The Empire Film Podcast

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is going all out for awards. Yes, with voting about to commence on this year's British Podcast Awards entries, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer turn on the waterworks and get to grips with some of the big issues that awards judges like to hear being debated on shows like this. You know, big questions like, 'what's your perfect Sunday?', 'how many Game Of Thrones spin-off shows are there?' and 'how many stars does Orlando Bloom's new movie, Retaliation, warrant?' Give it up, other movie podcasts. The award is in the bag. Also on this week's show, our fearless leader Terri White has a lovely chat with yer actual Kate Winslet about her new movie, Ammonite, and Chris natters away with Eddie Izzard, star and co-writer of the eve-of-WWII thriller, Six Minutes To Midnight. Both are worthy of your time. And, indeed, awards. Oh, and at long last, a mere year after it was first introduced to the podcast, The Three Fact Structure justifies its existence with a fact that will blow your mind and destroy your ears. And if that's not worthy of a big old gong, we don't know what is. Enjoy.

Now that Sam 'Falcon' Wilson and Bucky 'Winter Soldier' Barnes have ditched that do-gooder Steve Rogers and struck out on their own (well, together, but you get the gist) in the new MCU series, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, on Disney+, we decided that it was time to give Steve's two BFFs their day in the podcast sun. So, in this very special episode, Chris Hewitt chats to Kari Skogland, director of all six episodes of the show, and Malcolm Spellman, the show's head writer and executive producer, about the reaction to the first episode, and what we might expect to see, not just ahead of the second episode on Friday, but the rest of the series to come. And then Chris is joined in the virtual podbooth by Helen O'Hara and Amon Warmann to talk all things Sam and Buck past, present, and future. Do be warned, though — while this isn't a spoiler special, we do talk about the events of the first episode (and all of Sam and Bucky's previous appearances in the MCU), so you might want to familiarise yourself first. All you have to do is watch all three Captain America movies, Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Ant-Man, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, before checking out the first episode of the show we're calling FAWS. The work of a jiffy. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast sees father-son duo Liam Neeson and Micheal Richardson, stars of next week's Made In Italy, sit down with Chris Hewitt for a soul-searching interview about how close to home that film hit for them. But, because it's us, there's some nonsense about accents and football too. Chris also has a chat with writer-director John Lee Hancock about his new thriller, The Little Things, which brings together acting powerhouses Denzel Washington, Jared Leto, and Rami Malek. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis to exchange nuggets of film information in The Three Fact Structure, talk about the longest films that they love and their strategies for sitting through bum-numbing behemoths, discuss the week's movie news including the Oscar nominations and the sad passing of Yaphet Kotto, and review Zack Snyder's Justice League, The Little Things, and Infinitum: Subject Unknown. Enjoy.

On this week's episode of the Empire Podcast, we're virtually visited by the true Nerb Emperor, Joe Manganiello, who tells Chris Hewitt all about his new movie, Archenemy, gives us a little tour of his geeked-out office, talks Dungeons & Dragons, and his plans to play Galactus. OK, the last one was maybe not so serious. Chris also chats this week with Shaka King, director of the hard-hitting drama, Judas And The Black Messiah, which tells the story of the murder of Black Panther leader, Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya), and his betrayal at the hands of fellow Panther, William O'Neal (Lakeith Stanfield). Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a quick burst of The Three Fact Structure, a chat about the best examples of recasting in movies, discussion of the week's movie news including the BAFTA nominations, and reviews of Judas And The Black Messiah, the Russo Brothers' first post-MCU movie, Cherry, and Yes Day. It's all happening, folks! Enjoy.

It's a good time to be Eddie Murphy right now. After taking a few years off, he returned in style with 2019's Dolemite Is My Name, and this week reprises one of his most famous roles, as Prince (now King) Akeem in Coming 2 America, the long-awaited sequel to Coming To America. And now the man who is, quite simply, one of the biggest movie stars of all time, is a guest on this week's Empire Podcast, chatting to Chris Hewitt about returning to Zamunda, prosthetics, how the pandemic affected his plans to return to stand-up, visiting the set of Do The Right Thing, and much, much more. It's all been leading to this moment, Eddie. You're welcome. Ahem. This week, Chris also visits the set of Matthew Modine's new movie (virtually, of course) to talk to the actor about all manner of things, including rocking up as an action hero of sorts in Wrong Turn, the reboot of the Wrong Turn franchise. It's a gas. And then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and Amon Warmann for a fun (no, really) and fairly short (no, really really) edition of The Three Fact Structure. They also take a walk down memory lane as they recall their very first interviews, discuss the week's movie news, and review Coming 2 America, Raya And The Last Dragon, and Moxie. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt go on a rollercoaster ride as he has a natter about Meryl Streep, Eddie Murphy, and ice-skating uphill with Wesley Snipes, star of next week's big comedy release, Coming 2 America, and then pivots to talking docs and directing with Alex Winter, the former Bill S. Preston, Esq., about his new movie, Zappa, which tells the tale of Frank Zappa's life thanks to unpredecented archive access. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Beth Webb for a fun episode in which they talk about the best spaceship landings and space dockings in movies, discuss the week's movie news including the new title for Spider-Man 3 and the launch of Paramount Plus, and review The United States Vs Billie Holiday, Dead Pigs, and Archenemy. Oh, and James makes his latest bid to derail the wildly popular and beloved segment, The Three Fact Structure. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast is brought to you even remotely in lockdown than usual (all will be revealed within), as Chris Hewitt convenes over Squadcast with Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for another, we're told, fun-filled episode. As well as talking about Helen's new book, Women Vs Hollywood, and a particular Empire milestone for Chris, our three colleagues of such lethal cunning talk about the week's movie news, review I Care A Lot, Willy's Wonderland and The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things, and answer a listener question about bad guys who get away with it. Speaking of which, Chris has a lovely chat with Rosamund Pike, who gives a wicked performance in the wonderful I Care A Lot (although be warned, there are spoilers lurking within), and who becomes the first guest to appear on the show twice during the global pandemic. Hopefully next time she's on, life will be back to something approaching normality. And our other guest this week is also a returnee to the show, as Hugh Bonneville talks to Amon Warmann about playing Roald Dahl in the new Sky Cinema Original film, To Olivia. They also have a natter about Jingle Jangle, and Paddington 3, of course. In fact, there's much Paddington chat in this week's episode. Not all of it wholesome. You may want to cover the little bear's ears. Enjoy.

