The Empire Film Podcast

"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.

In 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

Obi-Wan Kenobi. Now that's a name we've not heard in a long time. A long time. But we're delighted to hear it again, because that means that Ewan McGregor is returning to the role he played in George Lucas' Star Wars prequel trilogy (and which Alec Guinness originated, of course, in the original trilogy) in a six-part limited edition show which launches this week on Disney+. And to celebrate, we've put together a preview special in which Chris Hewitt sits down across Zoom with the show's director, Deborah Chow, and head writer Joby Harold, and asks them the big questions about bringing back Obi-Wan, Darth Vader, Owen and Beru, and more. And yes, there's an Elan Sleazebaggano question in there somewhere too. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast sees the great writer/producer/director Judd Apatow drop in for another appearance, this time with his documentarian hat on, as he tells Chris Hewitt all about why he made the excellent two-part documentary, George Carlin's American Dream, which tells the life story of the great American stand-up, who was famous for his legendary routine about the seven words you can't say on television. You can say them on a podcast, though, which is what Chris does, so be mindful of an unbleeped C-bomb, folks. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer as they discuss the number of knights and dames they've interviewed, dig into the trailer for She-Hulk, talk about the new developments in the world of Star Wars, and ask if the only good Predator film is the first Predator film. In the reviews section, they discuss Terence Davies' Benediction, Chip & Dale: Rescue Rangers, Emergency, and The Innocents. Oh, and Chris makes a shocking announcement. Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS! (timings approx.) Intro/Listener Question -- 0:00.00 - 22:12.00 Movie News -- 22:13.00 - 49.48.00 Judd Apatow Interview -- 49:49.00 - 1:10:46.00 C-word! -- 56:47.00 Reviews/Outro -- 1:10:47.00 - end

Episodes of The Ranking are like buses: you wait ages for one, and then when you get on, everyone's discussing the movies of Nicolas Cage. In this special live edition of The Ranking, recorded at our all-day Episode 500 celebrations at Kings Place in February (can it really be so long ago?), Helen O'Hara leads a motley crew of Cage enthusiasts — Nick de Semlyen, John Nugent, Amon Warmann, and Dan Jolin — to talk about the movies, career and nouveau shamanic acting style of the one, the only Nicolas Kim Coppola, aka Nicolas Cage. The top ten may well surprise you! Enjoy.

Heck of a week for comebacks on the latest episode of The Empire Podcast. First up, Ke Huy Quan — the iconic Short Round in Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom, and Data in The Goonies — tells Chris Hewitt all about why he has ended his long hiatus from acting with the sensational Everything Everywhere All At Once. Then Scott Thompson and Bruce McCulloch, two of the five members of legendary Canadian sketch comedy troupe, The Kids In The Hall, talk to Chris about getting the gang back together for their new series on Prime Video. Then, back in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, John Nugent, and Irish Siri to talk about great movie scenes set in stadiums (or arenas), discuss the week's movie news (including a little bit we recorded on Friday morning), and review Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Quiet Girl, and Vortex. Oh, and Chris makes an impassioned plea that will bring tears to your eyes. Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS! (timings approx.) Intro/Listener Q -- 0:00.00 - 23:15.00 Ke Huy Quan Interview -- 23:16.00 - 42:34.00 Movie News -- 42:34.00 - 1:14:58.00 The Kids In The Hall interview - 1:14:59.00 - 1:31:56.00 Reviews/outro - 1:31:57.00 - end

The Gray Man — the latest movie from Joe and Anthony Russo, the directors of little films like Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Endgame and Welcome To Collinwood — is on the cover of this month's Empire magazine (on sale now, folks, in all good, evil and virtual newsagents), and so we can finally bring you the latest Empire Podcast interview special: a one-hour chat between Joe Russo and our very own Chris Hewitt, recorded a few weeks ago in St. Andrews, Scotland. This is not an interview about The Gray Man. Instead, Joe was in Scotland to promote Sands, the first ever St. Andrews International Film Festival, of which he is a supporter and backer. In this in-depth interview, he tells Chris about his connection to St. Andrews and Scotland, and then goes deep on the early career of the Russo brothers, including stories about their first (and still unreleased) movie, Pieces, their big break into the business, their forays into television, and the circuitous journey that eventually landed them at Marvel Studios, where they made four of the biggest movies of all time in quick succession; success which allowed Joe and Anthony to form their own company, Agbo Studios, which is behind the likes of The Gray Man and Everything Everywhere All At Once. It's a fascinating chat with one of the most powerful and important figures in the business. Enjoy.

This is too much Multiverse Of Madness to fit into one text! Yes, this week finally sees the Empire Podteam assess the long-awaited arrival of Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, directed by Chris Hewitt's beloved possessed GOAT boy, Sam Raimi, and as well as reviewing that film, our guest this week is one of the stars of the movie, Elizabeth Olsen, aka Wanda Maximoff, aka The Scarlet Witch. She has a lovely chat with Chris about the evolution of Wanda, her love of London and sports, and more. Then, Chris is joined in the virtual podbooth this week by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss the great movie star cameos in TV shows, a question that's been delayed more times than an Avatar sequel. Speaking of Avatar sequels, James and Helen tell us all about the trailer for Avatar: The Way Of Water, while the team also discuss the departure of Jon Watts from the Fantastic Four director's chair, and the trailer for Obi-Wan Kenobi. And, with new releases being dominated by Mister Doctor this week, they also talk about the new Chris Pine actioner, The Contractor. Enjoy! TIMESTAMPS! (timings are approx.) Intro/Listener Question -- 0:00.00 - 23:57.614 Movie News -- 23:58.00 - 53:44.00 Elizabeth Olsen Interview -- 53:45.00 - 1:12:28.008 Reviews -- 1:12:29.000 - end

