Feb 9, 2017

02/09/17: How to build a new blockbuster franchise

Turns out legos can really be worth something...if you don't play with them. Jim Watson/Getty Images

Ahead of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit tomorrow, let's look at our trade relationship with Japan. Then, we check in with Remitly, an app that helps immigrants send money back, to see how business is going since President Donald Trump took office. Plus, we learn how "The Lego Movie" and "The Lego Batman Movie" built the new franchise, and talk about the pressure of making everything awesome again.

Segments From this episode

Oculus pop-up closings signal trouble in virtual reality market

by Kai Ryssdal and Molly Wood

Feb 9, 2017

Facebook will close hundreds of its virtual reality demo stations in Best Buy stores.

A woman wears Oculus goggles at a press event in San Francisco.

GABRIELLE LURIE/AFP/Getty Images

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What happens now that the Anthem-Cigna merger is blocked?

by Dan Gorenstein

Feb 9, 2017

The health insurers consider what to do with the billions left over from the deal.

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Italian prosecutors seek criminal case in oil giants' deal in Nigeria

by Scott Tong

Feb 9, 2017

The case looks at an alleged bribery in a $1.3 billion oil deal.

A Shell employee at the Afam VI power plant takes a picture at the plant in Port Harcourt on September 29, 2015.

FLORIAN PLAUCHEUR/AFP/Getty Images

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'Lego Batman' producer wants to make everything awesome (again)

by Kai Ryssdal and Bridget Bodnar

Feb 9, 2017

Dan Lin says this time, there's more pressure to build a successful franchise.

Dan Lin, producer of "The Lego Batman Movie,"

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

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IMF issues warning over Greek debt

by Stephen Beard

Feb 9, 2017

Greece is about to default on its bonds — again.

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Ahead of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit tomorrow, let’s look at our trade relationship with Japan. Then, we check in with Remitly, an app that helps immigrants send money back, to see how business is going since President Donald Trump took office. Plus, we learn how “The Lego Movie” and “The Lego Batman Movie” built the new franchise, and talk about the pressure of making everything awesome again.