The Empire Film Podcast

Another bumper-sized edition of the Empire Podcast this week, as Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom for chats with a trio of terrific talents. First, there's Ke Huy Quan on Love Hurts, the action movie that represents his first lead role, and first movie since winning an Oscar for Everything Everywhere All At Once. [17:33 - 34:18 approx] Then there's John Magaro, star of September 5, on how that movie and Steven Spielberg's Munich make for a great double-bill. [1:00:34 - 1:16:50 approx] And, finally, The Wild Robot director (and creator/voice of Stitch, as in Lilo & Stitch), Chris Sanders, on the success of his new animated movie, and becoming an unexpected voice actor. [1:39:10 - 1:54:10 approx] Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Beth Webb to discuss the film stories they'd love to see turned into plays, take a look at a bunch of trailers including The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Jurassic World: Rebirth, chat about the second coming of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and review September 5, You're Cordially Invited, Dog Man, and more. Enjoy.

It's another bumper, jam-packed edition of the Empire Podcast this week, folks! The great Angelina Jolie heads up our trio of amazing guests, as she talks to John Nugent about taking on the challenge of playing the legendary opera singer, Maria Callas, in Pablo Larrain's Maria. [20:48 - 34:02 approx] Plus, Chris Hewitt has a fascinating chat with Jason Reitman about how, exactly, he recreated Saturday Night Live's opening night for Saturday Night, [56:33 - 1:15:42 approx] and finally Chris sits down on Zoom with EE Rising Star Award nominee, the wonderful David Jonsson, for a natter about that, Rye Lane, the difference between a stroll and a strut, and tackling a very complex role in Alien: Romulus, which is now on Disney+. [1:38:23 - 1:56:21 approx] Meanwhile, back in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to share their thoughts on the recent West End version of The Tempest, put together a Mount Rushmore of SNL stars, discuss the week's movie news, and review Saturday Night, Companion, and Mike Leigh's Hard Truths. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast brings you not one but two Oscar winners, as first Chris Hewitt sits down with Michelle Yeoh to talk about her new Star Trek movie, Section 31, and how the Best Actress Oscar for Everything Everywhere All At Once changed her life [20:56 - 36:39 approx]; then, John Nugent has a fascinating chat with The Brutalist star, current Oscar nominee, and former Best Actor winner, Adrien Brody, about the LA Fires and his role in Brady Corbet's epic drama. [1:02:49 - 1:18:11 approx] Elsewhere, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Kelechi Ehenulo to dig deep into the Oscar nominations, discuss VFX gone wrong, and review The Brutalist, Steven Soderbergh's Presence, Flight Risk, and Star Trek: Section 31, while they also get really specific about TV episodes. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt, Alex Godfrey and Beth Webb bid a sad, but heartfelt, farewell to the great David Lynch, who has died at the age of 78. It's also an epic epitaph in many ways, clocking in at around 40 minutes, as the trio, all huge Lynch fans, pay tribute to the genius behind Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Dr., Twin Peaks, and more. [44:18 - 1:26:33 approx] Elsewhere in the episode, which was recorded before the news broke of Lynch's passing, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss great bike moments in movies, chat about the BAFTA nominations and the new Daredevil: Born Again trailer, and review A Complete Unknown, William Tell, Back In Action, and Wolf Man. And there are interviews aplenty, as Chris talks to a whole bunch of folks: there's a riotous, chaotic chat with A Real Pain stars Jesse Eisenberg (who also wrote and directed the movie) and Kieran Culkin, as they talk food, films, and feet [19:06 - 44:18 approx]; A Complete Unknown director James Mangold calls in from LA to talk about why he was drawn to Bob Dylan [1:43:03 - 1:57:39 approx]; and Wolf Man star, Christopher Abbott, who tells us why he might start a new club with Colin Farrell and Jeff Goldblum. [2:23:50 - 2:37:57 approx] Otherwise, it's all about Lynch, as it should be. Farewell, sir.

Here it is, folks. The 650th episode (if you don't count all the other episodes) of the Empire Podcast, recorded live on Friday January 10th in front of a sell-out crowd at our spiritual home of Kings Place, London. And it's an absolute belter, in which Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Beth Webb show barely a passing awareness of the week's movie news, review A Real Pain, Babygirl, and Maria, and answer a bunch of questions from the audience. There will be singing. There will be plenty of film-related fun. And there will be guests galore, as Chris sits down with Get Away writer/star, Nick Frost; Beth chats with Babygirl star, Harris Dickinson, making his second live show appearance; Alex Godfrey pops up to have a natter with William Tell star, Claes Bang (and we all get mildly distracted by his coat); and Helen has a pow-wow with Joe Alwyn, star of The Brutalist, the film that might just win the Oscar race. All the guests can be found in one super-long section between 49:56 and 2:08:14, approx. As ever, thanks to everyone who made this evening possible, from the Kings Place team to our guests; thanks to you guys for coming and for continuing to support the pod; and thanks to cinema for being so goshdarn cinematic. Enjoy.

We're back! Yes, after a whole week off for the Christmas holidays, the Empire Podcast has returned to darken your aural doors once more, and the first pod of 2025 is an absolute belter, as Chris Hewitt sits down with four incredible guests. First, he talks carousel horses and chocolate with We Live In Time stars, Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. [24:27 - 36:32 approx] Second, he welcomes Nosferatu star Nicholas Hoult back to the pod, and they talk about embracing fear, giving golf lessons in costume, and Hoult taking over the pod one day. [55:19 - 1:11:23 approx] Third, he has a lovely natter with Giovanni Ribisi about his 15-year overnight success as DP of last year's excellent Strange Darling, which is available now in various formats for your home viewing pleasure. [1:41:51 - 1:57:00 approx] Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and debutante Becky Darke for a fun episode in which they make bold and no doubt wildly off-kilter box office predictions for the year ahead, discuss Chris Nolan's The Odyssey (and not Draclier, bah!), and then review Nosferatu, Nickel Boys, and We Live In Time. The perfect listening accompaniment to that Celebrations sandwich you're currently making, we reckon. Enjoy.

So, 2024: a year of cinematic highs, lows, and bits in the middle. And in the annual tradition that is our Review Of The Year podcast, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer drill deep into them all (time allowing, of course), answering questions from listeners on a vast array of topics, before running down Empire's Top 20 films of the year. It's a bumper-sized one, folks, just the thing to see you into 2025. Happy New Year to all our listeners — enjoy!

Merry Christmas, listeners! Here, as a special Christmas Eve present, is an episode of The Ranking, the show in which four Empire writers get together and argue the toss over a whole bunch of themed films. (And yes, we know this is the first one in ages. We promise to do better in 2025!) Anyway, it's Christmas Eve, the time when Ebenezer Scrooge was visited by three ghosts and shown the error of his ways in Charles Dickens' classic tale, A Christmas Carol. It's a timeless story, and one beloved of the movies and the telly, which has adapted it in dozens of ways over the years. And for this special episode, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Neel Bhatt, and Jamie Graham immersed themselves in Dickens for what seemed like weeks on end, all with a view to finding the greatest Christmas Carol of them all. Will it be the Finney? The Sim? The Carrey? The Caine? The Murray? Or The Complete Surprise? Listen on to find out in this fun episode that is not — we repeat, not — sponsored by Spirited, in any way. Enjoy.

"Four sets of guests, Jeremy? Four? That's insane!" Yes, folks, the last Empire Podcast of 2024 is an absolute barnstormer, a two-and-a-half-hour blast of film-related fun just in time for the festive season. And we have more guests than you could possibly fit under the tree. There's Mufasa: The Lion King star, Aaron Pierre! Nick Park & Merlin Crossingham, directors of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl! Ben Schwartz and Jeff Fowler, star and director respectively of Sonic The Hedgehog 3! And Michael Gracey, director of Robbie Williams biopic, Better Man, and his movie's inspiration and subject, Actual Bloody Robbie Williams. Yes, folks, it's a belter, and we haven't even mentioned the bits where Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer answer your Christmas movie questions, tackle the week's movie news including a deep dive into the Superman trailer, and review all four of the aforementioned guest-y films. Thanks once again for your unerring support this year, listeners. We couldn't do this without you. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and we'll see you on January 3rd for the first show of 2025. In the meantime, enjoy this one!

It's the penultimate Empire Podcast of the year, folks, and to celebrate the impending season of goodwill to all, we've brought you another bumper episode. Which is nice of us. Guest-wise, Chris Hewitt sits down once again with one of our favourite guests, Gerry 'Gerard' Butler, to talk about his decidedly un-Gerry Butler-like role as Santa himself in charming kids movie The Night Before Christmas In Wonderland, [17:52 - 32:42 approx] while Helen O'Hara chats The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim with that film's director, Kenji Kamiyama, and producers Jason DeMarco and Joseph Chou, who also serves as Kamiyama's interpreter. [57:32 - 1:10:30 approx] That's an excerpt from the War Of The Rohirrim live event we did last week for our Empire VIP Club members, fact fans. And Helen also pops up again in the interviewer's chair to grill Jon M. Chu on how he directed Wicked, in a spoiler-free excerpt from our spoiler special, which is also out now. [1:34:32 - 1:43:57 approx] Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen and James Dyer to tackle some Christmassy questions from the Empire Podcast subreddit, while they also discuss the week's movie news, including the 28 Years Later trailer and the rumoured demise of the SPUMC, and review The War Of The Rohirrim, Kraven The Hunter, Queer, and Carry-On. Oh, and Chris gets legitimately freaked out by the unexpected arrival of a sinister festive guest. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees the team enter into the festive season spirit with our first Christmas-themed question of the year, as Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer argue about the greatest Christmas movie villain of them all. Plus, they make the best of a very bad lot of post-Thanksgiving movie news by talking about the new Snow White trailer, Moana 2's box office and, for some reason, the sexiest Jack Ryan. And they also review Rumours, Nutcrackers, and Nightbitch. And the stars of two of those movies are our guests this week, as Chris sits down on Zoom with Rumours stars Cate Blanchett and Nikki Amuka-Bird, and gets a fun idea for a Christmas present along the way, [22:17 - 34:05 approx] and Alex Godfrey has a fantastic chat with Amy Adams about working with Marielle Heller, barking like a dog, and much more for Nightbitch. [58:12 - 1:17:22 approx] Enjoy.

Skeleton Crew is the latest Star Wars show to launch on Disney+, with a two-episode premiere dropping on Tuesday December 3rd. And to get you in the mood for the show, which follows the misfortunes of four young kids who find themselves thrust into all kinds of adventures with space pirates, droids, and a mysterious man called Jod (Jude Law), here's an Empire Podcast preview special, in which Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom for two really fun interviews with the show's co-creators and head writers, Jon Watts (who also directed the first episode), and Christopher Ford, and the great Nick Frost, who voices brand new droid, SM-33. Fear not, ye hearties, for no spoilers lurk within. Instead, they set up the world of the show, talk about the characters, and someone might do a great Nick Frost impression. Maybe. Enjoy.

It's a shorter Empire Podcast this week, folks (blame Hollywood for shutting down for Thanksgiving, which is just plain selfish), but that doesn't mean it's any less jampacked with guests, greatness, and guesty greatness than usual. First, Chris Hewitt sits down with Auli'i Cravalho, Moana herself, to talk about returning for this week's Moana 2 and the art of not talking to people on planes. [16:03 - 29:35 approx] And then Ian Freer has an audience with... well, if not the Pope, then the next best thing in the guise of legendary trio Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini, the stars of new papal election thriller, Conclave. [46:49 - 1:04:52 approx] Either side of those, with Chris incapacitated by a last-minute case of neck-knack, Helen O'Hara hosts and is joined by James Dyer and Amon Warmann for a fun episode in which they discuss what they're thankful for this year, run their eye over what passes for movie news, and review Conclave, Moana 2, and Dear Santa. Oh, and Helen tries desperately not to do a Mount Rushmore question. Will she succeed? Find out by listening. Enjoy!