Welcome to Downtonpalooza, as this week's guests on the Empire Podcast hail from either side of the camera on Downton Abbey: A New Era, the latest cinematic instalment of the ever-popular Downton Abbey franchise. First, Helen O'Hara chats to two of the movie's stars, Laura Carmichael and Tuppence Middleton, and then has a natter with the creator of the whole shebang, Julian Fellowes. Then, in the podbooth, Helen joins Chris Hewitt, Amon Warmann, and James Dyer to discuss the obscure non-MCU Marvel cameos they'd like to see in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness; talk about the week's movie news, including the reveal of the title for Avatar 2, Justin Lin's departure from Fast X, and more; and review Downton Abbey: A New Era, Casablanca Beats, and The Velvet Queen. And they ask the biggest question of all: just what has happened to Alan Cumming's chimpanzee? Enjoy.

Choose life. Choose a podcast. Choose a movie podcast. Choose Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Amon Warmann, and James Dyer talking about movies. Choose the occasional digression about fancy restaurants and Easter eggs. Choose a listener question (well, sort of) about the best lightsaber battles in Star Wars history. Choose discussion of the week's biggest movie news, including the Thor: Love And Thunder trailer. Choose reviews of new films like The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent, Happening, and Choose Or Die. Choose an interview with Eddie Marsan, the star of the latter of that trio. Choose realising that you're stuck in this bit now and need to see it through to the end. Choose life. But why would you want to do a thing like that? We chose to choose something else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got The Empire Podcast? Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS! (approx. timings) Intro/Listener Question: 0:00.00 - 25:58.00 Movie News: 25:59.00 - 54:51.00 Eddie Marsan Interview: 54:52.00 - 1:13:54.00 Reviews/Outro: 1:13:55.00 - end

This week's Empire Podcast brings you not one but two former Mr. Darcys, in the shape of Operation Mincemeat stars, Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen, who tell Chris Hewitt all about their connection to the World War II thriller, and their personal approaches to acting. Chris also has a lovely natter this week with Alexander Skarsgård, the star and producer of Robert Eggers' bonkers and brilliant Viking saga, The Northman. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Alex Godfrey for an episode filled with incendiary and controversial opinions as they discuss the Cannes line-up, Brie Larson joining Fast & Furious 10, the new issue of Empire; review The Northman, Benedetta, Operation Mincemeat, and The Lost City; and do a deep, deep dive into the listener questions, which asks if any Best Animated Feature Oscar winners have been better than their Best Picture-winning counterparts? The answers, and frankly wild opinions on display, will shock you. Enjoy. (Oh, and Chris did mean to say 'Bond novels', not 'Bond movies'. You'll know that bit when you reach it. TIMESTAMPS! (timings are approximate) Intro/Listener Q: 0:00.00 - 31:15.535 Colin Firth/Matthew Macfadyen: 31:16.00 - 45:39.00 Movie News: 45:40.00 - 1:12:10.00 Alexander Skarsgård: 1:12:11.00 - 1:31:20.219 Reviews: 1:31:21.00 - end

This week's Empire Podcast sees a bright and optimistic young man who wears spectacles, lives under the stairs, and just might be the last hope for humanity... interview Daniel Radcliffe. Yes, in this episode Ben Travis, a humungous Harry Potter fan, finally comes face-to-face with The Boy Who Lived, and as well as talking about Radcliffe's new movie, adventure comedy The Lost City, his musical tastes and plans to launch a directing career, there's a little bit of Potter chat as well. Then, in the podbooth, Ben joins Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode in which they wax lyrical about Film4's greatest movies and general contribution to British cinema, discuss the week's movie news and find it to be wanting, throw in a boatload of obscure, unusual and arcane facts (that aren't movie-related, weirdly), and review the Harry Potter/Daniel Radcliffe-free Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore, Richard Linklater's Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Adventure, Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton thriller All The Old Knives, and Mark Rylance in The Outfit, a film so good it almost makes Chris come to terms with the past. Almost. Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS! (timings may be approx.) Intro/Listener Question -- 0:00.00 - 22:20.00 Daniel Radcliffe -- 22:21.00 - 43:39.508 Movie News -- 43:40.00 - 1:04:49.00 Reviews -- 1:04:50.00 -- end

The world has been waiting all week for an exclusive interview with someone called Smith, and this week's Empire Podcast doesn't disappoint, as Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with Morbius star Matt Smith, and they have a lovely natter about nicknames, horror movies, and Smith's desire to play Dracula, now that he's got his fangs into the whole vampire thang. (What, did you think we meant another Smith?) Our other guest this week is the wonderful Ruth Wilson, who speaks with Amon Warmann about her new movie, True Things, her ongoing crusade to keep a workbook, and her relationship with music. This interview was cut somewhat short due to technical issues, folks, so be prepared for a fairly abrupt ending. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and, making a rare in-person appearance, James 'Jaime Blanco' White, to discuss their favourite Bruce Willis movies, following the news of his decision to retire from acting due to health issues; review Morbius, True Things, and Judd Apatow's The Bubble; and talk about the week's movie news, including an extended segment on the Oscars and, of course, that unexpected Will Smith/Chris Rock interface. Get your hot takes here! Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS: Intro/Bruce Willis Discussion -- 0:00.00 - 27.05.00 Matt Smith Interview -- 27.06.00 - 44.32.866 Movie News -- 44.33.00 - 1:16:02 Ruth Wilson Interview -- 1:16:03 - 1:32:10 Reviews/Outro -- 1:32:11 - 1:59:14

