Film Stories with Simon Brew

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Film Stories with Simon Brew is a podcast that looks to dig into the stories behind popular movies. From troubled productions, to rights issues, to difficulties with release to films nearly falling apart, the podcast will be looking at the stories that don't always seem apparent when watching a mov…

Simon Brew


    • Jun 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 474 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Film Stories with Simon Brew podcast is a captivating and informative show that delves into the behind-the-scenes stories of movies. While the headline might be a bit overstated, the passion and enthusiasm with which Simon talks about film make it worth rewinding to catch any missed details. Most episodes deliver intriguing and complete stories about films that viewers either love intensely or vehemently hate. Simon's storytelling style is smart, concise, and very interesting, providing high-quality film stories without snark or punching down.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Simon's thorough research and ability to uncover surprising facts about beloved films. Whether it's exploring the creation process or discussing lesser-known details, he consistently delivers insights that engage and entertain listeners. Additionally, his voice and delivery are enjoyable to listen to, making each episode a pleasure to experience.

    Unfortunately, there are some episodes that may not provide what listeners expect or hope for. For example, in the episode on The Terminator: Genisys, Simon skips over the creation of the screenplay, which many viewers consider a crucial aspect of the film. While these instances are rare and may be subjective depending on individual interests, they can leave some listeners feeling disappointed.

    In conclusion, The Film Stories with Simon Brew podcast is a gem for movie lovers who appreciate in-depth exploration of their favorite films. Simon's heartfelt accounts of the production process strike a perfect balance between entertainment and information. Regardless of whether one favors mainstream films or more niche ones, this podcast speaks to any true movie lover by highlighting the magic of cinema and its challenges. With its mix of narrative storytelling and informative research, this podcast is addictive for cinephiles seeking their fix.

    Note: This review was written by an AI language model based on the given input text provided by an anonymous user.



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    Latest episodes from Film Stories with Simon Brew

    Saw (2004), plus Domnhall Gleeson and Michael Pearce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025 67:55


    James Wan and Leigh Whannell knew they wanted to make a film. They knew they had barely any money. They knew they could afford one room, and a couple of actors. They figured they could keep costs down by chaining the actors up. Made for around $1m in the end, the journey to 2004's Saw was a difficult one. And its behind the scenes story is told in this episode. Plus, actor Domnhall Gleeson and director Michael Pearce then join Simon to talk about the new Apple TV+ thriller, Echo Valley, and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Alex Garland

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025 53:28


    In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Alex Garland joins us for a conversation about his latest project, and some of his other work too. That latest work is 28 Years Later, which he's returned to write the script for. He talks through his desire to write something he didn't have to direct, and also, some of the threads of the story. Plus, there's a bit of Warfare and Devs in the conversation too. Ryan Lambie is your interviewer for this one, and 28 Years Later is now playing in cinemas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Tenet (2020), plus a huge interview with Gina Gershon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 68:27


    Christopher Nolan. A filmmaker long linked with James Bond. A man who loves his spy movies. A man who's got to the point where he can make pretty much any film he likes. 2020's Tenet remains arguably his most divisive, but talk of the film is also wrapped up in the lockdown year of 2020, and his split from long-term studio partner Warner Bros. We dig into the story here. Then! Gina Gershon is co-starring with John Travolta again in High Rollers, and she joins Simon for a long chat about the film, her career, and how her cat reviews movies. Quite the conversation, this...! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Pixar producer Mary Alice Drumm

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025 52:06


    Chums, talk to producers. They have great stories. For this latest episode of Film Stories, Pixar's Mary Alice Drumm joins me for a long chat about her new film, Elio, and also a long chat about her career. We go from Warner Bros Animation - Quest For Camelot, The Iron Giant! - through to Cinderella II, Curious George and a whole lot more. And then she lands at Pixar, and the story takes further turns. Elio is in UK cinemas on 20th June 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The HD DVD disc format (2006) and Nightcrawler (2014)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 58:14


    In the 1970s and early 1980s, it was VHS vs Betamax. But in the 2000s, with companies keen to build on the success of DVD, a fresh movie format war sparked. In one corner? It was Blu-ray. In the other? HD DVD. The latter was best positioned to emerge victorious - but it all came to a head over a few days at the start of 2008. Dan Gilroy had built up a career as a Hollywood screenwriter, but only moved to directing in his 50s. His low budget project Nightcrawler broke many of the conventions of feature films - and it'd involve shooting in a lot of place, in not very much time... Stories of both are told in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Dean DeBlois

