In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, an attempt to launch a cinematic universe, and an attempt to not directly follow-up an earlier success.

The Mummy (2017) was the starting point for Universal's planned Dark Universe of movies. Things changed a little when Tom Cruise was cast - but it became clear too late the project was in trouble.

Following the success of Four Weddings & A Funeral, there was an assumption that 1999's Notting Hill would be a sort-of follow up. Not so, the filmmakers insisted - as they faced the challenge of bringing a huge movie star to the streets of London.

Stories of both are told in this episode.

Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod.

Support this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew.

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