In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, the film that gave Tim Burton his first hit in over half a decade, and a golfing comedy that took a bit of a path to the screen.Director Tim Burton lost around a year of his working life when the planned Superman Lives film with Nicolas Cage collapsed. Which is when a script to Sleepy Hollow - that had been sat in Hollywood development for years - was sent in his direction.The script for the charming The Phantom Of The Open originally got no traction at all. As such, its story was published in a book, an option was taken out on said book, and the process had to pretty much start all over again.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.

Sleepy Hollow (1999) and The Phantom Of The Open (2021)

In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by writers and producers Pen Densham and John Watson. Their story covers a lot of short films, working with Sylvester Stallone to reshape the ending of Rocky II, and the writing and producing 1991's Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. That involved a battle of the Robin Hoods too, and they also had Backdraft in production at the same time.The pair tell their stories in this episode, and there's just time at the end for a quick venture into The Dangerous Lives Of The Altar Boys too... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In conversation with Pen Densham and John Watson: Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves, Backdraft, Rocky II, The Dangerous Lives Of The Altar Boys and more

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.

The Bourne Supremacy (2004) and Bad Moms (2016)

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.

In conversation with director Jon Wright: Unwelcome, Tormented, Grabbers, Slaine and Robot Overlords

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.

Signs (2002) and The Da Vinci Code (2006)

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.

Road House (1989) and Rush (2013)

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.

Heat (1995) and Sideways (2004)

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.

In conversation with director Marc Forster: A Man Called Otto, Stranger Than Fiction

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.

The Sum Of All Fears (2002), Band Of Brothers and more, with director Phil Alden Robinson

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.

The Last Of The Mohicans (1992) and O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000)

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.

Ticket To Paradise (2022) with director Ol Parker

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.

Lethal Weapon (1987) and Jingle All The Way (1996)

In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by Oscar-winning film composer Michael Giacchino. Michael's in the awards running again for his score to The Batman, and that's one of the subjects they talk about (the film is widely available now).They also chat about getting started, about juggling multiple projects, making sure you finish work on time, and general nerdy stuff. Simon nearly manages to offend him too. Ulp... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In conversation with Michael Giacchino

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a much-loved box office disappointment, and a film that burned through a lot of directorsThe late, great Jim Henson earned a success with The Dark Crystal, but he knew he wanted his next film to be a bit lighter, and to have human characters in it too. 25 drafts of the script and story later, Labyrinth went before the cameras - but with a lot of challenges in its path.Uncharted meanwhile started its way to the big screen in 2008. By the time cameras rolled over a decade later, six different directors would have left the project. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod.Support this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labyrinth (1986) and Uncharted (2022)

In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by director Matthew Warchus and screenwriter Dennis Kelly, with the focus primarily being 2022's Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical.In their conversation, they talk about taking the hugely success musical from stage to screen, and how brutal they had to be as they did so. They chat too the many, many drafts of the script, the songs that were filmed but which didn't make the finally cut, and a bit of CG involving a giraffe.You also get little mentions of both Pride and Utopia too, and the pair both end up with what their clickbait news stories would be... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical (2022), with director Matthew Warchus and screenwriter Dennis Kelly

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films from the 1990s that attracted awards attention - one with less controversy than the other.After the way his first film was treated, writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson was adamant things would be different with his second. But who would give a twentysomething filmmaker $15m and creative control for a film on the surface about making adult movies? And why would Burt Reynolds get so upset?Things were more straightforward with 1992's Unforgiven, the film that finally bagged Clint Eastwood an Oscar he never expected to see. However, Eastwood nearly missed the script altogether when he was recommended to avoid it. And even when he read it, it'd be a long, long wait for the film.Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod.Support this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boogie Nights (1997) and Unforgiven (1992)

In a special episode of Film Stories, Simon chats to Oscar-winning Disney producer Roy Conli, in part about the new animated film, Strange World.Their chat takes them back to Roy's theatrical origins but also the teacher who pushed him to read. On top of that though, they get into the Oscar bet that Roy didn't deliver on, the new bet that hopefully he will, and the ongoing challenge of making feature films!Strange World is in UK cinemas on the very day this podcast lands... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In conversation with Disney producer Roy Conli

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a pair of 1990s summer blockbusters - one of which proved more problematic than the other.Come 1990 and there were three competing Robin Hood projects on the way from Hollywood. But it was 1991's Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves that won the race to the screen. It'd be fair to say it was not an easy journey to get there.Off the back of making GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan was looking for new projects - and he settled on a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. Small problem though about trying to make a movie about a museum heist: museums don't seem very keen to let you film on their premises...Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod.Support this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991) and The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

In a special episode of Film Stories, Simon chats to writer/director James Gray. The pair met around the time of the release of his film Armageddon Time, and they chat about the complexities of getting such a movie through the studio system.It's a really candid chat this, as Gray explores opening up his family life for a film, and his feelings on the current state of cinema. Plus, isn't it about time they brought back curtains in cinemas? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In conversation with writer and director James Gray

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films that hardy set the box office alight - although the fallout from one was a lot, lot louder than the other!Ed Wood was a movie Tim Burton decided to make when he walked away from a higher profile project. However, the studio paying for the movie panicked a month before production and tried to box Burton into a deal. He wasn't playing ball, though.The Last Duel was a movie project that took over a decade to reach the screen, with the source book optioned three different times (Martin Scorsese circled the project for a while). But then in came Ridley Scott, in come disappointing box office, and in came quite the aftermath...Stories of both are told in this episode.Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod.Support this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Film Stories with Simon Brew

Film Stories with Simon Brew

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