Headfirst Editor's Pick
"It’s nigh on time to reassess your trash opinions about Waterworld. We’ve had enough of mocking the budget, the production disasters and the Hollywood hubris that was 90s blockbusters. It’s time to dive headfirst into this peerless act of post-deluge aquapunk worldbuilding, with 45 minutes of axed footage restored, elevating it to a fully immersive and more coherent trip. (TL;DR Kevin drinks his own piss). "
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A event on Friday 30th May. The event starts at 11:30.
This event is part of Forbidden Worlds Film Festival 2025. Visit www.forbiddenworldsfilmfestival.co.uk to see the full line-up as well as buy Weekend/Day Passes.
Forbidden Worlds of the Deep | Dir: Kevin Reynolds | 1995 | USA | 171 mins | Cert. 12
When you think of Waterworld, the phrases ‘mega-flop’, ‘unchecked ego’ and ‘unbridled hubris’ probably come to mind, but the perception of this 90s action film is far from the truth.
Firstly, yes, the film’s production was a nightmare. As well as the logistical issues of filming on water, the budget doubled and then tripled after a hurricane destroyed one of the film’s most expensive sets. Also, leading man Kevin Costner, who was at the peak of his movie stardom repeatedly clashed with director Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)) forcing the director to leave production during the editing process. All of this was gleefully covered by the entertainment press, creating a perfect storm of controversy for its release.
With the likes of the big budget Last Action Hero (1993) and Cutthroat Island (1995) flopping around this time and Hollywood being swept up with indie darlings like Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith, all eyes were on the $175 million “Mad Max on water” adventure that sees Kevin Costner’s mutant ‘Mariner’ struggling to survive in a world that is submerged after the melting of the ice-caps (and ruled by Dennis Hopper and his ruthless Smokers).
It opened in July 1995 to mixed reviews, but the box office was decent and over the years, thanks to the enduring popularity of the Waterworld Stunt Show at Universal Studios and physical media, it has more than made enough profit to shed its ‘mega-flop’ moniker.
Despite the critical mauling, there is so much to enjoy from this film, that for good reason, will never be made again - incredible massive sets (built off the coast of Hawaii), awe-inspiring stunt work and a leading man that was clearly throwing himself into all the action.
Now, 30 years later, Waterworld is a testament to the last gasp of A-lister-led, Hollywood blockbusters before visual FX would negate the need to do all of this practically.
The film will be preceded by an introduction from Film Stories editor (and Kevin Costner super-fan) Simon Brew who will detail the incredible story behind the making of Waterworld before we screen, for the first time theatrically in the UK, the extended European ‘Ulysses Cut’ of the film, lovingly restored by Arrow Films.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
Forbidden Worlds of the Deep | Dir: Kevin Reynolds | 1995 | USA | 171 mins | Cert. 12
When you think of Waterworld, the phrases ‘mega-flop’, ‘unchecked ego’ and ‘unbridled hubris’ probably come to mind, but the perception of this 90s action film is far from the truth.
Firstly, yes, the film’s production was a nightmare. As well as the logistical issues of filming on water, the budget doubled and then tripled after a hurricane destroyed one of the film’s most expensive sets. Also, leading man Kevin Costner, who was at the peak of his movie stardom repeatedly clashed with director Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)) forcing the director to leave production during the editing process. All of this was gleefully covered by the entertainment press, creating a perfect storm of controversy for its release.
With the likes of the big budget Last Action Hero (1993) and Cutthroat Island (1995) flopping around this time and Hollywood being swept up with indie darlings like Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith, all eyes were on the $175 million “Mad Max on water” adventure that sees Kevin Costner’s mutant ‘Mariner’ struggling to survive in a world that is submerged after the melting of the ice-caps (and ruled by Dennis Hopper and his ruthless Smokers).
It opened in July 1995 to mixed reviews, but the box office was decent and over the years, thanks to the enduring popularity of the Waterworld Stunt Show at Universal Studios and physical media, it has more than made enough profit to shed its ‘mega-flop’ moniker.
Despite the critical mauling, there is so much to enjoy from this film, that for good reason, will never be made again - incredible massive sets (built off the coast of Hawaii), awe-inspiring stunt work and a leading man that was clearly throwing himself into all the action.
Now, 30 years later, Waterworld is a testament to the last gasp of A-lister-led, Hollywood blockbusters before visual FX would negate the need to do all of this practically.
The film will be preceded by an introduction from Film Stories editor (and Kevin Costner super-fan) Simon Brew who will detail the incredible story behind the making of Waterworld before we screen, for the first time theatrically in the UK, the extended European ‘Ulysses Cut’ of the film, lovingly restored by Arrow Films.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
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