The Next Reel Film Podcast

When Shane Black was paid $1.75 million for his spec script “The Last Boy Scout,” it was the most any screenwriter had been paid for their script up to that point. It wouldn’t take long before that record was broken, but the bar had been set – and more importantly, the expectations – for what Shane Black the screenwriter could deliver. Unfortunately, the production was riddled with problems and the film struggled to make its money back. It didn’t kill Black’s career, but it may have signaled the beginning of the end for the spec script boom happening in the early 90s.

Show Notes

Cast your vote for The Next Reel as Best TV & Film Podcast today!

"Be prepared, son. That’s my motto. Be prepared."

When Shane Black was paid $1.75 million for his spec script “The Last Boy Scout,” it was the most any screenwriter had been paid for their script up to that point. It wouldn’t take long before that record was broken, but the bar had been set – and more importantly, the expectations – for what Shane Black the screenwriter could deliver. Unfortunately, the production was riddled with problems and the film struggled to make its money back. It didn’t kill Black’s career, but it may have signaled the beginning of the end for the spec script boom happening in the early 90s. 

Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Shane Black series with Tony Scott’s 1991 action extravaganza “The Last Boy Scout.” We talk about what Black brought to the table with his script and how it changed due to infighting amongst the above-the-line team involved in the production. We chat about the perfection of Bruce Willis in his role contrasted with the struggle we have with Damon Wayans as Willis’ inevitable sidekick. We touch on the goods and bads of Blackisms and Black’s storytelling themes he returns to time and again. We look at the nature of Scott’s films, how this fits into his body of work and why perhaps some of his ardent fans really love this movie. And we talk about the misogyny laced throughout the story, struggling with the way women are treated compared with what the screenwriter’s intentions likely were. 

It’s a frustrating film because it had a lot of promise but never quite gets there. Still, we have a great conversation about it. Tune in!

Film Sundries

  • Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon
  • Script
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • Original poster artwork
  • Flickchart
  • Letterboxd
    Trailers of the Week
  • Andy's Trailer: Doctor Strange — "As a kid, Doctor Strange always looked like a weird comic book character that dealt with things I just didn’t understand. Now, with this impending movie iteration, it looks like an incredibly refreshing dip into something new in this glut of superhero films we’re in. Cumberbatch. McAdams. Mikkelson. Ejiofor. And a bald Swinton as The Ancient One. I’m in for sure.”
  • Pete's Trailer: The Birth of a Nation — “The movie looks terrific, but this week I’m choosing the trailer because the visuals-musical pairing is so, so good. Watch the trailer, then go pick up Nina Simone’s rendition of Strange Fruit.“

Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:
The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:
Connect With Us:
Shop & Stream:

Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.