The Empire Film Podcast

The latest episode of The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor Nick de Semlyen dig into the latest issue of Empire magazine — is here, folks, and it's a cracker. Join Chris and Nick as they talk about the Masters Of The Universe cover story, Chris' encounter with Renny Harlin, and the long pursuit to nab Jon Hamm for Pint Of Milk. We should have just scooped him up in a Hamm-net. Elsewhere in the episode, the two talk Threads, magic trees, and Chris does a First Line Of A Feature read in a Scottish accent. Our apologies to the people of Scotland. We hope this will not damage relations between our countries. Enjoy.

Another week, another episode of The Interviews, the new show that compiles our most compelling cinematic conversations. This week, Chris Hewitt has lovely chats with Rose Byrne about her Oscar-nominated turn in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Neve Campbell on returning as Sidney Prescott for Scream 7, and Corin Hardy about his new horror film, Whistle. The latter is an excerpt from our epic spoiler special interview with Corin, which can be found in full over on our spoiler specials subscription feed. Enjoy!

Want to know the story of how Chris Hewitt almost stepped on Florence Pugh's dress? Well, this isn't the podcast for you, as it features Chris and Helen O'Hara trying to tell that tale, from the press night of Cynthia Erivo's Dracula (sorry, Draclier), only to get sidetracked by a dozen different things and forget to finish it. But if you want to hear Chris, Helen, James Dyer, and John Nugent talk about movie characters falling from great heights, pay tribute to the great Robert Duvall, discuss the latest The Mandalorian And Grogu trailer, and review The Secret Agent, Good Luck Have Fun Don't Die, Wasteman and If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, this is the podcast for you. Oh, and Chris and Helen launch new careers as theatre reviewers too. Guest-wise, Harry Stainer talks to the Oscar-nominated star of the Brazilian thriller, The Secret Agent, one Wagner Moura, and his director, Kleber Mendonça Filho. It's a cracking episode, even if we're still nowhere nearer to finding a nickname for Tin Jim. Enjoy.

The Interviews returns this week, folks, with a bumper-sized edition of chatty goodness. First, Chris talks to David Jonsson and Tom Blyth, the stars of hard-hitting prison drama, Wasteman, about the impact of their movie, and wild auditions. Then, Chris has a right giggle with Asim Chaudhry, who is one of the potential saviours of the world recruited by Sam Rockwell in Gore Verbinski's Good Luck Have Fun Don't Die. And, finally, Chris has an audience with a genuinely legendary film critic, the great Leonard Maltin, who tells Chris all about his new book, Every Movie Is A Miracle, meeting Buster Keaton, and starring in Gremlins 2. Three cracking interviews about three wildly different subjects. Every movie podcast is a miracle. Enjoy.

Love is very much in the air on the Empire Podcast this week, as Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Becky Darke cram themselves into the podbooth and get all misty-eyed over Jason Voorhees, the masked maniac from the Friday The 13th movies, just in time for his birthday. But Valentine's Day also looms large this weekend, so the podteam answer a listener question about the worst choices made in rom-coms. The answers will shock you. Elsewhere, our intrepid quartet discuss the week's movie news, including the shock news that Mike Flanagan has decided to adapt a Stephen King story, and review Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights, Bart Layton's Crime 101, Corin Hardy's Whistle, and Hasan Hadi's The President's Cake. And Helen sits down on Zoom with Emerald Fennell to ask her all about her adaptation of the classic novel. [45:29 - 1:02:11 approx] Enjoy!

Playful on-set tales about Sam Raimi directing with a paper bag on his head and other bizarre behind-the-scenes antics. A spirited debate builds a Mount Rushmore of EGOT legends, with picks ranging from Spielberg to Alan Menken. Early takes on Sam Mendes' Beatles project and reactions to trailers sit alongside a packed review block covering Send Help, Riz Ahmed’s Hamlet, Twinless, and a string of new films.

Kristen Stewart, actress-turned-director making her debut with The Chronology of Water, talks influences, nonverbal directing and collaborating with Imogen Poots. Jared Bush, Disney Animation writer-director of Zootropolis 2, discusses the film’s long development, joke crafting, huge global success and surprise cameos. Short, candid chats about craft, collaboration and big-studio storytelling.

Chris Appelhans, writer-director and visual artist who shaped the film’s look and music integration. Maggie Kang, writer-director and animator who fought to center Korean culture and fresh female characters. They discuss the film’s sudden global surge, how streaming and TikTok amplified reach, their character-driven song approach, design choices from makeup to fashion, and the possibilities for sequels and live performances.

Will Arnett, Canadian-American actor and comedian who co-wrote and stars in the film, and Bradley Cooper, American actor and filmmaker who directed and co-wrote it, join to discuss their 27-year friendship and how it shaped the project. They talk about prepping real stand-up, recreating authentic club energy, sound mixing choices, staging the opening beat, and how vulnerability informs the story.

Derek Cianfrance, filmmaker known for intimate dramas like Blue Valentine, chats about directing Roofman and adapting a true story. He discusses filming on location, balancing comedy and tragedy, casting Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, and portraying the complex humanity behind criminal acts.