It's another epic episode of the Empire Podcast this week, folks, as Chris Hewitt sits down in person with all our guests. First, there's the great Steve McQueen, writer and director of Blitz, to talk about how he approached the World War II drama, and working with Paul Weller. [18:56 - 35:15 approx] Then Chris has a cracking conversation with The Piano Lesson stars John David Washington (following in the footsteps of his father, Denzel, who was a guest on last week's episode) and Danielle Deadwyler, which veers from the hilarious to the heartfelt in no time at all. [56:44 - 1:15:50 approx] And he rounds it all off with an extended excerpt from his spoilerific chat with Transformers One director, Josh Cooley. [1:39:54 - 1:54:52 approx] The full thing is available to spoiler special subscribers. Either side of those, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a truly wicked episode in which they discuss the greatest green performances in cinema, talk about how Greenwich has been temporarily renamed Greenwitch, run their eye over the week's movie news, and review Wicked, Magpie, and The Piano Lesson. Oh, and Chris makes an impassioned plea for the greatest Spice Girls song of them all. Set your spirit free, it's the only way to be. Enjoy.

Blimey, our guest cup continues to overflow, folks. This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down with Gladiator II star, and all-round legend, Denzel Washington, to talk about reuniting with Ridley Scott, and to clarify Denzel's recent hint that he might be winding down as an actor. Oh, and Chris quotes //that// Equalizer 2 line to Denzel's face, because he's utterly without shame. [20:15 - 39:40 approx] Elsewhere, Amon Warmann has a lovely chat with Emilia Perez star, Zoe Saldaña, about working with Jacques Audiard, James Cameron, and more, [1:03:14 - 1:16:13 approx] and Alex Godfrey catches up with Sean Baker to talk about the excellent Anora, which is still in cinemas now. [1:35:53 - 1:52:19 approx] Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, for the first time, Jamie Graham, to discuss Ridley Scott's career, cast their eye over the week's movie news, including Simon Kinberg's Star Wars trilogy, the new Mission: Impossible trailer, and Christopher Nolan's Not Draclier, and review Gladiator II, Joy, and Emilia Perez. It's a banger, folks, and the only disappointment in it for us is that we only get to do it once. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast isn't so much jam-packed as marmaladen with great guests, as Chris Hewitt talks to Paddington In Peru stars Hugh Bonneville and Emily Mortimer (the new Mrs. Brown) about tarantulas, Paddington tantrums, and shooting in the wilds of Basingstoke [20:47 - 35:27 approx]; the great British director Andrea Arnold about her new film, Bird, working with non-actors, and shooting in Gravesend [51:56 - 1:07:39 approx]; and Agatha All Along showrunner Jac Schaeffer, in an extended excerpt from our spoiler special interview, about [SPOILER], [BIGGER SPOILER] and shooting in [SPOILER]. Listen to that one only once you've seen Agatha All Along, naturally. [1:34:29 - 1:50:10 approx] Then, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Alex Godfrey for a merry old show in which they break down their viewing habits, discuss the week's movie news (and yes, this was recorded before the news broke about Simon Kinberg writing a new Star Wars trilogy; we'll discuss that next week), and review Paddington In Peru, Blitz, Bird, Piece By Piece, and Red One. Orange you glad you picked this episode? Enjoy.

Paul Reiser is a comedian, actor, writer and producer who just happens to have starred in some of Team Empire's favourite films. So, when our Chris Hewitt was given the chance to talk to the star of Aliens, Diner, Whiplash, and Beverly Hills Cop, he jumped at the chance. The result is a wide-ranging and freewheeling chat about Reiser's astonishing start in Hollywood, his aversion to directing, his time spent working with Peter Falk, the experience of shooting Aliens and Whiplash and, of course, his new movie, The Problem With People, a charming Ireland-set comedy which he wrote and produced, as well as starring alongside Colm Meaney. It's a cracking interview, with Reiser on top form, and so we invite you to turn up your collar, relax and listen. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Hugh Grant return for an in-depth chat with Mike Muncer about his new movie, Heretic, and whether or not he's into horror, [24:54 - 38:02 approx] while Chris Hewitt has a lovely chat about Christopher Reeve with Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui, directors of a new documentary about the late Superman star, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. [58:32 - 1:17:42 approx] Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss their favourite micro-budget movies, chat about the week's movie news including Steven Knight's departure from the latest Star Wars movie, and review a whole bunch of movies, including our guests' efforts, Sean Baker's Anora, and Clint Eastwood's Juror #2. Enjoy.

Happy Halloween, listeners! It's the most wonderful day of the year, if you're a spook, spectre, or masked maniac. And to mark All Hallow's Eve, here's a treat (not a trick), as we've put together a terrifying double bill of interviews for you. Well, the interviews are fun, although you might find some of Chris Hewitt's questions terrifying as he sits down with Damian Lewis, star of The Radleys, to talk about playing not one but two vampires, and Brian Netto & Adam Schindler, directors of Don't Move. But that's not all — Netto and Schindler are joined by their producer, one Sam Raimi. And if you've listened to the Empire Podcast before, you'll know that that's a pretty big deal for our Chris. Both interviews are tons of fun, and at one point Chris gets super-nerdy about Evil Dead II with Raimi, which is groovy. And after you've listened to this, why not give The Radleys (on Sky Cinema now) and Don't Move (on Netflix) a whirl? Enjoy.

It's a question as old as time: who ya gonna call? And an equally aged answer: Ghostbusters! Or, in the case of this week's Empire Podcast, a Ghostbuster. But not just any Ghostbuster — the heart of the Ghostbusters, and co-creator of the franchise, the legendary Dan Aykroyd, who jumps on the blower with Chris Hewitt to talk about the Ghostbusters In Concert show at the Royal Albert Hall, webbed feet, and writing one of the greatest comedies of all time. [21:55 - 41:32 approx] Our other guest this week is Benjamin Ree, the director of the extraordinarily moving documentary The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, which tells the incredible story of a young Norwegian man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and the second life he created for himself within World Of Warcraft. [1:11:29 - 1:28:29 approx] Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for the final spooky Halloweenified pod of the year. Don't worry, though, it's not that scary, as they discuss the best non-horror films made by horror filmmakers, review The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, Venom: The Last Dance, Brothers, and The Room Next Door, and chew the fat over the week's movie news, including a wild bit of speculation about Christopher Nolan's latest movie. Oh, and who — or what — is Spiky Mike? Enjoy.

Spooky season is upon us, folks, and this week's Empire Podcast is even more of a horror show than usual, as Chris Hewitt talks to Naomi Scott about her fabulous performance in Parker Finn's scary sequel, Smile 2, [23:26 - 37:26 approx] and the team — Chris, James Dyer, Ben Travis, and Beth Webb — tackle two horror-related questions from listeners, including the horror flicks they think should have been nominated for Best Picture, and an impromptu Mount Rushmore of vampire films that really should have been called Count Rushmore. Elsewhere, much movie news is discussed, including the addition of Krypto the Superdog to James Gunn's Superman, Chris has a lovely chat with Woman Of The Hour director/star Anna Kendrick, [58:47 - 1:16:56 approx] and in the reviews section we tackle that very film, plus The Wild Robot, Smile 2, and The Apprentice, with guest reviewer Alex Godfrey. Oh, and the team, and a very special guest, bids Ben a heartfelt farewell as he heads off on paternity leave. Enjoy.

With the BFI London Film Festival about to shut up shop for another year after a cracking 2024 offering, it's the perfect time to bring you our annual LFF podcast, in which Chris Hewitt chats to some of the British filmmakers who have films (and a TV show) at this year's festival. They are: Nick Murphy, director of A Thousand Blows; Sasha Nathwani, director of Last Swim; and Sadie Frost, director of new documentary, Twiggy. And they are fun, frank, and fascinating chats about the directors' projects, their LFF experiences, and the state of the film industry. Enjoy!

It's another belting week on the Empire Podcast, folks. On the guest front, James White — ol' Jaime Blanco himself — talks to Sarah Paulson, star of new Disney+ thriller Hold Your Breath, about milking both tension and cows [21:33 - 34:08 approx], Chris Hewitt sits down for a fun chat about vampires, changing tyres, and playing people called Bob with Lewis Pullman, star of the Salem's Lot movie which is finally seeing the light of night after a couple of years sitting on the shelf [52:39 - 1:09:31 approx], and we bring you an excerpt of our incredible The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power s2 spoiler special Q&A with showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, creative producer Lindsay Weber, and stars Charles Edwards, Megan Richards, and Daniel Weyman. [1:34:50 - 1:52:24 approx] Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, and remotely by a stricken James Dyer, for a fun episode in which Helen finally shares her thoughts on Joker: Folie à Deux, the trio discuss which tell-all film books they'd like to read, the week's movie news including the new A Complete Unknown trailer, and review Salem's Lot, Timestalker, and Transformers One. Oh, and our next live show — episode 650 — is announced in, um, spectacular fashion. Enjoy.

As a special treat for you, our beloved listeners, here's a bonus pod for you... an episode of Pilot TV! Yes, our sister TV pod is elbowing its way unbidden into your playlist and forcing itself into your ears like an unwanted U2 album. But before you go skipping ahead, why not stay a while and have a listen? For one, it will greatly reduce the possibility of James coming over to your house, putting headphones on you and playing it to you while you sleep. Plus, you might just enjoy it.

On this particular episode, James, along with co-hosts Boyd Hilton and Kay Ribeiro, invite Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal into the Pilot studio to talk about Spanish-language boxing drama a Máquina on Disney+. Elsewhere, Kay gets pilloried for daring to take some time off, James is lambasted for his egregious (if entirely oblivious) queue-jumping, and there’s some seasonal spooky chat about the best TV-based horrors. As well as reviewing La Máquina, the team also take a look at starry Apple drama Disclaimer with Cate Blanchett, and Sweetpea on Sky Atlantic, in which Ella Purnell gets in touch with her inner sociopath. And if you like this episode, why not subscribe to Pilot TV? Dropping every Monday, it's a perfect accompaniment to the Empire pod — after all, who doesn't need a guide to the murky waters of modern streaming TV? You can't watch everything.

Love that Joker? If so, you've come to the right place, folks, as this week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt, our very own clown prince of crime, dig deep into Joker: Folie à Deux (and pronounce the title roughly ten different ways) with its star, Joaquin Phoenix [18:50 - 41:01 approx], and director, Todd Phillips. [1:02:14 - 1:23:07 approx] With Helen O'Hara having made herself scarce so she can watch the original Joker (her favourite film of all time) about a dozen times in preparation for the sequel, Chris is joined in the podbooth by his number one guy, Bo -- sorry, James Dyer -- and number two guy (that sounds wrong, but we are where we are), Alex Godfrey, for a fun episode in which they try to discuss terrible films made by great directors, only to get hung up on one terrible film in particular; discuss the week's movie news, including the return of Daniel Day-Lewis to acting, and a host of sad farewells (and yes, before you mention it, we forgot about the great Kris Kristofferson, who will get his flowers on next week's show), and review the aforementioned Joker sequel, and A Different Man. Finally, we bring you a sneak peek at our Inside Out 2 spoiler special, now that the film has arrived on Disney+, as Ben Travis talks to Kelsey Mann, director of the year's biggest movie. [1:42:24 - 1:58:17 approx] Enjoy.

