THE MAKING OF MARVEL STUDIOS: THE MAKING OF MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
Written by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry / Abrams Books / Out: 28th October 2021 / Buy it here
From the publisher: An exclusive visual history of the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe featuring original interviews, concept art and behind-the-scenes photos from the Studio's first decade. The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the first book to give fans an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, from the release of Iron Man (2008) through Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). A lavish two-volume set, the book reveals the production history of Marvel's first 23 theatrical films (Phases I, II, III, and IV) through exclusive interviews and never-before-seen on-set photography. Along the way, it tells the story of how a comic book company’s film production arm came to create an interconnected universe of storytelling―and how it became one of the most beloved and successful movie studios in Hollywood in the process.
Featuring archival materials, concept art, film stills, memorabilia from cast and crew, and rare promotional art, these volumes will take fans on a journey through Marvel Studios’ creative challenges, breakthroughs, and successes of the past decade. These visuals are joined by exclusive interviews with key producers, studio heads, and core cast members such as Kevin Feige, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans, and more. The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is will be an essential collectible and keepsake for fans―a tribute to and chronicle of how the Marvel Cinematic Universe was brought to life.
We think you'll love it because: Encompassing 23 films and ten years worth of film-making in written form was never going to result in a paperback edition, so instead we get this beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime piece of film journalism from skilled and talented Marvel-ites Tara Bennett and Paul Terry. Abrams have pulled out all the bells and whistles in the design: You get two huge hardcovers in a beautiful slipcase. The two books detail the struggles and creation of cinema's greatest shared universe and are packed with interviews, never-before-seen stories and gorgeous photos. In terms of coffee table books on movies, this is the one to beat. Yes, it’s pricey… But you’re looking at years of enjoyment with this. Stick it on your Christmas list now!
NO TIME TO DIE: THE MAKING OF THE FILM
Written by Mark Salisbury / Titan Books / Out: Now / Buy it here
From the publisher: Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. This lavish coffee table hardback takes readers behind the scenes of the 25th official James Bond film and reveals the locations, characters, gadgets, weapons, and cars of No Time To Die, with exclusive on-set photography, concept art, costume designs, stunt breakdowns, and more, accompanied by cast and crew interviews.
We think you'll love it because: Bond films are fertile ground for good BTS stories. Anyone whose read Roger Moore's book on the making of Live and Let Die knows that! Since Bond films are one of the last few film formula's that actually still work, it's always fascinating to read just how the film-makers and actors adapt to that formula and adapt it to modern sensibilities, Salisbury is a terrific film commentator, whose writing is authoritative and interesting. Like the film itself, a definite must for any Bond fan.
THE ART AND SOUL OF DUNE
Written by: Tanya Lapointe / Titan Books / Out: 22nd October 2021 / Buy it here
From the publisher: Frank Herbert’s science fiction classic Dune will be seen like never before in the breathtaking film adaptation from acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve. Now fans can be part of the creative journey of bringing Herbert’s seminal work to life with The Art and Making of Dune, the only official companion to the hugely anticipated movie event. This exploration of the filmmaking process documents the story of capturing Villeneuve’s vision for Dune, from its stunning environmental and creature designs to intricate costume concepts and landmark digital effects. The Art and Making of Dune will also feature interviews with key cast and crew, including extensive insight from Villeneuve. The book will be illustrated with a wealth of concept art and other key visuals showcasing the design process behind the creation of this bold new vision. The Art and Making of Dune is an essential companion to Villeneuve’s latest masterpiece.
We think you'll love it because: Dune has to be one of the most tactile creations in fiction. It has a rich lexicon and invites a heavy-design approach. Villeneuve is a film-maker known for a more ephemeral, spiritual approach to his art.How best to marry those approaches in a making of book? Lapointe seems to have found a way. The clue is in the title as this takes a look into the director's motivations for taking on such a huge work after Blade Runner 2049 and the physical (and digital) heft it takes to fulfill the promise of one of the great sci-fi novels. Essential for the full picture.
HOWARD KANZNJIAN: A PRODUCER'S LIFE
Written by: J.W. Rinzler / Abrams Chronicle / Out: 28th October 2021 / Buy it here
From the Publisher: Howard Kazanjian, a film producer whose career spans 50 years, has collaborated with Hollywood legends such as Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, Sam Peckinpah, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas, and worked on such classics as The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Return of the Jedi. Complete with personal anecdotes from the front lines, and coupled with rare archival photographs, this full-length biography tells the story of Kazanjian’s rise in Hollywood and takes us behind the scenes of the producer’s role in some of the biggest blockbusters in film history.