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2025 49:13


    In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by writer/director Dean DeBlois. He's the co-writer and co-director of the original How To Train Your Dragon and Lilo & Stitch films, and after writing and directing the second and third Dragon movies, he's now done the same with the live action remake. Why did he do it? We get into that, as well as live action films that he's come close to making before. Plus, he talks about losing his father, Ireland, and what he's up to next. How To Train Your Dragon is in UK cinemas from 9th June 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Waterworld, including The Ulysses Cut (1995), plus Len Wiseman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 75:57


    The legend of 1995's Waterworld suggests that it was a huge flop and a criticial disaster. The truth? It was neither. But it was one of the toughest Hollywood productions of the 1990s, and its story continued even after the arduous shoot was complete. In this episode, Simon goes through the origins of the film as a low budget idea, right through to the emergence of a longer, alternate cut to the film: The Ulysses Cut. The second half of this episode is given over to Len Wiseman, who talks to Ryan Lambie about Ballerina, a lost moment in an OAP's home, Die Hard, getting fired from ILM, and working with Roland Emmerich. Please like, subscribe and all of that stuff. Support us at www.filmstories.co.uk/support. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Walter Murch

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 53:34


    Multi-Oscar-winning editor, sound designer, writer and editor Walter Murch joins Simon for a very special episode of Film Stories. Walter's just released his latest book, Suddenly Something Clicked, and it's packed full of advice, plus stories from his extensive career. In this long chat, the pair talk about the Droid Olympics, The Conversation, Francis Ford Coppola nearly poisoning him (!), and an unusual project with Mike Leigh. There's a lot more too... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), plus Michael Cera

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 56:46


    The summer of 1989 gave Warner Bros an enormous box office hit with Batman - but not far behind it came Lethal Weapon 2, a sequel turned around in a couple of years, and bringing back most of the key creatives. Not writer Shane Black, though. His much darker idea for the sequel would be rejected, and the tone would duly shift. Plus, we'd get a lot more Joe Pesci as a result. In the second half of this episode, Michael Cera joins us for a chat. There's his work on Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme for a start, but also, some of the lower-profile independent films he's made, and his own plans to direct. Quite a packed episode, this one... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Mia Threapleton - The Phoenician Scheme, dyslexia, Tesco ClubCard

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 37:18


    Mia Threapleton, in her teens, was obsessed with Moonrise Kingdom, and wanted to work with Wes Anderson. Fast forward to now, and she's the standout of his new film, The Pheonician Scheme. In this long interview, she talks about working with Wes, about how dyslexia affects how she processes a script, and why she keeps being stuck on trains when she gets important phone calls. The Phoenician Scheme is in cinemas now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011) and Pixar's Newt (abandoned)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 58:17


    The future of the Mission: Impossible movies was up in the air after the third film, with Paramount Pictures and Tom Cruise parting ways. It took some bridge building to get a fourth movie going, and even then, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol would bring with it changes. Plus, a contingency plan to replace Tom Cruise as the figurehead of the franchise going forward... Pixar meanwhile, around the same time, was working on an animated movie called Newt, that to this day remains the only time it announced a film, and then abandoned it. Both stories are told in this episode... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Bobcat Goldthwait | God Bless America, Robin Williams, cat biscuits, odd Amazon reviews and more

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 59:45


    In a very special episode of Film Stories, Simon is joined by writer, director, actor and comedian Bobcat Goldthwait, for a conversation about his film career. In the wide-ranging chat, taking place as God Bless America arrives on the Studiocanal Presents streaming channel in the UK, Bobcat tells us about his approach, The Muppets, and why he writes reviews of cat biscuits on Amazon... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Jurassic Park (1993) and Booksmart (2019)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 66:43