It's another jam-packed banger on the Empire Podcast this week, folks, as Chris Hewitt sits down for a triple whammy of interviews. First, there's Saoirse Ronan, star/producer of affecting drama The Outrun, and her co-star Paapa Essiedu, who talk about bonding, improvisation, and shooting on location. [19:13 - 33:45 approx] Then, there's Josh Greenbaum, director of Will & Harper, the excellent documentary that follows Will Ferrell and his writer friend of three decades, Harper Steele, on a cross-country road trip in the aftermath of Harper's recent transition to living as a woman. [54:27 - 1:13:03 approx] And finally, there's a big chunk of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice spoiler special goodness with that film's writers and executive producers, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. [1:40:01 - 1:55:27 approx] Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss directors whose careers have received a boost from working in the MCU, take a look at the week's movie news (this was recorded before the sad news of the death of Dame Maggie Smith), and review Will & Harper, Wolfs, The Outrun, and Megalopolis, a review so immense it has added ballast in the form of Alex Godfrey. Oh, and the team discover Bump Juice. To find out what it is, listen on. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast comes with an air of carefree celebration, as Chris Hewitt marks his birthday by a) not mentioning his birthday that much, b) interviewing Willa Fitzgerald, star of cracking new thriller Strange Darling, while somehow not actually talking about the movie because it's incredibly hard to talk about without getting into spoiler territory, [23:05 - 40:27 approx] and c) interviewing the powerhouse trio who star in new movie His Three Daughters, Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen and Natasha Lyonne. [1:01:45 - 1:14:52 approx] Then Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss the best movie witches, tackle the week's movie news, including David Schwimmer's revelation that he turned down Will Smith's role in Men In Black, and review His Three Daughters, Strange Darling, and The Substance. Oh, and Helen reveals a shocking old nickname, while Chris doesn't mention his birthday at all. Enjoy.

Years after she meddled with Wanda Maximoff, sang her own wonderful earworm of a theme song, and waltzed off with WandaVision tucked under her arm, Agatha Harkness is back back back in Agatha All Along, a new nine-part Disney+ MCU show which sees Kathryn Hahn return as Westview's second most powerful witch. Only now she's on the comeback trail and might need help from a brand-new coven. And in this special Empire Podcast preview, the enormously entertaining Hahn and Agatha All Along (and WandaVision) creator Jac Schaeffer sit down with Chris Hewitt and spill the beans on what audiences can expect every Thursday for the next few weeks. And don't forget to sign up to our spoiler specials for weekly episodes from Team Empire as well. Enjoy!

Is it just us, or has the Empire Podcast got more hat-tricks than Erling Haaland? We have another terrific trio of guests this week, as Alex Godfrey speaks no evil with Speak No Evil, and podcast regular, James McAvoy. [19:49 - 34:40 approx] Then, Amon Warmann has a lovely chat with Kate Winslet, star of Lee (and thanks to Sam Clements for loaning us his podcast mics while Chris was away!). [56:50 - 1:12:15 approx] And finally, we bring you the interview the entire podteam (Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon) did with Reawakening star, and all-round acting royalty, Juliet Stevenson on last week's live show at the London Podcast Festival. [1:41:33 - 1:57:42 approx] Either side of those, Chris returns after a rare holiday and hosts Helen, James and Alex Godfrey as they discuss films from 1996 that deserve sequels (and why 1996 sucked cinematically), pay tribute to James Earl Jones, and review Lee, Speak No Evil, and Reawakening. Oh, and our old chum Corin Hardy drops in out of nowhere for a shameless plug. Enjoy.

It's another hat-trick of wonderful guests on this week's Empire Podcast. Which is good, as there's only two colleagues of such lethal cunning. Due to a combination of work absences, holidays, and general apathy, only Helen O'Hara and James Dyer are on pod-duty this week and, thanks to Jimbo's unfortunate bout of Covid, they're doing it remotely as well. Never fear, though, they still bring the film-related fun as they take a couple of listener questions, discuss the week's movie news (before the Ocean's 14 story broke, naturally), and review Firebrand, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Starve Acre, and Rebel Ridge. The latter also provides one of our guests, as Chris Hewitt talks to its writer/director, Jeremy Saulnier, about its long route to the small screen (it's a Netflix movie). That's right at the end of the whole pod [ 1:32:47 - 1:51:41 approx] and Firebrand provides the two other guests, as we talk to Henry VIII, aka Jude Law, and the wife who survived him, Katherine Parr, aka Alicia Vikander, who talk to Helen and Chris, respectively. [17:04 - 33:12 approx for Alicia and 51:28 - 1:09:04 approx for Jude] Remember: divorced beheaded died, divorced beheaded survived is not just a great way to remember the fates of Henry VIII's six wives, but also the fate of the podteam members who didn't appear on this week's episode. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is — yes, you guessed it — absolutely jam-packed with amazing guests. Alex Godfrey gets to admire Colman Domingo's trophies, and then talk to the great actor about his new movie Sing Sing, which might just add one or two to his shelf. [14:46 - 32:42 approx] Then Beth Webb has a lovely chat with Elliot Page and director Dominic Savage about their new movie, Close To You. [54:56 - 1:12:53 approx] Finally, we bring you a lovely excerpt from our Alien: Romulus spoiler special interview with director Fede Alvarez, as he spills the beans about all things spoilerific to Chris Hewitt. So be warned: spoilers lurk within! [1:42:57 - the end of the show] Either side of those, Helen O'Hara hosts James Dyer and Amon Warmann in the podbooth as they talk about great movie dogs, discuss the week's movie news, and review Sing Sing, Close To You and The Count Of Monte Cristo. Enjoy.

One pod to rule them all? This Thursday (August 29) sees the return of Prime Video's epic J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation, The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, and to mark the occasion we've put together a little preview special, just for you. In it, you'll find an in-depth interview with showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, in which they tease and tantalise John Nugent about what people can expect from this second season (hint: lots of Sauron), and then a shorter but no less wonderful chat between Helen O'Hara and Morfydd Clark, who plays Galadriel, and Sam Hazeldine, who plays Adar in this season. (That interview has slight sound issues, by the way) The first three episodes of The Rings Of Power s2 drop on Thursday, and then return to a weekly schedule, so give this a listen before you stock up on second breakfasts and strap yourselves in for a binge. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is jampacked with joy, folks. Guest-wise, we have a big old chunk of the Empire VIP Club live Q&A Chris Hewitt did with Jeff Goldblum, star of new Netflix show KAOS, a short while ago. And it's as gloriously Jeff Goldblumy as you could hope for. [24:13 - 42:52 approx] Chris is also joined this week by Rupert Sanders, the director of the brand new version of The Crow, as they talk about grief, love and wrestling with iconography. [1:05:04 - 1:24:24 approx] Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis and — in her final pod before she leaves Empire — Sophie Butcher to discuss the news of The Acolyte's cancellation, create a brand new sport, and review Kneecap, Blink Twice, and Cuckoo. And, as it's Sophie's last show, the listeners' questions segment is dedicated almost entirely to her, as she answers your questions about her brief but brilliant time at the world's biggest movie magazine (and award-losing podcast arm). Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down on Zoom with Mr. Fitz, aka Paul Feig, the dapper and debonair director of Bridesmaids, Spy, The Heat and new action-comedy Jackpot!, to talk about working with Awkwafina and John Cena, the difficulties of getting an original movie off the ground, and whether Feig could murder somebody for money. (FYI, Feig's microphone wasn't working as it should for the first six or seven minutes of this interview) [23:34 - 42:47 approx] Then, we bring you an extended excerpt from our exclusive Empire VIP Club Q&A with Coraline director Henry Selick and The Other Mother herself, star Teri Hatcher, as that film celebrates its 15th anniversary with a timely re-release. [1:04:32 - 1:19:27 approx] Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Nick de Semlyen, and Alex Godfrey for a jam-packed episode in which they discuss their favourite creatures from the Alien movies, discuss the week's movie news including D23 announcements galore, and review Alien: Romulus, Trap, and Jackpot! Oh, and Alex comes up with a new catchphrase. You'll know it when you hear it. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast is jam-packed full of goodness, including three tremendous interviews well worth your time. First off, Alex Godfrey sits down with M. Night Shyamalan and Josh Hartnett to discuss their first film together, Trap, and talk about why it's taken them so long to work together. [19:49 - 37:12 approx] Then, Dafne Keen pops into the podbooth to tell Chris Hewitt how her appearance in her new film, [REDACTED], came about. [54:02 - 1:14:53 approx] And finally, we bring you a meaty chunk of our Deadpool & Wolverine spoiler special interview with Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy. [1:35:54 - 1:56:42 approx] To hear Team Empire banging on about the film, do subscribe to our spoiler special feed, if you don't already. Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, briefly, John Nugent to discuss great wedding movies, talk about the week's movie news (what there is of it pre-D23, where we expect some pretty big announcements), and review Borderlands, It Ends With Us, Tuesday, and The Instigators. Lovely stuff. Enjoy!

It's Doomsday on the Empire Podcast, folks. In the wake of the bombshell news that Robert Downey Jr. is going to return to the MCU, not as Tony Stark but as the new big bad, Doctor Doom, many of you asked that we record a special podcast dedicated to the news. Sadly, we were unable to do that, but we make up for it on this week's episode, as Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and Amon Warmann lock themselves in the podbooth and spend much of the movie news section scratching their heads and speculating wildly about the news and what it means. It's a long section, so if you're an MCU-sceptic, here's a helpful timecode so you can skip ahead. [42:38 - 1:02:20 approx] Elsewhere, our intrepid trio take a listener question about actors who should return to a franchise as a villain (can't imagine why that came up), review Didi, Kensuke's Kingdom and Harold And The Purple Crayon, and our guests this week are the wonderful Joan Chen, star of Twin Peaks and Didi, who talks to Mike Muncer. [22:14 - 39:00 approx] And you also get a lovely slice of a conversation about The Conversation between Chris and that film's editor and sound wizard, Walter Murch. [1:12:25 - 1:29:42 approx] Enjoy — Doom commands it to be so!

Let's effin' go! (We're pretty sure we're not allowed to swear in the blurbs, dagnammit!) This week sees the long-awaited release of Deadpool & Wolverine, in which Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman team up for a swear'n'slash session for the ages, and in this week's episode of the Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt sits down for a lovely non-spoilerific chat with the film's director, Shawn Levy. -22:04 - 39:18 approx] Our other guest is Joachim Ronning, the director of Young Woman And The Sea, which is now out on Disney+, and Alex Godfrey has a lovely conversation with him about that, star Daisy Ridley, swimming, and more. (And yes, Chris is aware that he mis-pronounced Ronning's forename; Alex got it right!) [57:33 - 1:16:50 approx] Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun pod in which they take some questions from BlueSky (including one about Blue Sky Studios), discuss the week's movie news (bear in mind, this was recorded before Comic-Con!), and review Deadpool & Wolverine, I Saw The TV Glow, and The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Enjoy.

It's another guestapalooza on this week's Empire Podcast, as Chris Hewitt has lovely chats with Twisters stars Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Phizzy Pigtails aficionado Anthony Ramos [19:46 - 35:02 approx], and their director Lee Isaac Chung [1:39:17 - 1:56:06 approx]; and Beth Webb has a lovely audience with the marvellous June Squibb, star of Thelma (there are sound issues for the first couple of minutes, but they're quickly resolved). [1:01:03 - 1:13:59 approx] Then, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and returning fourth chairer, Jeremy Dylan, to discuss the ultimate Mount Rushmore question, cast their eye over the week's movie news (including discussion of the rumoured return of the Russo Brothers to the MCU), and review Twisters, Thelma and Blur: To The End, while James bangs on relentlessly about a new Aliens documentary in which he features. This time it's more. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast has another brace of cracking guests, as Maika Monroe returns to the show to talk about her terrifying new horror film, Longlegs [25:43 - 39:01 approx], and inadvertently inspires Chris Hewitt to launch the Empire Podcast Hall Of Fame for repeat guests. Meanwhile, making his debut on the pod is the great Griffin Dunne, star of An American Werewolf In London and After Hours, who sits down with Chris in the podbooth to talk about his memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir. [59:29 - 1:19:24 approx] It's a conversation that runs the gauntlet from the funny to the tragic, and we hope he comes back many times — a Hall Of Fame spot awaits. Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and Alex Godfrey to tackle a listener question that allows them to talk in depth about the Gladiator II trailer, discuss the rest of the week's movie news, including a heartfelt tribute to the Avatar producer Jon Landau (this episode was recorded before we learned of the sad death of Shelley Duvall), and review Despicable Me 4, Longlegs, In A Violent Nature, Eno, Fly Me To The Moon, and Hundreds Of Beavers. Which, despite what you may think, is not the name of the porno that James Dyer was definitely not making in lieu of this week's show. Enjoy.