We may have missed George C. Wolfe, director of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, when it first hit Netflix just before Christmas, but with the film one of the major awards contenders, we put that right in this week's episode, as Amon Warmann sits down for a chat with him about the movie, its impact, and working with the late Chadwick Boseman. Our second guest this week is the wonderful British actress, Juno Temple, who talks to Chris Hewitt about her Justin Timberlake experience on the new film, Palmer, and much more besides. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis for another round of The Three Fact Structure, discussion of the week's movie news including a tribute to Christopher Plummer and a breakdown of the big Super Bowl trailers, and they review News Of The World, Palmer, and get all kinds of giddy about Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar. And they also discuss the thorny, and topical, issue of being able to separate the art from the artist in this week's Listener Question section. Enjoy.

Happy birthday to us! It's a landmark episode for the Empire Podcast, folks, as we go 450 up. Due to the pandemic, this episode isn't a live show, as had been originally intended, but that will happen, we promise you. But it's a cracking episode, as Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and Helen O'Hara take a little trip down memory lane to recall the early days of the pod. Then they also discuss the best stock market movies, indulge in a lightning round of the Three Fact Structure, discuss the week's movie news, including the Golden Globes nominations, and review Greenland, Malcolm And Marie, and Bliss. Our guests this week are two fantastic British directors. First, Kevin Macdonald, director of Life In A Day 2020, tells Chris all about how he made the ultimate crowd-sourced movie, and then old pod friend Paul Greengrass has a natter with Chris about his new movie, News Of The World. And if you've ever wanted to hear Paul Greengrass quote Step Brothers, this is the pod for you! Enjoy.

The new issue of Empire, curated by Edgar Wright, features a celebration of the type of amazing movie-going moment that can shake an audience to its very foundations. It features contributions from some of the biggest names in the business, and is so special that we decided that we would only do a companion podcast if we could make it just as special. We think we've succeeded. Join your host, Chris Hewitt, for this incredible THREE-HOUR behemoth, in which Edgar Wright (in London) and his good friend, Mr. Quentin Tarantino (in Tel Aviv) get together over Zoom and natter about movies until the cows come home, or their batteries run out. They talk about the movie moments that moved them; how they, as writer-directors, cultivated those moments in the likes of Shaun Of The Dead, Django Unchained, and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood; and the importance of subversion on a massive level. But that's not all. The second half of the pod is a dizzying back-and-forth in which the duo dive deep into the annals of British cinema. What, exactly, is The British Book Club? How is Martin Scorsese involved? And just who did direct the Clint Eastwood vehicle (and vehicle), Pink Cadillac? For the answers to these questions, and more, listen to find out. Enjoy.

