The Empire Film Podcast

Another bumper belting bangily-banger this week, folks, as the Empire Podcast marks the eagerly-awaited arrival of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever by dispatching Amon Warmann to talk to two of its stars, Dania Gurira — Okoye herself — and the MCU's latest menace, Namor The Sub-Mariner, aka Tenoch Huerta Mejía. Then, Chris Hewitt has a chat with Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, the filmmaking duo behind the trippy and terrific Something In The Dirt. But that's not all — in the virtual podbooth this week, Chris is joined by Amon, James Dyer, and Helen O'Hara to talk about the Christmas movies they wish could have sequels (and things take a turn for the dark pretty quickly), discuss the week's movie news, review Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Hellraiser, The Wonder, My Father's Dragon, Slumberland and Is That Black Enough For You?, while all trying desperately to name every movie Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg have made together. Who will be the lone survivor? Find out by listening. Enjoy!

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Daniel Radcliffe make his second pod-appearance of the year, as he tells Chris Hewitt all about playing Weird Al Yankovic in the riotous faux-biopic, Weird. They also talk about accents, living in New York, and what Radcliffe's own biopic would be called. And names are on the agenda with Jennifer Lawrence too, as the Oscar-winning actress returns with her contemplative drama, Causeway, the first movie to be produced by her company, Excellent Cadaver. In our interview, she and director Lila Neugebauer tell Chris all about the how and why of the movie's name change from Red, White & Water, about working in a heated swimming pool, and more. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent to discuss the week's movie news, being replaced by Liam Hemsworth, review EVERY FILM IN THE WORLD including Enola Holmes 2, Living, Weird, Causeway, All Quiet On The Western Front, and Something In The Dirt, and tackle the thorny issue of whi

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Billy Eichner, writer/star of rom-com Bros, and his co-star Luke Macfarlane, sit down with Chris Hewitt for a fun and frank chat about shooting sex scenes, Eichner's long struggle to bring a gay love story to the big screen with the backing of a major studio, and why podcasts are the new porn. Then Chris also sits down with British actress Georgina Campbell, star of this week's cracking new horror Barbarian, for a spoiler-free chat which includes Campbell's Halloween double-bill recommendations. Then Chris is joined in the virtual podbooth by Helen O'Hara and Ella Kemp for a fun episode in which they try not to answer any questions about scary films, but end up talking about the most terrifying movie clowns anyway. They also discuss the week's movie news, including James Gunn being hired as co-CEO of DC Studios, and review Bros, Barbarian, The Good Nurse, Triangle Of Sadness, and Wendell & Wild. Oh, and Chris loses his mind over an upcoming threequel. No, not

The Good Nurse is a sombre, serious and affecting drama based on the story of Charles Cullen, one of the most notorious serial killer cases in American history, with superb performances from Eddie Redmayne as Cullen, who abused his position as a nurse to kill patients, and Jessica Chastain as Amy Loughren, a fellow nurse and friend who helped the police apprehend Cullen and put a stop to a spree that had lasted for more than a decade and, it is believed, accounted for hundreds of victims. It was also Empire's gala presentation at this year's BFI London Film Festival, and in our latest Empire Podcast special, Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with Chastain and Redmayne, director Tobias Lindholm and writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns, for chats about the movie, its dark subject matter, its scathing criticism of the American healthcare system, and much, much more. Enjoy.

Who hasn't found themselves consumed with thoughts of Pierce Brosnan films after reading the instructions on a microwaveable ready meal? And rightly so, for the Irish superstar has made a number of memorable movies over the years, including some in which he played a memorable number. But now to the iconic likes of James Bond and Thomas Crown, we can add Doctor Fate, the character Brosnan plays in the new DCEU movie, Black Adam. And on this week's Empire Podcast, The Artist Formerly Known As Bronhom tells Amon Warmann all about that, about shooting The Thomas Crown Affair, and pays a heartfelt tribute to his former Bond comrade, the late Robbie Coltrane. Our other guests this week are Emma Corrin and Michael Grandage, star and director respectively of the love-triangle melodrama My Policeman, who tell Ella Kemp all about their experiences making that movie. Either side of those, Chris Hewitt is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent for a fun episode in which they discuss the horro

"Now it's time for Halloween Ends, Halloween Ends, Halloween Ends — Empire Podcast!" Yes, folks, Halloween is just around the corner and with it, the debut of Halloween Ends, David Gordon Green's conclusion to the retconned sequel trilogy that continues the story that began so memorably in John Carpenter's Halloween. That, of course, introduced the world to Michael Myers and one Jamie Lee Curtis as his nemesis, Laurie Strode, and now, over forty years on, Curtis returns to the pod for the third year in a row to have a chat with Amon Warmann about saying goodbye to Laurie, about a possible Knives Out return, and about rapping to and for Michelle Yeoh. Our other guest this week is one of our favourite British actors (and also, as the star of The Haunting Of Hill House and The Invisible Man, someone with a background in horror), the brilliant Oliver Jackson-Cohen, who talks to Ella Kemp about his new movie, Emily, about speaking French on screen, and much, much more. Then, in the podbooth this week, Chris Hewitt

Who doesn't love a bit of Hans Zimmer blasting through their speakers/earbuds/headphones [delete as applicable]? The legendary Oscar-winning composer has been soundtracking our cinematic lives for decades now, and recently has started taking the show on the road with an incredible live tour and, as of March next year, a live album called Hans Zimmer Live. (See hanszimmerlive.com for more details) So, when the great man popped into London last week and let it be known he was up for speaking to the Empire Podcast, there was only one person in the Zimmer frame: super-fan Amon Warmann, who popped along to talk to the composer about his live shows, creating the best setlist imaginable, and synths. Lots of synths. As Hans himself might say, 'bloody 'ell!' (That'll make sense in about half an hour, trust us.) Enjoy!