Maxxxine marks the conclusion of Ti West's horror trilogy that began with X, and continued with the prequel Pearl. Co-stars come and co-stars go, in a bloody fashion more often than not, but Mia Goth is at the centre of all three, as porn star-turned-Final Girl Maxine and elderly psycho killer Pearl in X, a younger Pearl in the prequel, and now an older Maxine, who finds herself the target of a shadowy killer on the streets of mid-80s Los Angeles. And in this week's Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt has a lovely chat with Goth about Maxxxine, being drenched in prosthetics, and much, much more. [41:11 - 53:59 approx] Then, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode in which they don't talk about politics, even though it was recorded on General Election Day, and even though this week's listener question is about movie politicians. They also discuss the week's movie news (no politics, just old-fashioned speculation), and review Maxxxine, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, A Family Affair, and Unicorns. All while not talking about politics. Impressive, really. Enjoy!

We're back in the multi-guest business with this week's episode of the Empire Podcast, folks. First, Ben Travis has a very hushed Zoom chat with A Quiet Place: Day One director, Michael Sarnoski. [22:46 - 40:44 approx] Then, Sophie Butcher talks to Kinds Of Kindness director and star duo, Yorgos Lanthimos and Jesse Plemons. [1:00:42 - 1:15:24 approx] And, finally, we bring you an excerpt from our Bad Boys: Ride Or Die spoiler special interview with that film's directors, Adil & Bilall, in which they speak to Chris Hewitt. [1:37:28 - 1:53:14 approx] The full thing is available to subscribers, and you can subscribe at supportingcast.empire.fm. True story. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Sophie and James Dyer to tackle a listener question that combines two of Chris' obsessions, the MCU and his new love, Taskmaster, which he has only just started watching. In the movie news section, the team pay tribute to Donald Sutherland, while they also review Kinds Of Kindness, A Quiet Place: Day One, and Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter One. Oh, and James makes a quite Shrektacular pun at some point. Enjoy.

Vroom vroom! This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is something of a rarity, as we only have one guest. But what a guest it is, as Jeff Nichols, director of Take Shelter, Midnight Special and Mud, tells Helen O'Hara all about working with motorcycles and movie stars on his new movie, The Bikeriders. Then, in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined by Helen, James Dyer and Amon Warmann for another fun episode in which they discuss which movies deserve to have their visual effects overhauled in special editions, look at the week's movie news, discuss who should direct the MCU's Blade movie, and review The Bikeriders, Federer: Twelve Final Days, Under Paris, and The Exorcism. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast invites you to settle into a pair of cracking interviews — first, Ben Travis has a sit-down [22:48 - 42:49 approx] with Richard Linklater, director of the excellent Hit Man (now on Netflix), then Chris Hewitt has a bonny time with the wonderfully loquacious Stephen Fry, star of this week's drama, Treasure. [1:06:39 - 1:26:31 approx] By the way, Fry quotes a movie at one point, and we could give you a thousand guesses and we reckon you'd still not get it. Then, Chris — now free of the gammy leg — enters the podbooth and runs rings round Helen O'Hara and James Dyer (literally, not metaphorically) as they discuss the best sunglasses in the movies, a ton of movie news including the Paddington In Peru trailer and the potentially perilous state of being for the MCU's Blade, and review Inside Out 2, Freud's Last Session, Ama Gloria, and the year's barmiest film, Sasquatch Sunset. After all, a Sasquatch's gotta know its limitations. Enjoy.

It's another bumper, jam-packed edition of the Empire Podcast this week, folks, with four wonderful guests. First, legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who has both Young Woman And The Sea and Bad Boys: Ride Or Die in cinemas right now, shares some of the secrets of his success with Alex Godfrey. [21:13 - 38:36 approx] Then, John Nugent has an audience with the Shyamalans — Ishana Night Shyamalan, writer and director of new horror, The Watched (aka The Watchers in the States), and her producer/second unit director, her father M. Night Shyamalan. [1:00:25 - 1:18:40 approx] And finally Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with the great Viggo Mortensen, who writes, directs, composes and stars in this week's Western, The Dead Don't Hurt. If you know anyone who worked at the Australian video store Viggo mentions in this interview, let us know. [1:35:41 - 1:55:06 approx] Either side of all that, Chris dials into the podbooth where Helen O'Hara and James Dyer are waiting, so they can discuss the best glasses in movies, chat about the week's movie news, including rumoured casting for Sam Mendes' Beatles biopics, and review Bad Boys: Ride Or Die, Ron Howard's documentary Jim Henson: Idea Man, The Dead Don't Hurt, and Hit Man, now that it's on Netflix. Enjoy!

The Acolyte is the latest Star Wars live-action show to hit Disney+ (its first two episodes, out of eight, drop on June 5th), and promises to be one of the most exciting additions yet to that galaxy far, far away. Part murder mystery, part exploration of the High Republic and a time when the Jedi were in their pomp, and the Sith were just beginning to rise again, Leslye Headland's show has a lot going on. And in this special preview episode, Ben Travis talks to Headland and her lead, Amandla Stenberg, plus cast members Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett and, via the aid of an interpreter, South Korean star Lee Jung-jae. Then Ben joins Chris Hewitt in the virtual podbooth for a breakdown of what to expect from the show. Two words: Jedi Wookiee. Enjoy — and don't forget to subscribe, if you haven't already, to the Empire Podcast Spoiler Specials feed to hear weekly spoiler pods about the show.

The Empire Podcast delivers yet another cracker this week, folks. Guest-wise, Chris Hewitt has a lovely Zoom chat with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, the husband-wife screenwriting team who have become the producers and custodians of the Planet Of The Apes franchise. Here, Chris chats to the pair about how they revived the Apes franchise, how they became a partnership with The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, and their time working on Avatar sequels with James Cameron. [26:10 - 44:53 approx] Then, Daisy Ridley — Star Wars' Rey herself, and the star of this week's Young Woman And The Sea — pops into our studio to have a natter with Alex Godfrey about swimming, sand, and injuries. Oh, and she makes a desperate play for free Honest Burgers, one we can fully get behind. [1:06:17 - 1:22:44 approx] Then, either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to tackle a question from the Empire Podcast subreddit, discuss (most of) the week's movie news, including the latest casting for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and review Young Woman And The Sea, giant alien spider horror Sting, and The Beast. Well, Chris, Helen and James haven't seen The Beast, so they recruit Beth Webb and Alex Godfrey to review that for them. Enjoy.

On this week's episode of the Empire Podcast, the doctor is in. Doctor George Miller, that is, as the MD turned visionary director returns to the big screen with his latest slice of post-apocalyptic madness, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. So, naturally, our Chris Hewitt went along and had a big old chat with Dr. George, as we're reliably informed they call him in Australia, and we bring you the full version of that engrossing interview. [46:15 - 1:14:25 approx) Then, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, John Nugent, and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they review Furiosa, Jennifer Lopez' Atlas, Richard Linklater's Hit Man, and The Garfield Movie; discuss the week's movie news, including X-Men, Star Trek and Godzilla developments (but not, crucially, the third Benoit Blanc film, which will be discussed next week); and, in a spoilerific listener question section, talk about their favourite movie farewells (this episode is dedicated to Jürgen Norbert Klopp). Hope you guys have seen noted 'Allo 'Allo prequel, Casablanca! Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast asks the question: 'what if an interview started off the rails and went from there?' And answers it with a tremendously fun and, at times, utterly chaotic, interview between our Chris Hewitt and John Krasinski, writer/director/star of new fantasy movie IF. To listen to the most expensive interview of all time, go to 23:18 (approx). More fun and chaos can be found in our other interview this week [1:06:32 - 1:21:52 approx), as Chris sits down on Zoom with Ben Schwartz to talk about his improv show, Ben Schwartz And Friends, which is at the Royal Albert Hall this Sunday (May 19). Tickets on sale now at royalalberthall.com and rejactedjokes.com (And this is an excerpt from the 45-minute Ben Schwartz special, which is currently available in your podcast feed) Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth for more fun and chaos by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer, as they discuss Dune: Prophecy, sports that deserve good movies (and yes, we are aware of Billy The Kid & The Green Baize Vampire, we just didn't mention it), the week's movie news, including Downton Abbey 3, Galactus casting, and the sad passing of the legendary Roger Corman, and review IF, Horde, Mother Of The Bride, and Tiger Stripes. Enjoy.

Ben Schwartz isn't just a terrifically funny actor (he's Jean-Ralphio in Parks & Rec, for the love of Pete!), insanely gifted VoiceOver artist (he's the voice of Sonic, for the love of Knuckles!), writer (he helped write dialogue for C-3PO in J.J. Abrams' Star Wars movies, for the love of Babu Frik!) and all-round geek. He's also one of the greatest improvisational comedians on the planet, and he's bringing his incredible improv show, Ben Schwartz And Friends, to the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday May 19, for the love of Queen Victoria! And so our Chris Hewitt felt it was a simply capital time to fire up the old Zoom and head straight into an extended, epic, and very funny conversation with Schwartz about improv, about what people can expect from Ben Schwartz And Friends when they buy tickets via rejectedjokes.com or royalalberthall.com, about his IMDb trivia and mini bio, about voicing Sonic, and his time spent working on Star Wars. Oh, and much more, obviously. Enjoy.

Another guestapalooza on this week's Empire Podcast, folks! First up, Chris Hewitt has a lovely chat with Josh O'Connor — not about his talk-of-the-town tennis movie, Challengers, but his new film, Alice Rorhwacher's La Chimera, for which O'Connor learned Italian and, effectively, manifested into his life by way of a letter. [20:12 - 35:25 approx] Then, Dan Jolin, our very own Planet Of The Apes expert, sits down with Owen Teague, Freya Allan, and Kevin Durand, the lead trio of the new movie, Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes, for a chaotic chat about rapping apes, deadly spiders, and bare feet. [58:00 - 1:14.05 approx] And finally, Chris has a heartfelt talk with Michael Lindsay-Hogg, the director of the legendary Beatles documentary Let It Be, which is getting a wide release on Disney+ this week after years of being placed on the shelf. [1:39:45 - 1:53:05 approx] Either side of those is a fun episode in which Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer, as they discuss the best films to be adapted from TV shows, review all three of the aforementioned movies plus Jerry Seinfeld's Unfrosted, and tackle most of the week's movie news, including the announcement of a Lord Of The Rings movie directed by and starring Andy Serkis. They'll talk Ralph Ineson as Galactus next week, fear not. Enjoy!

The St. Andrews International Film Festival — or Sands, for short — is now in its third year, bringing some amazing films and filmmakers to the beautiful Scottish town of St. Andrews. It's already something of a tradition for the Empire Podcast's Chris Hewitt to pop up there and have a natter with some of those filmmakers, including Joe Russo, who is one of the festival's chief benefactors. This year, Joe brought his brother Anthony with him for a special screening of Welcome To Collinwood and a Q&A with that film's producer, and the brothers' mentor, Steven Soderbergh, and in this podcast, Chris sits down with the Russos to talk about their experiences on that film, the advance of A.I., nearly killing Spider-Man, and much, much more. But that's not all – this is a Sands special, folks, and within you'll also find Chris chatting with top casting director Debra Zane, Sands Festival Director Ania Trzebkiatowska, and Alan Silvestri, the legendary composer of Back To The Future, Predator, Forrest Gump, and Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. And yes, they do talk about Portals. With something for everyone, this is a cracking podcast special for a cracking new festival. Enjoy.