In case you haven't already bought (and read) this month's issue of Empire magazine, which is a colossal celebration of those incredible movie moments that are best enjoyed with an audience in an actual cinema, Edgar Wright -- who orchestrated the whole shebang -- drops by this episode to tell Chris Hewitt all about it. They talk about Edgar's status as Empire's new unpaid intern, the decision to push Last Night In Soho back by a few months, his upcoming music documentary about Sparks, and how this issue caused him to build a very unexpected bridge with one of Hollywood's biggest names. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis for an even more raucous than usual episode (if you're a fan of double, or even single, entendre, this is the episode for you!), as they exchange nuggets of info in The Three Fact Structure; recall their favourite home viewing experiences; discuss the week's movie news; review Synchronic, The Dig, and Assassins; and beat a brand-new joke into the ground, Empire Podcast-style. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast goes Down Under -- metaphorically speaking, of course -- as Chris Hewitt has fun-filled chats with two wonderful Antipodean actors. First off, there's Isla Fisher, the Australian star of Blithe Spirit, who tells Chris all about her affinity for accents, Hot Rod, and working with Judi Dench, while Chris makes an impromptu purchase. Then Chris has a chat, and a Kurt Russell quiz, with Baby Done star, the New Zealander comedian and actor, Rose Matafeo. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, for the first time this year, Amon Warmann, as they exchange facts in The Three Fact Structure, talk about actors and directors who deserve a McConaissance, discuss the week's movie news including that big MCU rumour, and review Baby Done, MLK/FBI, Outside The Wire, and The White Tiger. A jam-packed show, and no mistake. Crikey! Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast features two interviews with fast-rising British stars, both of whom play icons in films released this week. First off, Chris Hewitt has a chat with actor-musician Johnny Flynn about his experiences playing David Bowie in Stardust, and later has a natter with Kingsley Ben-Adir about playing Malcolm X in Regina King's sensational directorial debut, One Night In Miami. Then, Chris is joined in the virtual podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss their favourite movie (and real-life) teachers, talk about the week's movie news (this episode was recorded before that rumour about a certain character returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe), and review One Night In Miami, Stardust, Blithe Spirit, and the first two episodes of WandaVision. In fact, there's quite a bit of TV chat on this week's show, but we're pretty sure we haven't been infiltrated by the Pilot TV podcast. Yet. Enjoy.

We're back! Despite popular demand, the Empire Podcast returns, refreshed after its Christmas break, and ready to tackle 2021. Or, at the very least, trip up 2021 when it isn't looking. In the first episode of the year, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis discuss what they got up to over the long break, and their favourite film-related Christmas presents. They also play another round of The Three Fact Structure, answer listener questions, discuss the latest movie news, and review Sylvie's Love, Pieces Of A Woman, and We Can Be Heroes. Oh, and they play a brand new quiz — Wolff or Wolff — that will soon be sweeping the nation. Sweeping! And our guest this week is the geektastic Wil Wheaton. In a long, and often very frank, interview with Chris, Wil talks about his film, Rent-A-Pal, takes a walk back down Star Trek and Stand By Me memory lane, and talks about Stephen King without treading on the Kingcast's toes. Honest. We should also point out that this conversation touches on topics like emotional abuse and trauma, so be advised. And with that in mind, do please... enjoy.

And so, as the worst year in living memory draws to a close, Team Empire gathers together (virtually, at least) to have a good old natter about it from a cinematic point of view. In this bumper-sized example of 2020 vision, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and Terri White answer listener questions about the year that was, talk about their personal highlights (and lowlights) in the face of the Covid pandemic that rocked the world and has posed such a huge threat to cinemas around the world, discuss the movies that they loved, and then run down Team Empire's top 20 films of the year. And we wanted to thank you so much for continuing to listen to and support the Empire Podcast (and our spoiler specials, if you subscribe to those). This year, more than ever, it's meant so much to us, and we hope to continue to repay you with some great pods in 2021. Which, we can only hope, is a better year for all of us. Happy New Year, listeners! Enjoy.

Part two of the final Empire Podcast (special episodes notwithstanding) of 2020 sees the podteam of Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer discussing the week's movie news (including an update on at least one of The Hollywood Chrises), and reviewing Wonder Woman 1984, Soul, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and The Midnight Sky. Chris also sits down for a fun, if slightly audio-compromised, chat with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom stars Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, and Glynn Turman, who talk about getting involved in the August Wilson adaptation, their chemistry together, and working with Chadwick Boseman on what would prove to be his final film. We're back on January 8th, folks. Review Of The Year will be up next week in our stead. Have a very happy holidays, everyone!

The final episode of the Empire Podcast in this most accursed of years proved to be so big, folks, that we have split it in twain. In this first part, you will find Chris Hewitt reconnecting with pod fave, David Oyelowo, talking about his new movie, Come Away, and his approach to directing with his upcoming movie, The Water Man. This interview sees one of the two men incessantly impersonate Michael Caine. See if you can guess which. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to tackle a series of Christmas movie-related listener questions, while The Three Fact Structure takes an interesting twist... Enjoy.

"Who ya gonna call?" "INVESTORS!" Yes, folks, the annual tradition that is Disney's investment call, in which shareholders are reassured that Scrooge McDuck hasn't absconded with all of their cash, took place yesterday, and was a four-hour epic in which the company announced more than 50 new projects to be spread across some of their biggest brands. And, because you demanded it, in this Friday night special, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis put their heads together and talk about all the new Marvel announcements (Fantastic Four! Ironheart! Christian Bale butchering gods! The Loki trailer!), the Star Wars shenanigans (Ahsoka! Lando! Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron!), the Buzz Lightyear prequel, Sister Act 3, and as much as they can possibly cram into just under an hour. If you want to hear more, you won't believe what we've got lined up for the Empire Podcast Investors' Call next Friday. Calls cost £9.99 per second. Please don't seek the permission of the bill payer before you call. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down (across Zoom) with two directors whose first film came out 30 years ago, and who are back back back in the director's chair with new efforts. First up is Reginald Hudlin, the polymath who, along with his brother Warrington, made House Party, then tried his hand at a number of things, including producing the Oscars and writing Black Panther comics. His new film, Safety, hits Disney+ this week. Then Chris also chats to the legendary producer Frank Marshall, who returns to the director's chair for only the fifth time (Arachnophobia being his first) with the documentary, The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart? In this interview, Chris chats to Frank about his musical background, working on Noises Off!, and his strange Twitter handle, @LeDoctor. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they talk about their ideal cinematic Christmas presents, answer a listener question about Christmasified (it's a word, honest) sequels, discuss the week's movie news (NOT including the big Disney news drop, which will get a special all of its own), and review Dreamland, The Prom, Safety, Songbird, and the last of Steve McQueen's epic Small Axe series, Education. Enjoy.

