The Empire Film Podcast

"This is my first British podcast," Jane Fonda tells Helen O'Hara towards the end of their funny and candid chat in this week's episode, which just goes to show that even a living legend notches up new experiences all the time. We're proud, and honoured, to be Fonda's first, as she chats about 9 To 5, which is re-released in cinemas this week, Grace & Frankie, political activism and more. Then Helen (with a little help from Chris Hewitt) has a chat with Outlaw King's Aaron Taylor-Johnson, during which the man who once played John Lennon claims he can't play a musical instrument. Didn't stop Ringo, Aaron. Back in the podbooth, Chris and Helen are joined by James Dyer to answer a question about Clint Eastwood, pay tribute to the late Stan Lee in a special section, and review Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald and Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria. Trust us - there's nary a wasted minute.

Ever since she burst onto the scene with a star-making turn in An Education, Carey Mulligan has been one of our favourite actresses. Always interesting to watch, she imbues whatever she does, whether it's working with the Coen Brothers on Inside Llewyn Davis, Baz Luhrmann on The Great Gatsby, or Paul Dano on his directorial debut, this week's Wildlife, with intelligence and an admirable willingness to embrace character flaws. She hasn't won an Oscar yet, but it's surely only a matter of time - and perhaps it will be for Wildlife, in which she is magnificent as a wife and mother who begins to rediscover her more carefree side, which alters her relationship with her teenage son. The movie opened here in the UK on Friday, so we thought it was the perfect time to bring you this small but perfectly formed interview, conducted by our John Nugent, which is perfect for your commute.

Chris Pine goes all Scottish in this week's Outlaw King, the story of Robert The Bruce, and in this week's episode he, and the film's director, David Mackenzie, talk to Helen O'Hara about making their film in the shadow of Braveheart, and more. Also, Tim Blake Nelson talks to John Nugent about working with the Coen Brothers on The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs, almost two decades after first hooking up with them (professionally speaking, of course) on O Brother, Where Art Thou? Then, in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt is joined by Helen and Ben Travis for a jam-packed edition in which they discuss the films of the newly-minted Dame Emma Thompson, tackle the week's news including a spoilerific look at developments in The Walking Dead (00:37:31 - 00:42:49), and review seemingly EVERY FILM EVER MADE, including Steve McQueen's Widows and Peter Jackson's They Shall Not Grow Old. Have at it!

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have starred in a beloved TV show, and an equally beloved series of films, together. They've written films together. They've produced films together, including this week's horror-comedy, Slaughterhouse Rulez. But it's all been leading to this: the pinnacle of their career, the summit of their friendship, the zenith of their journey as human beings: the Empire Podbooth, where they have a very funny but, we will warn you now, very adults-only chat with Chris Hewitt about a wide array of topics including the name of their new company, Stolen Picture, the rigours of producing movies, and who they'd like to see on the face of the new £50 note. The answer will shock you. Meanwhile, back in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, fresh off another marathon, and Nick de Semlyen, to go over the week's movie news; review Peterloo and The Nutcracker And The Four Realms; and answer a question about remakes.

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught on a podcast, no escape from reality. Yes, this week sees the release of Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Rami Malek, the man who plays Mr. Fahrenheit, aka Freddie Mercury, pops into the podbooth to talk about that with Chris Hewitt. Then, Panos Cosmatos, the director of Nic Cage fever dream revenge thriller Mandy, has an intense and involved chat with Ben Travis that covers everything from grief to staging a chainsaw battle. NB: the sound quality on the Cosmatos interview isn't what we would ideally want, but it's worth listening to. Then, in the podbooth it's tears all round as Chris, Helen O'Hara and John Nugent are joined by Empire's outgoing Art Editor, Olly Gibbs, for his first and last appearance on the pod. Olly fields listener questions in his Empire exit interview, helps the team dissect the week's movie news and review Bohemian Rhapsody and Matthew Holness' Possum, and is serenaded by our surprise guest, Randy Newman

This week's Empire Podcast is very much a tale of two interviews. First, actual living legend Jamie Lee Curtis talks to Chris Hewitt about returning to the Halloween franchise, and the role of Laurie Strode, for what feels like a fresh start. In a serious, even intense, interview, they touch upon the impact of the #MeToo movement upon the new film, about surviving trauma, and the emotional resonance of returning to the role. Then, podcast favourite Gerard Butler pops by the podbooth to talk about his new film, submarine thriller Hunter Killer, and ends up talking about how Novak Djokovic is perhaps the only person on Earth who can get him to yell, "THIS! IS! SPARTA!" Back in the booth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Dan Jolin for a freewheeling episode in which they talk about classic modern comedies, eviscerate Cats the musical, drop in the odd history lesson, and get the reviews and news sections back-to-front. Oh, and Bob Dylan pops by for a rendition of the pod

In this very special edition of the Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt and Nick de Semlyen are joined by one of our favourite directors. Yes, it's Sir Peter Of Jackson, who drops by the podbooth to talk about his fantastic documentary, They Shall Not Grow Old, which uses cutting-edge technology to shed a new light on the First World War. As well as an in-depth chat about the techniques Jackson used to restore archive footage, and his fascination with WWI in general, Chris and Nick also find time to get geeky about Jackson's early, gory films like Meet The Feebles and Bad Taste. If you're looking for Lord Of The Rings chat, you might find that another time. But if you're looking to hear a master craftsman talk about his master craft for half an hour, you've come to the right place. Enjoy, you fools!

