Movies In Trouble

On this episode we hit the streets with Walter Hill’s neon-soaked cult classic 'The Warriors', a film that turned New York City into a dystopian comic-book like war zone. We'll dig into the film’s notoriously chaotic production, the real life gang activity surrounding the shoot, the studio's fears after its controversial release, and how a relatively small action movie has transformed into one of the most influential cult films of the last 48 years... Come out to play, suckas!! And try to survive as we attempt to bop our way back to Coney Island. 

For this episode we dive headfirst into the chaotic production of Albert Pyun;s "Ticker," a film that somehow assembled a cast including Steven Seagal, Tom Sizemore, and Dennis Hopper, and still ended up feeling like it was stitched together in a rush job at 3 a.m. This straight-to-video action thriller became a perfect storm of clashing egos, questionable creative decisions, and a production that seemed to be making it up as it went along.From baffling editing choices to performances that range from half-asleep to are they in the same movie” (because they actually aren't), we break down how it became a prime example of early-2000s action cinema gone wrong. Was there ever a solid movie buried under the chaos, or was this thing doomed from the moment the cameras started rolling? Tune in as we sift through the rubble of explosions, mismatched tones, and one of the strangest career entries in Seagal’s filmography.

After a little down time, the crew is back in the saddle for the new year, and we’re starting off with the Wild West antihero adaptation that barely made it to the gallows before the critics lined up to take their shots, 2010's "Jonah Hex."Directed by Jimmy Hayward and starring Josh Brolin, Megan Fox and John Malkovich, Jonah Hex seemed to have all the makings of a gritty, supernatural western. At least on paper. So what went wrong? Studio interference? A rushed production? A movie that feels like it’s missing a reel or two? Or was it doomed the moment it left the comic page for the big screen? In our first episode back together, and the official launch of Season 3, we dig into the behind-the-scenes turmoil, the tonal confusion, the 80-minute runtime that feels both too short and somehow too long, and whether there’s a version of this film that could've really worked.

In our season opener, we're starting things off a little different by revisiting our obsession with physical media, and discussing Arrow Video's release of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy," and the long-awaited 4K (re)-release of Kevin Smith's "Dogma." Along the way, we get into the state of physical media in 2026, what makes a release worth double-dipping, and why owning a movie hits differently than streaming it... It’s part show-and-tell, part therapy session, and the perfect way to launch a brand-new season.

This week we enter the chaotic arena of 'Mortal Kombat' [1995], a production as intense as the tournament it portrays. Born from the risky idea of adapting a hyper-violent video game for mainstream audiences, the film faced script rewrites, casting shake-ups, location injuries & sicknesses, and a visual effects team trying to bring a fantastical creature to life on a very "mortal" budget. From Paul W.S. Anderson fighting to prove himself to actors training through pain and uncertainty, the road to Outworld was anything but smooth, and despite the behind-the-scenes turbulence, Mortal Kombat somehow pulled off a flawless victory in the hearts of '90s fans, and became a cult classic that fused campy charm, techno music, and unforgettable fight scenes.

After years of delays, reshoots that never happened, a release date shuffle that felt like a game of musical chairs, and a premiere that hit theaters with a thud, 'The New Mutants' became the last nail in the 20th Century Fox / X-Men universe coffin. In this episode, we break down what worked, what never stood a chance, and why this troubled production became a fittingly chaotic farewell to the Fox mutant saga. From the genre-bending horror ambitions of the director, to the last minute studio shuffle thanks to a legendary Stephen King property, we discuss just what put these mutants in more trouble than they could ever get out of onscreen.

In this special episode we’re taking a break from our obsession with doomed productions and talking about a different kind of obsession: physical media... Joining us for this “collector’s confession session” is cohost of the BETAMAX podcast, Fidel Medina, where we cover everything from blind buys to our biggest splurges, and even the ones that make us cringe with regret... Have a listen as we crack open the vaults and talk about why we just can’t stop buying movies we already own in 3 different formats, as well as the highs & lows of collecting physical media.

Movies In Trouble returns! And we’re going on the run with Harrison Ford in 'The Fugitive,' the movie that made “I didn’t kill my wife!” a meme long before memes even existed. With Harrison Ford dodging trains, jumping off dams, and Tommy Lee Jones’ unstoppable one-liners, we will try to figure out how this TV remake got made and accidentally turned into a Best Picture nominee. And joining us for the chase is Wackoe (90mins On Film), because if we’re going to talk about chaos, we might as well invite the expert.

