Blockbuster

Blockbuster is a 2019 original dramatic podcast created by Matt Schrader detailing the friendship and rise of early Steven Spielberg and George Lucas in the 1970s Hollywood. The series is structured like a biopic film in the years before Spielberg and Lucas came to prominence as they struggled to complete Jaws (1975) and Star Wars (1977), as well as Close Encounters (1977). It also follows the rise of composer John Williams in the years following the death of his wife, when he earned his first Academy Awards for his original scores. The series stars Ray Chase, Max Mittelman, Matthew Bohrer, Lex Lang and Julia McIlvaine, and is narrated by Schrader, an Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker. Production The idea for Blockbuster began while Schrader was doing research for his film Score: A Film Music Documentary (2017). "We were really inspired in making the first scripted biopic for the podcast platform," Schrader said. "We took a large-scale 'feature film' approach to research, script development, casting, design and music, and really wanted to create a 2.5-hour movie for your ears."