We think you'll love it because: Producers are often the unsung heroes – not to mention the object of people's corporate anger – on film sets. Their job is often misunderstood and almost always downplayed. The late J.W. Rinzler can be credited with having a better understanding of the producer's role in a film's success, having crafted giant tomes on the Star Wars series, Alien, Aliens and more. Here, his gaze is turned to one of the most unsung producers in modern film history, a man who helped bring Indiana Jones, Luke Skywalker and many more to life. This is a worthy look at a life in film from a much-missed writer.
YOU'VE GOT RED ON YOU: HOW SHAUN OF THE DEAD WAS BROUGHT TO LIFE
Written by: Clark Collis / Published by: 1984 Publishing (US), Self Made Hero (UK) / Out: 18th November 2021 / Buy it here
From The Publisher: How did a low-budget British movie become a beloved global pop culture phenomenon? Entertainment Weekly’s senior writer Clark Collis’s authoritative new book You’ve Got Red on You: How Shaun of the Dead Was Brought to Life reveals the previously untold story behind the making of the film. Having interviewed a host of people across cast and crew involved in the making the film, Clark Collis details how a group of friends overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to make a movie that would take bites out of both the UK and the US box office before ascending to the status of bona fide comedy classic.
“Shaun of the Dead is one of my favourite films and I thought I knew everything there was to know about it,” says author Collis. “I couldn’t have been more wrong. You’ve Got Red on You is full of never-before-heard tales of behind-the-scenes struggles, battles, and near-disasters. But it’s also the story of how a bunch of mates made their dream movie about people fighting zombies in a London pub and discovered that dream was embraced by audiences all around the world. I hope people have as much of a blast reading it as I did writing it.”
The book features in-depth interviews with director Edgar Wright and producer Nira Park, who continue a productive and prolific partnership in 2021 with The Sparks Brothers documentary and the upcoming Last Night In Soho. There are also interviews with cast members Simon Pegg (soon to be seen reprising his role as Benji Dunn in Mission: Impossible 7), Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Bill Nighy, Lucy Davis, and Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin. Alongside a treasure trove of storyboards and rare behind-the-scenes photos, the book features commentary from famous fans, including filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth, Walking Dead executive producer Greg Nicotero, and World War Z author Max Brooks.
We think you'll love it because: Shaun of the Dead was instrumental in bringing a brand-new film-making talent to our attention: Edgar Wright. A man clearly influenced by comics as well as film, it was the perfect storm of geek interests, fusing horror, comedy and action. As told by Collis (who clearly has a love for the film that trancends any worries about it being considered 'serious' film-making), the story of the film's creation is a s madcap and energetic as the movie itself. What you have in this book is someone who has a genuine love of film, talking about and to someone who shares that love. Expect this to be on your shelf soon!
THE COPPOLAS: A FAMILY DYNASTY
Written by Ian Nathan / Published by: Palazzo / Out: Now / Buy it here
From the publisher: This is a big story. The Coppolas are one of the great American filmmaking dynasties, a classic example of an immigrant family that has thrived in America - the parallels with the Corleones of The Godfather are there for all to see, albeit without the organized crime. Centred on two extraordinary filmmaking generations: father and daughter Francis Ford Coppola and Sofia Coppola, each in different ways has defined their times. And of course, their stories are intimately entwined. But the story will encompass so much more than the careers of two directors. There will be subplots extending out across the Coppola clan to include Nicolas Cage, Talia Shire, Roman Coppola, Jack Schwartzman and lesser-known scions like Marc and Christopher Coppola. It is also the case that the respective stories of Francis and Sofia offer a fascinating insight into the changing face of Hollywood and American culture from the seventies until now. It is also a book about America, a land of opportunity and the template on which the Coppolas can forge their art. Includes eight pages of colour photographs.
Why we think you'll love it: The Coppola's remain one of Hollywood's great film-making families and their allure shows no sign of fading. Although the largest portion of the book concentrates on Francis Ford, there's plenty of space devoted to Sofia, who has emerged as a terrific film-maker in her own right as well as the acting branches of the family tree, like Nicholas Cage and Talia Shire. One could almost posit that Ian Nathan, who created the masterful book on Ridley Scott last year, has treated the Coppolas as a great American dynasty, one that you could make epic films on. A must for anyone looking to understand the genius at play in the family's films.
