Film Stories with Simon Brew

True Romance (1993), its original director, and the politican who hated it

It was on the set of The Last Boy Scout that director Tony Scott first encountered an upcoming writer by the name of Quentin Tarantino. A few weeks later, Scott had a pai

Superman III (1983), the tonal shift, plus a conversation with James Spader

After the success of Superman: The Movie and Superman II, producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind were quick to promote Superman III - or Superman vs Superman as they origin

In conversation with Roy Conli - Hexed, Disney, Strange World, Treasure Planet and more

Oscar-winning producer Roy Conli is a veteran of Disney animation, having produced or being involved with the likes of Big Hero 6, Strange World, Treasure Planet, Tangled

Batman (1989), the bizarre late rewrite, and the turning point for blockbuster cinema

If you didn't live through the Batmania surrounding 1989's Batman, it's hard to overstate just what a seismic shift it felt like in mainstream cinema. But also, it's easy

The Last Boy Scout (1991), the film nobody seemed to enjoy making, plus Steve Oram

The sale of Shane Black's The Last Boy Scout screenplay for a then-eyewatering $1.75m (and that wasn't even the highest bid!) set Hollywood alight. It also virtually guar

In conversation with writer/director Brian Duffield | Whalefall, sperm whales, del Toro and more

In a special episode of Film Stories, writer/director Brian Duffield chats to Simon about his brand new movie, Whalefall. Well, not just that. The pair also natter about

In conversation with Aaron Sorkin

Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin joins Simon for an elongated chat about The Social Reckoning, Facebook, compromised reviewers, and how the pair would overhaul the James Bond sa

Quantum Of Solace, the rushed Bond, plus indie director Brenda Lee

In a huge episode of Film Stories, Simon digs into the story of Daniel Craig's second adventure as James Bond, Quantum Of Solace. Originally set to come out just 18 month

In conversation with former Carolco CEO Peter M Hoffman

Peter M Hoffman has had a very, very storied career. From working with Alexander Salkind on the original Superman movies, through to Cannon Films and Carolco, it was his

The Inbetweeners Movie (2011), and the incredibly fast turnaround of a box office giant

The road to The Inbetweeners Movie was a fairly swift one. Even while the hit British TV comedy was bringing in big ratings for E4, its creators - Iain Morris and Damon B

Adam Randall on directing Slow Horses, his mystery IMDB film, and Gary Oldman's text messages

In a special episode of Film Stories, Simon Brew turns to his attentention to the Apple TV show Slow Horses, which has just returned for its sixth season. The man directi

James Cameron's Titanic (1997), the two battling studios, and drugs in the chowder

James Cameron knew as he pitched Titanic to 20th Century Fox that it wasn't likely to be as commercial a film as the one he'd just done, True Lies. The budget was set to

Interview special with Oscar winner Susanne Bier (Practical Magic 2) and producer Ken Petrie (Sunny Dancer and more)

Two different creatives share their film stories in this special episode of the podcast! First up, Oscar-winner Susanne Bier talked to Simon the day after the Practical

Parenthood, the plane trip that led to the film, plus a lovely chat with Robert Carlyle

1989's Parenthood started life on a long haul flight. Director Ron Howard would tell of how 'testing' it was to do such a journey with kids in tow, and soon, he realised

In conversation with Michael Sarnoski - The Death Of Robin Hood, Death Stranding, Pig, and videogames

In UK cinemas now is the third film from writer/director Michael Sarnoski, The Death Of Robin Hood. Headlined by Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer, it's a hugely ambitious ind

Bill And Ted's Bogus Journey, the title that had to change, plus a chat with William Sadler and Alex Winter too

With Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure already playing in cinemas, plans moved quickly for a sequel. Originally entitled Bill & Ted Go To Hell, the movie that became Bill

Speed (1994), the lack of Speed 3, plus director Dave Green on the Coyote Vs Acme saga

1994's Speed may now be regarded as an action classic, but the original idea was a bus that didn't go above 20mph, in a film called Minimum Speed. Sat for a late summer r

In conversation with Adam Shankman - Stop That Train, the Oscars, Hairspray and more

Director Adam Shankman shot the joyously entertaining Stop! That! Train! in under three weeks, and it arrives in cinemas this very weekend in the UK.In this special Film

Licence To Kill (1989), plus Toby Kebbell on Dead Man's Shoes and more

James Bond 007 took a grittier turn with 1989's Licence To Kill, an adventure that was the first and only Bond film very specifically written for Timothy Dalton. It was

Film Stories Live: with Mark Kermode in Cornwall

Up front, you can find Simon's tour dates at www.filmstories.co.uk/live. Simon Brew has been touring the UK with Film Stories in 2026, and in June 2026, he landed at the