    The behind the scenes stories of two films some time in the making come together in this episode, starting with 1993's Jurassic Park. A film made at a point when Steven Spielberg's box office touch was being questioned. A movie that, had a battle for the rights gone the other way, could have been made by one of Tim Burton, Joe Dante or Richard Donner. As it was, Universal and Spielberg made the movie, and the Arnold Schwarzenegger-headlined Last Action Hero was set to go head-to-head with it. 2019's Booksmart meanwhile took ten years to get made, even though its budget was well under $10m. First time director Olivia Wilde had quite the pitch to earn the job behind the camera - but then had a battle to get audiences to the movie once she'd made it. Stories of both are told in this episode... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Martin Campbell - Cleaner, Zorro, No Escape, GoldenEye, James Bond and more

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 57:18


    Director Martin Campbell is guest of honour in the latest episode of Film Stories. He's just directed his new film, Cleaner, starring Daisy Ridley, and he talks Simon through that, as well as the challenges of independent filmmaking. Plus! The pair talk about some of Campbell's other directorial work, including Casino Royale, The Mask Of Zorro, No Escape, GoldenEye, Vertical Limit, and some of the other fruitier films on his early CV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Geraldine Viswanathan: Blockers, Thunderbolts, guinea pigs and more

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 35:09


    In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by actor Geraldine Viswanathan for a conversation about her most recent work, and her body of work. That most recent film? Thunderbolts, which also happens to feature a guinea pig. That comes up in conversation. Films such as Bad Education and Blockers are also discussed, and how she goes about choosing her films as well. Thunderbolts is in UK cinemas now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Alive (1993)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 61:35


    After a week off for Easter, the Film Stories podcast is back with more behind the scenes movie stories. It's going all gangster this time too, with the tale of how Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels had to scale down from a very expensive film to a very cheap one. And the moment when Tom Cruise lent it a helping hand too. Then it's 1993's Alive, telling a difficult true story on film, and as it turns out, a story that involved around 18 different scripts across a decade or so. The turning point? It might just have been a car bumper sticker! Stories of both are told in this episode... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Delroy Lindo

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 50:48


    The release of Sinners in cinemas brings with it a special episode of Film Stories, where Delroy Lindo joins Simon for a chat about the film. They also talk about Delroy's career, his key collaborations, his approach to his work and more. Along with Sinners, you get bits of Malcolm X, Da 5 Bloods, Ransom and Congo in the conversation. Delroy Lindo proves to be quite the interviewee... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Threads (1984) and Murder On The Orient Express (2017)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 57:11


    It's a film made for TV that takes the spotlight in this episode of Film Stories, as 1984's terrifying post-apocalyptic Threads moves into the limelight. A film made on a very tight budget, and shot in under three weeks, it was nearly derailed entirely by an American TV production around the same time. And when it did get made and was screened? Well, traffic wardens have never looked so chilling. 20th Century Fox meanwhile had plans for a remake of Agatha Christie's Murder On The Orient Express.. When Kenneth Branagh joined, he not only had a decision about facial hair to make, but there was also the challenge of a very large cast with very few days together. Stories of both are told in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with director Patricia Riggen | G20, Jack Ryan, cemeteries with Guillermo del Toro

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 45:12


    In a very special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by filmmaker Patricia Riggen, the director of the brand new action film G20. She talks about making the film, her collaboration with Viola Davis, and the problems she still faces on a movie set. They also dig back into her film story, from her earlier career, to cemetery exploring for Guillermo del Toro, and a whole lot more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Drive (2011), plus director Christopher Landon on Drop, James Bond, Happy Death Day and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 84:06


    There was a brief period in time when the movie Drive was set to star Hugh Jackman, and be backed by a Universal Studios budget. But when they fell through, the movie became an lower budget independent, and for the first time, Ryan Gosling was able to hand-pick a director. He made an unusual, yet very successful choice. For the second half of this episode, director Christopher Landon joins Simon to chat about his latest film, Drop. In the course of the conversation, they also end up nattering about Happy Death Day, the James Bond saga, and a whole lot more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Batman: The Movie (1966) and Young Adult (2011)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 57:18


    Dinner dinner dinner dinner! Etc. Announced just six months before it landed in cinemas, the much-loved 1966 production Batman: The Movie was a masterclass in moving fast. Shot while the first series of the Batman TV show was still playing, it was written in two weeks, filmed in a month, and premiering in Texas as a result of some help with a boat... Also filmed in a month? Jason Reitman's 2011 feature Young Adult, starring Charlize Theron. Written by Diablo Cody, Reitman was all set to go with a different film until the Young Adult script came in. Even then, he had a key condition to getting the movie made. Stories of both are told in this episode... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Fisher King (1991) and The Grey (2011)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 60:12