This week, we take aim at 2004's "The Punisher," a film loaded with budget cuts, script rewrites, and a popsicle interrogation scene that no one asked for. Join us as we dig into Thomas Jane’s Navy SEAL makeover, John Travolta’s primadonna pre-production antics and "phone-it-in" mob boss portrayal, and the messy production that left Marvel’s grim antihero with more melodrama than mayhem.

“Cocaine, Chaos, and Capcom!!” - In 1995, Capcom’s smash-hit video game made the leap to the big screen, and promptly punched itself in the face... With Jean-Claude Van Damme delivering some of his most unintentionally hilarious line readings ever, and Raul Julia turning in a gloriously over-the-top farewell performance, Street Fighter became a chaotic cocktail of corporate meddling, rushed shooting schedules, and script changes, resulting in a campy, bizarre action-comedy that’s remembered less for its martial arts, and more for the sheer fact it even exists.

"Welcome to Dredd Reckoning!" In this weeks episode we dive face-first into the chrome-plated chaos of 'Judge Dredd’ (1995), a movie that asked: “What if RoboCop had zero self-awareness, and took his helmet off every five minutes..?” With Stallone growling through poorly written (and delivered) one-liners, a director losing complete control, and Rob Schneider becoming the comic relief in a dystopian hellscape, this film was supposed to launch a franchise... but instead, crash-landed into a mess of rewrites, ego, and designer shoulder pads.

In this episode of 'Movies In Trouble,' we head to the concrete dystopian streets of Mega-CIty One for 'Dredd' [2012], the action-packed comic book adaptation starring Karl Urban. Directed by Pete Travis, and ghost-directed by screenwriter (and future Director) Alex Garland, we break down its '2000 AD' comic book origins, some of the film's behind the scenes trouble, its cult status, and why this adaption not only deserves justice, but a sequel as well.

"Zardoz," directed by John Boorman and starring Sean Connery, isn't a film for everyone, but it's definitely a film for our resident "Zardoz" expert! Listen as he takes the reigns on this latest episode, and struggles to keep it from spiraling completely out of control, as his cohorts struggle to keep control of their laughter, quips, and passing judgement on a film that is now considered way more than a cult classic. 

Travel with us back to 1988 as we examine Alien Nation, the high-concept sci-fi buddy cop film starring James Caan and Mandy Patinkin. Released during a boom of genre hybrids and high-stakes studio gambles, Alien Nation promised to be a bold allegory about race, immigration, and integration—but behind the scenes, it was plagued by rewrites, studio interference, and major third-act reshoots. In this episode we explore how director Graham Baker struggled to hold the project together, and how the original vision from screenwriter Rockne S. O’Bannon was reshaped in post, and how Alien Nation still managed to launch a a short-lived franchise legacy on television.

This time, we set our sights on The Predator (2018), Shane Black’s much-anticipated reboot of the iconic sci-fi franchise which originated with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and quickly devolved into one of the most chaotic productions in recent history. From extensive reshoots and drastic third-act changes, to test screening disasters and last-minute studio interference, this troubled entry was plagued from the start. We'll unpack the film’s messy road to release, the controversies surrounding its casting, and how a promising return to the franchise ended up alienating both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

For the first time we’re joined by a special guest: cohost of '90mins On Film' and 'Fairway Conversations,' Gabe "The Calilobo," who helps us as we journey into the chaotic production of 'The 13th Warrior,' starring Antonio Banderas — a film plagued by reshoots, a skyrocketing budget, and numerous creative clashes behind the scenes. From Michael Crichton's takeover, to a release date shuffle that pushed the film to "dump-month" of '99, this adaptation of 'Eaters of the Dead' was in serious trouble long before it ever reached audiences.

"Crime is a disease, and so was this production...” In this epsiode, we put on our shades and sink our teeth into 'Cobra'—the 1986 Sylvester Stallone vanity project where the script got shorter, the muscles got bigger, and the behind-the-scenes chaos got deadlier than anything onscreen. From on-set ego wars to last-minute cuts and a director who got the nickname of ‘Comatose’, this one had it all. It made money, confused critics, and left a trail of bruised egos in its wake.

After years of delays, reshoots, and a mysterious disappearance from Warner Bros.' release calendar, 'Salem’s Lot' (2024) has become one of the most troubled Stephen King adaptations in recent memory. Take a listen as we dive into the film’s long road to completion, the shifting landscape of studio vision, and whether this long-lost vampire tale should've never seen the light of day.