Happy spookies, everyone! To celebrate the cinematic release of Rob Savage's savagely scary Zoom-based horror film Host (one of the best movies of the year, folks!), in this interview special Chris Hewitt jumps onto Zoom and has a natter with Haley Bishop, Jemma Moore, Caroline Ward, Emma Louise Webb, Radina Drandova, and Edward Linard, aka the cast of the movie. It's a fun-filled chat, full of insight about how they made the movie, their reaction to its immense success and, while this isn't a spoiler special, talk of some of their characters' fates. So, if you're yet to log on to Host, perhaps give it a watch before you give this a listen. For the rest of you... Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast is a particularly bumper-sized (more so than usual) edition, largely thanks to the late-breaking news about Warner Bros' decision to release their entire 2021 slate of movies simultaneously to streaming via HBO Max in the US. So Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Amon Warmann and James Dyer jumped back on and had a fairly involved chat about that. You can hear that in the news section, where they also pay tribute to the late David Prowse and Hugh Keays-Byrne. Elsewhere in the show, our colleagues of such lethal cunning get festive with a very special MCU version of A Christmas Carol, one-up each other in The Three Fact Structure, review Mank, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Alex Wheatle, Falling, County Lines, and more. Oh, and Amon declares that he's going to win an Oscar. Our guests this week are fast-rising British star Harris Dickinson, so chilling in County Lines, who talks to Chris about a career path that will almost certainly see him end up in the director's chair. And, speaking of actors who have turned their hands to directing, Chris has an epic chat with Viggo Mortensen about his moving directorial debut, Falling. What's more, they're joined by the legend who plays Viggo's dad in that movie, the great Lance Henriksen. Enjoy. Perhaps in a couple of batches.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt chat it up a storm with David Arquette, star and subject of new documentary, You Cannot Kill David Arquette. The two talk about Arquette's return to the wrestling ring, 20 years after a publicity stunt for a movie saw him somehow end up as a world champion, his reasons for coming back to the Scream franchise as Dewey Riley, and why he seems to have taken the title of his latest movie as a challenge. Either side of that, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to talk about great movie phone calls, discuss the week's movie news, and review Uncle Frank, Happiest Season, Possessor, The Christmas Chronicles 2 and the latest of Steve McQueen's Small Axe films, Red, White And Blue. Oh, and somewhere along the way Chris challenges their knowledge of the Police Academy movie titles, and loses his mind. The two may be related. Enjoy.

We love Carl Weathers at Empire Towers. How can we not? Over the course of a career that has spanned almost 50 years, he has played some of the most iconic characters around. Apollo Creed. Dillon from Predator. 'Action' Jackson. Chubbs Peterson. And now Greef Karga in The Mandalorian. And so, in the first of an occasional series, the Empire Podcast team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and Rocky superfan Terri White — get together to take a very special, and deeply affectionate, look back at Weathers and his storied career. But that's not all. This series will also delve into the Empire Podcast archives to bring you interviews we've done in the past. So you can hear the interview Chris did with Weathers when he came to our London studio in 2017, which runs from 03:16.412 to 28:43.245. And you can also hear an extended excerpt from the chat the two had just last week about Weathers' work starring in and directing the latest episode of The Mandalorian. That runs from 28:57.301 to 47:11.805. And yes, we hope to have Carl back to discuss Upgrade 2: Unlandable: Holding Pattern With Carl Weathers at a later date. If you don't know what that is, have a listen to the episode. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees us go rogue with M.J. Bassett, the director of new VOD title Rogue, in which Megan Fox does battle with a very angry lion. M.J. chats with Chris Hewitt about making the movie, working with Megan Fox, making her peace with a negative Empire review of her first movie, Death Watch, and coming face to face with a black mamba. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Beth Webb for an episode in which they discuss saying painful goodbyes to beloved TV shows, engage in a very animalistic edition of The Three Fact Structure, mull over the greatest haircut and shaving scenes in cinema, discuss the week's movie news including Wonder Woman 1984's new release strategy, and review Steve McQueen's latest Small Axe offering, Lovers Rock, as well as Rogue and Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula. Oh, and Chris mounts a desperate campaign to be verified by Instagram. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast sees one of Chris Hewitt's favourite writers, Lee Child, the man who created Jack Reacher, drop by the virtual podbooth to talk about the 25th Reacher novel, The Sentinel. But he also brings his younger brother, Andrew Grant (now Child), who co-wrote the book, to talk about handing over the reins of Reacher, the Amazon Prime show that's in the works, and much, much more. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Amon Warmann, and Ben Travis to talk about terrible Irish accents, famous film types with whom the podteam share birthdays, rank the Friday The 13th series in unusual fashion, discuss the week's movie news, and review Steve McQueen's Mangrove, Ron Howard's Hillbilly Elegy, and the Netflix movies Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story and The Life Ahead. Enjoy.