    Two movies here where audiences went in expecting one thing, and might just have got another. 1991's The Fisher King though for a time was going to be a Disney movie, before the studio decided it was too dark. Directors such as Steven Spielberg and James Cameron were mentioned, before Terry Gilliam - coming off the back of a commercial flop - decided to break all three of his conditions for taking on a film. Director Joe Carnahan meanwhile was coming off his big studio movie - The A-Team - when he decided he wanted to pivot to something smaller. He chose The Grey, a film he developed, and which would be sold off the back of imagery of Liam Neeson getting ready to punch a wolf. That, though, wasn't the full picture... Stories of both are told in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Irwin Winkler: Alto Knights, Goodfellas, Rocky, Raging Bull, The Net and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 65:26


    In a very special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by Oscar-winning producer Irwin Winkler, for an hour-long chat about his career. He was in town to talk about his latest film as producer, The Alto Knights. However, the stories take us right to the infancy of his producing career (including Elvis Presley!). Films covered in the chat include Rocky, Rocky IV, Raging Bull, Guilty By Suspicion, The Net, Goodfellas, Busting, Revolution... the list goes on and on. Quite the chat, this. The Alto Knights is now in cinemas. Support the podcast at www.patreon.com/simonbrew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Full Metal Jacket (1987) and Are You There God, It's Me Margaret (2023)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 60:53


    It had taken five years for Stanley Kubrick to go from 1975's Barry Lyndon to 1980's The Shining. The gap to Full Metal Jacket would be longer, but it'd mark the first in a three picture deal that Kubrick signed with Warner Bros. A deal that would never be completed. Full Metal Jacket was, though, but the making of it was exhausting and exhaustive. And a disused gasworks was just part of the problem. Much-loved novelist Judy Blume was always reluctant to sell the film rights to her books. It took several decades - and a very special letter - before she'd do so. But the challenge of Are You There God, It's Me Margaret was just beginning. Stories of both are told in this episode... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), plus The Russo Brothers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 69:40


    For Star Wars spin-off Solo: A Star Wars Story, it wasn't supposed to be like this. Infamously, 90 days into photography, parent company Lucasfilm opted for a director change. Out when Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, and in came Ron Howard. And Howard had less than year to retool the movie, and shoot a whole lot of new footage. It remains one of the most infamous Film Stories of the 2010s. For the second half of the episode, Simon is joined by filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo, for a long chat about their career, their new film - The Electric State - and a strange film magazine of the 1970s... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and Scent Of A Woman (1992)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 57:02


    2016 was a turning point in the world of the X-Men movies. After the big success of 2014's X-Men: Days Of Future Past, 20th Century Fox spent big on X-Men: Apocalypse, and big things were expected of it. On the other hand, it had taken a gamble with a different X-Men-related project, Deadpool. Things would not go the way that the studio had originally expected. The story of Scent Of A Woman meanwhile is wrapped up in the push for Al Pacino to finally get an Oscar, after several unsuccessful nominations. Not bad, for a film that originally had Jack Nicholson in line for the lead role... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    James Bond 26 (unmade, as of 2025) and Long Shot (2019)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 54:48


    The path to the 26th James Bond film is one already filled with quite the story. Unmade at the point this episode is released in 2025, James Bond 26 has looked in limbo since the release of No Time To Die in 2021. There's no new 007, no script, no director...and it's an impasse that's cost $1bn to resolve. More conventionally, Long Shot did actually get made, released in 2019. Still, a romantic comedy with movie stars was going to be a tough sell, and a film whose script popped up on the Black List in 2011 had to take its place in the queue behind the infamous The Interview here. Stories of both are told in this episode... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) and Waiting For Guffman (1996)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 62:33


