Peter Jackson and Christian Rivers on the Making of Mortal Engines!

Adam Savage sits down with director Christian Rivers and producer Peter Jackson to talk about the process of adapting the Mortal Engines book series into the upcoming film. It's a wide-ranging discussion about world building, telling cinematic stories, and the collaborative process of filmmaking at this scale.
This video is sponsored by Universal Pictures and Mortal Engines.
Shot and edited by Joey Fameli
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Tested is:
Adam Savage / donttrythis
Norman Chan / nchan
Simone Giertz / simonegiertz
Joey Fameli www.joeyfameli.com
Gunther Kirsch guntherkirsch.com
Ryan Kiser / ryan.kiser
Kishore Hari / sciencequiche
Sean Charlesworth / cworthdynamics
Jeremy Williams / jerware
Kayte Sabicer / kaytesabicer
Bill Doran / chinbeard
Ariel Waldman / arielwaldman
Darrell Maloney / thebrokennerd83
Kristen Lomasney / krystynlo
Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Set design by Danica Johnson / saysdanica
Set build by Asa Hillis www.asahillis.com
Thanks for watching!

[@tested]

ICYMI, Adam ALSO built a hero prop from Mortal Engines. Watch the One Day Build here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baCqpJ96n7mhfqs

[@sgste]

Okay - alright... 11 minutes in and Peter Jackson has stolen my heart. He just feels so genuine and honest - and he just looks so tired! Like an old uncle, lazing over one shoulder, telling you about grand stories and inspiring you! And when he mentions the scarring situation, he completely won me over with the direction they took. I was hyped before (huge fan of the books since being a kid) but now I'm so incredibly excited! One more week!

[@merlin9943]

The scars were just right.

[@delatorture1633]

The movie is terrible

[@sgste]

@@delatorture1633 I have to disagree. I don't know if you've read the books, or if that's the reason I enjoyed it so much - but I really did love the film. I can understand all the criticisms as I'm pouring through reviews now, but I can't honestly say I didn't have a great time watching this movie...

[@steinistein8611]

I disagree. In another interview, don't remember where I read it, he or the director said that they wanted to make it more "believable" that Tom fell for her. Implying that it was unrealistic that someone could fall for someone who's heavily disfigured. I don't like that. Also it's just sad because that scar and her being definitly ugly and someone STILL falling for her was something that made her unique! The author even explained that female characters in fantasy are always described as inhumanly beautiful (just look at lord of the rings' women) so they knew Hester would be very ugly. And that being ugly would affect her. And in the movie, she is still very attractive despite the scar. And the scar is really tiny compared to the heavy disfigurement she has in the books: Small unimportant spoiler for the book ahead: In the books, she is missing an eye and her nose! I would have loved to see a heavily disfigured person be the main character of a Hollywood movie and it not being the center of the plot. In the end, I'm sure we all could have seen past that, even on screen, because we would have grown to love her very well written personality and forget about the scar...

[@sgste]

@@steinistein8611 I guess there's a lot of factors involved. Perhaps it is unbelievable for such a relationship to form over such a short period of time (unlike the book, the film seems to take place in a shorter time span). Interestingly enough, after watching the film I didn't get a 'madly in love' vibe from the two leads at all, but more of a subtle 'we're more intimate friends now, who might have a glimmer of something in our future'.

[@dew7555]

Adam can I hug you? This has been my favorite book series for years, and I remember freaking out when I heard Peter Jackson was sitting on the rights. Now that it's finally coming out none of my favorite youtube channels are talking about it! Except you. Not only that you've gotten such amazing access and you're giving us such cool content surrounding the movie. Seriously, this is holding me over for the next week in a big way. You're a true gentleman.

[@dlux703]

This has to be one of, if not my favorite video of the last year!! What a treat to meet both of these guys and have your conversations evolve into the exposure of process and thought that would never have been available to us in any other venue. Thank you so much for this glimpse into the genius and creative co-op that is modern film production. I wish I had access to this network for advice on my own screenplay/outline that has been percolating for about 3 yrs. now. I've always been a fan, but have seen into new depths of your perspective that are not always obvious to viewers of your TV or KZbin content.

[@Sunila_DragonladyCH]

Peter Jackson is a genius. Whenever he speaks I suddenly feel I am "home". He won't read this but when he explains about how he "re-motivates" himself watching movies... I do *exactly* that with the LOTR EE DVD appendixes. When I forget why I am struggling with a painting or project, I watch these appendixes and my motivation is back 100%. Thanks for this video tested people!

[@darktoostie]

That was a delightful treat! Thank you!