Hat-tricks aren't exclusive to that robotic Haaland fella, you know, as this week's Empire Podcast sees a trio of cracking interviews with three pairs of guests. First, Helen O'Hara sits down for a fun chat with The Woman King's right-hand ladies, Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim. Then Chris Hewitt talks to The Lost King's screenwriting duo, Steve Coogan (yes, that one) and Jeff Pope about following up Philomena with another true-life tale. And finally, after coming so close on Thor Love & Thunder, we finally sit down for a natter with Christian Bale, as Alex Godfrey talks to the Amsterdam star/producer, and his director David O. Russell, about their new film and their long association. Then, in the virtual podbooth (blame Covid), Chris and Helen and James Dyer pick their brains for the funniest visual gags in superhero movies, discuss the week's movie news including the Super Mario trailer, and the horrible fate (at time of writing) of the Edinburgh International Film Festival and, in the reviews section, t

The second trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever didn't hold back on the emotion that is clearly going to drive Ryan Coogler's MCU mega-sequel, following the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, but it also filled in more of the film's blanks, plot-wise, hinted at some major action sequences, and preserved the mystery of just who is going to take over as the new Black Panther. Plenty, then, for Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and Amon Warmann to dig into in this trailer breakdown special, recorded very late at night, and with one of us down with Covid, so if there's even more brain fog than usual, go easy on us. Enjoy.

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, 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!

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast looks ahead to two of next week's releases, as Maika Monroe makes her first appearance on the pod since 2014 to talk with Chris Hewitt about her new film, Significant Other, bonding with directors, and how she navigated her career after the one-two punch of The Guest and It Follows. Then Chris also has an in-depth chat with B.J. Novak, star of the American version of The Office, about his long-awaited directorial debut, Vengeance, about his dad's Google alerts, and early retirement. Back in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for an episode that packs in plenty of chat about the upcoming London Marathon, in which Helen is running, Tom Hanks' claim that he has made only four pretty good movies in his illustrious career, the announcement of Deadpool 3 with Hugh Jackman returning as Logan/Wolverine, the rest of the movie news, and reviews of Blonde, Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris, Hocus Pocus 2, and Flux Gourmet. Don your business shoes, and get ready

Happy birthday, Mr. Bond. Yes, this October sees 007 turn 0060 with the 60th anniversary of Dr No, the film that brought Ian Fleming's James Bond to the big screen for the first time. The celebrations begin this weekend with a series of Bond At 60 events at the BFI Southbank and BFI Imax, then a The Sound Of Bond concert at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday October 4, headlined by Dame Shirley Bassey, and the debut of Mat Whitecross' documentary, The Sound Of Bond, on Prime Video on October 5. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are the producers who have overseen not one, but two, key reboots of the character, through the Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig eras, firmly keeping alive the traditions established by their father, Albert R. 'Cubby' Broccoli. They've been around since the franchise began — Michael cameoed briefly in Goldfinger in 1964, while a very young Barbara toured the world with her father as the movies became a cultural phenomenon in the Sixties — and in this special interview with Empire's

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast marks the return of the podcast with the best theme tune this side of, well, us, by talking to its co-creator and star. Yes, we're talking all things Alan Partridge with Steve Coogan as series 2 of the Partridge podcast, From The Oasthouse, returns to Audible. Plus, Ben Travis flies to Malta (and boy, were his arms tired) to have a raucous chat with Jurassic World: Dominion stars Bryce Dallas Howard and DeWanda Wise about Colin Trevorrow's Extended Edition. Stop that, you filthy-minded lot. This isn't Carry On Up The Empire Podcast. Speaking of which, back in the podbooth Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss the best gateway horror films for kids; whether the Carry On... series counts as horror; the week's movie news, including Constantine 2 and a mini-episode of The Ranking: Keanu Reeves, and the trailers for M. Night Shyamalan's Knock At The Cabin, and Hellraiser; and they review Don't Worry, Darling, Catherine Calle