Josh Hartnett was born in America, but now lives in England. Emily Mortimer was born in England, but now lives in America. That's not why we asked them both to guest on this week's Empire Podcast. That's just an incidental fact with which you can amuse your friends and dazzle your enemies. But they do both guest on this week's show, talking to Chris Hewitt about Target Number One, getting a bottle of wine from Sofia Coppola, and writing (Josh), and Relic, retaining your accent after years of living/working abroad, and writing (Emily). Word of warning: the Emily Mortimer interview delves deep into the subject of death, so tread carefully. Timings are Hartnett: 34:03-51:57 and Mortimer: 1:15:53-1:37:15 Elsewhere, Chris is then joined in the virtual podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss the death of Sean Connery, the ideal filmgoing experience, a bunch of horror film news, review About Endlessness, Target Number One, and Luxor, and somehow, despite the fact that there are only two colleagues of such lethal cunning, deliver another instalment of the Three Fact Structure. Enjoy.

As luck, or the devilish machinations of our dark lord Beelzebub, would have it, this week's episode of the Empire Podcast is, if you count all our specials and one-offs, our 666th. It's all for you Damien etc. etc. And, as it lands one day before Halloween, it's a suitably spooky ep, as Chris Hewitt has a chat with fast-rising British actor Sope Dirisu, star of the fabulous Netflix horror movie, His House. They also talk about Sope's breakout year, his role in Gangs Of London, his former life as an economist, and Thierry Henry. Our other guests this week are Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, the co-directors of the wonderful Irish animated film, Wolfwalkers, and they talk to Amon Warmann about that, about the state of animation, and about Batman. Well, of course. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Amon, Helen O'Hara and Beth Webb to answer a ton of your Halloween-themed questions, drop the shortest Three Fact Structure to date, discuss the week's movie news and, in a bumper reviews section, cast a critical eye over His House, The Witches, Relic, Mogul Mowgli, Shirley and Wolfwalkers. Oh, and Helen ruins everything with her potty mouth. Enjoy.

Is Olivia Cooke a psychopath? What, exactly, does her mum keep on a corkboard in her Manchester home? Where did her Irish accent come from for her new film, Pixie? These burning questions, and more, are explored by the British actor as she guests on this week's episode, having a fun chat with Chris Hewitt about all this, her love for Spielberg's Hook, and much more. It starts at 00:45:08.333, ends at 01:08:38.450. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and James Dyer for a fun episode (we would say that, wouldn't we?) in which they discuss directors who use the same ensembles, chat about the week's movie news including the revelation that the never-ending Fast & Furious franchise is ending and THAT Die Hard-related commercial, and review Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm, Ben Wheatley's Rebecca, Liam Neeson's Honest Thief, and Pixie. Enjoy. Especially if you're not a psycho.

This week's Empire Podcast brings us all one degree closer to Kevin Bacon, as the star of You Should Have Left zooms in for a remotely-distanced chat with Chris Hewitt in which the pair talk about Bacon's reunion with writer/director David Koepp, those EE commercials he does, Tremors, and more. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Amon Warmann, and James Dyer for another impromptu, off-the-cuff edition of The Three Fact Structure, discussion of the best movie prosthetics, a deep dive into the week's movie news including the announcement of Fury Road prequel, Furiosa, and reviews of the terrifying trio of You Should Have Left, Vampires Vs The Bronx, and The Wolf Of Snow Hollow. Enjoy.

One of the standouts of this year's BFI London Film Festival -- which runs until this Sunday -- was the UK premiere of Soul, the latest slice of dizzying and dazzling Disney/Pixar brilliance from director Pete Docter. In this very special interview episode, Chris Hewitt Zooms into a chat with Docter and his co-writer/director, Kemp Powers, and producer Dana Murray for a wide-ranging chat about the inspirations behind the film, the secret fears that drive them as artists, the recent announcement of its debut on Disney+ this Christmas Day, casting Graham Norton, and much, much more. It's a funny and frank chat, and apart from brief talk of one deleted joke, it's spoiler-free. So, even if you haven't seen Soul yet, come on in. The podwater's lovely. For more information on the London Film Festival, go to bfi.org.uk

With Halloween just around the corner (followed by an unsatisfying reboot, no doubt), the Empire Podcast is turning its attention to scary fillums this week, and they don't come much more scary than Rose Glass' astonishing debut, Saint Maud. Glass, and her star, the wonderful Morfydd Clark, both chat to our Ben Travis in this week's episode. And the not-in-any-way-scary-but-still-great crime comedy-drama, Kajillionaire, is also out this week, marking the return of writer-director Miranda July after almost a decade away. She talks to Ian Freer about where she's been and what we can expect from her new film. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris Hewitt is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Terri White for an epic episode in which they discuss what's happening on the UK cinema scene in the wake of Cineworld/Picturehouse's temporary closure, and the release date shift for No Time To Die. They also dig into the week's movie news, including trailers galore, and review Saint Maud in spectacularly chaotic, sweary fashion, along with Kajillionaire, Dick Johnson Is Dead, I Am Woman and the scariest fillum of them all: Adam Sandler's Hubie Halloween. Enjoy... if you dare!