[@koalachuk5550]

From Adams great questions (and follow up questions) to the great answers, this has definitely helped me further my film career. Thanks guys, great interviews!

[@alexanderverdoodt]

Yes! I love it when they go to New Zealand! Always produces great content.

[@paulmanningremixes6408]

Thanks for this chaps, absolute joyous quality

[@golach420]

Love what you do, Adam! Such interesting conversations.

[@better.better]

very nice interviews, thank you!

brilliant in depth no hype actual production discussion... at this point i want to see the movie just to pay respect to the crafts people who have worked to bring me something original to watch. Yes to solving big problems audaciously. Yes to original films (I'm of an age I too remember all my movies growing up being non-franchise fare) and Hell Yeah to people with a love for zero-exposition cinematic storytelling.

[@johncleave]

There's plenty of exposition in the movie but it's handled well, much better than a big prologue or text crawl at the start would have been.

[@DuncanSmith]

Love how Peter Jackson does these behind the scenes videos 👊🏻

[@FatherDyer1990]

Duncan Smith he also just did one on the rotten tomatoes KZbin channel.

[@DuncanSmith]

Alex Daughdrill thanks bro! I’ll check it out

[@bubotubor]

Hey! What happened to The Talking Room?

[@MarcoRuschkowski]

i totally and I have to admit, I'm sure I've seen the "making of" DVD´s of Lord of the Rings more often than the movies themselves. Ok.. I'm strange.

[@paperclip9558]

Man, I just watched Lotr behind the scene stuffs and seeing them old right now is weird af. Seeing them still working together until now is pretty rad.

[@Dimitrije_Miljus]

Very few people leave Weta do work somewhere else :D Most of the staff has been working there for the past 15 20 years. It's a dream job 110%

[@Seelenschmiede]

@@Dimitrije_Miljus I definitely never ever for nothing on the world would leave them if I got the chance to work with them!

[@Dimitrije_Miljus]

@@Seelenschmiede Same :D I'm a concept artist in the film and game industry and sent them my work on a few occasions and they seem to like it so hopefully one day :D

[@ancientone5903]

@Adio Fimaha If Peter Jackson ever dose another film based off a novel, it needs to be a Dungeons & Dragons film, the best example I speak of is The Dark Elf Trilogy, ever heard of it? Well, since your into the Lord of the Rings, you should take a very good look at D&D Forgotten Realms, I deeply suggest you do so.

[@johnnyzakka]

the best guy ever to be in front of a camera interviewing the best guy to ever be behind one :D probably the greatest interview in history xD

[@l00t3R]

Looks amazing and cannot wait to see this on the big screen

[@nickgrimstrup3316]

Love this interview. I cant wait to see this movie 🤩

[@peytonbrown5394]

This was really enjoyable to watch, and has only has only added to my excitement to see this with my dad next next!!

[@lochrine-8432]

What the heck Adam.... you’re a lucky super mega fan who gets to do whatever he wants

[@lucasbiermann257]

when you are lucky to be young at the right time at the right place doing the right things and meeting the right people you end up like him.

[@imagoFX]

@@lucasbiermann257 Lucky and 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 like him

[@amandathebeebo4960]

I loved these books, and am very much looking forward to seeing the movie.

[@MoonwalkerWorshiper]

Excellent interview and questions

[@drbobertman]

Its greatto see Adam and Peter Jackson look so engaged in discussing movie making and the work involved in it. its a shame the movie doesn't look as nearly good as they are excited about it

[@youtube_moderator]

Amazing interview!

[@yuelina9221]

I love Peter so much. He is amazing and I always get so excited when he works on new stuff. His hair is so grey now, haha. :D The lotr movies are still my fav for what, 17 years now? It's so awesome.

[@shaker7804]

Adam thanks again. Truly inspiring!

[@quaternio]

You should have produced this as an episode of The Talking Room. Loved that show.

[@lukasprochazkaprod]

Tested beeing as a media partner in move like this helps a lot, Adam and guys have huge sci-fi movie base of audience, plus this is accually quality contentent, thanks

[@Nipponing]

"Adam Savage’s Tested" Wait what? Adam took over the channel?

[@Bazeleel]

Where have you been?? Its been this way for like 3 years ..

[@showbags7]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@edencane]

This episode made my day!

[@Supwisebs]

I never expected these books to get a movie adaptation. I’m so glad they are and even more glad that Peter Jackson is the man at the helm!

[@sauronbaggins1833]

Supwisebs He was not. Supposedly.

[@kaygee301]

As an aspiring NZ director, Peter Jackson you've done a lot by just doing what you do.