Here's a podcast that can tell the difference between its waking life... and dreams. Yes, folks, as Moon Knight finally makes his dramatic debut on Disney+, this special edition of the Empire Podcast brings you interviews with the folks who brought the MCU's latest hero to life. First, Chris Hewitt welcomes the show's stars -- Moon Knight/Marc Spector/Steven Grant himself, Oscar Isaac; Ethan Hawke, who plays the villainous Arthur Harrow; and May Calamawy, aka Leila -- to our London studio for an interview that is filled with bonkersness, and then he sits down over Zoom with the show's lead director, Mohamed Diab. This isn't a spoiler special, and the interviews are largely spoiler-free, but they do engage with events that take place in the first episode in particular, so perhaps listen to this after you've seen that. Otherwise, there's nothing to fear here but Chris' impression of Steven Grant. Enjoy...?

Another bumper, jam-packed edition of the Empire Podcast this week, as we cram four guests and the podteam into the back of an ambulance and take off at high speed. First, Chris Hewitt has a fun chat with Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, stars of Michael Bay's cracking new thriller, Ambulance. Then, as Chopper gets a re-release to mark its 20th-ish anniversary, Chris jumps on Zoom with that film's director, Andrew Dominik. Finally, Beth Webb sits down with Norwegian actress, and star of the wonderful The Worst Person In The World, Renate Reinsve. Then, in the virtual podbooth this week, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a discussion about which of the many facets of film journalism appeal to them most. They also tackle the week's movie news, including taking a stab at predicting the outcome of the Oscars, while they review The Worst Person In The World, Windfall, and have an argument about Ambulance. Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS Intro/Listener Question: 0:00.00 - 24.29.447 Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II: 24.30.00 - 43:03.00 Movie News: 43:04.00 - 1:02:02.00 Andrew Dominik: 1:02:03:00 - 1:15:33.403 Reviews: 1:15:34.00 - 1:39:10.883 Renate Reinsve: 1:39:11.00

Welcome to The Great Unwatched, a new Empire Podcast show brought to you by JustWatch, the ultimate movie and TV streaming guide. In this episode, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer get together to plan a movie marathon. But the twist is that the movies they suggest must be obscure efforts, worthy of discovery, and that at least one of the trio hasn't seen. The idea is simple, the results are carnage. From a Cary Grant comedy to punks cavorting in graveyards, their choices run the gamut — and thanks to JustWatch, they know that every movie they talk about is available to stream in the UK. Give The Great Unwatched a whirl now, and let us know if you ever undertake the final marathon. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast sees Sophie Butcher interview Sebastian Stan, while trying not to say the words 'homecoming', 'fahrenheit' and 'boxcar'. Otherwise, bad things might happen. Not that they could be much worse than the bad things that happen in Stan's new movie, Fresh, in which he stars alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones as a new couple whose relationship turns very dark, very quick. Sophie talks to Stan and Edgar-Jones about that, their musical tastes, and more in a fun interview. Also fun, and interviewy, is Chris Hewitt's chat with old podchum Simon Farnaby, writer of this week's whimsical true-life golf comedy, The Phantom Of The Open. The two natter about golf, about Farnaby's output as a writer, and about being yelled at. Then, in the virtual podbooth this week, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and Amon Warmann for another fun episode in which they discuss movies that deserve a third instalment, get to grips with the week's movie news, including Dune 2, Deadpool 3 and Ms Marvel revelations and, in a top week for movie rumpy-pumpy, review Fresh, Deep Water, Paris, 13th District and The Phantom Of The Open. It's a podcast that's perfect for spoiling a good walk. Enjoy. Intro/Listener Question -- 0:00.00 - 27.53.00 Daisy Edgar-Jones/Sebastian Stan Interview -- 27:54.00 - 40:42.00 Movie News -- 40:43.00 - 01:09:09 Simon Farnaby interview -- 01:09:10 - 1:26:59 Reviews -- 1:27:00 - end

Episode 500 of the Empire Podcast may have taken place in February, but we're continuing our quest to bring you recorded versions of all the shows we mounted on that day. And the latest is the live edition of beloved/besmirched podcast semi-regular segment, The Three Fact Structure, in which host Chris Hewitt takes it easy while Ben Travis, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer work themselves to the bone by presenting an obscure, unusual, or arcane film-related fact. This pod may only be 20 minutes long, but it packs a punch, as Helen talks about sex, James talks about loads of stuff at such a speed that it's honestly hard to tell what he was banging on about, and Ben talks about Pooh. Lots of Pooh. Oh, and there's a singalong too. This may be the way we do The Three Fact Structure from now on (live, with a 20-minute limit), so let us know if that tickles your factual fancy. Either way, enjoy.

