Film Stories with Simon Brew
Podcast

Film Stories with Simon Brew

Simon Brew

492 episodes

TV & Film

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 movie! The podcast is hosted by Simon Brew, the founder of Den Of Geek. Support the podcast at www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Thank you!

What this show covers

James BondQuantum Of SolaceDaniel CraigBrenda LeeIndependent filmSuperman moviesPeter M HoffmanCarolcoFilm industry historyHollywood businessThe Inbetweeners MovieFilm productionTV adaptationBox officeBritish comedy

What listeners will find here

Why Quantum Of Solace became Bond’s rushed follow-up, plus Brenda Lee on making Fortune Cookies
Quantum Of Solace is the focus here, with Simon exploring how Daniel Craig’s second Bond film was shaped by a fast turnaround, a director departure, and the writers’ strike. The episode also features indie director Brenda Lee discussing her new film Fortune Cookies and choosing to direct it herself.
Peter M Hoffman on Hollywood power, tax strategy, and a dramatic career turn
Peter M Hoffman discusses a career that runs from the original Superman films to Cannon and Carolco, built on his tax expertise and rise in Hollywood. The episode also points to a major turn in his story, explored alongside his book Karmic Winds.
How The Inbetweeners Movie raced from TV hit to summer box office giant
The Inbetweeners Movie (2011) explores how a hit British TV comedy made a rapid leap to cinemas. The episode focuses on creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley, a production schedule with just six months to spare, and the challenge of filming a summer story in March.
Aaron Sorkin talks Facebook, true-story drama, and a Bond reboot wish list
Aaron Sorkin joins Simon for an extended conversation touching on The Social Reckoning, Facebook, compromised reviewers, and how they’d rethink James Bond. The episode also wanders through old film magazines, writing about real people, and calls from Jerry Bruckheimer.
Brian Duffield on Whalefall, career twists, and the stories behind the stories
Whalefall leads this wide-ranging chat with writer/director Brian Duffield, but the conversation quickly opens into career detours, past projects, and unexpected industry moments. It also touches on The Muppets, a clothing factory job, Jane Got A Gun, and Guillermo del Toro and Stephen King noticing No One Will Save You.

