$7 Billion Dragon Ball Theme Park Planned Near Paris | The Comic Section Podcast #397

Dragon Ball is about to get a whole lot bigger.

On The Comic Section Podcast Issue #397, we're discussing an enormous proposed Dragon Ball-themed amusement park near Paris, Ridley Scott's return to the Alien: Covenant storyline, Netflix adding André 3000 to Scooby-Doo: Origins, another Apple TV price increase, a Hooters origin movie, and more.

But first, we begin this week's episode by remembering several entertainment legends and fan favorites.

Remembering Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Peter Cullen and Samuel Monroe Jr.

Issue #397 begins on a somber note as we pay our respects to Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Peter Cullen, and Samuel Monroe Jr.

Parton's seven-decade career made her one of the most recognizable and influential figures in country music and entertainment history.

Tim Curry became a pop-culture icon through performances including The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Clue, Legend, and his terrifying portrayal of Pennywise in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King's It.

For generations of animation fans, Peter Cullen wasn't simply a voice actor—he was the voice of Optimus Prime. Cullen first brought the Autobot leader to life in the 1980s and continued portraying the character across television, movies, and video games for decades.

Samuel Monroe Jr. left his mark through memorable appearances in films including Menace II Society, Tales from the Hood, Set It Off, and The Players Club.

We celebrate their work and the memories they created for generations of audiences.

A $7 Billion Dragon Ball Theme Park Is Planned Near Paris

One of the week's biggest—and most unexpected—stories comes from the world of anime.

France and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement involving a massive Dragon Ball-themed amusement park development near Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris.

The project is reportedly valued at approximately $7 billion and is expected to create around 22,000 jobs.

No opening date has been announced, and a development of this scale will take years to complete.

Still, the idea of one of the world's biggest anime franchises receiving a theme park on this scale raises some fascinating possibilities.

Could visitors enter Capsule Corporation?

Walk through a recreation of Kame House?

Visit Planet Namek?

Experience the World Martial Arts Tournament?

Or summon Shenron?

On Issue #397, we discuss what we'd want to see from a Dragon Ball theme park—and which other geek-culture franchises deserve the same treatment.

Apple TV Raises Its Subscription Price Again

Streaming is getting more expensive.

Apple has increased the U.S. monthly price of Apple TV to $14.99, up from $12.99, while its annual subscription has increased from $99 to $119.

The latest hike continues a trend across the streaming industry as services that were once marketed as cheaper alternatives to traditional television continue increasing their prices.

That leads to an increasingly relevant question:

Are we slowly rebuilding cable?

Between multiple subscriptions and repeated price increases, the cost of maintaining access to all the major streaming platforms continues to rise.

We discuss whether Apple TV's current catalog justifies its new price.

Ridley Scott Returns to Alien: Covenant

Ridley Scott isn't finished with David.

Almost a decade after Alien: Covenant, Scott has returned to development on another Alien prequel that would continue the story of Michael Fassbender's rogue synthetic David.

The previous film left David in control of the Covenant with thousands of colonists and embryos at his disposal.

Scott's proposed follow-up would explore David attempting to create a new world while leaning heavily into the terrifying possibilities of artificial intelligence escaping human control.

The timing is particularly interesting.

AI is a much larger part of the cultural conversation in 2026 than it was when Prometheus arrived in 2012 or Alien: Covenant debuted in 2017.

Could returning to David now make the storyline more relevant than ever?

Or should the Alien franchise continue moving in a different direction?

We debate it on Issue #397.

André 3000 Joins Netflix's Scooby-Doo: Origins

Mystery Inc. just got another unexpected addition.

André “3000” Benjamin and Cathy Moriarty have joined Netflix's upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo: Origins series in recurring roles.

The series offers a modern reimagining of the Mystery Inc. gang, following young versions of Shaggy, Daphne, Velma, and Freddy as they become involved in a supernatural mystery surrounding a lost Great Dane puppy.

That puppy, of course, is Scooby-Doo.

For André 3000, there's even a fun connection to the franchise: OutKast contributed “Land of a Million Drums” to the soundtrack of the 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo movie.

Now André is officially stepping inside the franchise himself.

Yes, A Hooters Movie Is Happening

Hollywood has made movies about everything from sneakers to smartphones to breakfast cereal.

Now it's Hooters' turn.

Hooters: The Movie is being developed as a comedic biopic inspired by the real-life story behind the restaurant chain's creation.

The story centers around two friends, Ted and Lenny, whose journey to Clearwater Beach ultimately helps launch what becomes a national restaurant brand.

It's the kind of headline that immediately raises one question:

Who asked for this?

But sometimes those are exactly the movies that end up being surprisingly entertaining.

Coming Soon: Breeder, Tiny Fugitives & Trust Me, I'm a Doctor

In our Coming Soon/Preview segment, we react to three new trailers.

Breeder is a horror-thriller involving an eccentric poodle breeder who offers a struggling college student research funding—with a disturbing catch.

Tiny Fugitives follows a group of 12-year-olds determined to stay at summer camp forever while facing off against an unhinged counselor played by Johnny Knoxville.

And Trust Me, I'm a Doctor stars Kal Penn as Dr. Sandeep Kapoor in a story surrounding the investigation that followed the death of Anna Nicole Smith.

Which trailer has us the most interested?

We break them down.

Shawn Reviews HBO's Monsters of God

Finally, Shawn gives us his thoughts on HBO's Monsters of God.

The five-part documentary series explores the underground world of exotic reptile smuggling, following collectors, traffickers, law enforcement, and others involved in a criminal trade worth enormous amounts of money.

Is this another must-watch documentary from HBO?

Shawn gives us his verdict.

What Franchise Deserves Its Own Theme Park?

The Dragon Ball news inspired our question for everybody listening and watching:

If somebody gave you $7 billion to build a theme park around ONE franchise, what would you choose?

Marvel?

DC?

Pokémon?

The Legend of Zelda?

One Piece?

Lord of the Rings?

Transformers?

Something completely different?

Let us know your answer and join us for all of these stories on The Comic Section Podcast Issue #397!

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