The Empire Film Podcast Escape From Malcatraz (ft. guests Benedict Cumberbatch & Dylan Southern; Joel Edgerton & Clint Bentley; Ariana Greenblatt)
Nov 21, 2025
Benedict Cumberbatch, acclaimed for his roles in major films, shares insights about his emotionally charged performance in The Thing With Feathers and discusses the film's unique creature design with director Dylan Southern. Southern explains his decade-long journey to adapt the book into a film. Then, Joel Edgerton discusses his role in Train Dreams, emphasizing the emotional depth of his character. Finally, young actress Ariana Greenblatt talks about joining the Now You See Me franchise and her magical training experiences on set.
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Best Self‑Portrayal Performances
- Hosts debated best actor-playing-themselves moments, highlighting John Malkovich and Nicolas Cage as standout self-portrayals.
- They treated cameos (e.g., Bill Murray in Zombieland) as iconic but distinct from full performances.
Prioritise Aftercare For Intense Roles
- Benedict Cumberbatch emphasised self-care and aftercare when performing intense roles.
- He advises preparing with safeguards and people to check in on your wellbeing during difficult shoots.
Post‑Shoot Blues And The Prince Charles Visit
- Dylan Southern described feeling adrift after the shoot ended and watching films to re-find normality.
- He experienced a surprising grief for the intense filmmaking period once production stopped.