Red is the colour for this week's Empire Podcast. First, Ben Travis has a chat with Sandra Oh and Rosalie Chiang, stars of the new Pixar movie, Turning Red, and then Red Rocket director, Sean Baker, tells Alex Godfrey all about how he pulled off his delightful latest, in which Simon Rex stars as a porn star down on his luck. Sorry about the innuendo there, but that sets the tone for this mucky-minded filthpot of an episode, in which Chris Hewitt is joined by Ben, James Dyer and, making her debut on the pod, Hanna Flint. The quartet talk about who they'd like to see play the next big-screen Robin, discuss the week's movie news, including the new trailer for Obi-Wan Kenobi and Dune 2 casting news (this was recorded before the Austin Butler news broke), and review the aforementioned movies, along with Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy's latest, The Adam Project. Along the way, they discuss The Spice Girls, MENA representation in movies, and a very rude Obi-Wan Kenobi anagram. Enjoy. Timestamps! Intro/Listener Question -- 0:00.00 - 19.50.00 Rosalie Chiang/Sandra Oh interview -- 19.51.00 - 32.54 Movie News -- 32.55 - 1:02:48 Sean Baker interview -- 1:02:49 - 1:20:43 Movie Reviews -- 1:20:44 - end.

The first three episodes of The Dropout, the new series charting the rise and fall of tech entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, the company she founded, have landed on Disney+, and in the latest team-up between the Empire Podcast and Pilot TV Podcast, Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and Beth Webb have a good old natter about it. In this very special crossover episode, in association with Disney+, they talk about the real-life events behind the show (created by Elizabeth Meriwether), the reasons why Hollywood is drawn to stories like this, the incredible cast, led by Amanda Seyfried, and much, much more. So turn on, tune in and drop out for The Dropout...

Riddle us this, riddle us, erm, shimmy, who's the man who wrote Steven Soderbergh's Kimi? Why, that would be David Koepp, one of our cracking guests on this week's Empire Podcast. The legendary screenwriter sits down on a Zoom with Chris Hewitt and tells him all about that, being a writer on set, and much more. And riddle us this, riddle us, um, drano, why does nothing rhyme with Dano? Yes, Ben Travis and Chris have a fun audience with Paul Dano, the actor who plays The Riddler in Matt Reeves' The Batman. Either side of that, in the virtual podbooth this week, Chris and Ben are joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode in which they discuss how difficult it is to voice Paddington, nominate the movies they'd like to see become immersive hotel experiences, talk about movie news including the Bullet Train and Fantastic Beasts: The Wotsit Of Thingummy trailers, and review The Batman, Ali & Ava, The Desperate Hour, and A Madea Homecoming. Enjoy. Timestamps! Intro/Listener Question: 0:00.00 - 26:05 David Koepp: 26:05 - 43:52 Movie News: 43:53 - 1:11:44 Paul Dano: 1:11:45 - 1:29:04 Reviews/Outro: 1:29:04 onwards

Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson's BAFTA and Oscar-nominated Summer Of Soul (Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is one of the finest directorial debuts in years, as the Roots drummer/musical maestro crafts a powerful and profound documentary that charts the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969, a music festival that took place in the same summer as Woodstock, and yet didn't receive nearly the same cultural cachet. In fact, footage of the festival lay, untouched, for almost 50 years before Questlove was clued in as to its existence, resolving to make this movie. The resulting documentary, one of the favourites to win Best Documentary on both sides of the Pond, is part celebration of the amazing artists who played at the Festival, but also a compelling deep dive into Black history, Black culture, Black joy and, as he tells Chris Hewitt in this exclusive interview, the notion of Black erasure. They also talk about Questlove's relationship with the material, finding interviewees for the movie, and how he's going to handle attending the Oscars, as a former Musical Director of the ceremony. Enjoy.

Kenneth Branagh's wonderful BELFAST sees the writer-director (but not actor on this one, as he explains) return to his youth for inspiration, charting a beautiful black-and-white path through the childhood of a young boy growing up in the Northern Irish capital in 1969, just as The Troubles are about to truly erupt, changing the lives of all who lived there for decades to come. In this Empire Podcast interview special, Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with his fellow Northern Irishman, Branagh, and they talk about growing up during very different eras, about Branagh's decision to make the movie now, about his creative choices such as going black-and-white and using copious amounts of Van Morrison on the soundtrack, Northern Irish accents and much, much more. The film has been nominated for many BAFTAs and Oscars since, and may well scoop the ultimate prize on the big nights. This fascinating and fun interview may just tell you why, so it might. Wee buns!

There go our heroes. Watch them as they go. This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees three big names chat with us about their new projects, and as a result this pod is a little... everlong. First, Joe Wright, director of Cyrano, talks with Hanna Flint about his new musical and discloses his favourite Christmas movie along the way. Then Alex Godfrey Zooms in for a chat with the great Paul Thomas Anderson, who waxes lyrical about Licorice Pizza, Hard Eight turning 25, loving Mission: Impossible — Fallout, and more. And finally, as the Foo Fighters release their first movie, the horror-comedy Studio 666, Chris Hewitt has a chat with the one and only Dave Grohl. Either side of those, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode recorded in space. Or more accurately, the Galactic Starcruiser, the new Star Wars immersive experience/hotel at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. They also tackle a listener question about the weirdest places they've ever conducted an interview, talk about the week's movie news, and review Cyrano, Studio 666, Kimi, and The Duke. We got The Duke? We got The Duke! Enjoy. Timings below: Intro and chat about the Galactic Starcruiser: 0:00 - 15:11 Joe Wright: 15:12 - 33:40 Listener Question: 33:40 - 51:15 Paul Thomas Anderson: 51:15 - 1:11:24 Movie News: 1:11:24 - 1:32:22 Dave Grohl: 1:32:22 - 1:49:42 Reviews: 1:49:42 - 2:17:03

