Light The Fuse - The Official Mission: Impossible Podcast

The Making of "Mission: Impossible" (1996) Feb 21, 2025

In the lead-up to the release of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” (in theaters May 23), we’re doing deep-dive, making-of episodes on each installment of the franchise. This week, we’re taking a look at how Brian De Palma’s “Mission: Impossible” came together, with interviews from Brian De Palma, Tom Cruise, writer David Koepp, editor Paul Hirsch and more. It’s like a documentary for your ears. Listen up!

Buy or rent on digital now.

https://paramnt.us/MissionImpossible

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" Teaser Trailer Breakdown Nov 11, 2024

The teaser trailer for “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” is here! And Drew and Charles break it all down, including all of the Easter eggs, callbacks to earlier entries in the franchise and potential reveals. We’re so thrilled to be back and to be talking about the new movie!

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Our 200th Episode Spectacular (Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, Nick Offerman, Glen Powell, Greg Tarzan Davis) Jul 02, 2024

We are going back to the vaults to dig up our 200th-episode spectacular, anchored by Christopher McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen and including Tom Cruise, Nick Offerman, Eddie Hamilton, Glen Powell, Greg Tarzan Davis and Mark Gatiss. What more do you need to know? Just listen!

This episode was originally released in August 2022.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Eddie Hamilton on "Top Gun: Maverick" Jun 25, 2024

We loved our conversation with "Top Gun: Maverick" editor Eddie Hamilton so much, we just had to bring it back. Join us as we discuss how editing “Top Gun: Maverick” was like climbing a mountain, the process of approximating the look of Tony Scott’s original “Top Gun” and just how tricky the introductory bar scene in “Top Gun: Maverick” was to get right. Plus what Edgar Wright contributed to the movie and Tom Cruise’s very best note. You don't want to miss this!

This episode was originally released in June 2022.

"Top Gun: Maverick" is available to buy on digital and on 4K Ultra HD Disc, Blu-ray and DVD.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Joseph Kosinski (Director of "Top Gun: Maverick") Jun 18, 2024

We’re talking to "Top Gun: Maverick" director Joseph Kosinski about what he brought to the long-simmering sequel (he pitched Tom Cruise on the set of “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”), working with Val Kilmer, the emotional core of the movie, and, of course, Tom Cruise’s hair. This episode was originally released May 2022. "Top Gun: Maverick" is available to buy on digital and on 4K Ultra HD Disc, Blu-ray and DVD.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rocking Out with Richard Linklater Jun 11, 2024

This week on “The Directors” we are speaking with Richard Linklater, who directed the classic Paramount film “School of Rock” and also made “The Bad News Bears” and “Everybody Wants Some!!” for the studio. Learn about his unique approach to the material, how making “School of Rock” differed from his more indie films and more. Also: we talk about his sexy new comedic thriller “Hit Man.”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting Scary with Sean S. Cunningham, Director of “Friday the 13th” Jun 04, 2024

We are joined by Sean S. Cunningham for this very special, very spooky episode of “The Directors.” “Friday the 13th” director Cunningham tells us about the origins of the film, how they actually produced the movie and what it was like to kill Kevin Bacon with an arrow. Grab your popcorn, turn out the lights and listen up!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Christopher McQuarrie on "Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation" and "Mission: Impossible – Fallout” May 31, 2024

Let’s go back to (almost) the beginning with our very in-depth conversation with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie. In this episode, McQuarrie talks about his involvement in “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” how that wound up with him directing “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” and finally about the just-released (at the time) “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” It’s a wonderful chat with one of our favorite people.

This episode was originally released in December 2018.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Episode is a Secret "10 Cloverfield Lane" Sequel with Dan Trachtenberg (Part Two) May 28, 2024

We are so thrilled to be joined by Dan Trachtenberg, the filmmaker behind “10 Cloverfield Lane,” on this week’s episode of “The Directors.” We discuss working within the Bad Robot framework, how the movie was supposed to look and what J.J. Abrams contributed. Plus, get updates on Trachtenberg’s “Prey” sequel.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trapped in a Bunker with "10 Cloverfield Lane" Director Dan Trachtenberg (Part One) May 21, 2024

Joining us on this episode of “The Directors” is Dan Trachtenberg, the director of new Paramount classic “10 Cloverfield Lane.” In this episode, learn about Trachtenberg’s origin story, how he got on board the project and how a spec script called “The Cellar” became “10 Cloverfield Lane.”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Robert Elswit, Cinematographer for “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” and “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” May 17, 2024

This week we are revisiting our conversation with Oscar®-winning cinematographer Robert Elswit, who shot both “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” and “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.” It was a huge thrill getting to chat with this legend, who shares details about the making of both films, including what it was like to shoot the Burj, how his background in visual effects aided in the underwater sequence and what went into the opera sequence. It's a doozy!