On another bumper edition of the Empire Podcast, Paddington 2 co-writer and one of BBC's Ghosts, Simon Farnaby, tells Chris Hewitt all about his debut as a children's author, The Wizard In My Shed, while also branching out is David Morrissey, who has launched his very own podcast, Who Am I This Time?, in which he discusses key roles with actors like Alan Cumming, Liz Carr, and David Harewood. Chris' interview with Morrissey (the actor, not the singer) is taken from our one-off live show last week at Kings Place, London, and is included here as a Brucie bonus. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Alex Godfrey for an epic show that sees the unplanned return of an old favourite, discussion of the best in-joke cameos, and reviews of The Trial Of The Chicago 7, The Boys In The Band, On The Rocks, and Eternal Beauty. And in the news section, we discuss Vin Diesel's singing career, Barry Jenkins directing The Lion King 2 and we foil Kevin Feige's evil schemes by reconvening to discuss this week's Electro-fying MCU news. Your move, Feige! Enjoy.

In this very special edition of the Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and Amon Warmann are joined by Sam Clements, host of Picturehouse Cinemas' The Love Of Cinema podcast, for an in-depth discussion of the career of the great Chadwick Boseman, whose untimely death in August left behind an indelible cinematic legacy. In this episode, the podteam pay a heartfelt tribute to a truly great actor, as they discuss everything from 42 to Da 5 Bloods and, of course, the incredible cultural impact of his work as T'Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

We hope you like Henrys, because this week's Empire Podcast brings you not one, but two actors of that name. Hooray! First there's Henry Cavill, who tells Chris Hewitt all about becoming Sherlock Holmes for the fun Netflix caper Enola Holmes, and they talk about some other stuff as well (but not, probably, the stuff you'd expect us to ask him about... oops!). And then, just for good measure, another impossibly charming, improbably handsome British Henry pops onto SquadCast for a chat with Chris. This time it's Henry Golding, star of Monsoon, who has a natter with Chris about vinyl collections, finding your identity, asking your parents uncomfortable truths, and how he'd fare against other contenders for Bond. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, John Nugent, and Amon Warmann for a rambling (even more so than usual) episode that takes in unexpected revelations about the podteam's past lives, discussion of the week's news (including the WandaVision trailer, and the Tom Hardy as Bond rumours), reviews of Enola Holmes, Miss Juneteenth, and Monsoon. And there's much discussion of the perfect egg. Unctuous. Enjoy.

The first thing you should know about this week's episode of the Empire Podcast is that we talk about Rocks on it. And Rocks rocks. The second thing you should know is that Chris Hewitt talks to Sarah Gavron and Bukky Bakray, the director and star of that movie, which is one of the best British films in yonks. And the third thing you should know is that that interview is a lot of fun. The fourth thing you should know is that this week Chris is not just joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer, as per usual, but a brand-new occupant of the ever-rotating fourth chair: Edith Bowman! Yes, the creator and host of Soundtracking, one of our favourite film pods, drops by and joins the team for this episode, and along the way they discuss the best movie cameos by musicians, discuss the week's movie news, including the Madonna biopic, the potential arrival of Kang The Conqueror in the MCU, and review Rocks (told you!), Bill & Ted Face The Music, and The Devil All The Time. Enjoy.

In what is sure to be The Bee Gees' favourite episode of the Empire Podcast, it's Ewan again as Chris Hewitt has a chat with Ewan McGregor about returning to the small screen with Long Way Up, in which McGregor reteams with Charley Boorman for another epic motorbike odyssey. Ewan also talks about his penchant for reflective roles of late, including the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series, and dishes on the return of a fan-favourite Star Wars character. Maybe. Possibly. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, in the rotating fourth chair, Alex Godfrey for an episode in which they discuss the films they'd like to see directors have another crack at; talk about the week's movie news, including the first trailer for Dune (Jamesplaining ahoy!); and review The Painted Bird, The Roads Not Taken, and Les Miserables. No, not that one. This episode was recorded just before the sad death of the great Dame Diana Rigg. We'll pay tribute to her on next week's episode.

We're not usually happy to see another podcast enter this increasingly crowded market, but we'll make an exception for Alan Partridge. This week sees the launch of the first Partridgecast, an Audible Original series entitled Alan Partridge: From The Oasthouse, and to mark the occasion, Chris Hewitt has a very special Zoom audience with the man who is Alan, Steve Coogan. Needless to say, you'll have the last laugh. Then, in an episode that flips the pod-format on its head, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Amon Warmann, and James Dyer to pay an extended tribute to the late, great Chadwick Boseman. They also discuss the latest No Time To Die trailer and more in the News section, talk about their experiences back in the cinema in the listener question section, and review Mulan, The New Mutants, and Charlie Kaufman's brain-baking I'm Thinking Of Ending Things. Enjoy.