This week's Empire Podcast has a pair of interviews with some heavy-hitting acting types. First off, Joanna Scanlan, recently BAFTA-nominated for Best Actress for her turn in the excellent drama, After Love, talks with Helen O'Hara about that, and about playing the long game in her career. Then Hanna Flint (making her Empire Podcast debut) has a fun chat, recorded before Christmas hence the festive references, with the ever-excellent Peter Dinklage, star of next week's Joe Wright-directed musical, Cyrano. And no, we don't ask him where the handle is. Then, in and out of the podbooth (you'll see), Chris Hewitt is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an in-depth and often moving (ahem) examination of the best bald bad guys in movie history. They also discuss the week's movie news, which mainly means trailers, lots of trailers (we've taken care of Doctor Strange business elsewhere, though). And then Chris and Helen, despite the best efforts of Storm Eunice, review Channing Tatum's return in Dog, Leatherface's return in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet's return with Bigbug. Enjoy.

Because a few of you demanded it, here it is: the Empire Podcast's breakdown of the brand-new trailer for Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness. Join Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Amon Warmann, and Ben Travis as they go frame-by-frame through the new trailer, and the 30-second Super Bowl TV spot, as if it's the Zapruder film. Features: wild speculation and rumour-mongering, much of which will no doubt be proved incorrect when the film opens in May. So, cue up the trailer on a device of your choice (hopefully not the same one on which you're listening to the pod), and prepare to enter a new world of gods and monsters. Sorry, wrong cinematic universe!

Happy birthday, Hot Fuzz! Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's cracking cop comedy is now fifteen years old, if you can believe it. And in this very special episode of the Empire Podcast, recorded live at Kings Place as part of our all-day celebration of Episode 500, Chris Hewitt sits down with Wright and Pegg live on stage for a one-hour deep dive into the movie. Featuring never-before-heard stories of the writing of, and making of, the movie, it's a must-listen. And that's even before we get to the late cameo (of sorts) from a very special surprise guest. Bring the noise!

We don't hang around here on the Empire Podcast. Less than a week after the epic celebration that was our 500th episode, we're already back in the podbooth, bringing you episode 501. And it's a belter, folks, as Chris Hewitt is joined by newly-minted BAFTA and Oscar nominee, the wonderful West Side Story star, Ariana DeBose, for a chat that takes in Spielberg, auditions, British accents, SNL, and Hamilton, but which is mostly concerned with Nando's, and the consumption thereof. We're also joined this week by director Josephine Decker, who tells Amon Warmann all about her new film, the Apple TV+ original, The Sky Is Everywhere. Either side of that, back in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent for a fun episode in which they discuss their dream LEGO movie-themed sets (this was recorded before news broke of the new Jurassic Park set), talk about the week's movie news, including a bumper Oscars section (this was recorded before news broke of the new Jurassic World: Dominion trailer; it's almost as if dinosaurs hate us), and review Uncharted, Death On The Nile, Flee, and Marry Me. Whether this is your first episode or your five-hundred-and-first episode, enjoy.

Here it is, folks. A landmark episode deserves an epic running time. Welcome to the 500th episode of the Empire Podcast, recorded in front of a live audience at Kings Place, London, on Saturday, February 5, and featuring our most astonishing line-up of guests yet. There's Tom Holland (no, not that one), talking about Uncharted and spoiling the hell out of Spider-Man: No Way Home (seriously, maybe only listen to this pod after you've seen that film)! The Souvenir Part II director Joanna Hogg and her star, Bafta-nominated Harris Dickinson! Roy Kent himself, Ted Lasso star, Brett Goldstein, talking about fashion, swearwords, and blaming our Chris Hewitt for the pandemic! West Side Story's Maria, aka Rachel Zegler, on befriending Spielberg! Loki director Kate Herron with the inside scoop on Owen Wilson's moustache! And the captain of the Jackass gang, Johnny Knoxville, on what can only be described as Dongzilla! Phew! It's so packed that all the interviews are smushed together in one huge section that runs from 00:33:23 to 02:14.50. Either side of that, Chris Hewitt welcomes not one, not two, not three but FOUR colleagues of such lethal cunning -- Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, Amon Warmann, and Ben Travis -- for the mother of all Empire Podcasts, as they talk movie news (Scream! Fast 10! Baftas! Den Of Thieves 2!), review Moonfall, The Souvenir Part II, Belle, Jackass Forever, and The Eyes Of Tammy Faye, and answer a ton of audience questions. It's been weeks in the planning, and is our gift to you, our loyal listeners. Thank you for all your support over the last ten years. Here's to the next 500. Enjoy.

The legendary Donnie Yen has been kicking all kinds of butt for decades now, in movies like Hero, Ip Man, Blade II, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. His latest movie, Raging Fire (the last directed by Benny Chan) is out now on DVD, Blu-ray and digital, and to mark the occasion, Amon Warmann sat down with Donnie Yen for an engrossing in-depth chat. Which we present to you in full. Enjoy!

