Introduction

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, they cast their eyes over The Lost King, The Woman King, Amsterdam, Michael Giacchino's MCU oddity Werewolf By Night, and Vengeance. Enjoy.