The Empire Podcast gets serious this week, as the great Paul Greengrass - director of 22 July, a new Netflix film about the horrific mass murder committed by Anders Breivik in Norway in 2011 - talks to Chris Hewitt about the rise of the far right, and the role democracy has to play in combating it. [22:15 - 43:46] Then Ben Travis talks to First Man director Damien Chazelle about the challenges of making a film about the attempt to get Neil Armstrong and his fellow astronauts on the moon back in 1969. [01:05:46 - 01:27:25] Back in the podbooth, it's a two-person job as Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara to answer a bunch of listener questions, tackle the week's movie news (James Gunn causing tongues to wag), review Bad Times At The El Royale, 22 July, and First Man, sing Memories, and talk at length about Chris' metallic abs. OK, so maybe the Empire Podcast doesn't get completely serious this week...

This week's longer-and-let's-face-it-probably-more-incoherent-than-usual episode of the Empire Podcast sees that lovable rascal and former Hobbit, Dominic Monaghan, sit in with Chris Hewitt, Ben Travis, and James Dyer for most of the episode. During which time they talk about movie cliffhangers, discuss the week's film news, talk about Jose Mourinho, his love of Star Wars, tattoos, Lord Of The Rings, Wagon Wheels, The Beatles, and much, much more. It's a lot of fun. Our door is always open, Dom. The podcast proper, which also sees a dwindling podteam review A Star Is Born and Venom, begins at 00:43:23, in case Wagon Wheels aren't your jam. Even the jammy ones. Then, Chris talks to Henry Thomas, former child actor (he was in some film about an extra-terrestrial, we think) turned star of Mike Flanagan's terrifying Netflix series, The Haunting Of Hill House, and a good time was had by both. We hope you'll join us. AND NEVER LEAVE. (01:39:35 - 01:57:52)

We've got witchcraft of all kinds on our mind in the Empire podbooth this week. Our guests, Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode, are the stars of Sky's A Discovery Of Witches, and they're a ruddy delight as they have a natter with Ben Travis. Either side of that, Chris Hewitt hosts Ben, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer as they talk a ton of trailers, review Skate Kitchen, Black 47 and Night School, go off on more tangents than a Rube Goldberg machine, and discuss the thorniest subject of them all: which Hogwarts house would they belong to? And that's magic. You'll like it. Not a lot, but you'll like it.

It's a tale of two directors on the Empire Podcast this week, as Eli Roth pops by to talk to his Drunk British Slob from Hostel Part II, Chris Hewitt, about The House With A Clock In Its Walls, working with Bruce Willis, and persuading Hollywood to see past his hardcore horror past. Then Chris chats to A Simple Favour director, Paul Feig, about moving into comedy thriller territory, being the best dressed man in show business, working with Emma Thompson, and not working with Melissa McCarthy. Oh, and Chris tries to bolster his IMDb credits, but to no avail. Meanwhile, in the podbooth, that Hewitt fella is joined by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss aquatic creatures, the Captain Marvel trailer, Bond 25, review the week's releases, tackle de-ageing in Hollywood, and Helen tells the world's most convoluted joke. Enjoy!

From talking representation in modern cinema, to discussing Jim Broadbent's bum, you can't say that this week's Empire Podcast doesn't cover all the bases. Or whatever they say in cricket. In the podbooth, Chris Hewitt is joined by Terri White, Ben Travis, and Nev Pierce to talk about a great many things, from Henry Cavill's possible departure from the DCEU to Terri's desire to open a pub. They also tackle a listener's question, and there's an extended reviews section in which they tackle Crazy Rich Asians, The Predator, and King Of Thieves. And any budding filmmakers should listen to Nev talk about how he is forging a career as a director. Then, Chris talks to Crazy Rich Asians star Constance Wu, and King Of Thieves duo Michael Caine and Ray Winstone about a wide range of subjects. Includes: Chris trying, and failing, to pluck up the courage to do a Michael Caine impression in front of Actual Michael Caine, and the single greatest name drop in Empire Podcast history. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast was recorded live at Kings Place, London, as part of the London Podcast Festival. If you've ever been to our live shows before, you'll know what that means. If you haven't, this (slightly) edited version is a fine snapshot of what we're like when we're live. Namely, even swearier than usual, dafter than usual, and more juvenile than usual. If that's your bag, then listen on as Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Empire's Editor-In-Chief, Terri White discuss the week's movie news, get very silly about the battle of the Chrises, play Empire Podcast Bingo with the audience, try to pay sincere tribute to the late, great Burt Reynolds, review the week's releases, including American Animals and Final Score, and take audience questions. Oh, and Corin Hardy - director of The Nun - pops by for a chat with Chris, and he brings a very spooky special guest with him. Enjoy the show, and do please accept our apologies in advance.