It's another cracking episode of the Empire Podcast, folks, as Rose Glass, director of Love Lies Bleeding, becomes the first guest to pop into our brand new studio, as she tells Sophie Butcher all about the brilliant and bizarre thriller that is her follow-up to Saint Maud. And Chris Hewitt has a fun and frank chat with the wonderful Winston Duke, star of The Fall Guy, in which they talk about stunts, sponsorship, and a poignant moment that almost made it into Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Kobi Omenaka to tackle a handful of listener questions about Star Wars (May the Fourth be with you, folks), review The Fall Guy, Love Lies Bleeding, and The Idea Of You, and discuss the week's movie news, with an emphasis on trailers. Warning: several wild Lion King-adjacent claims are made that may see your blood pressure rise. Just repeat after us: hakuna matata. There you go. Sorted. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is a smash, folks. First off, Alex Godfrey talks to ace actor Mike Faist, star of Luca Guadagnino's new tennis movie, Challengers [23:12 - 37:33 approx.], and then Chris Hewitt has a Zoom session (apologies if the sound is slightly distorted — tech issues) with Kerry Condon, Oscar-nominated star of The Banshees Of Inisherin, voice of F.R.I.D.A.Y. in the MCU, and star of this week's Liam Neeson thriller, In The Lands Of Saints And Sinners. [57:25 - 1:15:29 approx.] Either side of those, Chris hosts in the podbooth and is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, for a spell, Sophie Butcher, to discuss the week's movie news, including the latest Deadpool & Wolverine trailer, review Challengers, In The Land Of Saints And Sinners, Boy Kills World, and Rebel Moon Part 2: The Scargiver, and tackle a listener question that has stuck around from last week, and mutated somehow into a Mount Rushmore of directors' tenth movies. Play along at home, why don't you? Enjoy.

Phew! After last week's single-guest situation, we're back to our bumper-sized best on this week's Empire Podcast. One of our favourite interviewees, Dan Stevens, returns to the pod after a brief hiatus, to tell Chris Hewitt all about his new film, Abigail, and his all-timer of a character intro in Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. Warning: Chris and Dan also discuss the origin of Dan's true character name in Abigail, which some might consider a mild spoiler. So be careful! Chris also has a lovely chat this week with Ed Skrein and Fra Fee, the villainous duo from Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon Part 2: The Scargiver. The trio talk about many things — accents, acting, Northern Ireland — but not, repeat, not football. And finally, the two Alex Gs — Godfrey and Garland — get together for a deep dive into Civil War, in an extended excerpt from our forthcoming spoiler special interview. Either side of that little lot, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Alex Godfrey, Sophie Butcher, and the late James Dyer (he's not dead, he just didn't show up on time) for a fun and occasionally deranged episode in which they discuss filmmakers who have made ten films, the week's movie news including Quentin Tarantino reportedly putting The Movie Critic to one side, and review Abigail, Sometimes I Think About Dying, and The Book Of Clarence. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is perhaps less jam-packed and bumper-sized than normal, as we only have one guest. But what a guest, as Marisa Abela — terrific as Amy Winehouse in Sam Taylor-Johnson's Back To Black, the biopic of the iconic singer — talks to Chris Hewitt about the role, from the moment she got it to the gift she received at wrap. That can be found from 45:15 - 1:03:23 (approx). Then, in the brand new podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Alex Godfrey to discuss Helen's attempt to murder James on the recent tour, tackle a listener question about what they like to watch on planes, discuss (most of) the week's movie news (as this was recorded before a ton of news came out of CinemaCon in Vegas; that will be tackled next week), and review Alex Garland's Civil War, the McGregorapalooza that is Bleeding Love, and Back To Black. Oh, and Chris makes an early play for this year's British Podcast Awards. We're gonna sweep the board in Categories That Don't Exist. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast has more guests than the Overlook Hotel, all chatting to Chris Hewitt about their new movies. First, producer Jordan Peele tells Chris why he was so taken by Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, that he came on board to help it get a theatrical release. Plus, they also talk why Peele is no longer acting. [15:40 - 30:56 approx] Then, Rufus Sewell — who plays Prince Andrew in Scoop, a film based on the infamous 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis — and director Philip Martin talk about the task of playing one of the most famous men on the planet. [44:28 - 59:38 approx] And finally, while The First Omen — the prequel to The Omen, which shall henceforth be known as The Second Omen — is a terrifying tour de force, Chris' interview with its stars, Nell Tiger Free and Bill Nighy, is anything but as they talk about being dressed by the Vatican, being hit by lightning, and decapitations. [1:19:23 - 1:37:04 approx] Either side of all of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and, making a rare appearance on the podcast, Empire contributor Neil Alcock, who talks about his new Alfred Hitchcock book, Hitchology, which is out now. The trio also discuss which British sitcom stars should have made it on the big screen, tackle the week's movie news (in which Neil is Galactusplained to by Chris), and review The First Omen, Monkey Man, and Scoop. It's all for you, Empire Podcast listeners! Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is brought to you by the letter E, as Cynthia Erivo and Luke Evans join Chris Hewitt to talk about their new projects. First up, Erivo talks about her astonishing performance in Drift, which she also produced, and in particular one harrowing scene, and its impact upon her. It's an incredibly intense and honest interview and it can be found from 24:11 - 38:18 (approx). Then Evans returns to the pod after a long absence to talk about his role in Our Son, in which he plays a gay man going through a painful divorce, and playing The Crystal Maze with Daniel Levy. That's from 59:17 - 1:16:28 (again, approx.). Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode in which they tackle a vaguely-Easter-themed Mount Rushmore question, discuss the storm over Late Night With The Devil's brief use of A.I.-generated art, talk over the week's movie news, and review Kung Fu Panda 4, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Our Son, Mothers' Instinct, and Drift. Enjoy.

Halloween isn't for another few months, but this week's Empire Podcast delivers a hat-trick of horrors nonetheless, as Chris Hewitt has spooky sitdowns on Zoom with the stars of three scary fillums that are all out this week. First, Sydney Sweeney, star and producer of nun-more-black horror, Immaculate, talks about sticking the landing and possession. [21:24 - 37:37 approx] Then, David Dastmalchian, star of stylish found footage shocker, Late Night With The Devil, dials in from his trailer in Toronto, where he's currently working, to talk that movie, The Dark Knight, life goals, Ant-Man And The Wasp and more. [55:16 - 1:15:44 approx.] And finally, a man who ain't afraid of no ghost (which is a double negative, the most terrifying thing of all), it's original Ghostbuster, Ernie Hudson, aka Winston Zeddemore, who has a chat about Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire that was shorter than usual due to Chris having issues with hotel wifi from Dublin. [1:44:32 - 1:54:43 approx.] Then, in the podbooth in London, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to tackle a listener question about the teaser trailer for Alien: Romulus, which then prompts further discussion of the week's deluge of trailers, including Furiosa, Star Wars: The Acolyte and more. The trio also discuss the rumours about the potential casting of the new James Bond, and in a bumper reviews section cast their eyes over Irish Wish, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Road House, Robot Dreams, Immaculate, and Late Night With The Devil. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, in order to allow us to travel to Dublin for the penultimate show of our live tour, and as such we will be discussing the sad passing of the legendary M. Emmett Walsh next week. In the meantime, enjoy.

While we're waiting patiently for Joel and Ethan Coen to reunite as the filmmaking entity known as the Coen Brothers, can we interest you in the Coen Brother and Sister-in-Law? For Ethan Coen and his wife, Tricia Cooke, have teamed up to make the rambunctious road trip comedy, Drive Away Dolls, and on this week's episode they tell John Nugent about how they did it, and poke fun at his Star Wars toys. [25:34 - 40:09 approx.] We're also joined by another great filmmaker this week, as Phillip Noyce Zooms in for a chat with Chris Hewitt about life in the Hollywood system, and how his new movie, Pierce Brosnan thriller Fast Charlie, nearly fell apart at the first hurdle. [1:02:57 - 1:24:01 approx.] Then, in the studio, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss their most recent favourite movies, the films of Ryan Gosling, the week's movie news (including much Oscar chat and Neve Campbell's return to the Scream series), and review Drive Away Dolls, Monster, and The New Boy. Enjoy!

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer cram into the podbooth just minutes after returning to London from a live show in Norwich, which was part of the pod's March tour (tickets still available for Sheffield, Dublin, and Salford via empireonline.com/podtour!). And, despite their exhaustion, they throw themselves into a fun episode that involves a deep dive into the filmographies of every actor who's played The Doctor in Doctor Who, an in-depth discussion of the upcoming Oscars that takes up pretty much the entire movie news section, and reviews of Damsel, Ricky Stanicky, and Origin. Guest-wise, it's another belter, as Chris has lovely chats with the wonderful Robin Wright, star of Damsel and Helen's personal fave, The Princess Bride (25:02 - 39:43 approx.), before welcoming back the magnificent DeWanda Wise, star of this week's horror film, Imaginary (1:02:11 - 1:21:17 approx). Does Chris pluck up the nerve to sing Curtis Stigers' I Wonder Why, which he has repurposed with DeWanda Wise's name added because it fits the chorus PERFECTLY, to her face? Well, what do you think?

The new issue of Empire — on sale now at all good, evil and intergalactic newsagents — is something of a celebration of 25 years of the Star Wars prequels, George Lucas' trilogy of movies that began with The Phantom Menace in 1999 and concluded with Revenge Of The Sith, Order 66 and all that, in 2005. Since then, the prequels have generated more debate among Star Wars fans than pretty much anything else you care to name, something that is very much the case in this special podcast episode, as Chris Hewitt, Alex Godfrey and James Dyer talk through the magazine's world-beating coverage of the prequels, discuss their own complicated feelings about the movies (including, yes, Chris' own history with Attack Of The Clones), and bang the drum for the things they love about the trilogy. Does that mean there are plenty of terrible impressions of Boss Nass, Sebulba, the Emperor and more? Not as many as you'd imagine, thankfully. Enjoy. Peeeeeeeeeeeeace!

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is perfectly balanced, as all things should be. In the first half, Chris Hewitt sits down with ol' Thanos himself, aka the one and only Josh Brolin, for a wide-ranging conversation that takes in birthday parties, Brolin's growth as an actor, his aversion to compliments, and his return as the indefatigable Gurney Halleck in Denis Villeneuve's Dune Part Two, which opens this week (21:56 - 41:02 approx). Chris then ticks another one off his bucket list by having a fun Zoom chat with Adam Sandler, star of the new Netflix sci-fi drama Spaceman, and his co-star Paul Dano (56:14 - 1:10:38 approx). Either side of those, Helen O'Hara hosts from the podbooth this week, and she, James Dyer, Alex Godfrey and Sophie Butcher tackle a couple of listener questions, one involving Muppets; discuss what passes for the week's movie news (this pod was recorded slightly earlier than usual), and give Dune Part Two, Johan Renck's Spaceman, and Zelda Williams' Lisa Frankenstein the review treatment. And yes, James goes absolutely nuts for Dune. Sorry, Duuuuuuuuuuuune. Enjoy.

There can be only one thing more exciting than James Clavell’s Shōgun getting a brand new TV adaptation on Disney+, and that’s a special Pilot TV/Empire crossover podcast recorded to mark the occasion! Join Chris Hewitt, James Dyer and Nick de Semlyen as they get together to talk all things Japanese, Nick’s epic read of Clavell’s 1300 page book, and the pros and cons of ninja-themed restaurants. What’s more, James sits down with showrunners Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks to talk about bringing Edo-period Japan to life and the art of banging subtitles, plus he chats with star Cosmo Jarvis about taking on the role of ‘The Anjin’. Enjoy!

