At San Diego Comic-Con 2026, a panel of top producers pulled back the curtain on the messy, unpredictable world of movie-making. Brad Fuller (co-founder of Platinum Dunes), Andrew Form (producer of A Quiet Place), and Simon Kinberg (the longtime X-Men writer-producer) sat down with Collider's Steven Weintraub for a candid conversation about their careers, the projects that got away, and the one that slipped through their fingers at the last second.
Among the most jaw-dropping revelations: a Friday the 13th reboot that was fully in the works—and then yanked just four weeks before cameras were set to roll. Fuller and Form, who have deep ties to the horror genre through Platinum Dunes, didn't hold back on the frustration of seeing the project die so close to production. It's a stark reminder that even with a script, a director, and a start date, nothing is guaranteed in Hollywood.
The trio also reflected on their early days in the industry, when DVD sales were booming and streaming didn't exist. Fuller noted how much the landscape has shifted: "There are more places to sell your movies, but there are less ways to get a theatrical movie made." Kinberg added that whole genres—like mid-budget adult dramas and romantic comedies—have largely vanished from theaters, replaced by franchise fare and event films.
Kinberg shared stories from his X-Men tenure, including the notoriously difficult shoot for X-Men: The Last Stand, which he admitted audiences should "probably skip." He was far prouder of Deadpool, which became a cultural phenomenon. He also revealed he lost out on producing Project Hail Mary, one of 2026's biggest releases—a missed opportunity that still stings.
Form, meanwhile, recalled the unforgettable experience of screening A Quiet Place for the first time. The film's silent gimmick made it a nerve-wracking watch, but it also became its calling card. The producers also touched on the altered ending of The Martian, the Amityville Horror remake, and the creation of The Purge—all projects that helped define their careers.
When asked how they'd approach a great script with no director, no cast, and impossible sequences, all three agreed: the first move is always finding a director. "That's how you get the cast," Kinberg explained. "No matter how good the script is, they're going to say, 'Who's directing it?'"
The panel also featured a question from producer Kelly McCormick, and the trio shared clips from their work, offering a rare glimpse into the movie magic—and the chaos—behind the scenes. For fans of horror, superheroes, or just great behind-the-scenes stories, this conversation is a must-watch.
For more on canceled projects and industry insights, check out our piece on why Mindhunter was canceled or the canceled steampunk gem The Nevers.