Bona fide Hollywood legend Annette Bening steps into our custom-built virtual podbooth this week, telling Chris Hewitt all about her new film, Hope Gap. The duo also talk about dancing, Dick Van Dyke, and being pulled over by the accent police. Chris also talks to Amy Seimetz, the talented writer/director of the pitch-black comedy-horror, She Dies Tomorrow, about recruiting her cast, Twitter, and the infectiousness of ideas. Either side of those, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann for a bumper-sized edition featuring the quickest Film Fact Section yet; much discussion of Sean Connery, as he turns 90 (which means many, many Sean Connery impressions); an extended chat about the news emerging from last week's DC Fandome; and reviews of Hope Gap, She Dies Tomorrow, and The Lost Prince. Oh, and... Forget Maui.

This week's Empire Podcast sees two genre directors step into our Interviewtrona3000 for a Paxman-like grilling from Chris Hewitt. First, Mortal director André Øvredal (as in, he's the director of Mortal; he's also mortal, we reckon, but that's irrelevant) talks Norse mythology, Stephen King and Draclier with Chris. And then actor/director Jay Baruchel talks about his blood-soaked meta-horror Random Acts Of Violence, aka How To Dismember Your Dragon, and recalls his last visit to the cinema. It was a doozy. Then, in the Podboothatron3000, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, making his long-awaited return in the rotating fourth chair, John Nugent for an episode in which the following occurs: they exchange film facts, grumbling as they do so; they discuss the best Netflix original movies; they talk about the week's movie news (this is pre-Batfleck Returns, folks; we'll talk about that next week); and then review The One And Only Ivan, Random Acts Of Violence, and Tenet. Or, more accurately, Helen and James review Tenet, while Chris just gets increasingly confused. How confused? Picture Zoolander and Hansel trying to access computer files, and you're halfway there. Yojne.

This week's regular Empire Podcast featured two interviews that were just too darn long, and just too much darn interview, to fit into the show. So we decided to bring you them both as specials this weekend. First up is an extended interview with Josh Lucas, the star of The Secret: Dare To Dream, which is now available to rent on PVOD. Here, he and Chris Hewitt talk about that movie, and how its principles appealed to Josh, plus how he's coping with lockdown, how Ang Lee continues to help him long after they worked together on Hulk, and how Josh came to terms with some of his higher-profile flops, like Poseidon and Stealth. It's a candid, funny, interesting chat, and we hope you enjoy.

The second of our too-long-for-the-regular-Empire-Podcast interviews this week sees Joe and Anthony Russo, the brothers who directed four MCU movies we may have talked about on the podcast from time to time, drop by the virtual podbooth for an extended chat with Chris Hewitt. They begin by talking about their new lockdown venture, the Russo Bros. Pizza Film School, all episodes of which are available on their Instagram and YouTube channels, but we spiral off from there into their filmmaking sensibilities, where they were when they found out that Avengers: Endgame had become the biggest movie of all time, and how they're already hard at work at following that up with a ton of content from their new company, Agbo Studios. It's a fun and fascinating insight into the creative minds of two of the best directors working today. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees our old chums, and directors of the biggest movie of all time, Joe and Anthony Russo, drop by for a slice of metaphorical pizza as they discuss their impromptu film show, The Russo Brothers Pizza Film School, with Chris Hewitt. Chris also has a lovely chat with Josh Lucas, star of The Secret: Dare To Dream, who talks candidly about his career, and how Ang Lee continues to help him, years after they last worked together. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis and, in the rotating fourth chair, Nick de Semlyen, to compare film facts (Helen's got a deadly one this week), discuss movie Vice-Presidents, talk about the week's movie news (Tron! John Wick 5! Three Men And A Baby!), and review Babyteeth, Project Power, and Howard, the Disney+ documentary about Howard Ashman. Oh, and we're trying something a little new and funky with our interviews this week. Let us know what you think. Enjoy.

Another bumper, jam-packed edition of the Empire Podcast this week, as Chris Hewitt talks improv and R.E.M. with Endings, Beginnings star, Shailene Woodley, and discusses much with An American Pickle star/producer Seth Rogen, including a simple question: why do things always go south, and never north? Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann for a fun episode in which Helen fails to focus in the film fact section; they talk about great background gags in the listener's question segment; discuss the week's movie news, including Nia DaCosta directing Captain Marvel 2 and Mulan heading to Disney+; and review An American Pickle, Black Is King, Shudder horror sensation Host, and Endings, Beginnings. Warning: includes much discussion of Bucky Barnes' bare bottom. Someone cover Steve Rogers' ears. This week's episode is dedicated to Empire writer, Seb Patrick, who passed away suddenly this week at the age of just 37. If you want to contribute to the GoFundMe mentioned in this episode, go here: https://gf.me/u/yk2bbk