It's another jam-packed episode of the Empire Podcast this week, folks. Our guest cup certainly overfloweth, as Olly Richards sits down on Zoom with Memory stars Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard (21:17 - 37:40 approx.), Ian Freer talks Kurosawa, Columbo, German goalkeepers and Japanese toilets with the legendary director Wim Wenders (58:36 - 1:14:11 approx), and Dan Jolin gushes liberally all over City Of God in a 21st anniversary re-release chat with that film's director, Fernando Meirelles (1:30:51 - 1:48:04 approx). Either side of those, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss their best ever days as film fans, their favourite queer films, the week's movie news including the announcement of Sam Mendes' wildly ambitious Beatles biopics, and review Memory, Wim Wenders' Perfect Days, Wicked Little Letters, and American Star. Oh, and James and Helen try to remember the names of the Goonies, with predictably disastrous results. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast brings you a double bill of wonderful actors, nattering away about their latest projects. How lovely. First up, Kingsley Ben-Adir talks to Amon Warmann about Bob Marley: One Love, the film that shines the spotlight on two pivotal years in the life of the legendary reggae singer, Bob Marley, and the madness of being part of Greta Gerwig's Barbie. (22-46.00 - 41:52.00) And Chris Hewitt has a lovely talk with Tahar Rahim, star of Madame Web, about finally saying yes to Hollywood, what he would do if he knew when he was going to die, and working with Ridley Scott on Napoleon. (1:08:18.00 - 1:23:07.00) Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss billion dollar movies that should have been nominated for Best Picture, the week's movie news including the revelation of the Fantastic Four casting and the Super Bowl trailers, and review Bob Marley: One Love, The Taste Of Things, Madame Web, and Jennifer Lopez' This Is Me... Now. Also, we bang on about our March tour, which starts in just two weeks. Tickets on sale now at empireonline.com/podtour. Enjoy!

Another week, another packed episode of the Empire Podcast, and once again we're joined by some cracking guests. First, Jeffrey Wright, the freshly Oscar-nominated star of American Fiction, joins Chris Hewitt to talk about that movie, his working practices, the film's unusual original title, and more. (30:37 - 48:53)Then Alex Godfrey sits down on Zoom with The Iron Claw director, Sean Durkin, and his star Zac Efron, for a chat about wrestling, big arms, and big hearts. (1:08:47 - 1:22:35, approx) And either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent to discuss a whole host of stuff. They talk about the upcoming Empire Podcast tour (Birmingham! Norwich! Sheffield! Dublin! Manchester!), which has just gone on sale now, right some Oscar wrongs for the third and final time, this time tackling Best Director, discuss the week's movie news, including the sad death of Carl Weathers, and review The Iron Claw, Steve McQueen's Occupied City, and Orion And The Dark. Hope to see some of you at our live shows in March. In the meantime, enjoy!

The greater the spy movie, the bigger the guests. That's the motto of this week's Empire Podcast, as Chris Hewitt sits down with Henry Cavill and Sam Rockwell, stars of Matthew Vaughn's new spy caper Argylle, for a fun chat about dancing, fighting, and novelists. (23:46 - 40:04) Chris is also joined by the wonderful Kumail Nanjiani, who returns to the pod to talk about his strange year of strikes, and becoming a duck for the new Illumination movie, Migration (1:02:52 - 1:17:16). Then, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and James Dyer as they right more Oscar wrongs (this time in the Best Actress category), discuss the week's movie news, including Duncan Jones directing Rogue Trooper, and review Argylle, Migration, Cord Jefferson's fantastic American Fiction, and Jonathan Glazer's The Zone Of Interest. And Chris doesn't mention Jürgen Klopp once, you'll be astonished to hear. We're having him checked now. Enjoy.

We love the Irish animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, at Empire. And we're not alone — the Kilkenny-based marvels behind the likes of Song Of The Sea, Wolfwalkers, and The Secret Of Kells recently had a BFI season devoted to their exploits, and to mark the beginning of their 25th anniversary. And in this very special edition of the Empire Podcast, Helen O'Hara sits down on Zoom with Cartoon Saloon's head honchos, Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey, and Paul Young, to talk about their unique philosophy and approach. Then Helen hosts Ben Travis and John Nugent for a fun chat about The Very Best Of Cartoon Saloon. Enjoy!

After last week's triumphant live show to mark episode 600, the Empire Podcast team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann — return to the safety of the podbooth this week to kick off the road to 700... but we're not exactly skimping on the guests. First, Blitz Bazawule, director of The Colour Purple, tells Helen all about how he tackled the big-screen version of the musical based on the Alice Walker book. Then, Chris has an audience with The Holdovers director Alexander Payne, and his Oscar-nominated star, Paul Giamatti, and they wind up talking about horror films. And finally, Alex Godfrey sits down with All Of Us Strangers stars, Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal, for a reflective chat about Andrew Haigh's wonderful new film. Either side of all of those, the podteam right some Oscars wrongs in the Listeners' Question section (although they wish it to be known that they are planning no heists), discuss more Oscars stuff in the wake of this week's nominations announcement, the revelation of the book that will form Reacher season 3, and more in a bumper News section, and then review All Of Us Strangers, The Colour Purple, and Jackdaw. Enjoy. (Timestamps to come... maybe! Sorry it's late!)

Another landmark live show for the Empire Podcast saw a capacity crowd cram themselves into Hall One at our spiritual home of Kings Place, London, to celebrate Episode 600. And we brought along some exceptional star guests as well, as Tom Hiddleston — Loki himself — popped in for an extended chat about the God Of Mischief, and other animals, with Chris Hewitt; Mia McKenna-Bruce, the star of How To Have Sex and newly-minted BAFTA Rising Star Award nominee, chatted to Beth Webb about Robert De Niro, McDonald's, and Fake James Cameron; and Ray Winstone sat down with Alex Godfrey to natter about his forthcoming one-two punch of The Gentlemen and Damsel, and some of his legendary films, from Sexy Beast to Nil By Mouth. That extended trio of interviews can be found at approx: 57:16.00 and ends roughly at 2:14:00

Either side of that, you will find more live show chaos from the podteam, as Chris is joined on stage by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis to discuss the week's movie news, review The Holdovers, Mean Girls (not that one), The Kitchen, and The End We Start From, and they tackle as many audience questions as they can before the venue turns out the lights. Mind you, we would have kept going by the light of our Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire glow-in-the-dark cover. Anyway, it's an absolute belter of a show, and we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it. And thanks for all your support over the years. We couldn't do this without you. Enjoy.

We have a veritable guestapalooza this week as George Clooney and Callum Turner join us to talk The Boys In The Boat, Kevin Hart and Gugu Mbatha-Raw give us the lowdown on F. Gary Gray's heist movie Lift, and Dan Levy chats about his directorial debut Good Grief.

Other than that, it's another fireside chat with just Helen and James this week as they mull over numerically titled films, shake their heads at the Golden Globes, and wade through an incredibly busy week for movie news. And that's before they get into the deranged masterpiece that is Poor Things, the simply deranged new Stath movie The Beekeeper, and the aforementioned Lift, Good Grief and The Boys In The Boat.

Finally, apologies for the slight sound problem at the beginning of this week's show (one of the mics had the wrong setting) it only lasts for the first four minutes, though.

Echo, the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe show to debut on Disney+, continues the story of Maya Lopez, the deaf, Native American vigilante whom we met back in Hawkeye. And in this very special preview interview with Sydney Freeland, the Navajo filmmaker who is one of the show's directors, Chris Hewitt discovers just what we can expect from this five-episode limited series, in which Maya comes face to face with her past, and with two familiar faces in the shape of Charlie Cox's Daredevil and the man whom Maya considers to be her uncle, Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin. All five episodes drop at once on Disney+ from Wednesday Jan 10 (in the UK), and you can get up to speed now by checking out this interview. Enjoy.

Happy New Year! With just two shows until 600, The Empire podcast crashes back into your feeds this week. Well, two thirds of it does because Chris is on holiday, leaving Helen and James to hold down the fort. And by that we mean have a cosy fireside discussion about all the fantasy books they devoured over Christmas, along with assorted stories of New Year's Eve shenanigans.

But none of that matters because we have the one and only JA Bayona on this week's show, the director stopping by to talk about his brilliant (and very likely to be Oscar-winning) film, Society Of The Snow. Plus Joel Edgerton joins us to explain what happens when the cast is crew in The Boys In The Boat.

Plus Helen and James pull their reviewing caps on and watch Sofia Coppola's Priscilla, Blumhouse's haunted swimming pool feature Night Swim, and kinder transport drama One Life.

The final Empire Podcast of 2023 is here, folks, and it's a belter, with two incredible guests. First up, Michael Fassbender returns to the pod after an absence of a few years, and in an extended interview with Chris Hewitt, he talks about returning to the big screen with the double-whammy of David Fincher's The Killer and Taika Waititi's Next Goal Wins. Plus, he talks about going to Anfield, home of Liverpool Football Club, for that game against Barcelona in 2019, shares his love of The Streets Of San Francisco, and confesses that he may not actually be telling the truth in interviews. It's a very fun chat that starts at 20:11, and ends at 42:09. Then, Alex Godfrey has a nice natter with Adam Driver, star of Michael Mann's Ferrari, about driving, about whether he's happy, and about possibly taking on the De Niro role in Heat 2. That starts at 56:33, and ends at 1:13:08. Either side of those, Chris is joined in the virtual podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer and, despite the apparent absence of stuff to talk about in the Merryneum between Christmas and New Year's Day, they manage it, sharing their New Year's filmic resolutions, ranking The Hollywood Chrises (but in a most unexpected way), discussing the week's movie news including the shock omission of Wonka from the shortlist for Best Original Song at the Oscars, and review Next Goal Wins, Ferrari, and Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy And The Heron. Thanks so much to everyone who listened this year, whether it was to one pod or all we produced. We couldn't do it without you. Here's to a great 2024. Happy New Year, everyone, and enjoy.

Merry Christmas, you filthy animals! Here's a little Christmas bonus for you all: the Empire Podcast's Review Of The Year. 2023 (for that is the year in question) was a year that gave us so much, cinematically speaking, from Barbenheimer to Empire's official number one film, Past Lives, and everything in-between, including the first signs of weakness in the previously invulnerable Marvel Cinematic Universe. And, in this near three-hour special, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis discuss all of that, and much, much more. Much, much, much more, in fact. However, Chris is very aware that, even though he set it up, he got distracted and forgot to talk about the brilliant scene in No Hard Feelings where Andrew Barth Feldman sings Maneater, and would like to rectify that now by telling you all to seek it out. Anyway, this pod is a ton of fun, despite that egregious oversight. Enjoy.

The last Empire Podcast before Christmas brings you a pair of lovely interviews as our gift to you: first, Mike Muncer sits down on Zoom with Rosamund Pike to talk about class warfare and the challenges of starring in Emerald Fennell's Saltburn, which is now streaming on Prime Video. Then, Chris Hewitt has a lovely audience with Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan, stars of Maestro, Cooper's second film as director. Either side of those, Chris is joined in the virtual podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer as they tackle a whole bunch of Christmas movie questions, discuss the week's movie news, review Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, Society Of The Snow, John Woo's Silent Night, and Finestkind. Oh, and Chris discusses his sexual awakening, which is as terrifying as it sounds. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our amazing and loyal listeners!

"Say hi to your family for me!" Mark Wahlberg, star of the action comedy The Family Plan, returns to the Empire Podcast for the first time in aaaaaaages this week, and brings his on-screen wife, Michelle Monaghan, with him for a fun chat with Chris Hewitt that takes in everything from kids swearing in front of their parents to Adele's impact on Wahlberg's sleep cycle. Chris is also in the interviewer's chair for a fun audience with Zachary Levi, the star of Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget. And, in the antepenultimate episode of the year (no Christmas break for us!), Chris hosts from his home office this week, and is joined by Amon Warmann and James Dyer to tackle a couple of Christmas movie-related questions, take a look at the week's movie news, including the sad death of Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andre Braugher, and review Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon Part 1: A Child Of Fire, Godzilla Minus One, The Family Plan, and The Three Musketeers: Milady. Enjoy.