In the latest episode of The Ranking, which is absolutely on time and in no way massively late (no, YOU shut up), a crack team of massive Star Trek fans who know what they're talking about, and Chris Hewitt, join together to definitively rank the Star Trek films in order. Join James Dyer, Helen O'Hara, Dan Jolin and that Hewitt eejit as they discuss the merits of the original crew, the Next Gen movies, the JJ Abrams not-a-reboot-actually and its sequels, drop a load of bad impressions, and genuinely argue and bicker with each other. Features more James Dyer condescension than had been previously thought possible. And, at the end, we list the empirical Star Trek top 10. It may shock you. (It won't.)

Leigh Whannell is the actor-turned-screenwriter-turned director behind the likes of Saw (the early, good ones), the Insidious movies, and this week's hard-boiled slice of sci-fi, Upgrade, in which a paralysed Logan Marshall-Green bonds with an operating system that allows him to take bloody revenge on the men who attacked him. And, as it turns out, Whannell is also a dream of an interviewee, sitting down with Chris Hewitt for this extended chat about the journey of Upgrade from script to screen, his feelings on technology, and the comparisons between his film and the upcoming Venom. He's also very, very funny, deploying a number of impressions, including a Steve Buscemi so good we're expecting him to be cast in an Adam Sandler comedy any day now. Oh, and while this isn't an Upgrade spoiler special, you might want to see that film before listening to this in case we give anything away. Enjoy.

If this week's Empire Podcast were any more jam-packed, you could pop a label on it and call it a jar of Hartley's. We are joined by not one, not two, not three, but FOUR guests this week. First up is Chloe Grace Moretz, the former Hit-Girl herself, who talks to Chris Hewitt about her new movie, The Miseducation Of Cameron Post, falling in and out of love with acting, and being a DJ. [00:11:55 - 00:31:02] Then Chris talks to the man mountain that is Dave Bautista [00:52:09 - 01:07:05] about his new movie, football-based thriller Final Score, and introduces him (figuratively, not literally) to Trent Alexander-Arnold. And last but not least, Chris and Nick de Semlyen natter to American Animals director Bart Layton and his star, Irish actor Barry Keoghan. [01:08:14 - 01:28:35] Meanwhile, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to 'answer' a listener's question, dissect the week's movie news, and review Upgrade and Cold War. Jammy gits.

Iain Morris is the co-creator of The Inbetweeners, director of raucous Brit-com The Festival (in cinemas now), and now a temporary member of the Empire Podteam. In this week's episode he joins Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer to discuss the week's movie news (mainly Danny Boyle leaving Bond 25), and the sexiest moment in the MCU. He also talks about The Festival, Joe Thomas' bum, and throws in a Crowded House anecdote that may be the single most shameless example of namedropping in Empire Podcast history. Elsewhere, Chris talks to Guy Pearce, star of the new Netflix show, The Innocents, and they get quite specific about accents, and wax lyrical about L.A. Confidential. Rollo Tomasi would be so proud.

We asked you to vote for the greatest Star Wars characters of all time, and you didn't let us down. This month's issue of Empire features an epic countdown of those characters, from beloved Original Trilogy stalwarts, to newer, fresher blood, with the odd cartoon character thrown in for good measure. And in this very special episode of the Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and Nick de Semlyen get together in the podbooth to take the scenic route through the list, unleashing an array of awful impressions, and asking the big questions: what do those buttons on Darth Vader's chest do? Is Qui-Gon Jinn the worst Jedi of all time? And just who the hell is Cad Bane? And don't forget - to read all about it, once you've listened to this, the current issue of Empire is on sale now, in all good and evil newsagents. May the Schwartz be with you.

Antoine Fuqua has worked with Denzel Washington four times, more than any other director. And on this week's episode, he talks to Chris Hewitt about reteaming with the Oscar-winning legend for The Equalizer 2, their first outing on Training Day, and his hopes that Denzel might star in his Scarface remake. Elsewhere, the frank and very funny Fuqua talks about bouncing back in Hollywood after King Arthur, and about the social conscience that runs through his films as an African-American director. That starts at 00:39:54 and runs to 01:12:22. Then, Chris is joined in the regular-regular podbooth by James Dyer and Nick de Semlyen for a frankly chaotic podcast that sees them review The Equalizer 2 and Christopher Robin, tackle a listener's question about ageing action heroes (with the emphasis heavily on tackle), and discuss the week's movie news. Oh, and crowbar in more terrible impressions per second than any previous Empire Podcast. Enjoy...?

