Nov
Josh Brolin Recalls Steven Spielberg’s Blunt Advice on The Goonies Set: “Just Act”
At 16, Josh Brolin went deep into his character analysis on The Goonies, but Steven Spielberg quickly set him straight with a dose of humor.
Josh Brolin recently shared a memorable experience he had with Steven Spielberg while filming the iconic 1985 adventure film The Goonies. In a new interview promoting his upcoming memoir, From Under the Truck, the 56-year-old actor told PEOPLE about a moment on set when Spielberg, who created the story of the film, gently but firmly shut down Brolin’s overly ambitious approach to his role.
Brolin recalled an intense interpretation he offered for his character, Brand, envisioning the tunnels the kids navigate in the movie as a metaphor for the “inside of his mother’s womb” and Brand’s desire to “cut that umbilical cord.” Spielberg’s response? A straightforward, “Yeah, just act. Just say what’s on the page.” Brolin laughed as he recalled Spielberg’s reaction, admitting that Spielberg wasn’t being harsh — he was simply giving him practical advice.
Despite the blunt feedback, Brolin still cherishes that time on set, calling it “probably the greatest experience of my life” as a young actor. Reflecting on those early days, Brolin shared, “At 16, I had been kicked out of my house, crashing on my dad’s couch, trying to figure things out. I’d gone through about 350 auditions, hearing people tell me to find another career because I wasn’t good at this — but I loved the challenge.”
Since its release, The Goonies has become a beloved classic, grossing $125 million and helping launch the careers of actors like Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Martha Plimpton, and Ke Huy Quan, who went on to win an Oscar in 2023 for Everything Everywhere All at Once after years away from Hollywood.
Josh Brolin Recalls Steven Spielberg’s Blunt Advice on The Goonies Set: “Just Act”
Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Spielberg’s representatives for comment.
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