RUNNING ORDER (all timings approx)
Intro/Listeners' Questions
Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan -- 19:19.00 - 34.00.00
Movie News
Zachary Levi -- 53:11.00 - 1:09:26.00
Reviews/Outro

Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is one of the biggest and best films of the year, and in this very special episode of the Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt sits down for an audience with its stars, Cillian Murphy, who stars as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, and Emily Blunt, who plays his redoubtable wife, Kitty. In a fun and free-wheeling chat, the Oppenheimers talk about working with Nolan, reading the screenplay for the first time, adjusting to their characters, and much, much more. Including the answer to the question that's long been on our minds: does Chris Nolan say 'laters, dudes'? Oh, and while this isn't a spoiler special, we do discuss major plot turns, and the film's ending, so make sure you've seen the film before giving it a spin. Enjoy.

On this week's Empire Podcast, Timmy Two Meats returns, only this time he's... Timmy Two Sweets? Yes, Timothée Chalamet, the star of Paul King's wonderful Wonka, is back on the pod, and this time he's brought his co-star, the wickedly talented Keegan-Michael Key, with him. Together, they talk to Chris Hewitt about musicals, sketches, and their friendship. Then, with the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem on shiny disc, Ben Travis has a nice natter with that film's director, Jeff Rowe. Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer, as they talk about Tom Cruise cake, resurrecting dead stars for audiobooks and sleep tapes, a host of new trailers, and review Wonka, Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget, Leave The World Behind, and Family Switch. And Chris makes a heroic attempt to name every Jack Reacher book in order. You have been warned. Enjoy.

TIMINGS (APPROX)
Intro/Listener Question: 0:00.00 - 19:57.00
Timothée Chalamet and Keegan-Michael Key
Movie News: 33:44.00 - 51:41:00
Jeff Rowe
Reviews: 1:11:04.00 - end

It's another guest-packed jamboree on this week's Empire Podcast, folks. First, Chris Hewitt asks Richard Curtis about revisiting his BBC Christmas classic, Bernard & The Genie, as the new Sky Cinema film, Genie. Chris also chats with William Oldroyd, director of the new thriller Eileen, and his star, Thomasin McKenzie. And then Amon Warmann Zooms in for a lovely natter with Fingernails stars, Riz Ahmed and Jessie Buckley. We really do spoil you lot. And either side of all those is another fun episode as Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to talk about the forthcoming live show to mark our 600th episode (on sale now -- be quick! They're going fast!), discuss which villains could stand to receive the prequel treatment, discuss the week's movie news, including good news for the Stephen King clan, and review Eileen, Genie, Candy Cane Lane, and Fallen Leaves. Oh, and Chris overshares. Shocker. Enjoy, as we begin the countdown to Christmas!

TIMESTAMPS! (timings approx)
Intro/Listener Question: 0:00.00 - 22:52.00
Richard Curtis
Movie News: 37:06.00 - 51:24.00
William Oldroyd and Thomasin McKenzie
Reviews: 1:09:07.00 - 1:27:36.00
Riz Ahmed and Jessie Buckley/Outro

It's another jam-packed episode of the Empire Podcast this week, folks. First, Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with ace composer and musician, Jon Batiste, and Matthew Heineman, about their new documentary, American Symphony; then he battles an uncooperative microphone stand and emerges with an enormously fun interview with Napoleon stars, Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby; and lastly two walking Disney encyclopaedias meet, as our Ben Travis sits down with Jennifer Lee, the writer of this week's Wish and Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. On either side of all of those is a fun episode in which Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss the actor whose back catalogue they would choose to watch for the rest of their lives; natter about the week's movie news; and review Napoleon, Bradley Cooper's Maestro, George C. Wolfe's Rustin, and Wish. And yes, Chris does know he misquoted Dodgeball. First the Attack of the Clones review, now this: Film Twitter will find his resignation on their desk first thing tomorrow. As for this episode: enjoy.

RUNNING ORDER (all timings approx.)

INTRO/LISTENERS QUESTION: 0:00.00 - 20:13.00
JON BATISTE
MOVIE NEWS: 38:33.00 - 1:01:14.00
JOAQUIN PHOENIX & VANESSA KIRBY
REVIEWS: 1:19:03.00 - 1:43:45.00
JENNIFER LEE & OUTRO

Can you tell the SAG-AFTRA strike is over after several long months, folks? We sure can, because the Empire Podcast this week was besieged by big-name Hollywood actor-types, all keen to appear on the podcast after months of walking up and down outside studios with picket signs. First up, the wonderful Rachel Zegler returns to the pod to talk to Sophie Butcher about starring in the Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes, and brings her British co-star, Tom Blyth, with her. Then, John Nugent sits down on Zoom for an engrossing chat about Killers Of The Flower Moon and the history surrounding it and the Osage people with that film's breakout star, Lily Gladstone. And then, because it's British Actors Named Tom Week, apparently, the one and only Tom Hiddleston — Loki himself — returns to the pod for a chat with Chris Hewitt about the triumphant final episode of season 2 of Loki. Now, bear in mind, this is a lengthy excerpt from our spoiler special interview (which is available now in full, fact fans), so do not listen to it until you've seen Loki s2. So we've placed it right at the end of the pod (1:45:16.00 - 2:01:42.00, to be precise-ish) for the spoiler-averse. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, for a spell, John Nugent to discuss the worst presents they've ever bought each other, John Candy movies, the week's movie news (there's a lot of MCU and MCU-adjacent stuff this week, you'll be shocked to hear) and to review May December, Saltburn, and that Hunger Games movie with the long title. Welcome back, actors — we missed you! Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast is up later than usual, for which we apologise most sincerely, but we're hopeful that it will be worth the wait. It's a very special live episode, recorded on Thursday night at Leeds Trinity University as part of their Journalism & Media Week, and saw Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer travel to Horsforth in Leeds to have a ton of film-related fun in front of an audience of Empire Podcast listeners and media students. But that's not all — the brilliant Gareth Evans, director of The Raid and The Raid 2, travelled with the team as both our very special guest and an honorary Colleague Of Such Lethal Cunning, sitting in with us for the entire show. Which means you'll hear Gareth in the Movie News section, where the team discuss the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike and a whole bunch of trailers; the Reviews segment, where they cast their eye over The Marvels, Anatomy Of A Fall, Fingernails, and Dream Scenario; and the Q&A section at the end, which sees more than a few questions thrown Mr. Evans' way. He also fills us in on the status of his eagerly-anticipated Tom Hardy action thriller, Havoc. Also, in a pre-recorded interview that starts at 1:16:29.00 and ends at 1:32:35.00 (approx), Chris has a fun chat with Nia DaCosta, the director of the latest MCU film, The Marvels. We had an absolute blast recording this — thanks to everyone who came, and to Darren Harper and the staff/volunteers at Leeds Trinity University for making us feel so welcome. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as we did.

A Matter Of Life And Death. The Red Shoes. Black Narcissus. The Tales Of Hoffmann. The Small Back Room. The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp. I Know Where I'm Going. We could just fill this blurb box by simply listing the films of Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, the filmmaking duo who might just be British cinema's greatest double act, but we won't. Instead, we'll tell you that their work is currently being celebrated in an amazing nationwide BFI retrospective called Cinema Unbound (check it out and book tickets for screenings and events etc. at bfi.org.uk), and that put us in the mood to put together a special in their honour. And what's truly special about it is the interview that John Nugent conducted with Thelma Schoonmaker, the legendary editor of Martin Scorsese's films, and who was married to Powell until his death 1990 (in fact, Scorsese introduced her to Powell); and Kevin Macdonald, the Scottish film director who is Emeric Pressburger's grandson. On the other side of that wonderful, warm interview, Chris Hewitt invites P&P superfans Ian Freer, Nick de Semlyen and the aforementioned John Nugent into the podbooth to wax lyrical about their favourite Powell & Pressburger moments, movies and more. It's a belter. Enjoy.

Blimey, it's another cracking line-up on this week's Empire Podcast, as first Sophie Butcher chats with Bottoms director Emma Seligman about female fight clubs and improv; Chris Hewitt talks to The Royal Hotel director, Kitty Green, about her excellent drama set in the Australian Outback (and yes, there's a question about snakes); and finally there's an excerpt from Chris' interview with the legendary Sir Patrick Stewart, who talks about writing his memoir, Making It So. (The full version of this interview will be up soon, folks!) Then, using Star Trek-esque technology, Chris beams into the podbooth this week and is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and the aforementioned Sophie Butcher as they pay a fond tribute to the great Matthew Perry, get given a chance to wave a magic wand in the direction of Marvel Studios, discuss the week's movie news, and review The Royal Hotel, How To Have Sex, Nyad, Pain Hustlers, and Bottoms. It's a packed show, and has more Friends quotes than you could shake a copy of Ms Chanandler Bong's TV Guide at. Enjoy.

TIMESTAMPS (approx. timings)

Intro/Matthew Perry/MCU: 0:00.00 - 28:44.00
Emma Seligman: 28:44.01 - 44:31.00
Movie News: 44:31.01 - 58:06.00
Kitty Green: 58:06.00 - 1:15:56.00
Reviews: 1:15:56.01 - 1:35:21.00
Patrick Stewart Excerpt: 1:35:22.00 - 1:47:49.00

It's not so much a hat-trick of amazing guests on this week's Empire Podcast, more a hat-treat as our bumper-sized Halloween edition brings you, tucked away at the episode's end (should you wish to skip there immediately), Ben Travis' warm and wonderful chat with Greta Gerwig, director of the year's biggest movie, Barbie, just in time to mark its release on home entertainment. Plus, Alex Godfrey catches up with Matt Johnson, director of the brilliant Blackberry, and Chris Hewitt talks Hammer and breaking into Pinewood Studios (hopefully not with a hammer) with the newly-revived studio's first title star, Eddie Izzard, star of Doctor Jekyll. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent for a spooktacular episode in which they reveal their greatest horror movie set visit experiences, talk about their ultimate monster mashes, discuss the week's movie news, and review David Fincher's The Killer, Five Nights At Freddy's, Liam Neeson's Retribution, and Cat Person. Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS! (all approx.)

Eddie Izzard: 28:39.00 - 45:12.00
Matt Johnson: 1:05:28.00 - 1:25:07.00
Greta Gerwig: 1:46:55.00 - 2:04:56.00

Another week, another episode of the Empire Podcast, another bumper crop of incredible guests. First, we bring you the enormously fun Richard Armitage interview that was recorded live at our recent London Podcast Festival show, where he talked to Chris Hewitt about becoming an author with his debut novel, Geneva (on sale now, fact fans). That runs from 23:21.00 - 45:51.00 (approx.) Then, Chris talks to the legendary documentarian, Errol Morris (1:03:32.00 - 1:20:20.00), about his John Le Carre documentary, The Pigeon Tunnel, and the art of interviewing, and finally Neel Bhatt has a natter with Garth Davis (1:43:58.00 - 1:57:36.00), director of the sci-fi drama, Foe. Then, in the podbooth, Chris comes dangerously close to infecting Helen O'Hara and James Dyer with the dreaded lurgy, but they brave it out and end up talking, and listing in order, the films of Martin Scorsese, discussing the week's movie news, and reviewing Scorsese's Killers Of The Flower Moon, plus The Burial, Foe, The Pigeon Tunnel, and Trolls Band Together. Oh, and they pay tribute to two of the MCU's fallen heroes in a conversation (4:10.00 - 7:58.00 approx) that might spoil Avengers Endgame, so be careful if you haven't seen it. Marty, we're talking to you. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast would have been a lot longer had we kept in all the bits where Chris Hewitt was coughing. Needless to say, we cut (most) of them out (probably), leaving instead another fine and fun episode in which Chris is joined in the studio by James Dyer and Helen O'Hara, thus putting them at risk of infection. Thankfully, none of them turn into mindless zombies (how could we tell?) as they discuss the week's news, including the sad passing of Terence Davies, Kevin Costner's big-screen comeback, and rumoured upheaval at both Marvel Studios and A24, review The Miracle Club, Shortcomings, BlackBerry and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, and fail spectacularly to name all the Carry On movies. Oh, and James bangs on about Taylor Swift, which makes a change. Our guest this week is the wonderful actor Randall Park, who talks to Chris (50:56.00 - 1:07:01.00) about making the step up to directing with his excellent indie debut, Shortcomings, plus how he methodically built his acting career over the years. This is Good Audio Content, folks. Good. Audio. Content. Enjoy.

