Film Stories with Simon Brew

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a sequel that went through a fair few ideas, and a comedy that heavily stumbled at the box office. Die Hard With A Vengeance saw big changes behind the scenes - and a struggle to find an ending that works. As for Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, it turned into a film that had as much footage to work through as a documentary that had shot for a...

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two hit movies with two very different stories behind them. Warner Bros traded Forrest Gump to get its hands on Executive Decision. But things were a little tense on set, not least with Steven Seagal. As for Men In Black 3? Well, yikes. A film that cost a quarter of a billion dollars to make, with a three month shutdown in the midst of filming. I...

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two hit comedies made at different ends of the 1990s. Death Becomes Her was expensive, technically demanding and ultimately visually groundbreaking - and it'd be the film that brought Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn together, after they passed on Thelma & Louise. The Wedding Singer, meanwhile, would alter notably because of two women: Drew Barrymore...

In a special episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, director Peter Cattaneo chats about his latest film, now heading to disc, Military Wives. He and Simon chat about releasing it the week before cinemas closed, losing a week of production, and also Cattaneo's earlier movies, Lucky Break and The Full Monty. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. You...

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, how a spoof movie eerily echoed newspapers headlines, and a drama that fell a little through the cracks. Hot Shots! was written months before real life conflict echoed some of its plot - and production had a few challenges too. As for the Kevin Costner-headlined Thirteen Days, it's a film whose reputation has grown, but several studios and even m...

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, the last James Cameron/Arnold Schwarzenegger collaboration, and a beloved film that went through major difficulties. Arnold Schwarzenegger came to True Lies off the back of the box office disappointment Last Action Hero - and James Cameron needed to make a film to justify a huge deal his company had signed. As for Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Fact...

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a much-loved 90s superhero film, and a comedy that took nearly a decade to get to the screen. The Rocketeer was a big hope in 1991. It was switched to come out under the Disney label, and there were sequel plans too. And then its release happened. As for Blockers, how a first-time movie director got the job - and how the film evolved into somethi...

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, Disney's odd attempt to create a superhero, and a troubled X-Men movie. Condorman was a big gamble for Disney in the early 80s, as it tried to follow in the path of Superman. Things didn't go to plan. Nor did they with the third X-Men film, that lost a couple of directors, had to ink new deals with all its cast - and then faced a script leak. Sto...

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a sequel with a bumpy production, and a blockbuster that was originally set for Spielberg. Scream 4 (2011) was intended to kickstart a new trilogy of films. But who was ultimately in control of it? Delays kept hitting The Mask Of Zorro (1998) meanwhile. And it lost several directors on its way to the screen. Stories of both are discussed in this...

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a 'strange' action movie hit, and a sequel that took seven years to come together. Face/Off was originally set 100 years in the future, and at one stage Johnny Depp was on the wishlist. Plus one studio bought the film and let it go. Rocky Balboa saw Sylvester Stallone wanting to right the wrongs of Rocky V. But his new co-star gave him a shock on...

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two 2000s movies that each deserve a little more love. Steven Spielberg came to Catch Me If You Can immediately after filming  Minority Report - but several directors nearly helmed the project before him. As for Music & Lyrics, it was a romcom with a bit of a bumpy shoot - and a lot of singing lessons for its lead male! Stories of both are discus...

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films that came together at very different speeds. Alien Vs Predator was sparked by a spec script, but it'd be Paul W S Anderson who got the job - and he spent his own cash on something rather special for his pitch. Parenthood, meanwhile, was the idea of director Ron Howard - but bringing together its incredible cast was not without challenge...

In the latest episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films with long gestation periods. Disney was unsure of making TRON: Legacy for a long time. It took a trailer for a film that hadn't been greenlit yet to ultimately make it decide. Steve Coogan, meanwhile, was reluctant to finally press ahead with an Alan Partridge movie. And when he did, it proved to have a very difficult first week of f...

In the latest episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films that both ran a little behind schedule for different reasons. V For Vendetta was all set for a November 5th release until production delays kicked in. And there was a whole other conversation happening about the film. The American President came from an original concept by Robert Redford - but he left the project, which would have un...

In the latest episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two big movie star vehicles. One hit just a little bigger than the other. Kevin Costner was first in line for Air Force One, and Harrison Ford was coming off the back of two box office disappointments. Fate would take a turn. For Kindergarten Cop, the film had to come together really quite quickly - but Ghostsbusters 2 also got in the way. Sto...

In a special episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, producer Jason Blum chats about the state of current cinema. He and Simon talk about The Invisible Man, reading press notes, the struggles with Tooth Fairy, plans for Upgrade and much, much more. Plus they have a moment where they might just fall out for a second or two... Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @fi...

In the latest episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two hit movies that both came together quite quickly. Swordfish was a film whose opening monologue lured in its stars. But it was a complicated action scene, and a notorious hacking sequence, that proved taxing. Meanwhile, While You Were Sleeping was the film that proved Sandra Bullock was a movie star. Yet several other people nearly took the...

In a special episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, Simon is joined by multi-award-winning lyricist and composer, Stephen Schwartz. They talk about The Prince Of Egypt, the making of the film and the new West End musical version. How Schwartz came to work on Disney films, and his aborted time on Mulan. Plus the status of the Wicked movie. Find more about The Prince Of Egypt musical at https://ww...

Film Stories with Simon Brew hits its 100th episode, with the stories of two hugely difficult films to make. Kevin Costner turned down major roles and gambled his career to make Dances With Wolves - and yet in spite of his star power, no Hollywood major would touch it. There have been two attempts to make Cats, meanwhile, and the latter attempt proved to be an insane, unwinnable race against time....

In the latest episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a remake that got too expensive for its planned rating, and a family movie the surprised the world. RoboCop (2014) was originally set to be made by Darren Aronofsky, with Tom Cruise amongst those mentioned for the lead. The eventual film based some testing battles to get to the screen. As did Babe (1995), a film that George Miller waited a dec...

In the latest episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, one massively expensive blockbuster, and an indie hit that had to scrape every penny together. The Lone Ranger (2013) was originally going to be made by Columbia after the success of The Mask Of Zorro. Eventually, Disney took it on - but with some sizeable problems. For Muriel's Wedding (1994), writer/director PJ Hogan had a fight and a half o...

In the latest episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a James Bond battle against the odds behind the scenes, and how The Shadow and Batman sort of led to a different big screen hero. Skyfall (2012) was caught up in the financial meltdown of MGM, and became a hostage of circumstances. But it proved to 007's benefit. It was only when director Sam Raimi couldn't get the rights to Batman or The Shad...

In the latest episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a testing sequel, and a surprising comedy. Clear And Present Danger (1994) was expected to be a smoother production after the difficulties of forerunner Patriot Games. Spoiler: it wasn't. As for Instant Family? Had it not been for the two Daddy's Home movies, the terrific comedy-drama might not have happened at all. Stories of both are discuss...

In the final episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew of 2019, director Dexter Fletcher chats to Simon about Rocketman, Eddie The Eagle and a bit of Sunshine On Leith. Plus: how does it feel when your movie becomes part of the awards season conversation?  Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. You can find the Film Stories website here.  Support us on...

In a special episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, Simon is joined by the director of Jumanji: The Next Level, Jake Kasdan. They talk writing, finding small moments that count, the ZX Spectrum and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Plus, reacting to the success of the last Jumanji film. The new film is in UK cinemas from December 10th 2019. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can...