Episodes of The Ranking are like buses. Not in the 'you wait ages for one, and then three turn up at once' sense (although we do acknowledge that episodes of this fine spin-off from Empire magazine, in which four Empire writers argue the toss about a series of films and come up with a definitive cough cough top ten, have not exactly been on the regular). More in the 'you get on one, and all you find is four people talking about Stanley Kubrick' sense. And if that's not your experience of buses, then you have our pity. You can't get on a bus round here without someone banging on about Barry Lyndon. Anyway, as our gift to you, to make up for the absence of Episode 500 from the feed today (what with Episode 500 not having been recorded yet), here is an actual episode of The Ranking, in which Ian Freer, Neil Alcock, Beth Webb, and Alex Godfrey clamber aboard the number 19 and talk about the career of one of the greatest directors of all time with their eyes wide shut and their mouths wide open. Enjoy.

Edgar Wright's latest movie, the pulse-pounding, melon-melting, time-twisting psychological thriller, Last Night In Soho, is out now on all the formats you can think of (and some you can't), so you can watch it in the comfort of your own home. So now is the perfect time to bring you lucky lot the first hour of the epic TWO AND A HALF HOUR spoiler special interview that we recorded with Wright and his co-writer, Krysty Wilson-Cairns, when they came into the podbooth late last year. In this exceedingly candid chat with Chris Hewitt, Wright and Wilson-Cairns talk about how the Hot Fuzz research process led to one of the darkest lines in the film; how Terence Stamp inspired a permanent plaque in The Toucan; where the idea for the film came from; and going for dinner with Billie Piper. For details of our spoiler specials subscription service, go to empire.supportingcast.fm

Reacher may say nothing, but thankfully Alan Ritchson -- the actor who steps into the shoes of Lee Child's man-mountain master detective, Jack Reacher, on a new Prime Video series called REACHER that launches on February 4 -- says plenty. He talks to Chris Hewitt this week, and tells him all about his audition for Reacher, acing Reacher's physicality, and what inspiration he drew from Child. Chris also has a natter this week with Romola Garai, the British actress who makes her directorial debut with the ultra-creepy horror film, Amulet. They talk about how Garai made the transition behind the camera, working with creature FX, and much more. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann for a jam-packed episode in which they discuss the week's movie news (including a new Wallace & Gromit movie), review Amulet, Sing 2, Pedro Almodovar's Parallel Mothers, and Munich: The Edge Of War. Plus, the listeners' question this week will almost certainly see us get sued by the BBC. Not least for hesitation, repetition and deviation. Enjoy.

We believe in America. And we also believe in Francis Ford Coppola's seminal classic, The Godfather, which turns 50 this year. In fact, we believe in it so much that we've only gone and put it on the cover of the brand-new issue of Empire (on sale now!), along with an exclusive interview with Coppola himself, as well as many of his key cast members. And, accordingly, we've decided to do a podcast in which we talk about The Godfather, and why it's still one of the greatest films of all time. So join Chris Hewitt, Nick de Semlyen, and Ian Freer for 45 minutes of chat about the film's amazing characters, visual style, themes, death scenes, and other memorable moments. And there are absolutely no terrible impressions of Marlon Brando. Well, ok, there's maybe the odd one or two or dozen. Enjoy!

2022 is only a few weeks old, but this week alone sees the release of two films that are almost certain to be up there come year's end: Guillermo del Toro's atmospheric noir, Nightmare Alley, and Kenneth Branagh's wonderfully warm childhood tale, Belfast. And we're delighted to be joined on this week's episode by del Toro, who chats with Chris Hewitt about doom, black-and-white, and Bradley Cooper's eyes; and Belfast star Jamie Dornan, who goes full Norn Iron with Helen O'Hara. Who, despite her protestations to the contrary, does thicken her accent for that interview, so she does. Then, in the podbooth, Chris and Helen are joined by James Dyer for an episode in which they talk about the legacy sequels they'd like to see, discuss the week's movie news, including the Moon Knight trailer and talk of a third Equalizer film, review Nightmare Alley, Belfast, A Journal For Jordan, and Mass, reveal more exciting details about our upcoming 500th episode, and can't tell the difference between their waking life... and dreams. Enjoy.

This week, the Empire Podcast opens The Book Of The Book Of Boba Fett, as Chris Hewitt has a fun chat with Fennec Shand herself, the wonderful Ming-Na Wen. They talk about stanning Han Solo, smuggling artefacts off set, and interior design. And Chris also has an interesting and engrossing Zoom chat with George MacKay (or is it Georges MacKay?), the English actor who stars in the Netflix WWII thriller, Munich: The Edge Of War. Either side of those interviews, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they tackle a number of listener questions, discuss the week's movie news, including the sad passing of Sidney Poitier, and review the new Scream, The Tragedy Of Macbeth, Andrea Arnold's Cow, and Memoria. And Chris tells it like it is about Adolf Hitler. Enjoy.

We're back! After a brief break for the Christmas and New Year holidays (during which we somehow managed to produce a whole bunch of podcasts anyway, but let's not quibble), the Empire Podcast is back, and seeing in 2022 with a bang. Our very first guest of the new year is a cracker, as Amon Warmann sits down on Zoom with Lupita Nyong'o, star of The 355, while later Chris Hewitt has a natter with Bert & Bertie, the directing team behind episodes 3-5 of the excellent Disney+ show, Hawkeye. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris and Amon join forces with James Dyer and, belatedly, Helen O'Hara to talk about the movies they watched over the Christmas break (the answer may shock you), the movie-related presents they received (the answer may bore you); discuss the movie news; review The 355, Licorice Pizza, The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain, and Boiling Point; and get into a big old humdinger of a debate about... well, we won't spoil it. You'll have to listen to find out. Enjoy! And Happy New Year!