In this episode, we take a hard look at the 2002 remake of 'Rollerball,' directed by action legend John McTiernan (Die Hard, Predator)... What was supposed to be a high-octane reimagining of the 1975 cult classic, became one of the most infamous studio disasters of the 21st Century. Strap on your skates, grab your helmets, and join us as we race through the wreckage of Rollerball (2002)—a film that crashed and burned way before it even reached the starting line.

“Two Maniacs. One Movie.” Have a listen as we sink our fangs into the chaotic production of a crime thriller derailed by clashing egos, on-set brawls, and a revolving door of directors. Starring the notoriously volatile duo of Klaus Kinski & Oliver Reed, the film was meant to be a tense hostage drama, but behind the scenes, tensions ran higher than the suspense on screen. We explore how the original director Tobe Hooper ("The Texas Chain Saw Massacre") abruptly exited the production, why Kinski and Reed’s feud turned physical, and how the film managed to slither its way to completion despite the madness.

In the season premiere of Movies In Trouble it’s “The Tale of Two Dicks,” and 'Superman II,’  a film caught between two directors and two competing visions. Originally helmed by Richard Donner, who had already filmed much of the sequel while making Superman: The Movie, the project took a dramatic turn when he was fired and replaced by Richard Lester. In our Season 2 premiere, we explore the behind-the-scenes power struggles, the reemergence of lost footage, and the lasting impact of a superhero sequel that nearly fell apart before it could soar.

In this episode, we delve into the chaotic production of Werner Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo, a tale of ambition, obsession, and sheer madness both on and off screen. From cast changes, natural disasters, and the infamous real-life feat of hauling a 320-ton steamboat over a mountain, we explore how this legendary film nearly capsized.

"Last Action Hero"—the $85 million spectacle that critics called the beginning of the end of Hollywood's biggest action star's career, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Plagued by endless rewrites, studio interference, and a lead actor who called more shots than the director, the film became a symbol of excess. But is its reputation justified..? In this episode we talk about how this film is not only NOT as bad as the wrap that it's gotten the past 30 plus years, and not only was it ahead of its time, but it was a classic in the making.

Meant to be both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verhoeven's magnum opus, 'Crusade' was a one half historical epic, and one half ultra-violent satirical action movie in the likes of Robocop, Total Recall, and Starship Troopers. Listen as we touch onto some of the behind the scenes turmoil that caused this film to be cancelled in the 11th hour.

Before Tim Burton & Guillermo Del Toro brought their dark visions of fantasy to the big screen, Academy Award winning Sound & Film Editor Walter Murch attempted to deliver a dark sequel to a technicolor masterpiece from the 1930's unto the world, and failed miserably. Listen as we take a look at how a troubled production completely missed the mark for Disney and one of the biggest literary properties of the 20th Century. 

Before there was Star Wars, Alien, and even Battlestar Galactica, there was Logan's Run. In this episode, learn how this movie is so ahead of its time, that it languished in development hell for nearly a decade, and how this movie became so influential that it's been next to impossible to get a 21st century remake off the ground. 

After the success of the Scream Trilogy, Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson re-teamed for what was originally supposed to be "The Silence of the Lambs" meets "The Wolf Man," which is light years from what we got. Listen as we find out what truly makes the early 2000's era Dimension Films release a "Movie In Trouble."

Find out how a movie with a budget that was hemorhaging out of control, and was in production for almost a decade, became one of the most expensive, and most successful zombie movies of all time, starring Brad Pitt. 

Originally modeled after the likes of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Top Gun, and elements from the height of the "Cold War," Solo: A Star Wars Story originally had a completely different look, from a completely different set of directors, with a completely different villain… Let’s find out why it was a “Movie In Trouble.”

Not all 1980's action movies have aged very well, and particularly those mega-budget spectacles that were seemingly controlled by "Action Heroes" Arnold Schwarzenegger & Sylvester Stallone. In our return episode, find out how passing on 'Beverly Hills Cop,' and the commercial failure of Stallone's passion project 'Cobra,' lead us to this Frankenstein of an action movie which [almost didn't co-star Kurt Russell], better known as 'Tango & Cash.'

As the show's format continues to evolve, we passionately discuss Johnny Depp and Jerry Bruckheimer's actiion, comedy, western vehicle, "The Lone Ranger," and how Gore Verbinski sought to turn the classic genre on its head. 

On our premiere episode, we visit Stanley Kubrick's 1987 classic Vietnam war film, "Full Metal Jacket," and discuss the trials and tribulations on what became a tumultuous 13 month journey, from the time the cameras started rolling, to it's  theatrical release.