Episodes

In conversation with writer/director Brian Duffield | Whalefall, sperm whales, del Toro and more
In conversation with writer/director Brian Duffield | Whalefall, sperm whales, del Toro and more
9 Oct 2026 · 51 min
In conversation with Aaron Sorkin
In conversation with Aaron Sorkin
5 Oct 2026 · 51 min
Quantum Of Solace, the rushed Bond, plus indie director Brenda Lee
Quantum Of Solace, the rushed Bond, plus indie director Brenda Lee
28 Sept 2026 · 1h 22m
In conversation with former Carolco CEO Peter M Hoffman
In conversation with former Carolco CEO Peter M Hoffman
25 Sept 2026 · 52 min
The Inbetweeners Movie (2011), and the incredibly fast turnaround of a box office giant
The Inbetweeners Movie (2011), and the incredibly fast turnaround of a box office giant
21 Sept 2026 · 46 min
Adam Randall on directing Slow Horses, his mystery IMDB film, and Gary Oldman's text messages
Adam Randall on directing Slow Horses, his mystery IMDB film, and Gary Oldman's text messages
18 Sept 2026 · 33 min
James Cameron's Titanic (1997), the two battling studios, and drugs in the chowder
James Cameron's Titanic (1997), the two battling studios, and drugs in the chowder
14 Sept 2026 · 1h 6m
Interview special with Oscar winner Susanne Bier (Practical Magic 2) and producer Ken Petrie (Sunny Dancer and more)
Interview special with Oscar winner Susanne Bier (Practical Magic 2) and producer Ken Petrie (Sunny Dancer and more)
11 Sept 2026 · 1h 0m
Parenthood, the plane trip that led to the film, plus a lovely chat with Robert Carlyle
Parenthood, the plane trip that led to the film, plus a lovely chat with Robert Carlyle
7 Sept 2026 · 1h 11m
In conversation with Michael Sarnoski - The Death Of Robin Hood, Death Stranding, Pig, and videogames
In conversation with Michael Sarnoski - The Death Of Robin Hood, Death Stranding, Pig, and videogames
3 Sept 2026 · 46 min
Bill And Ted's Bogus Journey, the title that had to change, plus a chat with William Sadler and Alex Winter too
Bill And Ted's Bogus Journey, the title that had to change, plus a chat with William Sadler and Alex Winter too
1 Sept 2026 · 1h 31m
Speed (1994), the lack of Speed 3, plus director Dave Green on the Coyote Vs Acme saga
Speed (1994), the lack of Speed 3, plus director Dave Green on the Coyote Vs Acme saga
24 Aug 2026 · 1h 22m
In conversation with Adam Shankman - Stop That Train, the Oscars, Hairspray and more
In conversation with Adam Shankman - Stop That Train, the Oscars, Hairspray and more
21 Aug 2026 · 35 min
Licence To Kill (1989), plus Toby Kebbell on Dead Man's Shoes and more
Licence To Kill (1989), plus Toby Kebbell on Dead Man's Shoes and more
17 Aug 2026 · 1h 25m
Film Stories Live: with Mark Kermode in Cornwall
Film Stories Live: with Mark Kermode in Cornwall
10 Aug 2026 · 1h 38m
Carlito's Way, a film it took ten attempts to make
Carlito's Way, a film it took ten attempts to make
22 Jul 2026 · 59 min
Dances With Wolves (1990), plus its three different cuts...
Dances With Wolves (1990), plus its three different cuts...
13 Jul 2026 · 59 min
Howard The Duck (1986) and the first Marvel movie, plus Terri White
Howard The Duck (1986) and the first Marvel movie, plus Terri White
7 Jul 2026 · 1h 22m
Gladiator (2000) and its journey to the screen, plus director Morgan Matthews
Gladiator (2000) and its journey to the screen, plus director Morgan Matthews
29 Jun 2026 · 1h 32m
American Made (2017), and the Tom Cruise film that's fallen through the cracks
American Made (2017), and the Tom Cruise film that's fallen through the cracks
22 Jun 2026 · 46 min
In conversation with Sam Campbell - Make That Movie, bananas, VHS tapes, cinema and more
In conversation with Sam Campbell - Make That Movie, bananas, VHS tapes, cinema and more
19 Jun 2026 · 53 min
Fight Club (1999), plus the dig against Rupert Murdoch at the end
Fight Club (1999), plus the dig against Rupert Murdoch at the end
15 Jun 2026 · 53 min
In conversation with Paul Mercurio - Strictly Ballroom, Exit To Eden, and, er, homebrew beer
In conversation with Paul Mercurio - Strictly Ballroom, Exit To Eden, and, er, homebrew beer
12 Jun 2026 · 56 min
Jurassic Park (1993), and the struggle to bring dinosaurs to the screen
Jurassic Park (1993), and the struggle to bring dinosaurs to the screen
8 Jun 2026 · 57 min
The New Mutants (2020), and a big missed opportunity
The New Mutants (2020), and a big missed opportunity
1 Jun 2026 · 59 min
In conversation with director Alicia MacDonald - Finding Emily, Mike Leigh, short films, romantic comedies, Kickstarter
In conversation with director Alicia MacDonald - Finding Emily, Mike Leigh, short films, romantic comedies, Kickstarter
24 May 2026 · 52 min
In conversation with Thea Sharrock - Ladies First, Wicked Little Letters, The Beautiful Game, posh chairs
