The Empire Film Podcast Farewell, Rob (ft. guests Glenn Close; Stephen Lang; Josh Safdie)
Dec 19, 2025
Join Glenn Close, an Academy-nominated actor, as she shares insights on her role in "Wake Up Dead Man" and discusses the creative process with Rian Johnson, emphasizing the impact of costumes on character development. Stephen Lang, known for his captivating portrayal of Colonel Quaritch in "Avatar: Fire and Ash," elaborates on his character's emotional journey and complex relationships in the franchise. The conversation touches on Hollywood dynamics, evolving roles, and the importance of storytelling in film.
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News Can Upend Plans Fast
- Major late-breaking trailers (Avengers Doomsday) and industry moves (Oscars to YouTube) can rapidly upend scheduled podcast plans.
- The team stays flexible and ready to record reaction episodes when big news arrives.
Stephen Lang On Tour And Mocap
- Stephen Lang toured globally promoting Avatar: Fire and Ash, coming from Milan and Paris to London.
- He described evolving performance-capture work and his deepening relationship with James Cameron over the sequels.
Performance Capture Is About Acting
- Performance capture is labelled 'performance capture' now and emphasizes nuanced acting over pure motion data.
- Stephen Lang says acting remains immersive and unchanged despite technical advances.