This episode was originally released in February 2019.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back to “Nebraska” with Alexander Payne (Part Two) May 14, 2024

Alexander Payne joins us on “The Directors,” where we touch on his other Paramount gems – the road trip movie “Nebraska” and the underrated “Downsizing.” Learn how he got the studio to agree to black-and-white for “Nebraska” and why he thinks “Downsizing” should have been a television series instead.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Election” Results with Alexander Payne (Part One) May 07, 2024

On this episode of “The Directors” we are joined by Alexander Payne, who takes us through the inception and making of his early Paramount classic “Election.” Payne discusses the challenges with multiple voiceovers, working with MTV and his playful sense of continuity. If you love “Election” as much as we do (and even if you don’t), this is a very fun conversation.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Michael Giacchino, Composer of “Mission: Impossible III” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" May 03, 2024

Michael Giacchino is a world-famous composer who did both “Mission: Impossible III” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.” He is also a very cool guy. We talked to him about how he got involved with the franchise, working with filmmakers J.J. Abrams and Brad Bird, and his debut solo album. And yes, we also talk about the amazing track names on the score albums.

This episode was originally released in November 2020.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randomized Ending with "Clue" Director Jonathan Lynn (Part Two) Apr 30, 2024

We are joined by Jonathan Lynn, who made the cult comedy classic “Clue,” this time talking about the film’s release and some of his other projects, notably “The Distinguished Gentleman,” “The Whole Nine Yards” and the Oscar-winning “My Cousin Vinny.” It’s a good one.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clued In with "Clue" Director Jonathan Lynn (Part One) Apr 23, 2024

We are joined by Jonathan Lynn, the filmmaker behind the immortal based-on-a-board-game comedic mystery “Clue.” Learn how he joined the project, the decision to engage with the multiple endings idea and how there was a fourth ending that was ultimately cut. It doesn’t take a detective to see that this is a super-entertaining chat!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting John Knoll, Visual Effects Supervisor for “Mission: Impossible” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” Apr 19, 2024

John Knoll is one of the most legendary visual effects artists in history. He also served as the visual effects supervisor for both the first “Mission: Impossible” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.” He talks about the shot he did on the first film to get his name in the opening credits, working with “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” director Brad Bird on the unmade earthquake epic “1906” and we get his Tom Cruise hair rankings.

This episode was originally released in February 2020.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Howard Deutch is "Some Kind of Wonderful" (Part Two) Apr 16, 2024

We’re joined by Howard Deutch, the filmmaker behind “Pretty in Pink.” Learn what advice Deutch was given by “Mission: Impossible” director Brian De Palma, go behind the scenes of “Some Kind of Wonderful,” hear about how much John Candy hated making “The Great Outdoors," and so much more!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sitting "Pretty in Pink" with Howard Deutch (Part One) Apr 09, 2024

On “The Directors,” we are so thrilled to be chatting with filmmaker Howard Deutch, who directed “Pretty in Pink” and “Some Kind of Wonderful.” This week we get into his collaborative relationship with John Hughes, how Duckie was a controversial figure, and his unmade Hughes project “Oil and Vinegar” – plus much more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Michael Kaplan, Costume Designer on "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" Apr 05, 2024

Time to look your best because we are joined by Michael Kaplan, the genius costume designer for “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” and one of the most talented people currently living (just look up his résumé). We discuss Tom Cruise’s quick-change outfit, the gecko gloves and – of course! – the snow ensembles that he created but were never used. This is an amazing conversation, down to the last stitch.

