wars trilogy recreate the original magic without his partner Marcia at his side?

#5 - Attack of the Clones/Revenge of the Sith

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/16/2022

With The Phantom Menace leaving many fans cold, Lucas was at his lowest with two more films still to be made. Would he lose the dedication of his fervent fan base?

#6 - A New Hope: Part I

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 7/12/2022

Star Wars: Episode IV--A New Hope changed the course of movie history. The production, however, was a tumultuous process that nearly killed the man who created it: George Lucas.

#7 - The Star

Season 10 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/4/2024

Tom Cruise enters the danger zone as Tony Scott pushes the limits to achieve his sun-kissed vision.

#8 - Things Change

Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/3/2024

After the success of Batman 89, the studio is ready for round two, but their director is not; given free reign, Burton and his handpicked team go wild.

#9 - The Newcomer

Season 10 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/4/2024

Tom Cruise takes the helm with Risky Business but Paul Brickman is forced to change the ending.

#10 - A Hero Unprepared

Season 9 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/11/2024

The machine starts to go off the rails as the new director struggles; with the film still incomplete producers pull the plug and one crew member leaves the franchise for good.

#11 - A Dark Turn

Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/4/2024

A new director tests the team as he tries to bring real magic to Hogwarts, as well as a new Dumbledore.

#12 - A Race to the Finish

Season 9 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/28/2024

The team races to the finish line on the first film, while kicking off the second. But just as everything starts to come together, the team loses a family member.

#13 - The Kids Are In Charge

Season 9 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/21/2024

A director known for working with kids goes to great lengths to make children's dreams come true, but the production hits a snag when taking flight proves more difficult than expected.

#14 - The Marvel Way

Season 8 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/14/2024

Spider-Man comes home to Marvel, but can Marvel and Sony get along enough to keep him there? The franchise comes full circle, bringing everyone back together in a time of crisis.

#15 - Caught in the Web

Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/7/2024

Sony reboots the franchise with a new director and actor; when hackers attack Sony, plans for the webslinger come undone.

#16 - A Venom Too Far

Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/31/2024

Despite his success, Sam Raimi loses his creative freedom as Marvel and Sony's tug of war begins to affect the story; Spider-Man 3 conquers the box office but loses the fans.

#17 - The Kids Want to See the Puppets

Season 8 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/24/2024

The pressure is on to deliver a sequel to Spider-Man, without a finished script; the clock is ticking in the battle between CGI and puppets.

#18 - Saving the Day

Season 8 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/17/2024

The push for action leaves the team scrambling to come up with new ways of doing things; but just when the team is ready to kick off, a tragedy derails their plans.

#19 - Swinging Into Action

Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired 7/10/2024

Making his journey from comics, to cartoons, to TV, all the way to the hands of Sam Raimi, bringing Spider-Man to life posed a major challenge.

#20 - In Heath's Shadow

Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/24/2024

On a mission to top his first outing, Nolan pushes his team harder than ever; when tragedy strikes, no one is prepared.

#21 - I'm Not Wearing Hockey Pads

Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/17/2024

To revive a dying franchise, the studio gives the key to the Batmobile to an indie director whose origin story and grounded aesthetic promise to resuscitate their hero.

#22 - Bat Nipples and Ice

Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/10/2024

A fraught production drives away the star yet delivers the toy friendly Batman the studio wants; when the sequel goes over the top, the franchise hangs in the balance.

#23 - "Get Off My Plane"

Season 12 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/17/2026

#24 - The Odd Couple Transforming Hollywood

Season 11 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/11/2026

By the 2000s, Transformers is on fumes but Steven Spielberg sees big-screen potential, tapping Michael Bay—who isn’t convinced this 80s toy can become a new millennial movie.

#25 - The Runaway Production

Season 12 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/10/2026

Harrison’s role as a doctor on the run in The Fugitive is mirrored behind the scenes with a runaway production.