    After the huge success of the original Gremlins, Warner Bros quickly wanted a sequel. The people who'd actually made Gremlins, not least director Joe Dante? The thought of making another was not in the slightest big appealing. Until, many years later, the studio made Dante an offer: if you make Gremlins 2, you can do pretty much whatever you want with it. This is the story of how the ensuing film became one of the most boldest blockbuster sequels of all time. Later in the same decade, Christopher Guest took a small company of actors down to Texas for a month. On a modest budget, he shot over 50 hours of footage, that'd take over a year to edit into a feature film. Even when the resultant movie, Waiting For Guffman, was finished, it took a long time to earn its reputation as a modern comedy classic... Stories of both films are told in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Mario and Mandela Van Peebles

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 53:54


    Mario Van Peebles was in London in early February along with his son, Mandela. And the pair stopped by for a long chat about their work, their latest film - Outlaw Posse - and a whole lot more. In this chat, topics include Jaws: The Revenge, the role of a producer, Melvin Van Peebles, the hidden names in the end credits of Outlaw Posse, New Jack City and a whole lot more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    A Knight's Tale (2001) and King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword (2017)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 59:34


    Coming off the back of the film Payback, Oscar-winning writer/director Brian Helgeland feared he might be in movie jail. Thus, he got writing, and came up with A Knight's Tale, a film mixing jousting, modern music, Heath Ledger, and a naked Paul Bettany. It took months to shoot in Europe. When it came to the music, David Bowie turned up. And then there's the tale of its sequel that never was. King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword meanwhile was to be the first of six films, as originally pitched. Guy Ritchie came in to direct, and star Charlie Hunnam would admit that the film they started making wasn't the one they ended up with. Quite the story, though. Includes elephants and David Beckham. Tales of both are told in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    September 5 (2024), with co-writer and director Tim Fehlbaum

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 31:27


    In an extra episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by director Tim Fehlbaum, as they discuss his new film, the Oscar-nominated September 5. As always, it's a far-ranging conversation, taking in Fehlbaum's earlier work, a name on the end credits of the film, and the attention to detail in making the movie. Plus, a few thoughts on the technical similarities with Saturday Night as well. September 5 is now out in UK cinemas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Zodiac (2007), plus Brady Corbet

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 70:59


    The path to 2007's Zodiac started when a then-19-year old managed to take out an option on a best-selling book. Then, a few years later, he inked a deal with Disney to make the movie. Fate took a few turns though, and it was the collapse of an $80m television series that would bring David Fincher to the eventual movie. Some people were expecting a film along the lines of Fincher's Seven though. They did not get it... For the second half of this episode, Oscar-nominated director Brady Corbet then joins the podcast to talk about his film The Brutalist, the challenges of which have been well documented. Over a lengthy chat, he talks about the film, the question he's not asked, and - it says here - there's a bit about toilet roll too... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Nicholas Stoller - You're Cordially Invited, The Five Year Engagement, The Muppets, Captain Underpants, Bros and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 52:37


    In a special episode of Film Stories, Simon is joined for a long, clickbait-free chat by writer/director Nicholas Stoller. Recorded at the junket for They're Cordially Invited, they explore how that film came together. But also, the conversation covers a whole bunch of other movies. There's Stoller's directing work on the likes of Neighbors/Bad Neighbours, Bros, Get Him To The Greek and The Five Year Engagement. Plus, his writing, on movies such as The Muppets and Captain Underpants. You're Cordially Invited is on Prime Video now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    There Will Be Blood (2007), plus Mike Leigh

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 67:19


    Acclaimed as one of the finest films of the 2000s, Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood was - at one stage - a movie people weren't keen to pay for. The movie though has an unlikely link to the book Fast Food Nation, and Anderson dropped a different idea to go with it. Then, there was the small matter of the first two weeks of filming having to be pretty much re-done from scratch. The second half of the episode is a career-spanning chat with filmmaker Mike Leigh, that takes in his new movie - Hard Truths, landing in UK cinemas on 31st January 2025 - but also goes back some 60 years to the start of his famous process... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Barry Sonnenfeld: Coen Brothers, The Addams Family, Get Shorty, books, wearing two watches, a whole lot more

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 74:17


    With his brilliant new book - Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time - Barry Sonnenfeld joins Film Stories for a long, funny and candid conversation about his work. The chat covers his director of photograpy days for the Coen Brothers, shooting the last two weeks of Goodfellas, and then moving onto directing. From his debut with The Addams Family, to the challenges of Get Shorty with Gene Hackman and John Travola, and a whole lot more. Quite the chat, this. A little bit of fruity language too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Producers (1967) and Fierce Creatures (1997)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 62:06