The wonderful Hayley Atwell - Dame Peggy Carter herself - returns to the Empire Podcast this week, ostensibly to talk to Chris Hewitt about her new film, next week's Christopher Robin. Instead, it ended up being a relentlessly daft chat, including Chris and Hayley's pitch for a return of Peggy Carter from beyond the grave (are you listening, Kevin Feige?), and the latest round of our irregular feature, the IMDbunker. Nothing can prepare you for the impact of Hayley Atwell's ventriloquism act. Back in the podbooth, Helen O'Hara slides effortlessly into the host's chair and, along with James Dyer, Dan Jolin and Ben Travis, tackles a listener question about movie first aid techniques, dissects the week's movie news, including a very unpopular Oscars announcement, and reviews The Meg. We're gonna need a bigger pod.

This week's episode of the award-winning-but-mostly-award-losing Empire Podcast could easily have been retitled Giggling Idiots Go! To The Movies, as Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and our Editor-In-Chief Terri White (or is it Terri White?) convene in the podbooth for an hour of utter nonsense. There will be discussion of the week's big movie news. There will be reviews of Ant-Man And The Wasp, The Escape, and Teen Titans Go! To The Movies. There will even be an attempt to answer a listener's question. But there will also be daft impressions, much giggling, and Chris gets his innuendo-o-meter out and tries to get to grips with it. Elsewhere, due to an unfortunate last-minute guest cancellation, we decided instead to bring you an early preview of next week's second part of our epic Mission: Impossible - Fallout spoiler special with director Christopher McQuarrie. This one's just a mere 15 minutes. Next week will be... longer than that. Enjoy!

Mission: Impossible - Fallout's Vanessa Kirby swings by the podbooth this week in an interview only five hours and fifty eight minutes shorter than Chris' upcoming spoiler special chat with director Christopher McQuarrie. Elsewhere, Chris, James, Helen and Nick tackle the third act firing of Chekhov's (James) Gunn, delve into the bountiful delights of this year's Comic-Con and take a terrifying step into the world of Frasier fan fiction. Enter at your own risk.

Two more guests check into Hotel Empire Podcast this week. Let's hope they don't do that thing people do on Four In A Bed, where they run their finger along the wardrobe to check for dust. No telling what people might find in the darkest corners of the podbooth... First up is Jeremy Irvine, who talks to Ben Travis about playing (and singing as) a young Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. That starts at 23:56 and finishes at 46:16. Then Drew Pearce, co-writer of Iron Man 3 and creator of Trevor Slattery, pops in to talk about his directorial debut, the all-star thriller, Hotel Artemis. It's an epic chat with Chris Hewitt that starts at 1:01:51 and runs all the way to 1:41:07. Either side of that, Chris is joined in the booth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to ramble on about the week's news, review Hotel Artemis and Mamma Mia! 2, and answer a question from BB-8 himself, Brian Herring. Enjoy!

We're flying high on the Empire Podcast this week, as Incredibles 2 director, and all-round animation legend, Brad Bird pops in to the podbooth to talk to Jonny Pile and Chris Hewitt. They discuss returning to animation, working with Tom Cruise on Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, and more besides. It starts at 22:48 and finishes at 47:33. Then Ethan Hawke, one of our favourite recurring guests, pops in to talk faith, his new movie First Reformed, and working inside and outside the Hollywood system. He's chatting to Ben Travis, and that runs from 01:11:31 to 01:34:16. Back in the podbooth, Chris is then joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for the usual rambling dissection of the week's movie news (Joker alert!), plus reviews of both Bird and Hawke's films. They also discuss James' recent conversion to football, talk about the most beautiful places that they've seen films, and reveal the terrifying creation that is... RoboPod. Part human. Part podcast host. All cretin.

On this week's podcast, Margaery Tyrell herself Natalie Dormer joins John Nugent in the pod booth to talk about her new neo-noir thriller In Darkness. Plus, Rob Brydon treats Ian Freer to a personal rendtion of his best impressions, and explains the rules of synchronised swimming from his new comedy Swimming With Men. Elsewhere in podland, with Chris Hewitt back in The Old Country, James Dyer takes the reins with his usual levels of gentle understatement and sunny optimism, ably flanked by the ever-cunning Helen O'Hara and Nick De Semlyen.