This episode was originally released in April 2020.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker Look Back on Their Comedic Career (Part Two) Apr 02, 2024

We are joined by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, better known as the ZAZ team. And while we continue our deep dive into the making of “Airplane!,” we also discuss “Top Secret!,” “Police Squad,” “The Naked Gun” and – of course! – “Ghost,” which was directed by Jerry and became a phenomenon. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll question every decision you’ve ever made!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Putting "Airplane!" Together with Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker (Part One) Mar 26, 2024

We are really joined by The Directors this week – directors Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, otherwise known as ZAZ. This week we dive deep into the making of their immortal comedy classic “Airplane!.” Learn about the movie’s connection to “Mission: Impossible” and so much more. It’s a gas!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Lorne Balfe Mar 22, 2024

Lorne Balfe’s score for “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is an all-time classic, so you can imagine how thrilled we were to talk to the composer about how it all came together. Learn his inspiration for unforgettable cues and how composing the music was its own (almost) impossible mission.

This episode was originally released in October 2018.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Partying On with "Wayne's World" Director Penelope Spheeris (Part Two) Mar 19, 2024

“Wayne’s World” director Penelope Spheeris shares the secret to making a movie based on a “Saturday Night Live" sketch, discusses whether it's true Dana Carvey wanted to quit before filming started, and reveals whether or not the headbanging was improvised. Plus, get bonus stories about Alice Cooper and the late, great Chris Farley. It rocks.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rocking Out with "Wayne's World" Director Penelope Spheeris (Part One) Mar 12, 2024

On the first installment of our miniseries, The Directors, we chat with director Penelope Spheeris, director of “Wayne’s World.” We discuss how she boarded the project, how her background making music documentaries informed her directorial choices, and get great stories about Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. Party on!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing Light the Fuse Presents: The Directors Mar 05, 2024

In our very first miniseries, “The Directors,” we talk to filmmakers who have made truly iconic Paramount movies to find out what that process was like, getting all of the details and juicy tidbits that only we can. From Penelope Spheeris to Alexander Payne, it’s an unforgettable trip through cinema history. Starting March 12th, new episodes every Tuesday!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Our 100th Episode with Christopher McQuarrie, Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, and Lorne Balfe Mar 05, 2024

They said it couldn’t be done, but we proved the doubters wrong. This is our 100th episode spectacular. And if that’s confusing, well, that’s okay, because this was from the original version of the show. All you need to know is that we are joined by Christopher McQuarrie, Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell and Lorne Balfe. Also: it’s totally unpredictable and so much fun. Join us, won’t you?

This episode was originally released in May 2020.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Paul Hirsch, Editor of “Mission: Impossible” Feb 27, 2024

Paul Hirsch is one of the most legendary editors of all time, and this week he joins us to talk about the first “Mission: Impossible” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.” Included in this chat: details about Brian De Palma filming his wedding, how Brad Bird’s approach to editing changed him, and a description of a gory “Ghost Protocol” deleted scene. This really has it all!

This episode was originally released in June 2019.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Eddie Hamilton, Editor of “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” Feb 20, 2024

This week we’re taking it back to our very first interview with Eddie Hamilton, the editor of “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” and “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” Learn about the collaborative process between Hamilton, writer/director Christopher McQuarrie and star Tom Cruise, the making of both films and what Hamilton’s rankings currently are.

This episode was originally released in December 2018.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Brad Bird Feb 13, 2024

Brad Bird never recorded a commentary track for “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” but he did sit down for this extended interview. Learn how close Vanessa Redgrave came to being in the movie, why “Ghost Protocol” has a full title sequence, and the reason why the climax wasn’t grislier. Accept it.

This episode was originally released in March 2019.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting Christopher McQuarrie on "Jack Reacher" Feb 06, 2024

For the anniversary of “Jack Reacher,” we chatted with writer/director Christopher McQuarrie. We go deep on the movie, including how “Jack Reacher” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” are inexorably linked, why Tom Cruise was a perfect Reacher, and how they constructed the movie’s wordless opening.

This episode was originally released in December 2022.

You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting David Koepp Jan 30, 2024

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to pull together the script for the first “Mission: Impossible,” let writer David Koepp walk you through it. Koepp shares screenplay credit with Robert Towne and talks us through the characters’ names, does a killer Brian De Palma impression, discusses Luther’s survival, and gets into the criticism that the movie was too confusing. This episode has it all! This episode was originally released in October 2020.