[@maxl.9500]

Adam, we'd love to see this dream chronicler case!

[@geiramTV]

really looking forward to this movie, everyone film peter jackson has made over the years are truly worth watching. love his lotr and hobbit movies and the older golden ones :D

[@BROON71]

This should be a fun interview to watch...

[@gamerxt333]

more fun than the movie

[@BROON71]

@@gamerxt333 LOL! So true. The movie was tresh!

[@darrenmanning6659]

Great interview from both sides

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

He's working on a WWI documentary too?! Man, can't wait for that to come out! Although he has already been on it for 2.5 years, so who knows how much is left... This is the anniversary of the end of WWI... Would be great if it came out this year...

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

@WGIYV Just looked it up (thank you!) and it looks and sounds amazing! If it's on BBC, is it available internationally for free? Because I doubt it'll be screened here in Japan ever...

[@smith9808]

Michael Berthelsen you should be able to find it online with a search. If not, you can buy it on DVD. It’s absolutely brilliant!

[@mardigrasw]

Will b at amc theaters Dec 17 n 27th warner brother also bought distribution in usa

[@UncleManuel]

What a treat to get such in depth information about movie production... :-) Btw, do a drinking game: every time Christian says "you know".... ^_^

[@Robotpo]

I've never seen PJ without a tea cup clenched in his hand...my guess is the tea cup is like the One Ring and that's where he stores his will to dominate all life.

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

It's where he puts his whiskey.

[@dustinschwartz1654]

Underrated comment.

[@l00t3R]

Yet my all time favourite Peter Jackson film has to be 'Bad Taste'! Hilariously gory.

[@harbl99]

Patrician tastes. "Did they make you eat a big bowl of chuck?"

[@l00t3R]

@@harbl99 the gruel is the best

[@GoDamnWeird]

"Aren't I the lucky one?! I got a CHUNKY bit!" Actually, I'm still hooked on Meet the Feebles. Only seen Bad Taste a couple or three times, admittedly.

[@coolio227722]

Omg mortal engines makes me want to cry, its almost everything i could dream of

[@Chris-jo1zr]

Not too surprised Adam would have a dream diary.

[@anissofea8168]

All i want to know is.... How the hell am i going to get to work with an awesome man such as Peter Jackson... I love his works so much, it will be an honour to be able to be part of his crew in movies he’s directed or in.

[@NietzscheanMan]

Casting couch.

[@AG.Floats]

Years and years of experience and a good background in acting and film or something similar. You don't get your dreams to come true and do things you want to do by just wishing for it.

[@officialpartychannel]

I got tickets for the first 2D showing of this movie. I don't know what to expect, but I'm hoping it's good!

[@feelnopaintv8607]

Can´t wait for it! Hope it does better than the last weird sci-fi movies that have come out

[@jimmerhardy]

Peter Jackson is one of the bravest auteurs around. It's got to be stressful attempting to out do yourself, but somehow he does it.

[@david.cutipa]

From the thumbnail I thought he was Zizek

[@3DJapan]

10:40 I haven't read these books but the talk of her look reminded me of Ready Player One. In the book the one character is described as having a really terrible birthmark that seemed to cover half her face but in the movie you could barely see it.

[@juhva]

It would be great if Adam could (would get a chance) interview Stanley Kubric's assistant Leon Vitali. As Adam gives people time to answer and doesn't interrupt them.

[@bbell4208]

The industry seems to have finally started to realize its not all about C.G.I... U gotta keep those practical affects incorporated as well.... Together the world building and realism of the fantasy creatures, objects, ...... and such, pull you right in and hold you there captivating all viewers and we get to fall into the story, become a fellow character and i mean that's what i want outta movies; getting lost and dropping thew constant thoughts needed to be confronted and dealt with accordingly as adults with responsibilities ....cant wait see this one!!!

[@joshua.snyder]

I am sorry Mortal Engines turned out to be a dud of a film. The trailers didn't do a good job of creating sizzle. Trailers made it look too Michael Bay-ish: All flash and no soul. Will be supporting Jackson's WWI project and am excited for it!

[@ElwoodPDowd1970]

This movie is officially a bomb. A December release for a title like this pretty much guaranteed that result.

[@bdsandaker]

Can we get a "You know" count?

[@amelialikesfrogs5778]

O:07 that voice break though

[@ianmedium]

Does anyone know what wristwatch Peter Jackson wears. It looks like a vintage LCD watch of some kind, he has worn it for many years

[@nzgunnie]

Perhaps they can now get back to making the Dam Busters...

[@timduthie6399]

I hope so!

[@HUMM3LMAN]

I just love Peter Jackson!

[@3DJapan]

The talk of scale reminds me of Avatar. The blue aliens are so much taller than people but most of them time I kept forgetting just how big they are.

[@zacharybrown4323]

Peters looking like the peter I grew up to know and love!

[@Kitmaker]

I hope he didn't do the Brontosaurus stampede scene in King Kong because that scene was movie breaking for me. A shame too as the movie on the whole was pretty good. What I would tell Jackson if I could is that you can't let the effects take over the film. And that happened in even some scenes of Return of the King.

[@jeremywilliams1984]

I agree completely. That moment destroyed my suspension of disbelief and forced me out of the movie for good. Too much of the screen was CG created, flattening the perspective and ruining the illusion.

[@gamerxt333]

and then there was jack black playing a mental person that blamed others for everything in a funny way that wasnt really funny (hence mental person)

[@jamesleece4175]

Sir Peter Jackson , very down to earth

[@Herfinnur]

It's too bad the film didn't do better at the box office. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and bits and pieces of it still pop up in my head

[@thecoolerrats7144]

Mortal Engines is the perfect metaphor for the the film industry’s emphasis on franchises consuming original properties and you missed the opportunity to make it.

[@samsunkandroit8797]

@Adam Savage`s Tested Would make some Videos on "how to make good Interviews"? I like your Interview Style, and I´d like to learn more about your preperation on an interview and on what is important from A to Z. I am sure a lot of your subscribers would be very interested in that topic. :)

[@NettlewoodPark]

So cool :)

[@Monkeyshaman]

Get him to show his Perry bros. Collection the next time you're there. plz.

[@helenluis5626]

Christian Rivers is physically slowly morphing into Peter Jackson.

[@greyareaRK1]

Really looking forward to this film, but Hollywood definitely made the usual changes. I barely noticed Hester's 'disfigurement' in the trailer. They made her a pretty young woman with a slight make-up mishap.

[@LascaillesShroud]

Let's hope this paves the way for a filmmaker to be given a LOTR budget and singular creative team to work on a trilogy of films based on Alastair Reynolds "Revelation Space" trilogy. It won't happen, ever, I know, but I will allow myself a sliver of hope since Absolution Gap had crawling/walking/driving cities and also way other cool stuff like a fucked up moon.

[@assuncaP]

Adam I'm surprised you haven't weathered your iPhone leather case.

[@lockinhinddanger934]

it feels like they covered 2 books in one movie, i really wish he slowed it down a bit (i mean it was good for a movie, but it seemed too fast at times.)

[@DManStudiostx]

Do they talk about Dam Busters?

[@DavidSGrop]

I really enjoyed this film and was surprised to see not many people share my sentiment. Is it mostly disgruntled book fans who thought it wasn't faithful enough or something?

[@GhostFortress001]

*

[@FlexibleGames]

What's with the rumbling on the sound? Was there a thunderstorm going or something?

[@SamuraiiiJack]

BEST MOMENT 38:10 - 39:12 !!!!!

[@TheGlosoli]

Ah so Christian Rivers is the one responsible for the barrel go pro footage in the second hobbit film.... oh well.... ill still probably check this one out. :)

[@ernststravoblofeld]

Falckon The barrel footage didn't suck, it just didn't belong in the movie.

[@steinistein8611]

@@ernststravoblofeld it did suck

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

happy 58th birthday peter jackson !!!!

[@deathpyre]

Basically Peter Jackson says he didn't do anything, it was just an interesting project he bought.

[@zep909]

But then Christian Rivers says that there was a lot of preproduction material already available to him from 8 (?) years ago, so maybe he's just being humble ? Just a thought.

[@nathanericschwabenland88888]

i am making a harry potter-esque book called pugs are not dogs for kids ages 10 and up as told by a dachshund miner dog from sirius star system

[@wentworthneves6524]

I would've liked a darker somewhat similar book adaptation based on something like 'Absolution Gap' by Alastair Reynolds. I fear what the YA element will bring to the movie since I'm not really interested in anything remotely similar to Hunger Games or trash like that.

[@SlackWi]

I've only just realised how inspired absolution gap must have been by mortal engines, damn that book just lost some originality for me

[@LascaillesShroud]

Absolution Gap came out only three years after Mortal Engines, and given time for editing, promo, and publishing, I doubt AG was that heavily taken from Mortal Engines. Besides, these cities aren't even chasing a vanishing moon, so they're way less cool.

[@anuntitledstory1]

The YA part plays some roles but the books take way dark turns and the main characters aren't all-powerful Mary Sues like in America YA

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

Peter Jackson is a legend, and definitely a big drinker. Ridley Scott is still keeping it up into his mid 80's getting sloshed on set haha.

[@eclipseslayer98]

I've seen something similar called "Tailenders". Though the only thing it has in common with Mortal Engines is that it has giant wheeled cities. Spoilers* In Tailenders though, they have to keep moving because of a terraforming machine that went all power hungry and decided it would terraform how it saw fit, which caused the planet to become unstable.

[@oliveraeternus3285]

Do Berserk please Peter.

[@josephrusso4828]

I didn't watch the video yet, did Jackson explain why the tintin sequel was indefinitely stalled/canceled?

[@CalebRichardsChannel]

After Tintin, he immediately made The Hobbit, after which he immediately started work on his WWI docu "They Shall Not Grow Old" and writing and producing "Mortal Engines". He may have the chance to write and direct Tintin now.

[@josephrusso4828]

Oh ok, thanks! 👍

[@rossrichert2022]

You’re so lucky!

[@dutchmcoven7292]

Great interview again, . I bestow honorary Kiwi citizenship upon you.

[@philippenachtergal6077]

21:20 That is strange. Reading the Hobbit, so many years ago as a young adult, it didn't feel to me like Tolkien was really trying to make it look real. Even back then when it was I think the first fantasy book I ever read, it felt to me a bit cliché. A very lovely cliché, a cliché that makes you dream but still a cliché. LoTR did feel more substantial, more grounded, putting aside the never-ending epilogue.

[@dajiban9325]

Chrome shelled Regios first showed up as short stories in Japanese magazines in 2001 then was an anime in 2006 you think maybe they got their idea from this show

[@sciencethygod]

nope as there have been many a story before with the same concept.

[@rexdink]

The first book was the published in 2001. The author had short stories based on the idea for this book series published in the 1990's. So my guess is that Chrome shelled Regios was influenced by this author.

[@nairobie755]

The book is also from 2001. I hadn't heard about Chrome shelled Regios, but from what I can tell the first light novel is from 2006 and the manga is about the same time and the anime from 2007.

[@dajiban9325]

The first time they showed up as a short story in Dragon magazine was in 1989 but yeah it's a great story and you guys only prove my point further that nothing's original and there's always going to be someone else who made it first

[@anonymes2884]

Similar ideas run throughout sci-fi. "The Land Leviathan" (1974) by Michael Moorcock features what's effectively a huge land battleship. The "Cities in Flight" series (from 1955) by James Blish features mobile cities (though spacefaring in that instance). Even H G Wells wrote a story called "The Land Ironclads" (1903) featuring, effectively, massive tanks the size of battleships (notable partly because tanks hadn't actually been invented yet). There're bound to be more. As you say, ideas are seldom entirely original, it's how well they're realised that really matters.

[@valerin0]

Thought that was Bill Doran

[@eHappie]

This is unlike tested to post with bad audio...

[@faustosousa_pt5749]

I see that Peter hasn't stopped drinking his tea since the hobbit days😂

[@sauronbaggins1833]

Is unfortunate that the film is a box-office bomb. People doesn't seem to like it either. I haven't watched it yet.

[@robin2thek]

I watched this to 1100 there are spoilers after this. I will stop watching now and continue when I’ve watched the movie. Vote up warning.

[@dazzledification]

read the book, already spoiled

[@tylermoulton7294]

@@dazzledification seriously lol I don’t get the spoiler people

[@mogwai_for_sale]

love peter jackson... his work with lotr will not be bested as far as fantasy trilogies are concerned. but mortal engines looks like the bomb of the year. it simply looks awful! i hope peter gets back to making good films again, but even if he doesn't, lotr is the contribution of a lifetime and he has already earned his place as one of the great directors! EDIT: i didn't realize jackson was not directing this! GOOD!

[@denversproductions9934]

he is a great director. The hobbit was all the producers fault do some research on it. They told him it would be two movies and then turned it into three movies on him after everything was filmed. They also demanded some of the changes that were made. He was still able to make it into a great movie series though.

[@1183newman]

They shall not grow old was amazing, best thing peter jackson has done since lotr, mortal engines however im not all that excited for.

[@emperorjames]

❤

[@Nordle69]

wish this man would stop messing with films like this, pull his finger out and make this bloody dam busters film thats been promised for 0ver 10yrs now

[@PilchPlays]

Still no Beaver. You can't be doing interviews without the Beaver.

[@LyonLars]

Pilch Plays he made a case and everything for him

[@amelialikesfrogs5778]

Nudity isn't allowed on KZbin!

[@stevewashington2158]

I loved this film 10/10!!!