On this week's Empire Podcast, Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin make it to dry land to chat with John Nugent about their real-life disaster movie Adrift. Plus, multi-hyphenates Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson speak to James Dyer about the cult low-budget horror The Endless, which you'll be pleased to know, despite that title, has a running time of just 111 minutes. And back in the pod booth, a heavily jet-lagged Chris Hewitt doggedly bangily-bangs his way through the week's movie news and reviews with help from Ben Travis and Nick De Semlyen.

He's battled Bond. Collected Infinity Stones. Stood in a line-up with the Usual Suspects. And now Benicio Del Toro, Oscar-winning legend and star of Sicario 2: Soldado, is gracing this week's Empire Podcast. He talks to Ian Freer about returning to play the hitman, Alejandro, his Bond and Star Wars experiences, and more. Then, in the podbooth, a dearth of colleagues of such lethal cunning means it's a two-person pod this week, with Helen O'Hara hosting James Dyer as they talk about that proposed 'fan' remake of The Last Jedi, kick around the week's movie news, and review Freak Show and In The Fade. So, sit back, relax and enjoy this belated podcast (we delayed it because the Benicio Del Toro interview didn't happen until this Saturday afternoon), which may be the first one in our history to feature someone in Los Angeles linking to themselves in London. All will be revealed...

There's a rumour going around that this episode of The Ranking is so late because Chris Hewitt forgot about it. That's an evil and pernicious rumour that we don't wish to dignify with acknowledgement. Anyway, here it is at long last: four Empire writers, locked away in a meeting room in Empire HQ (hence the echo), talking through the filmography of the great Sir Ridley Scott, with one goal: come up with a definitive top ten. So, join Chris, Nick de Semlyen, Dan Jolin, and James Dyer as they argue the toss about Alien, deploy controversial theories vis a vis Kingdom Of Heaven and Gladiator, talk about going clubbing with Russell Crowe, and much, much more, including the world's worst - and, let's face it, possibly only - impression of the man we love to call Ridders. Don't think of this as a late episode. Think of it as a director's cut, and a director's cut arrives precisely when it means to.

He was the first person to betray Indiana Jones. He had the power of the sun in the palm of his hand. And he holds the record for having the most Lego mini-figs made in his image. He is, of course, the great Alfred Molina, and he's our guest this week, popping into the podbooth to chat with Chris Hewitt about Raiders, about Sam Raimi, and about Molina's new play, a revival of John Logan's Red. It starts at 49:36 and ends at 1:23:22, fact fans. Then, Chris heads into the podbooth proper and is joined by Nick de Semlyen and Jonny Pile for an even-more-rambling-than-usual discussion that takes in the worst movie dinosaurs, a brief cameo from a geek queen, an exploding banana, reviews of Hereditary and Ocean's 8, a shameless plug for the new issue of Empire, a live watch-along of the trailer for Corin Hardy's The Nun, and an episode of R U Talkin' R U Talkin' R U Talkin' R.E.M. Re: Me Re: Me Re: Me? Good ep? Great ep.

How could you not love the man who is Gollum, Supreme Leader Snoke, Caesar, Ulysses Klaue, and an all-round great big bloody brilliant bloke? So we're delighted that Andy Serkis is our guest this week, talking to Chris Hewitt about Black Panther (out on DVD and Blu-ray next week) about that film, and more besides. It's a bit spoilerific, so don't watch unless you know that [REDACTED] [REDACTED] in [REALLY REDACTED]. Interview begins at 56:03, ends at 1:17:37. Elsewhere, Chris ventures into the podbooth with Helen O'Hara and Jonny Pile for a fun episode that takes in their views of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, runs the roost over the 292 trailers that debuted last week, and takes on a serious hue for this week's listener question, tackling the harassment which appears to have driven Kelly Marie Tran away from social media. Oh, and all that, plus the debut of a brand-new podcast, R U Talkin' R U Talkin' R.E.M. Re: Me Re: Me? We spoil you lot.

Martin Freeman has come a long way since he was universally known as Tim-From-The-Office. Since then, he's been Watson-From-Sherlock, Ross-From-Black-Panther, and Bilbo-From-Bag-End. And in this week's Netflix movie Cargo, he can be found dodging zombies in the Australian outback. John Nugent spoke to him about that, and much more besides. Back in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt returns and has brought two special guests with him: jetlag and a mystery speaker whose identity we won't reveal. And, along with Helen O'Hara, Nick de Semlyen and a late-comer in James Dyer, they dissect the week's movie news, including Sonic The Hedgehog, Top Gun 2, and Solo's box office, cast their eyes over new releases, and 'answer' a question from a listener. Siri says 'enjoy'.

Here be dragons. And Hamilton references. And Supernatural chat. Yes, Chris Hewitt is away for this week's Empire Podcast, and geek queen Helen O'Hara is in charge in the podbooth. It's a top crop of guests this week, with Alden Ehrenreich talking to James Dyer and Nick de Semlyen about taking on the role of the galaxy's greatest scoundrel, controlling the Millennium Falcon, talking to Wookiees, and his history with the Winchester brothers. Then Michael Cera (call him George Michael) and Alia Shawkat (call her Maeby) popped by the studio to talk Arrested Development Season 5, disguises, that Twin Peaks cameo, and a secret celebrity tennis club. Back in the main studio, Helen is joined by James and Ben to talk this week's movie news - from John Wick 3's latest cast additions (Derek from The Good Place!), to Damon Lindelof's biblical Watchmen statement - and review The Breadwinner, Edie, and some Star Wars story featuring a classic character in a solo adventure. No idea what that o

The Empire Podcast studio - sorry, podbooth - is a sacred place. We don't throw our doors open to just anybody, you know. They have to be a) funny b) interesting and, most importantly, c) available and willing to lower their standards for an hour or so. Amanda Abbington, star of Sherlock and Netflix's new thriller, Safe, is all of those things, and so this week becomes only the fourth celebrity co-host in our history. Yes, Amanda (follow her on Twitter as @CHIMPSINSOCKS) was brave enough to sit in a room with Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer and discuss the week's movie news, talk about her work on Safe, endure yet another Peter Dinklage in Infinity War impression, and tackle the big question: have you ever walked out of a film? Her answers will shock you. And amuse you. Mainly amuse you. So sit back, relax, and enjoy as three giggling idiots welcome a professional into their ranks to show them how it's done.

On this week's bumper, slightly-more-bonkers-than-usual Empire Podcast, we welcome two of our favourite British character actors, and then grill them relentlessly about things they said in the past. First, Clive Owen pops in to talk to Chris Hewitt about his latest film, Anon, his aversion to first days, his memories of Croupier, and their shared love of Liverpool FC. (Yes, it's one of those.) But Chris also subjects Clive to a very fun, and revelatory, edition of the IMDbunker. Enjoy. Then Chris stays in the podbooth to interview Eddie Marsan, star of Entebbe and Deadpool 2, about his long path to success, and makes him take a new version of an interview Eddie gave to Empire 20 years ago. The main pod, meanwhile, sees Chris, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Nick de Semlyen talk geeky ringtones, discuss the week's movie news, review new releases including Revenge. And Paul Giamatti drops by unexpectedly. What larks!

For this week's Empire Podcast, Ben Travis travelled all the way to Rome to have a hot foursome with Daniel Brühl, Dakota Fanning, and Luke Evans, the stars of new Netflix TV show, The Alienist. And we don't mean foursome in the sense that you're thinking of. No, Ben stayed well away from the golf course, and instead had a good old natter with the trio about the show, about shooting in Budapest, and statues of Columbo. Figures. Sadly, Ben's microphone wasn't working, but it's a fun interview that you can (sort of) hear from 44:21 - 1:01:45. Then, back in Blighty and the podbooth, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer discuss the week's movie news, the nutritional value of Captain America's hair, and the law of averages. Two major shockers: someone does a bad impression, and it isn't Chris; and SOMEONE DIES. Sort of. Well, we needed to do something to bump up the ratings.

Tom Hiddleston has been an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for almost a decade now, making a magical mark as Loki, Prince Of Asgard, Odinson, the rightful king of Jotunheim, and horny thorn in Thor's side. He plays the character for the fifth time in Avengers: Infinity War, and sat down with Chris Hewitt for this very special interview about his life as one of the MCU's most popular characters. He talks about finding the right look, and voice, for Loki, the changes that the character has experienced, working with Taika Waititi on Thor Ragnarok, and sheds some light on an alternate fate for the occasional villain in Thor: The Dark World. He also takes the time to answer a couple of questions from Loki fans, including the ever-popular Lego Loki. Enjoy.

This week sees the debut of a small indie film that the Empire Podteam haven't been looking forward to. Honest, guv. That film is Avengers: Infinity War, and this week's podcast sees the film's directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, talk to Chris Hewitt about working on that film, and about what they have planned post-Marvel with their very own studio, Agbo. Then Chris retreats to the safety of the podbooth, and is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun-filled pod that takes in their best and worst movie premiere experiences, casts an eye over the week's movie news, compares the Venom trailer to a Christmas present, and finally reviews British indie Beast and American indie Avengers: Infinity War. Be warned: there are huge levels of squee in this podcast. Thanos demands your squeeness.

This week, one of our favourite actors - David Morrissey - returns to the podbooth to talk to James Dyer (and not Chris Hewitt, as advertised on the pod; there was a scheduling snafu) about his new show, The City And The City, playing Gordon Brown, and more. He also has advice for Chris re: his Tuesday night clash between the Liverpool-Roma game and the Avengers: Infinity War screening. Then, Chris and James are joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara as they discuss which quiet place they'd retreat to in the wake of an attack by nasty sound monsters; chew over the week's movie and TV news; and cast a vaguely shambolic eye over the week's new releases. Do, please, enjoy. Hey, did you know the Call Me By Your Name song hasn't been on the pod for three episodes now? You know the one. "Call me by your name! Call me! Call me! Call me by your name, oh yeah!" That one.

British action star, and regular podcast listener, Scott Adkins visits the podbooth this week to talk about his new film, Accident Man, as well as idolising Jean-Claude Van Damme and accidentally kicking Benedict Cumberbatch. (1:04:10-1:32:31) Our second guest is Brad Peyton, director of this week's monster mash-up Rampage, who talks to Chris about working with The Rock, playing poker, not being an asshole, and an early contender for line of the year. (24:08-44:49) Then, Chris retreats into the podbooth with Ben Travis, James Dyer, and the returning, albeit croaky, Helen O'Hara, to review Rampage, talk about giant animals, and revisit an all-time classic line from Shark Attack 3. This week's pod is dedicated to our friend Sarah Dunn: www.gofundme.com/sarah-dunn

The latest episode of The Ranking - our show that ties in with the magazine (hashtag brand synergy) and sees four Empire writers argue the toss on a filmmaker's CV - is here. And this time we're delving deep into the work of a man who's orchestrated more tracking shots than you've had hot dinners: Brian 'Bri Bri' De Palma. Discussing his progression from early promise to his virtuoso Hitchcockian phase and then the more commercial fare of the Eighties and Nineties (but without focusing on the not-so-great output of recent years), Chris Hewitt, Ian Freer, Nick de Semlyen and Jonathan Pile discuss the ins and outs, ups and downs of a great, if somewhat erratic career. And, for the first time, you'll be able to hear the top ten being counted down in this podcast. Enough squabbling, let's vote! (Stop trying to make 'enough squabbling, let's vote!' happen, Chris.)

We've gone bonus content mad on the Empire Podcast this week! Every day this week, we'll bring you a brand new pod, culminating in Friday's mothership. And we kick things off with this very fun, and compact, commute-sized conversation with two of the key figures behind last year's biggest movie - Star Wars: The Last Jedi. And, just in case you weren't already sure, those figures are Rian Johnson, the film's writer/director, and Mark Hamill, the man who has played Luke Skywalker for 41 years. They talk to Chris Hewitt about all manner of things, from the first time they met to their respective mancaves, and how they deal with fame. Enjoy.

On this week's Empire Podcast, we're filled with joy as Anya Taylor-Joy pops by our offices to talk to Chris Hewitt about her new film Thoroughbreds, dealing with tricksy accents, the much-delayed The New Mutants, and the moment when she found out that Split was a stealth sequel to Unbreakable. It's a fun, and lengthy, chat that starts at 27.44 and runs all the way to 55.56. Elsewhere, Chris derives a different kind of joy from John Krasinski's A Quiet Place, which he declares his film of the year thus far in the reviews section. He's joined for the main pod by James Dyer and Ben Travis, who discuss just what it is that makes the act of cinemagoing so special, review Thoroughbreds and Ghost Stories, natter about the week's movie news, and talk about Empire's new sister magazine, Pilot TV. Oh, and that song isn't aired this week, you'll be delighted to know. This is a safe place. A quiet place.

Paddy Considine was our very first guest on our very first podcast, way back in 2012. Since then, we've been like ships in the night. But we fix that this week, with Paddy popping into the podbooth for an epic chat with Chris Hewitt about his new movie, Journeyman, and all manner of things. (50:46-1:17:54) Elsewhere, Chris talks to Blockers star Leslie Mann (17.06-32.49), teaches her about Pacific Rim: Uprising, learns a lot about vocal fry, and then somehow - being the blithering nincompoop he is - manages to spit on her from distance. Then, he's joined in the podbooth by James Dyer and Ben Travis to discuss the week's movie news, review Ready Player One and more, and answer the burning question: what movie-related business would they open when this all goes horribly wrong? Oh, and the world's worst earworm may get another outing. Could be worse; Chris could be gobbing on you.

This week's Empire Podcast sees the man anointed as Empire's Legend Of Our Lifetime... talk to Steven Spielberg. Here all week. Try the fish. Yes, at long last we spiel with The Berg, as Steven Spielberg - former Empire editor, and director of one or two classic movies - chats to Chris Hewitt in the immediate aftermath of last Sunday's Rakuten TV Empire Awards, where Spielberg was given the above honour. From discussion of Ready Player One to The Beatles, it was a blast. Elsewhere, Chris talks to Simon Pegg, star of Ready Player One, about all things Spielberg. And then Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and Ben Travis to review Unsane, Pacific Rim: Uprising, and A Wrinkle In Time. They also tackle the week's news and answer a question about sequels. Enjoy!

Because (some of) you demanded it! Today saw the debut of the second (and probably final) trailer for Avengers: Infinity War, the superhero team-up to out-cape them all. And, as it hit the internet just too late for us to bang on about it on the regular podcast, we decided to seize the opportunity to bang on about it in a very special trailer breakdown podcast. This one follows hot on the heels of the trailer breakdown podcast we did for the first Avengers: Infinity War trailer last year, but there was arguably even more for Chris Hewitt and Helen O'Hara, our resident MCU-philes, to get their teeth into this time around. So join them in the warmth and comfort of Chris' mancave as they talk, and talk, and talk about all things Avengery, from Thanos' masterplan, to character interactions, and that confrontation between Steve Rogers and Josh Brolin's giant purple space plumber. Not a fan of the MCU? Might be best to skip this one...

This week's Empire Podcast is a bumper affair, jam-packed with more big names than the Avengers: Infinity War trailer. Well, almost. First up, Call Me By Your Name stars Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet - or Timothy Chalet, as autocorrect insists on calling him - popped into a London hotel room at the end of January to talk about their Oscar-winning love story with Chris Hewitt. And while they do talk about the film, there's also a fair amount of silliness, ranging from discussion of Chalamet's mobster nickname to the possibility of setting Call Me By Your Name 2 in space. Oh, and there's a Sean Connery-off for good measure. Be warned: bad language abounds. The second grouping is much more serious and focused, you'll be delighted to know, as Ben Travis has a chat with Garth Davis and Rooney Mara, director and star respectively of Mary Magdalene. Then, Chris, Ben and John Nugent convene in the podbooth to discuss the week's movie news (the Avengers: Infinity War trailer wi

The second episode of The Ranking, our new ongoing cross-platform series (hashtag brandsynergy hashtag sharedgoals hashtag TeamEmpire), sees four Empire writers lock themselves in an increasingly stuffy meeting room to argue the toss over one of the greatest film directors of all time: Martin Scorsese. It's all here: talkin' Taxi Driver, raging about Raging Bull, and finding there's not a lot to say about Silence. As far back as they can remember, Chris Hewitt, Empire's Editor-In-Chief Terri White, and contributing editors Ian Freer and Dan Jolin always wanted to be voting on the empirical Marty Top 10. And if you want to know what that top 10 looks like, pick up the April 2018 issue of Empire, on sale now at all good and evil newsagents.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast was, unlike our Oscars 2018 podcast special, recorded on a full night's sleep, but is no less delirious. So apologies in advance, as Chris Hewitt, Nick de Semlyen and James Dyer decide who their Desert Island Director would be, discuss the week's movie news, and review You Were Never Really Here, Gringo, and Mom And Dad. Plus, they debut the catchiest song of the year so far, and discuss just what Thanos wants with those stones... Elsewhere, Chris welcomes the brilliant British actor David Oyelowo back to the podcast, to talk about comedy screaming in Gringo, and how the landscape has changed in Hollywood for black actors, particularly post-Black Panther. And Helen O'Hara may be off in Iceland, but she's still present on the pod, engaging in conversation with the great Scottish director, Lynne Ramsay, about You Were Never Really Here. Do you need to know anything more? Go on, get listening!

The Oscars are over for another year. Yes, the 90th edition of the Academy Awards took place last night in the glamorous heart of Hollywood and so Empire responded in kind, by recording a sleep-deprived, seriously sweary podcast, detailing our verdict on the ceremony itself, and the winners and not-winners. No glamorous heart of Hollywood for us. This was recorded round the kitchen table of our very own host, Chris Hewitt, and he was talking to Ben Travis and James Dyer, who took The Shape Of Water's Best Picture win with the grace and magnanimity for which he is renowned. So, if you want to hear three giggling idiots struggle to complete sentences and form thoughts - even more so than usual - this is the podcast for you.

This week's Empire Podcast sees a filmmaking Lawrence, famous for an association with The Hunger Games franchise, drop by for a chat about their new movie, Russian spy thriller Red Sparrow. Yes, it's director Francis Lawrence, who chats to Ben Travis about all manner of things, from Russian accents to torture implements. What, did you think we meant another filmmaking Lawrence, famous for an association with The Hunger Games? Weird. Elsewhere, Helen O'Hara braves the snow and the wind and the snowy wind to host this week's episode, discussing the week's big film news (Wonder Woman 2! The Oscars! Tarantino!) with Ben and James Dyer, and reviewing the big releases. Oh, and a giggling idiot calls in for a brief chat. It's cold outside, so pull up that weird fireplace movie they have on Netflix, huddle over your phone's dying battery for heat, and listen to the soothing strains of the Empire Podcast. You know it makes sense.