Steven Spielberg Shut Down Josh Brolin On This Piece of “Goonies ”Feedback: ‘He Was Right’ (Exclusive) 

The adventure comedy flick was Brolin’s debut acting gig, and he had some thoughts for his director on his role

Josh Brolin is revisiting his days in The Goonies.

The actor, 56, spoke with PEOPLE for a story in this week's issue ahead of the release of his upcoming memoir From Under the Truck, out Nov. 19 from Harper. He shared a conversation he once had with Steven Spielberg – who co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Columbus – while starring in the hit 1985 movie. 

The adventure comedy flick, which also starred Sean Astin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman and Ke Huy Quan, was Brolin’s debut acting gig at age 16. 

When filming the classic movie, Brolin shared his interpretation of his character Brandon’s inner thoughts with Spielberg. "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," Brolin said, at the time.

But according to the Marvel alum, the famed director did not agree.

"He looked at me, and he goes, 'Yeah, just act. Just say what’s on the page,'" Brolin recalls. "He wasn’t being an a--hole, he was right."

Looking back, Brolin calls his breakthrough role "probably the greatest experience of my life" and notes that it also came into his life at just the right time. 

Related: Josh Brolin Announces New ‘Un-Celebrity Memoir’ — See the Cover! (Exclusive)

"That was the moment at 16 years old which never should have happened," he says. "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."

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From Under the Truck is an intimate look into Brolin's personal and professional life as he documents his experience grieving his late mother and his rise to fame, starting with Goonies and then cemented by his breakout role in 2007’s No Country for Old Men. He also offers insight into his experiences with fatherhood, addiction, relationships and love.

Related: See Inside a New 'Dune' Book Featuring Poetry by Star Josh Brolin (Exclusive)

The actor previously published his poetry and photography book Dune: Exposures in February, which gave Dune fans a special look into his work as Warmaster Gurney Halleck in the movie franchise.

The book featured images from director of photography Greig Fraser and poems from Brolin.

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In October, Brolin was surprised by his Goonies costars Quan and Cohen during his panel at New York Comic Con when they made a video appearance to ask him "Who is your favorite Goonie?"

The actor, in response, said they are "all my favorites" — but gave a shout-out to Quan, as he "came back and won an Academy Award, man."

From Under the Truck by Josh Brolin comes out Nov. 19 and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.