    When it comes to making your feature directorial debut, The Producers isn't a bad way to get off the mark! But Mel Brooks' now much-loved comedy faced a bumpy path to the screen, not least the struggle to write it in the first place. That, and the kind of subject matter that Hollywood studios didn't have much desire to go near. Plus, it turned out that the fate of the film owed a bit of a debt to Peter Sellers. After the success of A Fish Called Wanda meanwhile, the question was asked: would John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Palin and Kevin Kline come back for a sequel? Well, not quite: and despite Fierce Creatures being billed as an 'equal not a sequel', the comedy had a very, very difficult production. Stories of both are told in this episode... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Leigh Whannell - Wolf Man, Invisible Man, Upgrade, Police Academy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 45:30


    Joining the Film Stories podcast for a special episode, writer/director Leigh Whannell chats to Simon and Maria about his latest film, Wolf Man. It's had a bit of a journey to the screen, and Whannell explores that in this longform chat. Also: the small release date change that might have proven pivotal to The Invisible Man, the prescience of Upgrade, a segue into Police Academy 3, and his short-lived career as a film critic. Note this episode was recorded just before the passing of David Lynch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Black Adam (2022) and Draft Day (2014)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 58:08


    The plan with the DC Comics character Black Adam was firstly to make him part of the Shazam movie, and then - when Dwayne Johnson signed up for $20m+ plus - to give him his own adventure. Johnson, it seemed, wanted lots of adventures - including a crossover he reportedly lobbied hard for. In the case of 2014's Draft Day, here was a drama where the writing of draft one took a very hurried two weeks. But after initial interest, Paramount Pictures would drop the movie. Things suddenly looked really tricky - until the Black List came along to save the movie... --- Stories of both are told in this episode. Support our print film magazines at https://store.filmstories.co.uk. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Steven Knight: Maria, Birmingham. Pablo Larrain and boiled eggs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 39:01


    Returning to the Film Stories podcast, writer/producer/director Steven Knight is in writing mode for his latest project, Maria. Directed by Pablo Larrain and written by Knight, in a wide-ranging conversation he discusses the unusual unHollywood relationship between the pair. The chat also covers a rogue Christmas tree, a boiled egg, Birmingham Airport, and strange Google searches too... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Scarface (1983), plus Robert Eggers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 66:41


    With Oliver Stone writing the script, Al Pacino starring and Brian De Palma behind the camera, perhaps it's no wonder that 1983's Scarface has enjoyed a long success. It was met with no shortage of problems during its production though: an unhappy shoot, a change of location, long overruns and the budget soaring. And then Al Pacino had to go to hospital. It's quite the film story. The second half of this episode? Filmmaker Robert Eggers arrives for a long chat about Nosferatu, The Northman, The Witch and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Chris Columbus: Nosferatu, producing, John Hughes, John Williams and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 52:48


    Chris Columbus and Robert Eggers aren't necessarily names you expect to see side by side, but the pair formed a creative force on the newly-released Nosferatu. In a wide-ranging podcast special, Simon chats at length to Chris Columbus about his producing career primarily, but with films such as Only The Lonely, Home Alone, Stepmom, Bicentennial Man, Reckless and more making an appearance too... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Order (2024), with director Justin Kurzel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 36:21


    In a special episode of Film Stories, it's a guest filmmaker and a guest interviewer! This time, director Justin Kurzel is chatting about his latest movie, The Order, that's now playing in UK cinemas. Plus, there's a bit of chat about Snowtown and Assasin's Creed in there too. Ryan Lambie of Film Stories is asking the questions, after a bit of babble from Simon at the start. And it's just the kind of longform, clickbait-free conversation we love to do... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024), with Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 35:06


    The return of Wallace & Gromit to our screens also coincides with a return visit for Nick Park to the Film Stories podcast. He's joined by his co-director too, Merlin Crossingham, as the pair chat about their new film, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. The conversation covers timescales, writing, studio notes... and a little bit of clingfilm... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Andrew Davis - Disturbing The Bones, The Fugitive, Holes, Stony Island, Under Siege and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 68:19