Wedding Season is the new thrill-packed, mystery-stuffed rom-com that is now streaming on Disney+. The first-ever UK Original Series on Disney+, it follows the adventures of Stefan (Gavin Drea) and Kate (Rosa Salazar), a couple on the run after Katie's entire wedding party, including her husband, are killed, leaving Katie as the prime suspect, and the cops (and other interested parties) hot on their heels. And in this special crossover episode, brought to you in association with Disney+, the Empire Film Podcast and Pilot TV Podcast teams — Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, and Kay Ribeiro — come together to have a big old natter about the show, about the disastrous weddings they've attended, the nature of love, and the dangers of cake. But that's not all — there are exclusive, and enormously fun, interviews, in which Chris talks to cast members Jamie Michie, George Webster, Bhav Joshi, Omar Baroud and Callie Cooke, plus star Gavin Drea and the show's creator, Oliver Lyttelton. We now pronounce you pod and listener. E

Andor is the latest Star Wars show to hit Disney+, with the first three episodes (of its 12-episode first season) dropping on the service on Wednesday September 21st, but it's a very different beast than, say, The Mandalorian or The Book Of Boba Fett. Instead, Tony Gilroy and Diego Luna's return to the flawed but noble character who, in many ways, was the heart of 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the most ambitious new slab of Star Wars to date. And in this preview podcast, Ben Travis talks to Luna and Gilroy, separately, about their ambitions for the character and for the show, and a host of other things. It's a preview podcast, not a spoiler special, so don't worry, you can listen to this and remain unspoiled for Andor, although we can't say the same for Rogue One. Oops. Enjoy!

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast brings you Reece Shearsmith — our guest at last week's London Podcast Festival live show at Kings Place, London — on sparkling form, as he tells Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and Ben Travis all about new film See How They Run, recruiting actors for Inside No 9, working with David Warner, Peter Kay and Steve Coogan, and much, much more. That can be found at around 00:22:49.00, and finishes around 00:49:00.00 Then, in the podbooth, Chris, Helen and Ben are joined by live show absentee James Dyer for an episode in which Chris defends DC League Of Super-Pets, the team discuss their most memorable cinematic queuing experiences, they cast their eyes over the week's movie news, and they review Clerks III, Ticket To Paradise, Do Revenge, and End Of The Road. Enjoy.

'Ello 'ello 'ello, what's all this then? This week's Empire Podcast — recorded before the news about the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II — sees Sam Rockwell, who plays Inspector Stoppard in breezy new whodunnit See How They Run, reunite with his director, Tom George, and tell Chris Hewitt all about howtheydidit. That can be found from 00:51:13.00 - 01:10:39.00 approx. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris returns to the host's chair after a couple of weeks 'off', and is armed with tales of what's out there in the world of children's TV. He's joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer for a fun episode in which they discuss the week's movie news, review See How They Run, Pinocchio, Crimes Of The Future, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and tackle the big question: if you had to erase the movies of Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey, or Seth Rogen, who would you choose and why? Nobody can ever accuse us of not being highbrow. Enjoy. UPDATE: NOW WITH ACTUAL HELEN. IF YOU HAVE THE VERSION WITHOUT HELEN, DELETE AND RE-UPLOAD.

He is the Lord Of The Dance. The Riveriest of dancers. A man who scares the bejesus out of Chandler Bing. But now Michael Flatley has made the most talked-about movie of the week: his long-awaited motion picture debut, Blackbird, which he also wrote and directed. In a fun and candid interview, Flatley tells Chris Hewitt all about the motivation to make a movie now that his dancing career is behind him, the long delay in getting a release date, and his awareness of the critics lying in wait. Check it out from 00:34:34.00 - 00:52:03.00 (approx.). Then, in the virtual podbooth this week, Helen O'Hara hosts Sophie Butcher and Olly Richards, as they talk about movie pets and the greatest fake ears in movies (yet somehow don't mention Spock; highly illogical), natter about the week's movie news, and review Me Time, George Miller's Three Thousand Years Of Longing, Blackbird, and more. Enjoy.

This week's Empire Podcast sees the ace British actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù — memorably seen breaking heads in Gangs Of London — breaking hearts instead as the most eligible bachelor in England, in the delightful Mr. Malcolm's List. He tells Chris Hewitt all about this gear shift, his extensive research for a period role, and his days as a Harry Potter fan. That can be found between 00:32:45.00 and 00:55:19.00, timestamp fans. Then, in the virtual podbooth this week, Helen O'Hara hosts and brings Amon Warmann and John Nugent along for the ride, discussing average films with great scores, the week's movie news (including the trailer for Empire Of Light, the new Sam Mendes film), and reviewing Mr. Malcolm's List, Beast, Samaritan, and Official Competition. Enjoy.

Just like Chorley FM, this week's episode of the Empire Podcast is Cumming in your ears as Chris Hewitt invites the great Alan Cumming — star of this week's excellent documentary, My Old School — into the podbooth for a fun chat about bagels, surnames, and why making this movie felt like fate. Chris also has a lovely chat with Secret Headquarters star, the wowtastic Owen Wilson, and his directors, Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, which takes in everything from parental responsibility to how to make a toast. Then, in a two-pronged pod recorded in a couple of different locations this week (circumstances beyond our control, folks, but we're sure you'll agree the blend of both halves is utterly seamless), Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss the movie stunts they would love to perform themselves, the week's movie news, and review My Old School, Day Shift, and Secret Headquarters. And Chris tells a Kenneth Branagh-related story that may still be going on, it's hard to tell. Enjoy. Quick interv