The London Film Festival — one of the greatest festivals in the world, and we're not just saying that because it's right on our doorstep and we can see a film and still be home in time for a combo of cocoa and Columbo — is back back back, folks, and to celebrate we are once again bringing you a special episode of the Empire Podcast. This one is a little different, in that it features two brief interviews with Michael Winterbottom and Randall Park, two directors who both have films at the festival (Shoshana and Shortcomings, respectively), in which they tell Chris Hewitt about their film festival experiences in general. If you want to hear more from both men, longer interviews will be gracing regular episodes of the Empire Podcast soon. Then, Chris is joined in the virtual podbooth by Beth Webb, Ben Travis, and Sophie Butcher, who talk about their LFF memories and then recommend the films that they are looking forward to most this year. Enjoy.

Another hat-trick of directors on this week's beautifully-designed, utterly symmetrical Empire Podcast, folks. First, Ben Travis says what a marvellous day for a chat with David Gordon Green, director of The Exorcist: Believer. Then, Beth Webb (yes, actual Beth Webb, back on the podcast!) chats with Chloe Domont, the writer/director of the savage relationship drama, Fair Play. And then John Nugent travels to Venice to have a chat with the one and only Wes Anderson — who was wearing pyjamas monogrammed with his own initials — about his Roald Dahl short films, currently streaming on Netflix. John didn't have any pod equipment with him, which is why his audio is slightly spotty in this one. Then, back in the virtual podbooth, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann for a fun episode in which they review The Exorcist: Believer, Fair Play, The Great Escaper and Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, come to grips with an almost total absence of movie news, and answer a listener question (well, more of a challenge, really) that leaves Amon, Helen and James in particular shaken AND stirred. Enjoy.

RUNNING ORDER (all timings approx)
Intro/Listeners Question
David Gordon Green: 23:24.00 - 42.48.00
Movie News
Chloe Domont: 54:21.00 - 1:12:51.00
Reviews
Wes Anderson: 1:36:29.00 - 1:56:09.00

Loki who's back! Yes, it's Tom Hiddleston's God Of Mischief, back for another season of melon-melting misadventures with the time-hopping TVA. And in this very special preview of Loki season 2, Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with the show's executive producer, Kevin R. Wright, and Marvel visual effects legend-turned-director Dan DeLeeuw to talk about Loki's arc, the show's unique aesthetic, new characters, and more. This is a preview episode, and we're very mindful of spoilers, so this should be safe for you to listen to before the first episode drops on Disney+ on Friday October 6. However, DeLeeuw is the director of the season's second episode, and so much of that conversation is focused on that, so you might want to wait a week or so before you listen to all of that. Or ask the TVA to sort it out for you. They're good with time, we hear. Enjoy.

We love the London Podcast Festival — held every year at our spiritual home of Kings Place, London — so much that this year we did not one, but TWO podcasts there. The first, aka The Artist Also Known As Episode 581, is already up for your listening pleasure, but we're very excited and proud to bring you the second, which is the mash-up episode the Empire Podcast team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer — recorded with the brilliant ladies of the Drunk Women Solving Crime podcast. That's a pod, if you haven't guessed, in which a group of women — Taylor Glenn, Hannah George, and Catie Wilkins — solve crime. While drunk (mostly). So, naturally, we were the only choice to team up with them for the LPF, given that Chris and Helen are teetotal, and James only drinks to forget. Anyway, we had a simply lovely time with the Drunk Women gang, solving a true-life Hollywood crime, suggesting our own entries for Worst Movie Crime, and then helping to crack the case of an audience member or two. It was raucous, hilarious, and features the best Jennifer Coolidge impression this side of... well, of Jennifer Coolidge. Enjoy.

It's another jam-packed episode of the Empire Podcast this week, as Chris Hewitt chats to three very different directors, and learns a lot about them (and himself) along the way. First up is John Carney, the Irish director of ultra-charming musical comedy-dramas like Sing Street and his new movie, Flora & Son, who tells Chris all about his first guitar, focusing on his childhood, and directing Eve Hewson in the title role. Then Gareth Edwards, who makes a triumphant return this week with new sci-fi The Creator some seven years after his bruising experience directing Rogue One, sits down with Chris for a natter about opening weekends, and forging the right creative path. And last but not least, Chris talks caps (financial and sartorial) with Craig Gillespie, director of Dumb Money. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they talk about the movie they've seen most often in the last ten years; discuss actual movie news in the week that the Writers' Strike finally got resolved; and review Saw X, No One Will Save You, The Creator, and The Old Oak, which is reportedly the last film for the legendary Ken Loach. Oh, and James declares war on a badger. Enjoy.
TIMESTAMPS (ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?):

Intro/Listeners Question: 0:00.00 -- 20:38
John Carney -- 20:38 - 39:24
Movie News -- 39:25 - 1:01:00
Gareth Edwards -- 1:02:00 - 1:19:00
Reviews -- 1:19:05 - 1:40:00
Craig Gillespie/Outro -- 1:40:05 - 1:58:52

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees comedian, actor, writer, director and future King of England, Mike Birbiglia, drop by the podbooth to have an extended, but very funny, natter with Chris Hewitt about Birbiglia's one-man show, The Old Man And The Pool, which is on now at the Wyndham's Theatre in London. They talk about that, about Mike's attempts to crack Ireland, about his movie Don't Think Twice (from 2016), and more. Then Chris is joined on Zoom by Brian Duffield, the writer/director of the very good alien/home invasion thriller, No One Will Save You, which hits Disney+ this week. And either side of those, Chris is joined in the studio by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode in which they further develop a plan to save cinema, try heroically to stretch the movie news section out to a decent length despite the absence of any movie news, and review Flora & Son, Dumb Money, Ballywalter, and The Expend4bles, which we regret to inform you appears to be the film's official title. Oh, and Chris has a few timestamps of interest for those asking. Bear in mind, these are approx, because of adverts and such, but Mike Birbiglia runs from 19:38 to 47:04 or thereabouts; Brian Duffield is 1:05:00 to 1:22:00, and there's a very special one for the guy who left us a glowing review on Apple's podcast store the other week, but nevertheless gave us two stars because we often forget to include timestamps. You, and he, can find that between 06:28 and 06:33. Enjoy!

They say you should never invite a vampire into your home, because then they can come and go as they please, without even stopping to do the dishes. But what if you invite the director of a vampire movie into your podcast? Well, frankly, Pablo Larrain, the brilliant Chilean director of Jackie, No, and Spencer is welcome to drop into the podbooth any time after this week's episode, in which Chris Hewitt invites him to sit down and natter all about his new movie, El Conde, in which the Chilean director, General Pinochet, is reimagined as a bloodsucking, power-hungry vampire. Either side of that chat (which starts at 41:36.00 approximately, and goes on to 1:00:52.00 approx.), Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer. Together, the trio chat about James' Indiana Jones-related mishap in a film quiz, they look at the week's movie news (such as it is; this was recorded before the Aquaman 2 trailer dropped); and review Kenneth Branagh's A Haunting In Venice, El Conde, Brother, Love Life, and Cassandro. Plus, they tackle a listener question about the impact of Covid and the current strikes on cinema chains, and come up with a revolutionary path forward for cinema. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast is a little late, folks, for which we apologise. But we have an exceptionally good excuse — we didn't actually record it until Saturday night, when Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis took to the stage of Kings Place's Hall One, in front of a crowd of around 350 loyal listeners, as part of this year's London Podcast Festival. And this is that show, in which our intrepid quartet bravely tackle an almost comical lack of movie news, review Celine Song's Past Lives, Michael Chaves' The Nun II, and Nia Vardalos' My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, answer a bunch of audience questions, and — we cannot state this enough, for legal reasons — do not make plans to kidnap Ryan Reynolds. They were also joined on the night by ace composer Daniel Pemberton, who told Chris and Helen all about how he used a goose on the score for Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, and there's a lovely pre-recorded chat between Celine Song, director of the sumptuous Past Lives, and Nick de Semlyen. FYI: Richard Armitage also popped in on the night to tell Chris all about his first novel, the thriller Geneva, but since that's not out until October 12 we're holding that interview back until around then. As ever with our live shows, it's pure chaos, but we had a whale of a time doing it, and hope you have likewise listening. Enjoy. TIMESTAMPS (approx.)CELINE SONG: 21:56.00 - 42:18.00DANIEL PEMBERTON: 1:03:55.00 - 1:22:40.00

This week's Empire Podcast sees the arrival of Chris Hewitt's pre-beloved The Equalizer 3, and that film's director, the delightfully sweary Antoine Fuqua, joins Chris to talk about that film, about the challenges of getting Denzel Washington to ride a horse (not for this film), and ultra-violence on the big screen. With blood and gore already covered off, our other guest, Passages writer/director Ira Sachs, talks about the challenges of shooting sex scenes, and battling censorship, for his new film, which sees Franz Rogowski, Ben Whishaw, and Adele Exarchopoulos engage in a love triangle. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined for a raucous episode by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer and, making her debut in the fourth chair, Australian author and massive geek Maria Lewis. She tells us all about her encounters with a brown snake, her upcoming book The Graveyard Shift, and chats with the podteam about their favourite numerical system when it comes to sequels and franchises, the week's movie news (such as it is), and even chips in during the reviews section, when the team take a look at The Equalizer 3, Cobweb, Passages, Vacation Friends 2 and You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah. Oh, and the presence of an Australian in the podbooth can mean only one thing: hold onto your ears, the Aussie accents are coming out. Fair dinkum. Enjoy.

Another Empire Podcast, another trio of terrific guests. The wonderful young British actor Harris Dickinson joins us once again, and tells Chris Hewitt all about his new movie, Scrapper, and his cinema-going preferences (24:24 - 39:20). Then Sophie Butcher Zooms in for a chat with Theater Camp (yes, that's the American spelling; no, we're not happy about it) co-director, Nick Lieberman (1:03:44 - 1:20:07). And then that Hewitt fella is back in his sister's kitchen once again for a chat with Juel Taylor, director of the magnificent They Cloned Tyrone (1:38:33 - 1:54:14). Then Chris manages to zip all the way from Northern Ireland to the podbooth for the rest of the ep, where he's joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a chat about animated shows that deserve a live-action version; a discussion of the week's movie news, including the trailer for Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon and a hastily recorded reaction to the news of Dune Part II's release date shift; and review Scrapper, Theatre Camp (British spelling! HA!), The Innocent, and The Blackening. Oh, and they sing a ton of theme tunes, if that's your bag. Enjoy -- 'ave a banana!

HANDS! CORNER! BEHIND! Those three words can mean only one thing: one of our favourite shows, FX's The Bear, is back for its second season, and that's an occasion so momentous that the Empire Podcast and Pilot TV Podcast teams have once again joined forces to wax lyrical about it (in association with Disney+). Join Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and Kay 'The Bear' Ribeiro as they talk about what they loved about the first season of Christopher Storer's Emmy-nominated comedy-drama, look ahead to season 2 (all episodes are now streaming on Disney+, fact fans), and talk about food, music, and Taylor Swift tickets. Enjoy!

Hands! Corner! Behind! No, we're not trying to activate The Winter Soldier — these phrases will make sense to you once you've watched the excellent new comedy-drama, FX's The Bear, the first season of which is now streaming on Disney+. It follows Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a highly-rated and extraordinarily-talented chef who swaps being a rising star on the New York fine dining scene for the relentless grind of running a sandwich shop in Chicago, bequeathed to him after the death of his older brother. And in this latest crossover episode of the Empire Film Podcast and the Pilot TV Podcast, in association with Disney+, Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and Beth Webb get their teeth into The Bear, talking about its intensity, its humour, their own relationships with food and fine dining, and much, much more. It's a pod so good we give it three Michelin stars. And that, friends, is definitely a recommendation. Enjoy!