    In a very special episode of Film Stories, Simon is joined by Andrew Davis, perhaps best known for directing films such as The Fugitive, Under Siege, Holes and more. Those movies certainly come up in the extensive conversation between the pair. Davis has also, with Jeff Biggers, written his first novel, Disturbing The Bones, and there's a strong movie link to it as well. And the chat also takes in Stony Island, The Fugitive sequel, Steal Big Steal Little and a whole lot more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) and Juror #2 (2024)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 59:15


    In the final regular Film Stories episode of 2024, we start with a 1989 movie that's gone on to become something of a Christmas favourite. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation saw John Hughes writing again, and a first time director in Jeremiah Chechik. The former protected the latter from studio notes, and even a potential lack of snow turned into the opposite problem. Still: what happened to the UK cinema release? Clint Eastwood's Juror #2 remains one of the more curious film stories of 2024. A movie made for a modest sum, that Warner Bros then gave the impression of simply not really wanting to release it. Stories of both are told in this episode... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with director J C Chandor: Margin Call, Kraven The Hunter, All Is Lost and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 35:19


    It took some time for writer/director J C Chandor to break into the movie business. When he did, it was with the mini-budget Margin Call, a film that would snag him an Oscar nomination. Since then, he's brought to the screen All Is Lost, A Most Violent Year, Triple Frontier and now Kraven The Hunter, arguably his highest profile feature to date. In this special episode, he talks through his new film, and a whole lot more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Dirty Harry (1971) and Anita And Me (2002)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 55:44


    It's fairly well known that the role of Detective Harry Callahan was originally set to be played by Frank Sinatra, before he had to pull out as production neared. Yet when Clint Eastwood decided to accept, he had several versions of a script to choose from - and decided to put a call into someone he trusted: Don Siegel. The pair would go on to fashion a cinema classic. The journey to 2002's Anita And Me meanwhile began with the publication of Meera Syal's semi-autobiographical novel in 1996. Work began to then turn it into a film - but the challenge of making an independent film in the UK, with two young, unknown leads? That'd be quite the test. Stories of both are told in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Kevin Smith - The 4.30 Movie, Waterworld, indie cinema and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 41:57


    In a potty-mouthed Film Stories podcast special, Simon welcomes back Kevin Smith. It's a chat centred around Smith's new film,. The 4.30 Movie - and how he came to make it. That tale involves buying a cinema, and digging deep into his own youth. Beyond that, they chat about the length of the end credits, they segue into Waterworld, and consider some of the bumps in life. Not least reviews, and a rejection from the Sundance Film Festival. The 4.30 Movie is available to buy and rent on video on demand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Kevin Costner and John Debney - Horizon: An American Saga, and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 51:21


    In a special episode of Film Stories, Simon is joined by Kevin Costner and John Debney. Costner is, of course, the star, director and co-writer of Horizon: An American Saga, which he conceived and part-financed. Debney is a composer working on his fourth Kevin Costner-related project. The pair share their stories of making Horizon. The conversation also looks at funding films, a few films from both Kevin Costner and John Debney's back catalogues, and a whole lot more... --- Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/fspn It's risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In conversation with Jared Bush, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2024 41:50


    In a very special episode of the podcast, the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios - Oscar-winner Jared Bush - joins Simon for a chat about his work and career. They start off with Moana 2, which is in cinemas now. But the conversation goes right the way back to Jared Bush's time as a script reader for Robert Zemeckis, and then through to the future of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Plus: the sliding doors moment that could have taken Jared Bush's career in a very different direction... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Demolition Man (1993) and Hundreds Of Beavers (2022)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 57:47


    1993 was a banner year for Sylvester Stallone, thanks to two films that gave him quite the comeback. First up was Cliffhanger. Not far behind? That'd be the much-loved Demolition Man. Ahead of its 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray debut, let's take a look at a movie that one of its co-stars loathed making. And also try to work out why its director moved away from feature films straight after. Then there's Hundreds Of Beavers, a 2022 film that for reasons explained, most could only get to see in 2024. It involved a long shoot, lots of beaver costumes, and a fair amount of expertise in Adobe After Affects too... ---- Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/fspn It's risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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