The Empire Film Podcast

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt, Alex Godfrey and Beth Webb bid a sad, but heartfelt, farewell to the great David Lynch, who has died at the age of 78. It's also an epic epitaph in many ways, clocking in at around 40 minutes, as the trio, all huge Lynch fans, pay tribute to the genius behind Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Dr., Twin Peaks, and more. [44:18 - 1:26:33 approx] Elsewhere in the episode, which was recorded before the news broke of Lynch's passing, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to discuss great bike moments in movies, chat about the BAFTA nominations and the new Daredevil: Born Again trailer, and review A Complete Unknown, William Tell, Back In Action, and Wolf Man. And there are interviews aplenty, as Chris talks to a whole bunch of folks: there's a riotous, chaotic chat with A Real Pain stars Jesse Eisenberg (who also wrote and directed the movie) and Kieran Culkin, as they talk food, films, and feet [19:06 - 44:18 approx]; A Complete Unknown director James Mangold calls in from LA to talk about why he was drawn to Bob Dylan [1:43:03 - 1:57:39 approx]; and Wolf Man star, Christopher Abbott, who tells us why he might start a new club with Colin Farrell and Jeff Goldblum. [2:23:50 - 2:37:57 approx] Otherwise, it's all about Lynch, as it should be. Farewell, sir.

Here it is, folks. The 650th episode (if you don't count all the other episodes) of the Empire Podcast, recorded live on Friday January 10th in front of a sell-out crowd at our spiritual home of Kings Place, London. And it's an absolute belter, in which Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Beth Webb show barely a passing awareness of the week's movie news, review A Real Pain, Babygirl, and Maria, and answer a bunch of questions from the audience. There will be singing. There will be plenty of film-related fun. And there will be guests galore, as Chris sits down with Get Away writer/star, Nick Frost; Beth chats with Babygirl star, Harris Dickinson, making his second live show appearance; Alex Godfrey pops up to have a natter with William Tell star, Claes Bang (and we all get mildly distracted by his coat); and Helen has a pow-wow with Joe Alwyn, star of The Brutalist, the film that might just win the Oscar race. All the guests can be found in one super-long section between 49:56 and 2:08:14, approx. As ever, thanks to everyone who made this evening possible, from the Kings Place team to our guests; thanks to you guys for coming and for continuing to support the pod; and thanks to cinema for being so goshdarn cinematic. Enjoy.

We're back! Yes, after a whole week off for the Christmas holidays, the Empire Podcast has returned to darken your aural doors once more, and the first pod of 2025 is an absolute belter, as Chris Hewitt sits down with four incredible guests. First, he talks carousel horses and chocolate with We Live In Time stars, Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. [24:27 - 36:32 approx] Second, he welcomes Nosferatu star Nicholas Hoult back to the pod, and they talk about embracing fear, giving golf lessons in costume, and Hoult taking over the pod one day. [55:19 - 1:11:23 approx] Third, he has a lovely natter with Giovanni Ribisi about his 15-year overnight success as DP of last year's excellent Strange Darling, which is available now in various formats for your home viewing pleasure. [1:41:51 - 1:57:00 approx] Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara and debutante Becky Darke for a fun episode in which they make bold and no doubt wildly off-kilter box office predictions for the year ahead, discuss Chris Nolan's The Odyssey (and not Draclier, bah!), and then review Nosferatu, Nickel Boys, and We Live In Time. The perfect listening accompaniment to that Celebrations sandwich you're currently making, we reckon. Enjoy.

2024 showcased a mix of cinematic gems and misses. The hosts reflect on listener insights and highlight pivotal films like 'Inside Out 2' and 'Dune.' They explore emotional depth in performances, especially in horror, and share personal anecdotes from memorable screenings. A spirited debate arises over the impact of streaming versus theatrical releases, revealing frustrations and delights. The conversation wraps up with rankings of the year's top films, emphasizing the importance of originality amidst a landscape full of sequels.

Merry Christmas, listeners! Here, as a special Christmas Eve present, is an episode of The Ranking, the show in which four Empire writers get together and argue the toss over a whole bunch of themed films. (And yes, we know this is the first one in ages. We promise to do better in 2025!) Anyway, it's Christmas Eve, the time when Ebenezer Scrooge was visited by three ghosts and shown the error of his ways in Charles Dickens' classic tale, A Christmas Carol. It's a timeless story, and one beloved of the movies and the telly, which has adapted it in dozens of ways over the years. And for this special episode, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Neel Bhatt, and Jamie Graham immersed themselves in Dickens for what seemed like weeks on end, all with a view to finding the greatest Christmas Carol of them all. Will it be the Finney? The Sim? The Carrey? The Caine? The Murray? Or The Complete Surprise? Listen on to find out in this fun episode that is not — we repeat, not — sponsored by Spirited, in any way. Enjoy.