In conversation with Thea Sharrock - Ladies First, Wicked Little Letters, The Beautiful Game, posh chairs
20 May 2026 · 49 min
Hook, and how it became the Steven Spielberg film that Steven Spielberg doesn't like
Hook, and how it became the Steven Spielberg film that Steven Spielberg doesn't like
18 May 2026 · 1h 4m
Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines (2003), and one hell of a challenge to secure the Terminator rights
Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines (2003), and one hell of a challenge to secure the Terminator rights
11 May 2026 · 1h 1m
Contact (1997) and how it nearly fell apart, plus David Frankel on The Devil Wears Prada 2
Contact (1997) and how it nearly fell apart, plus David Frankel on The Devil Wears Prada 2
4 May 2026 · 1h 23m
Cape Fear (1991), and when Martin Scorsese read it three times and hated it
Cape Fear (1991), and when Martin Scorsese read it three times and hated it
28 Apr 2026 · 47 min
Dick Tracy (1990), along with the strange trick to hold onto its rights
Dick Tracy (1990), along with the strange trick to hold onto its rights
20 Apr 2026 · 1h 1m
Wild Wild West (1999), plus how it affected The Matrix and The Iron Giant
Wild Wild West (1999), plus how it affected The Matrix and The Iron Giant
13 Apr 2026 · 44 min
In conversation with Paul Feig - The Housemaid, Bridesmaids at the Oscars, Ghostbusters and more
In conversation with Paul Feig - The Housemaid, Bridesmaids at the Oscars, Ghostbusters and more
10 Apr 2026 · 1h 2m
In conversation with David Mackenzie | Fuze, Relay, Hell Or High Water, Starred Up, AI and more
In conversation with David Mackenzie | Fuze, Relay, Hell Or High Water, Starred Up, AI and more
3 Apr 2026 · 50 min
Judge Dredd (1995), and the long battle to get it made
Judge Dredd (1995), and the long battle to get it made
30 Mar 2026 · 1h 0m
In conversation with Radio Silence - Ready Or Not 2, Sega Dreamcast, Samara Weaving and more
In conversation with Radio Silence - Ready Or Not 2, Sega Dreamcast, Samara Weaving and more
27 Mar 2026 · 38 min
X-Men (2000), and how it changed superhero cinema
X-Men (2000), and how it changed superhero cinema
23 Mar 2026 · 52 min
In conversation with Christopher Miller and Phil Lord | Project Hail Mary, Rocky IV, Geostorm 2 and more
In conversation with Christopher Miller and Phil Lord | Project Hail Mary, Rocky IV, Geostorm 2 and more
20 Mar 2026 · 35 min
The Postman (1997) and Wag The Dog (1997) | Two films. The same weekend. Very different reputations
The Postman (1997) and Wag The Dog (1997) | Two films. The same weekend. Very different reputations
16 Mar 2026 · 1h 13m
In conversation with Drew Goddard | A very nerdy film chat
In conversation with Drew Goddard | A very nerdy film chat
13 Mar 2026 · 48 min
Joker (2019) and Cat's Eye (1985) | Two lower budget films, only one grossed a billion
Joker (2019) and Cat's Eye (1985) | Two lower budget films, only one grossed a billion
9 Mar 2026 · 1h 24m
Kevin Costner's Horizon project and where it's up to, plus Andrew Stanton
Kevin Costner's Horizon project and where it's up to, plus Andrew Stanton
2 Mar 2026 · 1h 11m
Eyes Wide Shut (1999) and Maybe Baby (2000) | The never-ending shoot, and Ben Elton's directorial debut
Eyes Wide Shut (1999) and Maybe Baby (2000) | The never-ending shoot, and Ben Elton's directorial debut
23 Feb 2026 · 1h 16m
What on earth is film 'testing'? | A podcast special, with Kevin Goetz
What on earth is film 'testing'? | A podcast special, with Kevin Goetz
20 Feb 2026 · 1h 3m
Hulk (2003), plus the ongoing sequel problem
Hulk (2003), plus the ongoing sequel problem
16 Feb 2026 · 46 min
The Untouchables (1987), plus the prequel movie that never was
The Untouchables (1987), plus the prequel movie that never was
9 Feb 2026 · 45 min
In conversation with director Angel Manuel Soto | The Wrecking Crew, Blue Beetle, toilet roll
In conversation with director Angel Manuel Soto | The Wrecking Crew, Blue Beetle, toilet roll
6 Feb 2026 · 49 min
Fatal Attraction (1987), plus a very nerdy chat with Sam Raimi
Fatal Attraction (1987), plus a very nerdy chat with Sam Raimi
3 Feb 2026 · 1h 19m
In conversation with Ric Roman Waugh | Shelter, Statham, the freezing cold and more
In conversation with Ric Roman Waugh | Shelter, Statham, the freezing cold and more
30 Jan 2026 · 46 min

More like Film Stories with Simon Brew

Fresh Air
NPR
The Toast
Dear Media
48 Hours
CBS News
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
NBC Universal
The Rest Is Entertainment
Goalhanger
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Armchair Umbrella
Forgotten Hollywood
JLJ Media
Outspoken the Podcast
Outspoken the Podcast
Murdoch Mysteries Podcast
Jason Mewes and Matt Goehring for Murdoch Mysteries
The Big Picture
The Ringer