Film Stories with Simon Brew

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a sequel that wasn't originally in the plans, and a comedy where more spin-offs were due to follow.After the very, very difficult shoot of The Bourne Identity, the key creatives weren't rushing to return for The Bourne Supremacy. There was little chance of director Doug Liman coming back either - and that meant a turn in a slightly different direction for the franchise.With Bad Moms meanwhile, the hit comedy lost its original studio backer and then found a home that worked: but plans for spin-offs and further sequels soon hit the buffers. But not before a hit movie came together.Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriesSupport this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew.Find our print magazines at store.filmstories.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, that might just be of interest for any filmmaker fighting their way to get a feature made. Jon Wright's new film, Unwelcome, has the backing of Warner Bros, and it's a UK horror film that gets a full national release.It's been quite a journey for Wright to get this far, and he tells the story in this podcast special, which also takes in films such as Tormented, Robot Overlords and Grabbers. Plus there's a bit of a story for 2000AD fans too... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a pair of hit movies, with a religious edge to each.Filmmaker M Night Shyamalan admitted he came to Signs off the back of the mixed response to his previous film, Unbreakable. He came up with a project initially for an older actor, that blended two key ideas - and the bidding war in Hollywood for the film was a swift one.There was a bidding war too for the screen rights to Dan Brown's extraordinarily successful book, The Da Vinci Code. At first, there was a chance it could go to TV, but $6m of Sony's money did the job - and a whole lot of controversy was just around the corner...Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriesSupport this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew.Find our print magazines at store.filmstories.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, an action film that took time to find its audience, and a Formula 1 movie made as a British independent film.Road House (1989) saw Patrick Swayze battling with a knee that had to be regularly drained, and also saw producer Joel Silver on the hunt for a Die Hard-size hit. Plus: the most expensive scene in this action favourite didn't involve any fighting at all.Up until he directed Rush (2013), Ron Howard had made his films for Hollywood studios and within the Hollywood system. When he stepped in to take on this film, though, the financial safety nets were long, long gone...Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriesSupport this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Find our print magazines at store.filmstories.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two hugely acclaimed and much-loved movies, that each had their challenges.When writer/director Michael Mann first happened upon the story that would become Heat, he wasn't in a position to turn it into a major feature film. But he clearly had some unfinished business with the material.Alexander Payne had planned to make Sideways after his success with Election. But even get the source novel published had proven to be a challenge. The film adaptation? Well, that ended up with some waiting to do as well...Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriesSupport this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by director Marc Forster for a conversation. They chat about Forster's latest movie, A Man Called Otto, a film that seemed to come together really quickly, but actually has been percolating for some time.They also chat about Forster's decision in his teens to up sticks to America. And there's time too for a story from the making of Forster's Stranger Than Fiction... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the final episode of Film Stories in 2022, something a bit special: a welcome back to director Phil Alden Robinson, who joins Simon to tell the story of 2002's Tom Clancy adaptation, The Sum Of All Fears.They talk about how Robinson came to the project, and the challenge when they ended up having to use locations booked for an entirely different film. Plus, dealing with Tom Clancy, the possible sequel that never was, and the incredibly spoiler-y trailer for the film. Robinson also chats about his late addition to directing Band Of Brothers, and what happened post-The Sum Of All Fears.Thanks to everybody who's supported Film Stories this year. The podcast returns in 2023... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films from top notch filmmakers take centre stage.1992's The Last Of The Mohicans, from Michael Mann, wasn't the easiest of productions. From personnel leaving and the threat of strike action, to the months of required training and the difficulty landing the score, it proved quite the challenge.The Coen Brothers' O Brother Where Are Thou? was a lot calmer by comparison. George Clooney, for instance, signed on without reading the script. But there was still a bit of groundbreaking technical work that needed to be done - and a lot of music that needed to be recorded before filming could begin...Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriesSupport this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by writer and director Ol Parker, with the pair chatting about his latest film, Ticket To Paradise.They look at how the film came together, and the challenges of making a film led by two major movie stars. Parker also candidly discusses the response to the movie, and the less than stellar critical response to it. He also talks about further projects, and what may lie ahead.Ticket To Paradise is available on demand, and on DVD and Blu-ray, now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a dash of the festive spirit as two Christmas-set movies take centre stage.The first Lethal Weapon movie came together in just a few years, sparked by then-twentysomething Shane Black's script. The project was offered to Leonard Nimoy to look at before Richard Donner signed on the dotted line to direct - and it remains a casting masterclass too.Jingle All The Way meanwhile came together even quicker, with Arnold Schwarzenegger suddenly having a gap in his schedule once a planned Planet Of The Apes movie he was attached to fell apart. Just six months after filming began, the film would be in cinemas - and that didn't help the movie's merchandising plans.Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriesSupport this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices