Working with Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg is a dream for most actors. For Amy Adams and Javier Bardem, it was also a little terrifying. The two Hollywood legends serve as executive producers on Apple TV+’s new adaptation of Cape Fear, and according to the cast and crew, they were far more involved than their titles might suggest. Showrunner Nick Antosca revealed that both filmmakers played an active role throughout production, reading scripts, reviewing edits and offering creative feedback. Their involvement stems from the duo’s connection to the 1991 Cape Fear film, which was directed by Scorsese and produced by Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment.
“They gave notes, they watched cuts and they read scripts,” Antosca shared, describing their contributions as invaluable to the series.
For Javier Bardem, who takes on the role of Max Cady, the pressure was immediate. The actor recalled an early table read where the cast gathered in a room while giant screens displayed Scorsese and Spielberg watching remotely.
“It was the most terrifying table read I’ve ever done,” Bardem admitted, joking that he was convinced Scorsese would fire him after hearing him read the iconic role.
Amy Adams had a similar reaction. The actress revealed that seeing Scorsese appear on screen during the first table read instantly made her nervous.
“The expletives that went through my head,” Adams joked. “I was sweating and trying so hard to prove I belonged there.”
Despite the nerves, Adams said having two of cinema’s greatest filmmakers involved was ultimately a rewarding experience. The actress, who previously worked with Spielberg in Catch Me If You Can, described him as a mentor and even a father figure throughout her career.
She credited the director for giving her confidence early in her Hollywood journey and said she still carries lessons learned from working with him more than two decades ago.
Antosca also revealed that Scorsese’s influence extended into the editing room. The filmmaker reportedly offered suggestions on building suspense, scene placement and even helped shape one of the show’s most brutal sequences involving Bardem’s character.
Meanwhile, Spielberg championed another key element of the series: its music. According to Antosca, the legendary director was passionate about incorporating Bernard Herrmann’s iconic Cape Fear score, believing it should feel like a character within the story itself.
The involvement of both directors has added an extra layer of prestige to the series, but it has also raised expectations among fans. With two of Hollywood’s most celebrated storytellers guiding the project from behind the scenes, Cape Fear arrives with the kind of creative pedigree few television dramas can match.
The first two episodes of Cape Fear are now streaming on Apple TV+.