Film Stories with Simon Brew

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films that had very, very long journeys to the big screen. The Man From UNCLE (2015) was months away from starring Tom Cruise, and at one stage Steven Soderbergh was about to start filming too. But the project went through lots of changes. Phone Booth (2002) kept its original writer for over 30 years, and lots of star names nearly took the lead. Directors from Alfred Hitchcock to Michael Bay were interested! Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at 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 the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a pair of films that worked from relatively low budgets and turned into sizeable hits. Taken (2008) was originally set to star Jeff Bridges, and eventual lead Liam Neeson suspected it might go straight to DVD. Plus, there were fears piracy had scuppered its US chances. With American Pie (1999), the film was written and sold in under two months - and the impact of it would be felt for much of the decade to follow. Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at 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 director Michael Caton-Jones for a candid conversation about his work. Films covered go from Memphis Belle and Doc Hollywood, to Rob Roy and The Jackal through to making Shooting Dogs and Basic Instinct 2 back to back. Plus, they chat about his latest film, Our Ladies. Note: this podcast contains some very strong language. It also contains a lot of stories not yet told! Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Find Michael at @mcatonjones. You can find the Film Stories website here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two movies that went through a lot of changes on their way to the screen.  The Devil's Advocate was originally set to star Brad Pitt, with Joel Schumacher directing. When it got going, it didn't take long for problems to arise. With Ghost, the huge hit movie was originally a lot darker - and it took some convincing before Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg were cast. Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at 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 the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a sequel that went through many possibilities, and a smaller movie with an incredible voice. Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade saw Steven Spielberg and George Lucas go through lots of ideas before settling on the one that was supposed to end a trilogy. As for Little Voice, the film's lead - Jane Horrocks - was so good and convincingly, it took even the 500 extras on the set of the film aback a little. Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at 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 Hollywood producer Lynda Obst. They talk about the current state of the movie business, a look at the future, quantum computing and AI, The Hot Zone vs Outbreak, Lynda's excellent film books and how streaming has opened up the stories. Plus: how things have changed for women in Hollywood, remembering Dawn Steel, and being grateful for Godzilla Vs Kong. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. You can find the Film Stories website here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a hit family movie from an unusual source, and the most 1990s film of all time. School Of Rock gave Jack Black a big breakthrough commercial hit. But he had doubts over the choice of director, and getting the music too wouldn't be cheap. As for Disclosure, the controversial thriller veered away from the Michael Crichton source novel - but its advertising still got into trouble. Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at 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/director Ol Parker for a chat about his varied career. They go from Grange Hill and an unusual first screenplay commission, through the Exotic Marigold Hotel movies and getting the call for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Plus: a look at a movie that never came together, and a whole lot more. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. You can find the Film Stories website here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, an historical epic that never got the sequels it deserved, and a serial killer thriller that deserved more too.  Master & Commander: The Far Side Of The World was eventually helped into life by a studio chief who really believed in it - but the much-loved movie hit box office traffic. As did Copycat, released in the slipstream of Seven, yet it's a rare film in the genre with two female leads working on the same side. That, however, was not the original idea. Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at 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 the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, the movie where Tom Cruise launched his production company, and the film that made Meryl Streep an action hero. Mission: Impossible was a film whose script hadn't come together even as shooting had begun - and the ending in particular was proving to be a problem. The River Wild's script was more straightforward, but shooting the action was anything but - and then ther was the challenge of selling Meryl Streep as an action hero. Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices