
The Empire Film Podcast
993 episodes — Page 6 of 20
S1 Ep 842In Conversation With S.S. Rajamouli: An Empire Podcast Interview Special
EHere's another little bonus episode to get your 2023 off to a good start, listeners. S.S. Rajamouli is the brilliant director of last year's astonishing, action-packed, Indian epic RRR (now streaming on Netflix), and in this very special, spoiler-filled interview (also available to spoiler special subscribers, along with Team Empire doing a deep dive into the movie; one of last year's finest), he tells Chris Hewitt all about how he managed it. To subscribe to the spoiler specials, go to empire.supportingcast.fm, and we're back next week with the regular pod. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 841Empire's Preview Of 2023 (ft. Noah Baumbach)
EHappy New Year, folks! So, there's no regular episode of the Empire Podcast this week (we'll be back next week, Jan 13th), but in order to fill the huge pod-shaped hole in your lives, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and James 'Jaime Blanco' White crammed themselves into the studio just yesterday to record a fun breakdown of the forthcoming fillums that have got them all het up and hot under the collar. From Killers Of The Flower Moon to Barbie, from the MCU to Mission: Impossible, all human life is here. And there's a Cocaine Bear for good measure. Oh, and while we're looking forward, we're also looking back, as we bring you Helen's interview with Noah Baumbach, the director of White Noise, which is now streaming on Netflix. It's a really interesting interview, and it's just under 14 minutes in length. Why are we telling you that? You'll see. Anyway, enjoy!
S1 Ep 8402022, The Year In Review: An Empire Podcast Special
EAnd so 2022 has come to an end, folks. It was a tough year for pretty much everybody, but it was also a very good year, cinematically speaking, and in this Empire Podcast special, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann convene in the podbooth to have an extended natter about the year that was. Along the way, formats for the show are abandoned on the fly, the pod discuss the films that they loved, the future of cinema, a strange year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and much, much more. Enjoy, and have a happy new year, everyone!
S1 Ep 839The Greatest Actors Of All Time: An Empire Podcast Discussion Special
EThe new issue of Empire magazine is on sale right now, folks, in all good, evil, and virtual newsagents, and it's a belter. This month's issue is dedicated to a celebration of the greatest actors of all time, as voted for by you, the readers of Empire. It's got everything, from exclusive interviews with Nicolas Cage (our cover star) and Tilda Swinton, to the likes of Tim Burton waxing lyrical about that time he worked with Jack Nicholson on a little film called Batman, and Gina Prince-Bythewood talking about Viola Davis. And that's not all: James Mangold has written an exclusive essay for us, celebrating the incredible work and legacy of Buster Keaton. It's a great issue, and so we've decided to take podspiration from it. So, in this podcast special, Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, Alex Godfrey and Helen O'Hara get together and have a wide-ranging discussion about some of their favourite actors, the art of acting itself, the mythology of the Method, omissions from the list that made their blood boil, and much, much more. Oh, and Helen was patching in to the studio from Northern Ireland, and her audio is a little distorted at times. Hopefully it won't spoil your enjoyment too much. Speaking of which... enjoy!
S1 Ep 838#546 — Kate Hudson & Jessica Henwick, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman
EOn the last Empire Podcast of the year, we have something of a The Prestige reunion, which is nice. First, Christian Bale, star of The Pale Blue Eye, talks to Chris Hewitt about being mistaken for Gareth Bale, and his experiences working with directors on multiple occasions, including Adam McKay, Scott Cooper, and Terrence Malick. Then Hugh Jackman, Golden Globe-nominated star of The Son (which opens here in February), talks to Amon Warmann about his experiences on that movie, working with Anthony Hopkins for a day, and why he's about to play Wolverine again in Deadpool 3. Then, Kate Hudson and Jessica Henwick, neither of whom were in The Prestige, more than make up for it by having a freewheeling and very funny chat with Chris about their new movie Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, life with an assistant, British sitcoms, and John Carpenter and Kurt Russell. And if that weren't enough, Chris is then joined in the podbooth by James Dyer and Helen O'Hara (who's not in the podbooth, which is why there's some slight distortion on her mic this week. Hopefully it won't spoil your listening experience.) for a fun episode in which they discuss their Christmas movie traditions, who would win between John McClane and Kevin McCallister; talk about the week's movie news, including Avatar: The Way Of Water's box office, the Barbie trailer, and the sad passing of Mike Hodges; and review Corsage, Glass Onion, and The Pale Blue Eye. We're taking a little break but are back on January 13, folks, so have a great Christmas if you celebrate, a fantastic holiday season if you don't, and an amazing start to 2023. Thanks so much for listening and supporting our nonsense throughout the year. Here's to more!
S1 Ep 837In Conversation With James Cameron — Live In London
EStop your grinnin' and drop your linen. James Cameron has finally returned to the director's chair after more than a decade away, with Avatar: The Way Of Water, the sequel to the biggest film of all time. And when he came to London recently, we were delighted to stage a special Cameron-centric event, via the Empire VIP Club. First up, the Empire Podcast team of Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer hold court in front of a packed audience of Empire VIP Club members, waxing lyrical about all things Cameron (James, not Diaz or David). Then, in the second half of the show, Chris is joined on stage by Cameron himself for a one-hour deep dive into the career of one of the most successful directors of all time, and the path that has finally led him back to Pandora. If you're interested in becoming a member of the Empire VIP Club and being first in the queue (real and virtual) for events like this, go to empireonline.com/vip for more information and to sign up.
S1 Ep 836#545 — James Cameron, Alejandro G. Inarritu, Sean Anders
EChristmas is coming, and the goose isn't the only thing that's getting fat. The Empire Podcast is bursting at the seams with incredible guests yet again, as we welcome a trio of top directors this week. First up, you get a brief excerpt from Chris Hewitt's live Q&A with James Cameron as he returns to cinemas with Avatar: The Way Of Water (the full show will be up soon, should you wish to listen to the rest; and you should!). Then, Amon Warmann has a nice in-depth chat with Alejandro G. Inarritu about his most personal film yet, Bardo: False Chronicle Of A Handful Of Truths, and then Chris talks to Spirited director Sean Anders about turning Dickens into a musical. Oh, and Chris gushes about one of Anders' films. No, not Daddy's Home 2. Although it is a Christmas movie. Then, in the virtual podbooth this week, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to talk about the movie-themed Christmas presents they'd like, the film they've bought the most; to discuss the week's movie news, including Henry Cavill's on-off-on-off-again relationship with Superman; and review Bardo, The Amazing Maurice and that water film. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 835An Empire Christmas Gift: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Spoiler Special ft. Jeremiah Chechik
EMele Kalikimaka, everybody. As part of Empire's Advent Calendar season, here's a little gift from us to you, as we temporarily break down the door of the Empire Spoiler Special subscription channel and bring you the retro spoiler pod we recorded a couple of years ago for one of the most beloved modern Christmas movies: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Featuring an in-depth deep dive with the film's director, Jeremiah S. Chechik (no, the S. doesn't stand for Santa), and a good old natter about the film and the Griswold family festivities between superfans Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and Nick de Semlyen. As the poster once put it, 'Yule love it!'. Thankfully, the jokes in the film are better. And if you like this, there's more where that came from for Spoiler Special subscribers. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 834#544 — Lee Unkrich, Rebecca Hall, Antoine Fuqua, Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrance
EChristmas is coming, folks, and that means that the Empire Podcast's sack is simply heaving with guests this week. First, Toy Story 3 and Coco director, Lee Unkrich, pops into the booth for a bit to talk about his new, definitive book about the making of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, and tackle this week's listener question (about Christmas songs in movies). Then Chris Hewitt chats with Resurrection star Rebecca Hall and Emancipation director Antoine Fuqua, and Amon Warmann gets to the heart of The Silent Twins' silent twins, Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrance. And yes, he asks about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to talk about the week's movie news, including the possible demise of Wonder Woman 3, and review Emancipation, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio and Resurrection. Bumper-sized! Jampacked! Ho ho ho! Enjoy!
S1 Ep 833#543 — Damian Lewis & Nick Murphy, Greta Gerwig, Frank Grillo
EBlimey, folks, this week's episode of the Empire Podcast has more guests than Jamie Lee Curtis' home on Christmas Day. (Because she's married to Christopher Guest, you see, and presumably there would be a large number of extended family members invited around for a slap-up meal.) Helen O'Hara has a lovely chat with White Noise star Greta Gerwig about casting herself, her desire to make a musical, and more. Then Chris Hewitt has a lovely natter with action movie ace Frank Grillo, who's spreading his wings as the star of Lamborghini: The Man Behind The Legend. And, in the studio this week, Chris and Helen are joined by the brilliant Damian Lewis and Nick Murphy, star and director respectively of the ITVX drama, A Spy Among Friends (take that, Pilot TV). Lewis and Murphy (no, they're not a RoboCop tribute act) occupy the third and fourth chairs with remarkable grace, fielding questions about spies, breakfasts and buttocks, while tackling this week's listener question, about the best time jumps in movies and TV. Then, Chris and Helen are joined by Amon Warmann to discuss the week's movie news (including all those big trailers), review Violent Night and White Noise, and bang on about Cocaine Bear. Oh, and Amon has his mind blown by Frank Grillo. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 832#542 — Luca Guadagnino, Tim Minchin
EThis week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Luca Guadagnino, director of Call Me By Your Name, talk about his new movie, the dark cannibal romance Bones And All, and to spare him the ignominy of Chris Hewitt bellowing *that* song at him, we asked John Nugent to Zoom with Guadagnino instead. The result is a fascinating and frank discussion about the director's creative process. Also being frank and fascinating about their creative process is Tim Minchin, the genius songwriter behind the tunes of this week's Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical. He talks to Helen O'Hara about turning the hit stage musical into a movie, and about the sad failure of the quite wonderful Groundhog Day The Musical. Then, in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt returns and, as well as Googling 'how to host a podcast', welcomes Helen, James Dyer and fourth chair newcomer, Kelechi Ehenulo for discussions of random encounters with Emma Thompson in a lift, the best sequels to not feature the main character from the previous movie, the week's movie news (such as it is; thanks a bunch, Thanksgiving!), and review Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, She Said, Strange World, Matilda, The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special, and more. It's podcast time — gobble gobble!
S1 Ep 831#541 — Paul Mescal, Will Ferrell & Octavia Spencer, Florence Pugh & Sebastian Lelio
EThe Empire Podcast has more hat-tricks than Mo Salah, and this week is no exception, as we welcome three batches of tremendous guests. First, Paul Mescal, star of the wonderful new drama Aftersun, goes it alone, as he tells Ella Kemp that he's not as serious as the movies and TV shows he makes, no honest. Then, Chris Hewitt is the Host Of Christmas Present as he chats to Spirited stars Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer about the best swag they've ever got from a movie. And finally, Amon Warmann chats to Florence Pugh and Sebastian Lelio, star and director respectively of stunning new Netflix drama, The Wonder. And as well as all of that, there's an actual podcast in there too as, with Chris stricken with lurgy, Helen O'Hara invites Amon and regular pod debutant, Sam Clements, into the virtual podbooth for a fun pod in which they discuss the fictional movie companies they'd buy and tank if they could; the week's movie news (up to Thursday night that is); and review Disenchanted, Aftersun, Confess, Fletch, Bardo, Spirited, and more in another jam-packed reviews section. Oh, and a special guest host drops in for a short while too. Enjoy! (And please accept our apologies for the delay in it going up...)
S1 Ep 830#540 — Danai Gurira, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead
EAnother bumper belting bangily-banger this week, folks, as the Empire Podcast marks the eagerly-awaited arrival of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever by dispatching Amon Warmann to talk to two of its stars, Dania Gurira — Okoye herself — and the MCU's latest menace, Namor The Sub-Mariner, aka Tenoch Huerta Mejía. Then, Chris Hewitt has a chat with Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, the filmmaking duo behind the trippy and terrific Something In The Dirt. But that's not all — in the virtual podbooth this week, Chris is joined by Amon, James Dyer, and Helen O'Hara to talk about the Christmas movies they wish could have sequels (and things take a turn for the dark pretty quickly), discuss the week's movie news, review Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Hellraiser, The Wonder, My Father's Dragon, Slumberland and Is That Black Enough For You?, while all trying desperately to name every movie Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg have made together. Who will be the lone survivor? Find out by listening. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 829#539 — Daniel Radcliffe, Jennifer Lawrence & Lila Neugebauer
EThis week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Daniel Radcliffe make his second pod-appearance of the year, as he tells Chris Hewitt all about playing Weird Al Yankovic in the riotous faux-biopic, Weird. They also talk about accents, living in New York, and what Radcliffe's own biopic would be called. And names are on the agenda with Jennifer Lawrence too, as the Oscar-winning actress returns with her contemplative drama, Causeway, the first movie to be produced by her company, Excellent Cadaver. In our interview, she and director Lila Neugebauer tell Chris all about the how and why of the movie's name change from Red, White & Water, about working in a heated swimming pool, and more. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent to discuss the week's movie news, being replaced by Liam Hemsworth, review EVERY FILM IN THE WORLD including Enola Holmes 2, Living, Weird, Causeway, All Quiet On The Western Front, and Something In The Dirt, and tackle the thorny issue of which comedy movie directors they'd put on their personal Mount Rushmore. If your favourite director isn't mentioned, rest assured they were mentioned, but were cut out. Probably. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 828#538 — Billy Eichner & Luke Macfarlane, Georgina Campbell
EThis week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Billy Eichner, writer/star of rom-com Bros, and his co-star Luke Macfarlane, sit down with Chris Hewitt for a fun and frank chat about shooting sex scenes, Eichner's long struggle to bring a gay love story to the big screen with the backing of a major studio, and why podcasts are the new porn. Then Chris also sits down with British actress Georgina Campbell, star of this week's cracking new horror Barbarian, for a spoiler-free chat which includes Campbell's Halloween double-bill recommendations. Then Chris is joined in the virtual podbooth by Helen O'Hara and Ella Kemp for a fun episode in which they try not to answer any questions about scary films, but end up talking about the most terrifying movie clowns anyway. They also discuss the week's movie news, including James Gunn being hired as co-CEO of DC Studios, and review Bros, Barbarian, The Good Nurse, Triangle Of Sadness, and Wendell & Wild. Oh, and Chris loses his mind over an upcoming threequel. No, not that one. Nor that one either. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 827The Good Nurse: An Empire/London Film Festival Special ft. Jessica Chastain, Eddie Redmayne, Tobias Lindholm and Krysty Wilson-Cairns
EThe Good Nurse is a sombre, serious and affecting drama based on the story of Charles Cullen, one of the most notorious serial killer cases in American history, with superb performances from Eddie Redmayne as Cullen, who abused his position as a nurse to kill patients, and Jessica Chastain as Amy Loughren, a fellow nurse and friend who helped the police apprehend Cullen and put a stop to a spree that had lasted for more than a decade and, it is believed, accounted for hundreds of victims. It was also Empire's gala presentation at this year's BFI London Film Festival, and in our latest Empire Podcast special, Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with Chastain and Redmayne, director Tobias Lindholm and writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns, for chats about the movie, its dark subject matter, its scathing criticism of the American healthcare system, and much, much more. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 826#537 — Pierce Brosnan, Emma Corrin & Michael Grandage
EWho hasn't found themselves consumed with thoughts of Pierce Brosnan films after reading the instructions on a microwaveable ready meal? And rightly so, for the Irish superstar has made a number of memorable movies over the years, including some in which he played a memorable number. But now to the iconic likes of James Bond and Thomas Crown, we can add Doctor Fate, the character Brosnan plays in the new DCEU movie, Black Adam. And on this week's Empire Podcast, The Artist Formerly Known As Bronhom tells Amon Warmann all about that, about shooting The Thomas Crown Affair, and pays a heartfelt tribute to his former Bond comrade, the late Robbie Coltrane. Our other guests this week are Emma Corrin and Michael Grandage, star and director respectively of the love-triangle melodrama My Policeman, who tell Ella Kemp all about their experiences making that movie. Either side of those, Chris Hewitt is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent for a fun episode in which they discuss the horror filmmakers who would adorn their personal Mount Rushmores, have a crack at the week's movie news including Harrison Ford joining the MCU, and review Black Adam, Park Chan-wook's Decision To Leave, Martin McDonagh's The Banshees Of Inisherin, and Paul Feig's The School For Good And Evil. Oh, and we raise a glass to our fellow colleague of such lethal cunning, Ben Travis, who got married last week to his beloved Lizzie. Up the Weds! Enjoy.
S1 Ep 825#536 — Jamie Lee Curtis, Oliver Jackson-Cohen
E"Now it's time for Halloween Ends, Halloween Ends, Halloween Ends — Empire Podcast!" Yes, folks, Halloween is just around the corner and with it, the debut of Halloween Ends, David Gordon Green's conclusion to the retconned sequel trilogy that continues the story that began so memorably in John Carpenter's Halloween. That, of course, introduced the world to Michael Myers and one Jamie Lee Curtis as his nemesis, Laurie Strode, and now, over forty years on, Curtis returns to the pod for the third year in a row to have a chat with Amon Warmann about saying goodbye to Laurie, about a possible Knives Out return, and about rapping to and for Michelle Yeoh. Our other guest this week is one of our favourite British actors (and also, as the star of The Haunting Of Hill House and The Invisible Man, someone with a background in horror), the brilliant Oliver Jackson-Cohen, who talks to Ella Kemp about his new movie, Emily, about speaking French on screen, and much, much more. Then, in the podbooth this week, Chris Hewitt is joined by Helen O'Hara, Amon, and James Dyer for an episode that delves into their Halloween traditions, pays tribute to the late, great Angela Lansbury by discussing the greatest typewriters on screen, casts an eye over the week's movie news, and just about manages to review Halloween Ends, Emily, Nothing Compares, Rosaline, and Luckiest Girl Alive. Oh, and the world's most terrifying earworm is back, so prepare yourself. But remember: YOU WILL NOT BE SAVED!
S1 Ep 824Hans Zimmer Interview Special
EWho doesn't love a bit of Hans Zimmer blasting through their speakers/earbuds/headphones [delete as applicable]? The legendary Oscar-winning composer has been soundtracking our cinematic lives for decades now, and recently has started taking the show on the road with an incredible live tour and, as of March next year, a live album called Hans Zimmer Live. (See hanszimmerlive.com for more details) So, when the great man popped into London last week and let it be known he was up for speaking to the Empire Podcast, there was only one person in the Zimmer frame: super-fan Amon Warmann, who popped along to talk to the composer about his live shows, creating the best setlist imaginable, and synths. Lots of synths. As Hans himself might say, 'bloody 'ell!' (That'll make sense in about half an hour, trust us.) Enjoy!
S1 Ep 823#535 — Lashana Lynch & Sheila Atim, Steve Coogan & Jeff Pope, Christian Bale & David O. Russell
EHat-tricks aren't exclusive to that robotic Haaland fella, you know, as this week's Empire Podcast sees a trio of cracking interviews with three pairs of guests. First, Helen O'Hara sits down for a fun chat with The Woman King's right-hand ladies, Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim. Then Chris Hewitt talks to The Lost King's screenwriting duo, Steve Coogan (yes, that one) and Jeff Pope about following up Philomena with another true-life tale. And finally, after coming so close on Thor Love & Thunder, we finally sit down for a natter with Christian Bale, as Alex Godfrey talks to the Amsterdam star/producer, and his director David O. Russell, about their new film and their long association. Then, in the virtual podbooth (blame Covid), Chris and Helen and James Dyer pick their brains for the funniest visual gags in superhero movies, discuss the week's movie news including the Super Mario trailer, and the horrible fate (at time of writing) of the Edinburgh International Film Festival and, in the reviews section, they cast their eyes over The Lost King, The Woman King, Amsterdam, Michael Giacchino's MCU oddity Werewolf By Night, and Vengeance. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 822Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Trailer Breakdown Special
EThe second trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever didn't hold back on the emotion that is clearly going to drive Ryan Coogler's MCU mega-sequel, following the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, but it also filled in more of the film's blanks, plot-wise, hinted at some major action sequences, and preserved the mystery of just who is going to take over as the new Black Panther. Plenty, then, for Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and Amon Warmann to dig into in this trailer breakdown special, recorded very late at night, and with one of us down with Covid, so if there's even more brain fog than usual, go easy on us. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 821Discussing FX's The Bear: An Empire/Pilot TV Podcast Special, In Association With Disney+
EHands! Corner! Behind! No, we're not trying to activate The Winter Soldier — these phrases will make sense to you once you've watched the excellent new comedy-drama, FX's The Bear, the first season of which is now streaming on Disney+. It follows Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a highly-rated and extraordinarily-talented chef who swaps being a rising star on the New York fine dining scene for the relentless grind of running a sandwich shop in Chicago, bequeathed to him after the death of his older brother. And in this latest crossover episode of the Empire Film Podcast and the Pilot TV Podcast, in association with Disney+, Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and Beth Webb get their teeth into The Bear, talking about its intensity, its humour, their own relationships with food and fine dining, and much, much more. It's a pod so good we give it three Michelin stars. And that, friends, is definitely a recommendation. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 820#534 — Maika Monroe, B.J. Novak
EThis week's episode of the Empire Podcast looks ahead to two of next week's releases, as Maika Monroe makes her first appearance on the pod since 2014 to talk with Chris Hewitt about her new film, Significant Other, bonding with directors, and how she navigated her career after the one-two punch of The Guest and It Follows. Then Chris also has an in-depth chat with B.J. Novak, star of the American version of The Office, about his long-awaited directorial debut, Vengeance, about his dad's Google alerts, and early retirement. Back in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode that packs in plenty of chat about the upcoming London Marathon, in which Helen is running, Tom Hanks' claim that he has made only four pretty good movies in his illustrious career, the announcement of Deadpool 3 with Hugh Jackman returning as Logan/Wolverine, the rest of the movie news, and reviews of Blonde, Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris, Hocus Pocus 2, and Flux Gourmet. Don your business shoes, and get ready for the podcasting equivalent of 26.2 miles. But in a good way. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 819Bond At 60: A Barbara Broccoli/Michael G. Wilson Interview Special
EHappy birthday, Mr. Bond. Yes, this October sees 007 turn 0060 with the 60th anniversary of Dr No, the film that brought Ian Fleming's James Bond to the big screen for the first time. The celebrations begin this weekend with a series of Bond At 60 events at the BFI Southbank and BFI Imax, then a The Sound Of Bond concert at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday October 4, headlined by Dame Shirley Bassey, and the debut of Mat Whitecross' documentary, The Sound Of Bond, on Prime Video on October 5. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are the producers who have overseen not one, but two, key reboots of the character, through the Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig eras, firmly keeping alive the traditions established by their father, Albert R. 'Cubby' Broccoli. They've been around since the franchise began — Michael cameoed briefly in Goldfinger in 1964, while a very young Barbara toured the world with her father as the movies became a cultural phenomenon in the Sixties — and in this special interview with Empire's Chris Hewitt, the two talk about their relationship with Bond, the movies and actors, through the decades, culminating in the major decision they made with the most recent movie, No Time To Die. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 818#533 — Steve Coogan, Bryce Dallas Howard & DeWanda Wise
EThis week's episode of the Empire Podcast marks the return of the podcast with the best theme tune this side of, well, us, by talking to its co-creator and star. Yes, we're talking all things Alan Partridge with Steve Coogan as series 2 of the Partridge podcast, From The Oasthouse, returns to Audible. Plus, Ben Travis flies to Malta (and boy, were his arms tired) to have a raucous chat with Jurassic World: Dominion stars Bryce Dallas Howard and DeWanda Wise about Colin Trevorrow's Extended Edition. Stop that, you filthy-minded lot. This isn't Carry On Up The Empire Podcast. Speaking of which, back in the podbooth Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss the best gateway horror films for kids; whether the Carry On... series counts as horror; the week's movie news, including Constantine 2 and a mini-episode of The Ranking: Keanu Reeves, and the trailers for M. Night Shyamalan's Knock At The Cabin, and Hellraiser; and they review Don't Worry, Darling, Catherine Called Birdy, and After Yang. Plus Chris comes up with his most annoying earworm yet, which is saying something. I wonder why... Enjoy! STEVE COOGAN INTERVIEW: 00:20:24.759 - 00:40:29.780 BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD/DEWANDA WISE INTERVIEW: 01:07:34.00 - 01:30:23.00 (approx.)
S1 Ep 817Wedding Season: An Empire Podcast/Pilot TV Podcast Special, In Association With Disney+
EWedding Season is the new thrill-packed, mystery-stuffed rom-com that is now streaming on Disney+. The first-ever UK Original Series on Disney+, it follows the adventures of Stefan (Gavin Drea) and Kate (Rosa Salazar), a couple on the run after Katie's entire wedding party, including her husband, are killed, leaving Katie as the prime suspect, and the cops (and other interested parties) hot on their heels. And in this special crossover episode, brought to you in association with Disney+, the Empire Film Podcast and Pilot TV Podcast teams — Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and Kay Ribeiro — come together to have a big old natter about the show, about the disastrous weddings they've attended, the nature of love, and the dangers of cake. But that's not all — there are exclusive, and enormously fun, interviews, in which Chris talks to cast members Jamie Michie, George Webster, Bhav Joshi, Omar Baroud and Callie Cooke, plus star Gavin Drea and the show's creator, Oliver Lyttelton. We now pronounce you pod and listener. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 816Andor Preview Special ft. Diego Luna and Tony Gilroy
EAndor is the latest Star Wars show to hit Disney+, with the first three episodes (of its 12-episode first season) dropping on the service on Wednesday September 21st, but it's a very different beast than, say, The Mandalorian or The Book Of Boba Fett. Instead, Tony Gilroy and Diego Luna's return to the flawed but noble character who, in many ways, was the heart of 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the most ambitious new slab of Star Wars to date. And in this preview podcast, Ben Travis talks to Luna and Gilroy, separately, about their ambitions for the character and for the show, and a host of other things. It's a preview podcast, not a spoiler special, so don't worry, you can listen to this and remain unspoiled for Andor, although we can't say the same for Rogue One. Oops. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 815#532 — Reece Shearsmith
EThis week's episode of the Empire Podcast brings you Reece Shearsmith — our guest at last week's London Podcast Festival live show at Kings Place, London — on sparkling form, as he tells Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and Ben Travis all about new film See How They Run, recruiting actors for Inside No 9, working with David Warner, Peter Kay and Steve Coogan, and much, much more. That can be found at around 00:22:49.00, and finishes around 00:49:00.00 Then, in the podbooth, Chris, Helen and Ben are joined by live show absentee James Dyer for an episode in which Chris defends DC League Of Super-Pets, the team discuss their most memorable cinematic queuing experiences, they cast their eyes over the week's movie news, and they review Clerks III, Ticket To Paradise, Do Revenge, and End Of The Road. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 814#531 — Sam Rockwell & Tom George
E'Ello 'ello 'ello, what's all this then? This week's Empire Podcast — recorded before the news about the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II — sees Sam Rockwell, who plays Inspector Stoppard in breezy new whodunnit See How They Run, reunite with his director, Tom George, and tell Chris Hewitt all about howtheydidit. That can be found from 00:51:13.00 - 01:10:39.00 approx. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris returns to the host's chair after a couple of weeks 'off', and is armed with tales of what's out there in the world of children's TV. He's joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss the week's movie news, review See How They Run, Pinocchio, Crimes Of The Future, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and tackle the big question: if you had to erase the movies of Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey, or Seth Rogen, who would you choose and why? Nobody can ever accuse us of not being highbrow. Enjoy. UPDATE: NOW WITH ACTUAL HELEN. IF YOU HAVE THE VERSION WITHOUT HELEN, DELETE AND RE-UPLOAD.
S1 Ep 813#530 — Michael Flatley
EHe is the Lord Of The Dance. The Riveriest of dancers. A man who scares the bejesus out of Chandler Bing. But now Michael Flatley has made the most talked-about movie of the week: his long-awaited motion picture debut, Blackbird, which he also wrote and directed. In a fun and candid interview, Flatley tells Chris Hewitt all about the motivation to make a movie now that his dancing career is behind him, the long delay in getting a release date, and his awareness of the critics lying in wait. Check it out from 00:34:34.00 - 00:52:03.00 (approx.). Then, in the virtual podbooth this week, Helen O'Hara hosts Sophie Butcher and Olly Richards, as they talk about movie pets and the greatest fake ears in movies (yet somehow don't mention Spock; highly illogical), natter about the week's movie news, and review Me Time, George Miller's Three Thousand Years Of Longing, Blackbird, and more. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 812#529 — Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù
EThis week's Empire Podcast sees the ace British actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù — memorably seen breaking heads in Gangs Of London — breaking hearts instead as the most eligible bachelor in England, in the delightful Mr. Malcolm's List. He tells Chris Hewitt all about this gear shift, his extensive research for a period role, and his days as a Harry Potter fan. That can be found between 00:32:45.00 and 00:55:19.00, timestamp fans. Then, in the virtual podbooth this week, Helen O'Hara hosts and brings Amon Warmann and John Nugent along for the ride, discussing average films with great scores, the week's movie news (including the trailer for Empire Of Light, the new Sam Mendes film), and reviewing Mr. Malcolm's List, Beast, Samaritan, and Official Competition. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 811#528 — Owen Wilson, Henry Joost & Ariel Schulman, Alan Cumming
EJust like Chorley FM, this week's episode of the Empire Podcast is Cumming in your ears as Chris Hewitt invites the great Alan Cumming — star of this week's excellent documentary, My Old School — into the podbooth for a fun chat about bagels, surnames, and why making this movie felt like fate. Chris also has a lovely chat with Secret Headquarters star, the wowtastic Owen Wilson, and his directors, Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, which takes in everything from parental responsibility to how to make a toast. Then, in a two-pronged pod recorded in a couple of different locations this week (circumstances beyond our control, folks, but we're sure you'll agree the blend of both halves is utterly seamless), Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss the movie stunts they would love to perform themselves, the week's movie news, and review My Old School, Day Shift, and Secret Headquarters. And Chris tells a Kenneth Branagh-related story that may still be going on, it's hard to tell. Enjoy. Quick interview timestamps! Owen Wilson runs from 28:05.00 - 43:51.00 (approx.) and Alan Cumming can be found somewhere around 1:01:39.00 - 1:24:21.00
S1 Ep 810She-Hulk: Attorney At Law Preview Special ft. Tatiana Maslany, Jessica Gao, and Kat Coiro
EShe-Hulk: Attorney At Law is the latest MCU show to hit Disney+, and introduces us to Bruce Banner's cousin, Jennifer Walters, a high-flying lawyer who also happens to be a Hulk. The show launches on August 18 on Disney+, and in this episode Chris Hewitt (who is crazy about the show) sits down across Zoom for chats with Jessica Gao, the show's head writer/creator; Kat Coiro, the show's lead director; and the brilliant Tatiana Maslany, who plays both Jen and She-Hulk. Don't worry, this isn't a spoiler special but a preview of the show, but some mild spoilers for the first episode lurk within, so it's your call if you want to listen now, or wait until episode one has aired. Either way, the interviews are fun dives into the show, which feels fresh and different and unlike anything we've seen in the MCU, and the character (ditto), and we hope you enjoy.
S1 Ep 809#527 — Jordan Peele, Ari Folman
EThis week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt have two fascinating natters with two very different directors: first, Jordan Peele talks about his mysterious third movie, Nope (which gets a big Yep from us), and anoints Chris as the new Oprah Winfrey (you'll have to listen for it to make some kind of sense), and then Ari Folman, the director of Waltz With Bashir and new animated movie Where Is Anne Frank, talks about the state of animation, why it took him eight years to make it, and Liverpool Football Club. Yes, fair warning to non-Reds, but this time it wasn't Chris' fault! Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Neel Bhatt, making his pod-debut proper and marking the occasion with a box of freshly-baked cookies. Together, our intrepid quartet discuss a freshly-baked listener question about the DCEU, discuss the week's movie news, and review Nope, Eiffel, and Where Is Anne Frank. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 808#526 — John McTiernan, Amber Midthunder
EWe've got Predator on our minds this week on the Empire Podcast. Which makes a change. Not only do we review Dan Trachtenberg's Prey, his prequel to John McTiernan's 1987 action classic, but Chris Hewitt sits down with that film's star, Amber Midthunder, for a fun interview in which they discuss how Amber, whose parents are an actor and a casting director, wasn't necessarily fated to become an actor, about Prey's commitment to Comanche traditions, going to craft services with a Predator, and using Brazilian jiu jitsu to take out a bunch of feral children. Chris also has a sit-down with the legendary John McTiernan, who came into London last week for The London Action Fest, and while they only talk about Predator a bit, there's plenty of Die Hard and The Hunt For Red October chat to keep you action aficionados happy. Back in the pod booth, Helen O'Hara hosts this week, due to Chris being locked in mortal combat with an alien hunter (or in LA for a set visit; one of the two), and she's joined by James Dyer and Ben Travis to discuss movies which would benefit from gender-flipping their lead from a man to a woman (in the wake of the England Women's team's triumph at the Euros), review Prey, Bullet Train and Luck, and dive deep into the week's movie news, including the Batgirl debacle. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 807#525 — Aaron Taylor-Johnson & Brian Tyree Henry, Robert B. Weide
ENext week sees the release of David Leitch's latest action movie, Bullet Train, which we're confidently told is not a sequel to The Railway Children Return. Instead, it stars Brad Pitt as an assassin on board a Japanese bullet train, who gets mixed up with a colourful cast of fellow hitpeople, not all of whom have his best interests at heart. Two of those are Tangerine and Lemon, two Cockney killers played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry, both of whom join Chris Hewitt this week for a fun dive into how they cultivated co-star chemistry, how Henry tackled a tricksy accent, and they each give us the scoop on each other's upcoming Spider-Man-adjacent projects. Elsewhere, Chris is joined by old pod-chum Robert B. 'Bob' Weide, making his first appearance on the pod in a while to talk about his new documentary, Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck In Time, how it took him 40 years to finish and became unexpectedly personal along the way, and about how he's probably the most famous director in the world, thanks to a little Curb Your Enthusiasm meme. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and, making her pod-debut proper, Ella Kemp (sorry, Dame Emma Kememp), as they talk about the greatest movie scenes set in trees, discuss the week's movie news, and review Ron Howard's Thirteen Lives, DC League Of Super-Pets, Fire Of Love, and Joyride. Oh, and they try not to mention the fact that this is now an AWARD-WINNING podcast. Well, they try not to mention it too much. Enjoy! TIMESTAMPS! (Timings are approx.) Intro/Listener Q -- 0:00.00 - 28:33.00 Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry Interview -- 28:34.00 - 44:38.00 Movie News -- 44:39.00 - 01:07:07.00 Bob Weide Interview -- 01:07:08.00 - 01:30:49.191 Reviews/Outro -- 1:30:50.00 - end
S1 Ep 806Marvel Studios' Comic-Con 2022 Slate Announcement: An Empire Podcast Reaction Special
ENature is healing. How do we know? Because Saturday saw Kevin Feige and some of his amazing friends return to Hall H at the San Diego Comic-Con to announce a ton of exciting news about the future of the MCU, including the first trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, an 18-episode Disney+ series for Charlie Cox's Daredevil and not one, but two Avengers movies, due to be released just six months apart in 2025. And while Team Empire wasn't at Comic-Con this year (we were busy picking up a gong at the British Podcast Awards!), we decided that this news was too big to wait until later in the week before discussing it on the pod. (It also spares those who couldn't give a The Tinker's cuss about the MCU) And so, in this very special episode, Chris Hewitt is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, Amon Warmann, and Ben Travis for a deep dive into all the titles and dates confirmed by Feige. There is speculation aplenty, hot takes galore, and the debut of a new prediction phrase that will take the world by storm. And that's an Amon Guarantee. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 805#524 — Ron Howard
EWe can't move for members of the Howard family on the Empire Podcast these days. Why, only the other week we had Bryce Dallas Howard, and now her dad, the great director Ron, is our special guest this episode, as he tells Chris Hewitt all about his latest movie, Thirteen Lives, the story of the near-impossible Thai cave diving rescue that captivated the world in 2018. Ron and Chris also talk about how proud Ron is of Bryce's new career as a director, and her Apollo 13 homage in an episode of The Mandalorian. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Ben Travis and the returning James Dyer and Helen O'Hara for a heat-addled episode filled with much talk of Predator, the greatest movies with one-word titles, shameless plugging for sundry live shows, discussion of the week's movie news (including the trailers for Michael Flatley's Blackbird and Rob Zombie's The Munsters), and reviews of Where The Crawdads Sing, Persuasion, Don't Make Me Go, and The Princess. Oh, and it's a truth universally acknowledged that Chris will incur the wrath of Jane Austen fans. Enjoy. Next stop: Clint Howard! TIMESTAMPS! (Timings are approx.) Intro/Listener Q: 0:00.00 - 25:01.00 Movie News: 25:02.00 - 58:15.00 Ron Howard: 58:16.00 - 01:14:02.00 Reviews: 01:14:03.00 - end
S1 Ep 804#523 — John McEnroe, Baz Luhrmann
EDon't ever say that the Empire Podcast has a predictable roster of guests. For this week sees tennis legend John McEnroe sit down on Zoom with Chris Hewitt for a fun chat about his career, the new documentary McEnroe (which chronicles said career), and the numerous cameos he's made (usually as himself) in an array of films and TV shows. We cannot be serious? We can be serious. And don't call us Shirley. Chris is also joined by Elvis director Baz Luhrmann in an excerpt from our upcoming spoiler special on that fantastic fever dream of a movie. And, in the brand new podbooth (actually, the Jazz FM studio), Chris is joined by Ben Travis and Sophie Butcher for an episode in which they discuss the panels they want to see at next week's Comic-Con, the week's movie news, including the sad death of the legendary James Caan, and review The Gray Man -- the movie that sees the Russo Brothers reunite with Chris Evans -- McEnroe, The Sea Beast, and The Railway Children Return. The Railway Children have returned? YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS, MAN! Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS! (Timings are approx.) Intro/Listener Question -- 0:00.00 - 31:04.00 John McEnroe Interview -- 31:05.00 - 46:25.00 Movie News -- 46:26.00 - 1:12:50.00 Baz Luhrmann Interview -- 1:12:51.00 - 1:22:39.00 Reviews/Outro -- 1:22:40.00 - end
S1 Ep 803#522 — Eddie Hamilton, Jenny Agutter
EThis week's Empire Podcast sees someone new and noteworthy ease themselves into the fourth chair, as Eddie Hamilton, the brilliant editor of Top Gun: Maverick and the forthcoming double whammy of Mission: Impossible 7 and 8, joins the podteam — Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and John Nugent — for the duration of the show. So, as well as picking Eddie's brains for tales of editing Maverick and getting the odd tip or ten, he joins us to tackle this week's listener question (about the best fourth instalments in film franchises), and discuss the week's movie news (this episode was recorded before news broke of James Caan's death; we'll discuss the legendary Mr. Caan next week), and we think you'll agree that he's a most welcome addition to the team. Elsewhere, the team review Thor: Love And Thunder, and Brian And Charles, and Chris has an audience with the wonderful Jenny Agutter, star of next week's sequel, The Railway Children Return. The two of them talk about that, and about some of the milestones in her incredible career, including An American Werewolf In London, her cameo in Darkman and, of course, her appearances in the MCU. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 802#521 — Justin Kurzel
EThis week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees the podteam — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer — recovering from their failure to win Podcast Of The Year at the BSME awards. In the process of doing so, they prove categorically why they didn't win, and in the process discuss the greatest movie pilots (who aren't Maverick), talk about the best way to beat Roger Deakins in a fight, chat about the week's movie news, prepare to bid farewell to the grey, depressing podbooth, review Nitram, Minions: The Rise Of Gru, and The Man From Toronto, and declare war on The Radio Times Podcast. This week's guest is the fantastic Australian director Justin Kurzel, who chats to Chris about his hard-hitting new drama, Nitram. Enjoy. NB: there is a brief discussion of the future of Bond, which includes some MAJOR spoilers for No Time To Die. So if you've somehow still not seen that film and wish to avoid any revelations, that starts around 29:48.00 and carries on for three minutes or so, until around 32:43:00 (timestamps are approximate).
S1 Ep 801#520 —Austin Butler
EElvis has entered the building. This week sees the release of Elvis, Baz Luhrmann's energetic biopic of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock'n'roll, and as a result our guest is Austin Butler, the young actor whose scintillating, swaggering performance as Elvis is set to make him a huge star. The charming Butler talks to Chris Hewitt about getting under Elvis' skin, and about the time he had a surprising encounter while shooting Once Upon A Time In Hollywood with Quentin Tarantino. That interview starts around 40:15.00. Then, in the virtual podbooth this week, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and Amon Warmann for an episode in which they discuss their favourite movie parents (not just mums or dads), have a chat about the week's movie news (there was some, promise), and dive deep into both Elvis and Scott Derrickson's chilling new horror, The Black Phone, which introduces a cracking horror villain in the shape of Ethan Hawke's The Grabber. Oh, and Helen gets docked some Dune points. Find out why by giving it a listen. Enjoy. Thankyouverymuch.
S1 Ep 800#519 — Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack
EGood Luck To You, Leo Grande is a fantastic new British movie that sees Dame Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack spend a lot of time together in a hotel room. So that's exactly what we made them do again this week, with Ella Kemp (making her Empire Podcast debut) talking to the stars of Sophie Hyde's movie about an ageing woman who, having had very few positive sexual experiences, hires a sex worker (McCormack), and complications ensue. The film is frank, funny, and insightful, and their chat with Ella is similarly so, featuring Dame Emma's reminiscences about The Tall Guy, and one of the best answers we've ever had on the podcast. Hint: it features an Oscar. Then, in the podbooth this week, Chris Hewitt is joined by James Dyer and, for the first time in ages, Helen O'Hara, and truth be told, being reunited makes them go a little doolally. So, in-between answering a listener question about the film sets they've accidentally stumbled upon in a non-professional capacity, they talk about Helen's Wikipedia page, and Chris and Helen educate James about the history of the Giant's Causeway. They also discuss actual films at some point, including the week's movie news, including Lady Gaga possibly joining Joker 2 (which may be a musical???), the announcement of the Paddington 3 director, and their feelings about the official title of Knives Out 2: Benoit Boogaloo. In the reviews section, they run their eye over Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, Spiderhead, Everything Went Fine, and Last Seen Alive, and Sophie Butcher goes to infinity and beyond to help everyone get to grips with Pixar's Lightyear. Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS! (timings are approx.) Intro/Listener Q/Nonsense: 0:00.00 - 19:56.00 Movie News: 19:57.00 - 43:08.00 Emma Thompson/Daryl McCormack: 43:09.00 - 1:02:19.00 Reviews/Outro: 1:02:20.00 - end
S1 Ep 799Udo Kier: An Empire Podcast Interview Special
EUdo Kier is one of cinema's greatest cult heroes. The German actor has been working steadily for almost sixty years, having become an actor after being discovered by chance while living in London as a young man. Since then, he's built one of the most eclectic filmographies around, appearing in over 200 films which have seen him work with some of the greatest directors around. Virtually all those appearances, though, have been cameos, which is why it's great to see Kier finally get his leading man due, at the age of 77, in Todd Stephens' poignant and funny Swan Song (in cinemas now), in which Kier plays Pat Pitsenbarger, a gay man who rediscovers his spark towards the end of his life. Kier was nominated for Best Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards for the role, and he attacks it with brio. As he does the interview process, as Chris Hewitt found when he sat down over Zoom with Kier to discuss Swan Song and more, and couldn't get a word in. Not that we're complaining -- Udo has anecdotes to spare, and in this interview we're delighted to bring you just a few. Enjoy.
S1 Ep 798#518 — Bryce Dallas Howard
EThis week's Empire Podcast is an episode 65 million and 29 years in the making, as Jurassic World: Dominion star Bryce Dallas Howard pops in for a face-to-face chat with Chris Hewitt, in which she talks about growing up on set with her director dad, Ron Howard, and how he's rubbish at keeping secrets. There's plenty of dino-chat as well for you Parkheads. Then, in the virtual podbooth this week, Chris is joined by James Dyer and Amon Warmann for an episode in which they take advantage of Helen O'Hara's ongoing absence to have a mass debate over the hottest Chris Evans moments, discuss just what it takes for a film to get the Empire one-star treatment, have a natter about the week's movie news including the announcement of Joker 2 (which whips the podteam into a frenzy of excitement), and review Jurassic World: Dominion, Udo Kier in Swan Song, Karen Gillan and Karen Gillan in Dual, while Chris and Amon have a bit of a barney over Adam Sandler in Hustle. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 797Ms. Marvel Preview Special ft. Adil & Bilall, Bisha K. Ali, Sana Amanat
EWith Ms. Marvel, the latest MCU TV show, set to debut on Disney+ this Wednesday (June 8), we've decided to bring you a special preview of the show, and what you can expect from Kamala Khan, the newest hero on the Marvel Cinematic Universe block. In this suitably embiggened episode of the Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt chats with the show's key creatives — head directors Adil & Bilall, show creator and head writer Bisha K. Ali, and Kamala Khan co-creator and producer, Sana Amanat. These are largely spoiler-free chats, but they do touch upon certain things that happen in the first two episodes of the show, so be on the lookout should you wish to be remain spoiler-free. Or, you know, come back here after you've seen the first two episodes. Either way, it works for us. Enjoy! TIMESTAMPS! (timings approx.) Intro/Boring Chris bit -- 0:00.00 - 3:39.00 Adil & Bilall -- 3:40.00 - 17:30.00 Bisha K. Ali -- 17:31.00 - 36:35.00 Sana Amanat -- 36:36.00 - 51:05.00 Another boring Chris bit/call for spoiler special subscribers -- 51:06.00 - end
S1 Ep 796#517 — Rob Savage, Annie Hardy & Amar Chadha-Patel
EBritain may have shut down to mark the celebrations of the Queen's latest Jubilation Lee, but the Empire Podcast keeps on trucking, folks. In this week's episode, Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom (luckily, with no demon present) to talk to director Rob Savage about DASHCAM, his follow-up to the sensational Host, and he brings his stars Annie Hardy and Amar Chadha-Patel along for an interview that is a wild ride in itself. Perhaps it's best to listen to this once you've seen the film, as they talk about the film's unique credit sequence, Annie's fears about playing a character who shares her name, the actors' multi-tasking as camera operators on the film, and whether producer Jason Blum could become a hitman. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by James Dyer and Amon Warmann to tackle listener questions about the greatest examples of royalty in the movies, and what franchises should do to negate toxic fanbases (in the wake of the abhorrent racist comments sent to Obi-Wan Kenobi star, Moses Ingram). They also discuss the week's movie news, including a lengthy tribute to Ray Liotta, and Amon and Chris jettison James to review DASHCAM, Alex Garland's Men, and Bergman Island. Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS! (Timings approx.) Intro/Listener Questions -- 0:00.00 - 22:35.00 Movie News -- 22:36.00 - 45:05.00 DASHCAM Interview -- 45:06.00 - 1:06:34.00 Reviews/Outro -- 1:06:35.00 - end
S1 Ep 795Pistol: An Empire Podcast + Pilot TV Podcast Special ft. Maisie Williams and Thomas Brodie-Sangster, In Association With Disney+
EOnly a group as seismic as The Sex Pistols could bring the Empire Podcast and the Pilot TV Podcast together once again. Yes, to mark the launch of Danny Boyle's brand-new six-part series, Pistol, on Disney+, Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and Beth Webb put their collective noggins together and discuss the show, which debuts on Disney+ on May 31, and which charts the rapid rise and fall of the British punk band towards the tail end of the 1970s. In a fun episode, Chris, James and Beth talk about the cultural impact of Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Sid Vicious and the boys; their legacy; their weird link to the Spice Girls, and much, much more. Plus, Chris sits down with two of the stars of the show, Maisie Williams and Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and asks one of them about nicking Andy Serkis' arancini at the Empire Awards. It doesn't get much more punk than that. Never mind the you-know-what, here's [Empire and Pilot talking about] the Sex Pistols.
S1 Ep 794Mike Hodges Interview Special: Talking Get Carter And More
E"Carter! That's my name!" And Hodges! That's his name! Get Carter, the 1971 film that marked Mike Hodges' directorial debut on the big screen and which launched a career that would take in the likes of Flash Gordon and Croupier, has been re-released and remastered (in glorious 4K) by the BFI. It looks and sounds better than ever, so now you can bask in the bleakness of this revenge thriller, which sees Michael Caine go to Newcastle and wreak havoc. Hodges is now 89, and retired from filmmaking, but he took time out to have a chat with Chris Hewitt in which they talk about the enduring appeal of Get Carter, and run through some of the more eclectic entries in Hodges' career. It's a candid and insightful chat with one of Britain's greatest filmmakers, and we hope you enjoy.
S1 Ep 793#516 — Rory Kinnear, Miles Teller
EIn a world-first for a podcast, every single person on this week's episode of the Empire Podcast (sorry, newly award-nominated Empire Podcast) is played by Rory Kinnear. Probably. Actually, that's not true, but after witnessing his tour de force performance(s) in Alex Garland's MEN, which is out next week and which sees Kinnear play multiple roles opposite Jessie Buckley, we wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that he was also playing Amon Warmann, who talks to Kinnear about Men, his career, and knowing the biggest spoiler in Bond history ahead of time. (Don't listen to that interview if you haven't seen No Time To Die!) Our second guest is the excellent Miles Teller, who stars in Top Gun: Maverick as Rooster, aka Son Of Goose, and he talks to Chris Hewitt about his Tom Cruise experience, about flying for real, and about Whiplash (and whiplash, most likely). Then, in the podbooth (virtual this week), Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode in which they discuss great movie scenes set in and around airports, talk about movie news including the Thor: Love And Thunder, The Gray Man, and Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One trailers (however, this was recorded before the sad passing of the great Ray Liotta; we will pay tribute to him next week), and review The Bob's Burgers Movie, Sneakerella, and Cop Secret. Oh, and they lose their minds over Top Gun: Maverick, and plan an open-top bus parade through the streets of London. Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS! Intro/Listener Q -- 0:00.00 - 24:59.00 Rory Kinnear Interview (inc. No Time To Die spoiler) -- 25:00.00 - 42:17.00 Movie News -- 42:18.00 - 1:07:23.00 Miles Teller Interview -- 1:07:24.00 - 1:26:56.00 Reviews/Outro -- 1:26:57.00 - end