Film Stories with Simon Brew

• The Polar Express (2004) and its initial box office stumble, plus James L Brooks

  There was originally a plan to bring the much-loved Christmas book The Polar Express to the big screen in live action, with Rob Reiner potentially directing. But eventually, the project ended up with Robert Zemeckis. Looking for something between live action and animation, a different kind of technology was to be used for the film - but would audiences respond to it? Especially when they tried to look the characters in the eye... The second part of this episode is a return to the podcast for writer/producer/director James L Brooks, chatting about his new film, Ella McCay. Plus, getting films for grown-ups made, Mike Nichols, previewing his movies and a whole lot more. Ella McCay is in UK cinemas from 12th December 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• In conversation with filmmaker Dan Cadan. Including how much he got paid for one line in Die Another Day

  Dan Cadan may not be a name familiar to too many, but he's had quite the career. In this special Film Stories episode, he tells his tale of how the lad growing up in Huddersfield went on to work with Guy Ritchie (including writing a remake of The Wild Geese), Stephen Graham, Madonna and more. Then, getting a film made, the sole UK release from the Fox International label, Walk Like A Panther. He takes us into the highs and lows of that, his letter about it to Kermode & Mayo, and what mischief he's up to now. Quite the story this... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) - from the 45th most popular film of 1992 to Xmas favourite

  Go down the box office charts for 1992, and you need to look a long way before you find The Muppet Christmas Carol. Directed by Brian Henson, the movie was in 45th place at the box office that year, with surprisingly few choosing to check it out on its initial cinema release. The film had come together following the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson, and there'd been some difficulty cracking what the next Muppet film should be. Even when they settled on an adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, there were a few different choices that were nearly made. The story of the film is told in this episode... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• In conversation with Yvett Merino (producer) and Jared Bush (director, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios)

  In a very special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by two of the team behind Disney's new animated movie, Zootropolis. There's producer Yvett Merino, an Oscar-winner for Encanto, who came to Zootropolis 2 hot off the heels of Moana 2. And then writer/director Jared Bush returns to the podcast, for what's becoming a very welcome annual check in with the chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. The conversation covers the new Zootropolis/Zootopia film, a four minute sequence that got cut out of the film, a dog with a dodgy tummy, and a whole lot more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• In conversation with Yvett Merino (producer) and Jared Bush (director, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios)

  In a very special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by two of the team behind Disney's new animated movie, Zootropolis. There's producer Yvett Merino, an Oscar-winner for Encanto, who came to Zootropolis 2 hot off the heels of Moana 2. And then writer/director Jared Bush returns to the podcast, for what's becoming a very welcome annual check in with the chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. The conversation covers the new Zootropolis/Zootopia film, a four minute sequence that got cut out of the film, a dog with a dodgy tummy, and a whole lot more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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