Here's a lovely little treat to bring 2021 to a close (or see 2022 in with a bang): a lengthy interview special in which Chris Hewitt sits down (in an actual hotel room; this was actually our first in-person interview since the pandemic began) with the legendary Quentin Tarantino for an in-depth chat about Tarantino's decision to turn Once Upon A Time In Hollywood into a novel, his creative process, his relationship with his characters, his future plans, and much, much more. So, sit down, set aside an hour and change, and enjoy.

Happy New Year, listeners! 2021 has been a right old bangily-banger of a year, and no mistake, but it's also been a cracking year, cinematically speaking. And in this bumper-sized end of the year round-up edition, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis talk about the filmic highs and lows of the year that was. And, apart from one fairly sizeable section between 01:13:07.500 and 01:32:24.545, it's relatively spoiler-free, and culminates in the now traditional rundown of Team Empire's Top 20 films of the year. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll hurl swearwords at your podcast device of choice as the team don't mention that one film you love. Enjoy! And, on behalf of the podteam, have a great 2022!

Merry Christmas, listeners! Here, on this most festive of days, is the second part of our bumper-sized Christmas podcast that totally isn't a regular podcast, no sir. In this edition, you'll have Sophie Butcher (making her pod interview debut!) talking to the brilliant French director Julia Docournau about Titane, and Chris Hewitt having a natter with Adam McKay about his new movie, Don't Look Up. You'll also have an extended reviews section, in which Chris, Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and James Dyer get to grips with both of those movies as well as The King's Man and The Matrix Resurrections. In case you're trying to avoid even the most vague description of the plot of The Matrix Resurrections, that largely spoiler-free review begins at 24:56.745 and ends at 41:04.510. It's a long 'un. And with that, that's the last of our regular pods for 2021. We'll be back on Jan 7, folks. In the meantime, we'd like to wish you all a happy holiday season, and a wonderful 2022. Thanks for all your support this year, you bangily-bangers!

Ho-ho-ho, folks! The Empire Podcas team may be on a Christmas break, but that hasn't stopped the elves in our workshop from bringing you a couple of last blasts of podcast goodness just (about) in time for the big day. This week's absolutely-not-official-no-sir episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis don virtual terrible jumpers for a bumper edition of festive film-related fun. First, they answer a bunch of listener questions about Christmas movies, then they discuss a ton of movie news. And, surprisingly, there's much to talk about, including trailers galore and the box office of Spider-Man: No Way Home, and its implications for the future of film. Also, in this first part of a two-part episode, Chris sits down on Zoom with The King's Man stars, Rhys Ifans and Tom Hollander, and talk turns to a low yellow cloud that could spell doom for all. What could it be? Listen, and find out. Part 2 will be along presently. We promise. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas, you bangily-bangers! In this, the last regular episode of the Empire Podcast for 2021 (don't worry, though, there's a Christmas special to come next week, and the Review Of The Year on the 29th), Chris Hewitt enters the Matrix and sits down on Zoom with Neo and Trinity themselves, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, ahead of the release of The Matrix Resurrections next week. The only spoilers here are thematic ones, but if you're antsy, the interview starts at 00:27:47.104, and ends at 00:46:01.513. Chris also has a chat with Paolo Sorrentino, the Italian director of the simply beautiful The Hand Of God, which is on Netflix now. How's that for a pair of Christmas crackers? Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and James Dyer as they talk about what's in store for the epic live show that will mark Episode 500 (tickets on sale now for our February 5th extravaganza at kingsplace.co.uk), discuss the best Christmas parties on film, that time Chris and James watched Spanish porn together, talk about a whole bunch of trailers including Everything Everywhere All At Once and the new Fantastic Beasts, and review The Tender Bar, The Lost Daughter, Swan Song, and a little movie called Spider-Man: No Way Home. We appreciate that some people will be wary of spoilers, and believe us, this is a spoiler-free review, talking more about how the movie made us feel. But again, if you're antsy, or spidery, then the review begins at 01:26:50.531, and ends at 01:44:03.835... And that's that. Enjoy!

This week's Empire Podcast is the penultimate episode of the year, but we've brought you some cracking early Christmas presents. First up, the legendary Steven Spielberg returns to the pod to tell Chris Hewitt all about why he's remade West Side Story, and his experiences working with Peter Falk and John Cassavetes. He also sheds some light on an Indiana Jones line that has been somewhat co-opted by the pod over the years. Then, Beth Webb has a lovely chat with Noomi Rapace about her new movie, Lamb, taking in Spotify and Hamlet along the way. And, last but not least, James White Zooms with Andrew Garfield to talk about life, the universe, the apocalypse, and Garfield's new movie, Mainstream, which is available now on digital formats. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and James Dyer for an episode in which an old semi-favourite makes a very unplanned return; a listener question about the greatest deployment of 'Merry Christmas!' in the movies is considered; the week's movie news is discussed; and West Side Story, Being The Ricardos, and Wrath Of Man are reviewed. It's a Christmas stocking fair heaving with goodness. Don't wait for Christmas Day -- open it now! Enjoy.

