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

Author: Simon Brew May 4, 2026 Duration: 1:23:53
Robert Zemeckis' 1997 film of Carl Sagan's Contact is a remarkably grown-up science fiction movie for a summer blockbuster. Starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey, it took nearly 20 years to bring the story to the screen - and along the way, Mad Max director George Miller was hired and fired too. It's quite a story, told by Simon Brew in this latest episode. Plus! Oscar-winning filmmaker David Frankel chats to James about The Devil Wears Prada 2, and the short film that earned him an Academy Award... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder what really happened behind the scenes of your favorite film? Film Stories with Simon Brew pulls back the curtain, exploring the fascinating and often chaotic journeys movies take from script to screen. Host Simon Brew, founder of Den of Geek, guides each episode, delving into the untold narratives that shaped cinema. You’ll hear about productions plagued by unexpected hurdles, complex rights battles that stalled projects for years, and the sheer luck or stubborn determination that finally got a film into theaters. This isn't just a review show; it's a deep dive into the history and human drama of filmmaking. Each story reveals the layers hidden within a finished movie-the near-cancellations, the last-minute rewrites, and the creative clashes that are all part of the process. Tune in for a compelling look at how films are truly made, far beyond what appears in the final cut. This podcast celebrates the resilience and sometimes madness inherent in bringing stories to life, offering a fresh perspective for anyone who loves the world of TV and film.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Film Stories with Simon Brew
Podcast Episodes
Judge Dredd (1995), and the long battle to get it made [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:32
In 1980, an option was taken out on Judge Dredd with a view of getting a movie of Mega City One's legendary law enforcer to the big screen. In the years that followed, it looked like Tony Scott might direct a film based…
X-Men (2000), and how it changed superhero cinema [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:47
No two ways about it, 2000's X-Men movie was a massive gamble. At a time when studios needed movie star vehicles, 20th Century Fox found itself without a summer blockbuster due to a delay on a Tom Cruise film. It'd alrea…