LEAVE THE GUN, BRING THE CANOLI
Written by Mark Seal / Published by: Gallery Books / Out: Now / Buy it here
From the publisher: The story of how The Godfather was made is as dramatic, operatic, and entertaining as the film itself. Over the years, many versions of various aspects of the movie’s fiery creation have been told—sometimes conflicting, but always compelling. Mark Seal sifts through the evidence, has extensive new conversations with director Francis Ford Coppola and several heretofore silent sources, and complements them with colorful interviews with key players including actors Al Pacino, James Caan, Talia Shire, and others for irresistible insights into how the movie whose success some initially doubted roared to glory.
On top of the usual complications of filmmaking, the creators of The Godfather had to contend with the real-life members of its subject matter: the Mob. During production of the movie, location permits were inexplicably revoked, author Mario Puzo got into a public brawl with an irate Frank Sinatra, producer Al Ruddy’s car was found riddled with bullets, men with “connections” vied to be in the cast, and some were given film roles. As Seal notes, this is the tale of “a classic movie that revolutionized filmmaking, saved Paramount Pictures, minted a new generation of movie stars, made its struggling author Mario Puzo rich and famous, and sparked a war between two of the mightiest powers in America: the sharks of Hollywood and the highest echelons of the Mob.” Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli is the lively and complete story of how a masterpiece was made, perfect for anyone who loves the movies.
Why we think you'll love it: Back with FFC, we take a look back at the making of The Godfather. Like Apocalypse Now, Titanic and Star Wars, Godfather is a film that one never tires of hearing stories about, from the nuts and bolts to the trivia and the fun. Like the family whose story it tells, the film is rich with incident and histoy and Seal may have just uncovered glorious unknown details in the fabric of THE American Masterpiece. An offer you can't refuse.
ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE FILM
Written by: John Walsh / Titan Books / Out: 23rd November 2021 / Buy it here
From the publisher: Over forty years after the release of the iconic hit, Escape from New York: The Official Story of the Film delves into the archives to showcase the creation of the movie. Directed by John Carpenter and released in 1981, Escape from New York thrilled audiences worldwide with its memorable characters, gritty premise and creative special effects. This must-have book is the ultimate retrospective to the cult-classic movie, illustrating the production process of the science-fiction blockbuster, plus the impact and influence in popular culture, as well as the costuming, special effects, music, posters, and much more. Featuring brand new interviews with cast and crew, plus a foreword written by award-winning filmmaker, Corin Hardy, this extraordinary collection of never-before-seen art will give fans exclusive insight into every aspect of the movie.
We think you'll love it because: Be honest... Does anyone ever really get bored of books and stories about John Carpenter? The laconic genre-meister is rightly a legend, albeit an approachable, chatty one. His work with Kurt Russell is lauded and full of culty moments. Escape from New York might just be one of their finest. Seeing john Walsh's name on this is also cause to rejoice – his Flash Gordon book has become an instant classic of the film-book sub-genre and he writes with genuine passion and love for both overblown sci-fi oddities like Flash and down and dirty beasts like this. Get it. You won't be sorry.
DAVID FINCHER: MIND GAMES
Written by: Adam Nyman / Published by: Abrams Chronicle / Out: 23rd November 2021 / Buy it here
From the publisher: David Fincher: Mind Games is the definitive critical and visual survey of the Academy Award– and Golden Globe–nominated works of director David Fincher. From feature films Alien 3, Se7en, The Game, FightClub, Panic Room, Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Social Network, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl, and Mank through his MTV clips for Madonna and the Rolling Stones and the Netflix series House of Cards and Mindhunter, each chapter weaves production history with original critical analysis, as well as with behind the scenes photography, still-frames, and original illustrations from Little White Lies' international team of artists and graphic designers. Mind Games also features interviews with Fincher's frequent collaborators, including Jeff Cronenweth, Angus Wall, Laray Mayfield, Holt McCallany, Howard Shore and Erik Messerschmidt. Grouping Fincher's work around themes of procedure, imprisonment, paranoia, prestige and relationship dynamics, Mind Games is styled as an investigation into a filmmaker obsessed with investigation, and the design will shift to echo case files within a larger psychological profile.
Why we think you'll love it: Fincher has been – and remains on e of the most interesting film-makers working today. His work has strong psychological underpinning, informing his choices from the inside the mind of the characters, drawing the audience in. Nayman takes an equally informed approach – remixing Fincher's films by themes, giving the usual film-maker guides a shot in the arm.