One of our favourite actors and people, Gemma Arterton, is our guest on the Empire Podcast this week, talking with Chris Hewitt about her new movie, Summerland; how she never fully understands her characters; and her great new working relationship with Summerland writer/director, Jessica Swale, which now has both of them around a virtual keyboard, beavering away on a new script. That's from 31:33.483. Sorry we can't be more precise. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, returning to the rotating fourth chair, Empire's Editor-in-Chief, Terri White, as they exchange film facts that might not even be film facts, discuss the week's movie news including the return of (many) UK cinemas, speculate on the rollercoasters you might find in a theme park dedicated to British cinema, and review Proxima, Summerland, The Fight, The Vigil, and Unhinged. Blimey. It's, as ever, a madhouse. Enter with caution. But once you're inside, do please enjoy.

At the heart of this week's Empire Podcast is an extended interview with the legendary Sir Patrick Stewart, who talks to Chris Hewitt about Shakespeare, sonnets, stage fright, and the worst birthday he's ever had. They also talk about Patrick's new movie, Life With Music, in which he plays a concert pianist, and Patrick delves into his past for a spot of old Yorkshire dialect that has to be heard to be believed. In the socially isolated virtual podbooth, Chris is then joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, in the rotating fourth chair this week, Ben Travis and his incredible quiff, for our most delirious lockdown episode yet. Together, they tackle the new film fact section, discuss great movie tie-in songs of the 80s and 90s (and an old friend returns to the pod as a result), talk about the week's movie news (this was recorded before EVERY MOVIE IN THE WORLD moved back to 2021), and review Life With Music, Saint Frances, and How To Build A Girl. There's also a sweet Sundance London offer for podcast listeners in there too. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast sees the debut of the very last interview we recorded before we locked down, as Chris Hewitt chats with Radioactive star Sam Riley about playing Pierre Curie, being a cad for Ben Wheatley, some of his notable screen deaths, and how Empire got Sam into trouble at school. It's a fun interview — but be warned, spoilers abound for Radioactive. (See also: the internet) Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer, as per usual, while the rotating fourth chair is this week occupied by the wonderful Kobi Omenaka, co-host of two of our favourite pods, The Wire Stripped and Flixwatcher. Together, this intrepid quartet parade an array of film facts, some of which may even be true; cast their dream Hamilton movie; discuss the week's movie news; and review Above Suspicion, Clemency, and Beach House. Enjoy.

While we wouldn't normally do a spoiler special for a video game, The Last Of Us Part II is no ordinary game. Therefore James Dyer, Nick de Semlyen and Amon Warmann all got together to chat about the game's major plot points and indulge in a little group therapy to help get over the trauma of actually playing it. We also invited the game's director, Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann, to share his views and talk to us about everything from the big plot twists to the game's final ending. We're also putting this one out on the regular podcast channel so that even those who don't already subscribe to our Spoiler Special podcasts can listen and enjoy. And if you do enjoy it, then why not head over to glow.fm/empirefilm and sign up for more.

It's finally here — the last part of the epic trilogy of podcasts that wasn't meant to be a trilogy, but we got carried away and now have to pretend that we meant it as a trilogy all along a la Scream and The Matrix. Anyway, in this episode, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Amon Warmann, and Ben Travis argue the toss over the reader/listener-voted list of the 50 Greatest Movie Heroes Of All Time, as seen in the last issue of Empire. And things get heated as they enter the top ten. There will be shocks. There will be surprises. There will be terrible impressions, and even worse opinions. There's only one thing for it: steel yourself and enter. Enjoy.

Mr. Sandman, bring us a dream! James McAvoy is the guest on this week's latest lockdown episode of the Empire Podcast, having a good old natter with Chris Hewitt about McAvoy's latest project, the Audible adaptation of Neil Gaiman's legendary comic book series, The Sandman, in which McAvoy plays Morpheus, lord of dreams. They also chat about McAvoy's geekdom, his Stephen King experience on It Chapter 2, his recent FIFA game with Liam Payne for Soccer Aid, and his starring role in cheap-as-chips lockdown Instagram show, the very funny Space Force. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, in the fourth chair this week, Ben Travis for an episode that brings you all kinds of mind-blowing film facts, discussion of the week's movie news, including the sad passing of the great Ennio Morricone, reviews of The Old Guard, Greyhound, and Finding The Way Back, and possibly the most self-indulgent listener's question bit in the pod's history. Enjoy.

This week's lockdown episode of the Empire Podcast is once again so jam-packed with chatty goodness that we've split it into two parts. This is not the new normal, folks — we promise. Just something that will happen from time to time. Anyway, this half sees two of our favourite guests return for another bite at the pod-cherry, as Chris Hewitt talks to Simon Pegg about make-up, mental health and Pegg's new movie, Lost Transmissions, and hops on a trans-continental call with Ride Like A Girl star, Sam Neill, to talk horses, box sets, and Event Horizon. Because Chris. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, in the rotating fourth chair, Amon Warmann to compare film facts (warning: joy is in short supply this week) and movie pubs. Enjoy.