Josh Brolin Recalls Why Steven Spielberg Told Him “Just Act” On ‘Goonies’ Set: “He Was Right”

Nearly 40 years later, Josh Brolin still remembers Steven Spielberg‘s advice from the set of The Goonies.

Recounting the 1985 film as “probably the greatest experience of my life,” the Oscar nominee revealed what the producer told him on the set of the Richard Donner-helmed adventure comedy.

“I think [my character] Brandon is freaking out, and the tunnels represent the inside of his mother’s womb, and he’s trying to cut that umbilical cord,” he explained to People of his character analysis.

Spielberg had a more straightforward approach to the script, which he developed with writer Chris Columbus. “He looked at me, and he goes, ‘Yeah, just act. Just say what’s on the page.’ He wasn’t being an a—hole, he was right,” said Brolin.

The role of sweatband-donning big brother Brandon ultimately became Brolin’s breakout role, years before his acclaimed performances in No Country for Old Men (2007), Milk (2008) and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise.

“That was the moment at 16 years old which never should have happened,” he added. “I had been kicked out of my house. I went to go live on the couch of my dad, who was living with someone at the time, like, I’ve got to get my s— together. And then going through 350 or whatever auditions and people saying, ‘You should definitely find a different profession. You’re not good at this.’ And loving that challenge.”

Meanwhile, his Goonies co-stars Corey Feldman and Martha Plimpton previously shut down rumors that a sequel to the film is in the works.

Brolin’s nostalgic anecdote comes ahead of his memoir From Under the Truckwhich comes out Nov. 19 through Harper.