Aaron Pierre, the talented British actor known for roles in 'The Underground Railroad' and 'Mufasa: The Lion King', shares insights on portraying a younger Mufasa and the challenges faced during filming. Robbie Williams discusses his unique biopic, exploring emotional depth through innovation, including being portrayed by a CGI chimp. Ben Schwartz and Jeff Fowler dive into the evolution of 'Sonic the Hedgehog', while Nick Park reflects on the magic of Wallace and Gromit. The discussions are filled with humor and personal anecdotes, celebrating filmmaking at its most creative.

It's the penultimate Empire Podcast of the year, folks, and to celebrate the impending season of goodwill to all, we've brought you another bumper episode. Which is nice of us. Guest-wise, Chris Hewitt sits down once again with one of our favourite guests, Gerry 'Gerard' Butler, to talk about his decidedly un-Gerry Butler-like role as Santa himself in charming kids movie The Night Before Christmas In Wonderland, [17:52 - 32:42 approx] while Helen O'Hara chats The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim with that film's director, Kenji Kamiyama, and producers Jason DeMarco and Joseph Chou, who also serves as Kamiyama's interpreter. [57:32 - 1:10:30 approx] That's an excerpt from the War Of The Rohirrim live event we did last week for our Empire VIP Club members, fact fans. And Helen also pops up again in the interviewer's chair to grill Jon M. Chu on how he directed Wicked, in a spoiler-free excerpt from our spoiler special, which is also out now. [1:34:32 - 1:43:57 approx] Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen and James Dyer to tackle some Christmassy questions from the Empire Podcast subreddit, while they also discuss the week's movie news, including the 28 Years Later trailer and the rumoured demise of the SPUMC, and review The War Of The Rohirrim, Kraven The Hunter, Queer, and Carry-On. Oh, and Chris gets legitimately freaked out by the unexpected arrival of a sinister festive guest. Enjoy.

Cate Blanchett, an Academy Award-winning actress known for her roles in films like 'Blue Jasmine', shares insights on her latest film 'Rumors' and discusses the peculiarities of surreal cinema. Amy Adams, celebrated for her work in 'Arrival', delves into the emotional depths of motherhood in 'Night Bitch', revealing how the film explores identity and transformation. The conversation also touches on genre blending and the challenges faced during filming in Hungary, making for a delightful exchange of experiences and reflections.

Skeleton Crew is the latest Star Wars show to launch on Disney+, with a two-episode premiere dropping on Tuesday December 3rd. And to get you in the mood for the show, which follows the misfortunes of four young kids who find themselves thrust into all kinds of adventures with space pirates, droids, and a mysterious man called Jod (Jude Law), here's an Empire Podcast preview special, in which Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom for two really fun interviews with the show's co-creators and head writers, Jon Watts (who also directed the first episode), and Christopher Ford, and the great Nick Frost, who voices brand new droid, SM-33. Fear not, ye hearties, for no spoilers lurk within. Instead, they set up the world of the show, talk about the characters, and someone might do a great Nick Frost impression. Maybe. Enjoy.

It's a shorter Empire Podcast this week, folks (blame Hollywood for shutting down for Thanksgiving, which is just plain selfish), but that doesn't mean it's any less jampacked with guests, greatness, and guesty greatness than usual. First, Chris Hewitt sits down with Auli'i Cravalho, Moana herself, to talk about returning for this week's Moana 2 and the art of not talking to people on planes. [16:03 - 29:35 approx] And then Ian Freer has an audience with... well, if not the Pope, then the next best thing in the guise of legendary trio Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini, the stars of new papal election thriller, Conclave. [46:49 - 1:04:52 approx] Either side of those, with Chris incapacitated by a last-minute case of neck-knack, Helen O'Hara hosts and is joined by James Dyer and Amon Warmann for a fun episode in which they discuss what they're thankful for this year, run their eye over what passes for movie news, and review Conclave, Moana 2, and Dear Santa. Oh, and Helen tries desperately not to do a Mount Rushmore question. Will she succeed? Find out by listening. Enjoy!