Mike Leigh's Naked may be almost 30 years old, but it remains as fresh, impactful, and timely as ever. Join your host, Chris Hewitt, for this very special oral history of the film, which has been re-released on remastered 4K Blu-ray by the BFI. Featuring excerpts from interviews with Leigh, cast members David Thewlis, Lesley Sharp, and Peter Wight, and crew members Dick Pope, Lindy Hemming, Christine Blundell, and Andrew Dickson, it's a celebration of one of Leigh's finest films, and one of the best British movies of the modern era. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast sees a triple whammy of guests as Chris Hewitt natters away with three of Britain's finest actors. First, there's Hannah John-Kamen, who talks about being cold on set of her new film Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City, her aptitude for fantasy, and singing with Steven Spielberg. Next up is Riz Ahmed, star of the touching sci-fi drama Encounter, who talks about that movie and whether or not he's moved to Los Angeles. And then Chris sits down in person with Benedict Cumberbatch, star of the new Jane Campion film, The Power Of The Dog. Together, they talk about Love Hearts, what Cumberbatch learned from Campion, and what we can expect from a Sam Raimi Doctor Strange film. (Chris had a faulty microphone cable on this one, which explains why he ducks in and out from time to time.) Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and Katie Smith-Wong to discuss great family collaborations, talk about the week's movie news, from Nicolas Cage playing Dracula to a heartfelt tribute to the great Stephen Sondheim, and review The Power Of The Dog, Encounter, C'mon C'mon, Boxing Day, Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City, and Silent Night. They also discuss the movie-themed Christmas gifts they've got their eyes on, and Chris talks about the epic and ambitious plans for the 500th episode of the podcast, which will be recorded live in London on February 5th. Enjoy!

Almost thirty years after JFK blazed a trail and called into question the facts surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963, Oliver Stone is returning to the subject with a new documentary. JFK Revisited: Through The Looking Glass is out in cinemas today (November 26) in the UK and is, perhaps, Stone's final word on the subject of the Kennedy assassination, presenting his theory about what happened on that fateful day, augmented and enhanced by new information and declassified documents. In this in-depth interview, Chris Hewitt catches up with Stone over Zoom for a long chat about the director's fascination with JFK (both subject and man), and an examination of what the success of the 1991 movie meant for Stone's career. They also talk about the famous Mr. X sequence from the original movie. Whether you believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone or not, this is a fascinating interview and an insight into Stone's creative and thinking processes. JFK Revisited: Through The Looking Glass is also available from November 29 on digital platforms, including altitude.film Enjoy.

Another bumper-sized Empire Podcast this week, as Chris Hewitt has a fun and also impassioned chat with the great John Leguizamo, star of the new Disney animation Encanto. They talk about how Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote a rap especially for Leguizamo, about Latinx representation in movies, and that thing Benny Blanco From The Bronx did in Carlito's Way. (Spoilers for that film lurk within, so be careful!) Then Ben Travis has a natter about House Of Gucci, The Last Duel, Kylo Ren and more with the wonderful Adam Driver, and we round off a trio of interviews with Chris talking Eternals spoilers with that film's director, Chloe Zhao. Right at the end of the episode, so you can skip it if you wish to remain spoiler-free. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss whether the MCU has jumped the shark, talk about the week's movie news (or lack thereof, given that it's Thanksgiving and Hollywood has clocked off), imagine what David Attenborough would make of Jurassic World: Dominion, and review House Of Gucci, Encanto, Pirates, and Bruised. Oh, and they also talk Christmas tree etiquette, because the most wonderful time of the year is upon us. So sit back, grab your baubles, and enjoy.

It's a very musical episode on the Empire Podcast this week. First up, Ben Travis geeks out over Disney musicals with the great Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the songs for the new animated musical Encanto, which debuts next Wednesday (November 24). Then Chris Hewitt sits down with Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld, stars of the new Disney+ MCU show Hawkeye (which also makes its bow -- heh, bow -- next Wednesday), and simply has to ask them about Rogers: The Musical. And other stuff as well. Then, when Chris gets into the podbooth with Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Beth Webb, they've all got music on the brain, building inexorably to a rendition of a beloved animated show's theme tune. But that's not all -- the podteam also discuss the week's movie news (including the Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer, and the Disney+ Day reveals), and review Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Petite Maman, Drive My Car, and King Richard. And in the listener question section they tackle an enquiry about the worst movie merchandise they've ever received, leading to a very unexpected cameo. Enjoy.

'Nuff said, True Believers! Because (three of) you demanded it, Team Empire managed to grab hold of the Eye Of Agamotto and squeeze out a chunk of time in which to discuss all the talking points thrown up by the second, and final, trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home. Join Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and Ben Travis as they do a deepish dive into the trailer, advance some wild theories for the finished film (and the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe), and speculate on whether you-know-who and you-also-know-who might show up. Enjoy.

To herald the arrival on Disney+ of Dopesick, Danny Strong’s drama chronicling the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on America, the Empire Podcast and Pilot TV Podcast crews have, once again, set aside their differences and come together to have a good old natter. In this very special crossover episode, in association with Disney+, Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and Beth Webb do a deep dive into Dopesick, which tackles the opioid crisis from the points of view of characters connected to the crisis in various ways. They talk about the crisis itself, about the show’s all-star cast (including Michael Keaton, Rosario Dawson, Peter Sarsgaard, Kaitlyn Dever, and Will Poulter), and much, much more. And if that weren’t enough, Beth also sits down with Danny Strong, Kaitlyn Dever and Will Poulter for an in-depth chat about the show. So sit back, relax, and enjoy Dopesick, an Empire + Pilot TV podcast special with Disney+.