All Episodes

October 17, 2025 30 mins

When a fearless young writer pitched a daring idea — “Mad Max on water” — no one expected the epic that followed. In this episode Kent Hill sits down with Peter Rader, the screenwriter whose audacious debut became Waterworld: the practical-stunt spectacle that weathered critic storms, inspired theme-park spectacles, and now gleams in a definitive 4K restoration.

Rader walks us through the mythic drafts, the strange beats that stuck (yes, even the infamous opening), and the scrapped fantasy flourishes that could have made the world even stranger — from Poseidon-like villains to mutated henchmen. Alongside Daniel Griffith’s documentary, the conversation finally peels back the tabloid myths and reveals the creative heart of a production that was as ambitious as it was turbulent.

This is a Hollywood Cinderella story told from the inside: naiveté, audacity, and the stubborn persistence of storytelling that transformed a polarizing flop into a beloved, enduring cult classic.

CHECK IT OUT:

https://themovieisle.com/2023/07/10/4k-uhd-review-arrow-videos-waterworld-limited-edition/

https://www.peterrader.com/

https://youtu.be/oEp382HIisE

https://youtu.be/e0fXanrJOnk

https://youtu.be/-GQZMdNtHNU

 

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

The Bobby Bones Show

The Bobby Bones Show

Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.