The Empire Film Podcast

Here's a damn fine special episode of the Empire Podcast for you to enjoy. We're in the grip of Twin Peaks fever all over again — the seminal David Lynch/Mark Frost TV show is being celebrated this Sunday (June 15th) at the BFI Southbank in London with a special 35mm print screening of the show's pilot, and if that weren't enough, every single episode of Twin Peaks, including 2017's The Return, will be available to watch on MUBI as of Friday June 13th. So, naturally, we decided to mark the occasion by sitting down on Zoom with two of the show's legends. First, co-creator Mark Frost talks to Mike Muncer, then Kyle MacLachlan — Agent Dale Cooper himself — has an in-depth chat with Chris Hewitt about Twin Peaks, and his incredible friendship and working relationship with David Lynch. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, carve yourself a slice of cherry pie, and enjoy.

This week's episode of the freshly award-losing Empire Podcast sees the podteam lick their wounds after a demoralising defeat in the Best Podcast (Consumer) category at the BSMEs earlier in the week. How do they do this? By talking about movies, of course, as they discuss the week's news (a load of trailers, and a potential new James Cameron movie), reviewing Ballerina: From The World Of John Wick, Dangerous Animals, and Predator: KIller Of Killers. Oh, and they talk about actors who might be able to reprise their iconic animation roles in live-action, while James hits Helen and Chris with a question that shakes them to their very foundations. Oh, and Chris also has lovely chats with Dangerous Animals star Jai Courtney, [25:17 - 40:27 approx] and Ballerina star/all-round legend, Ian McShane, [1:00:03 - 1:14:56 approx] while Harry Stainer makes his pod debut as he talks to How To Train Your Dragon (both animation and live-action) director, Dean DeBlois. [1:38:49 - 1:55:16 approx] Enjoy.

Whether it's Tom Cruise risking his neck underwater, or above ground while clinging to the wing of a biplane, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is filled with stunts that might just turn your hair white. That's if you don't lose it completely. That's just one of the side effects discussed in this Empire Podcast interview special, as the film's second unit director and stunt co-ordinator, the wonderful Wade Eastwood, sits down on Zoom with Chris Hewitt, and tells us how he, Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie and their team pulled off some of the greatest stunts ever committed to celluloid. This is not a spoiler special, folks, but if you haven't seen the film, maybe best to give this one a swerve and come back when you have. For everyone else, enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees the podteam — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and Alex Godfrey — get to grips with the definition of in media res, as they discuss some of their favourite films that throw you right into the action. Elsewhere, they talk about the week's movie news, pay tribute to Empire's founding editor Barry McIlheney, who has sadly died at the age of 65, and review The Ballad Of Wallis Island, Karate Kid: Legends, Mountainhead, The Ritual, and The Salt Path. And Chris has a whale of a time talking to this week's guests, Mountainhead writer/director (and Succession creator), Jesse Armstrong, [26:34 - 39:29 approx] and Tom Basden, Tim Key and Carey Mulligan, the stars of the delightful new film, The Ballad Of Wallis Island. [1:01:06 - 1:19:38 approx] Oh, and Alex goes full Rory Bremner too, which is... unexpected. Enjoy.

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt mark the release of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning by doing a non-spoiler, non-epic (less than 20 minutes!) chat with that film's director, the legendarily loquacious Christopher McQuarrie, [26:00 - 43:06 approx] and have a lovely natter with the stars of the new Wes Anderson film, The Phoenician Scheme, Benicio del Toro and Michael Cera. [1:01:37 - 1:15:35 approx] Right at the end of the show, we also bring you an extended excerpt from our Andor s2 spoiler chat with that show's creator, Tony Gilroy, who tells Ben Travis all about the fates of certain characters. Do not listen if you haven't seen Andor! [1:43:43 - 1:56:02 approx] Elsewhere, Chris Hewitt is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent, to talk about Cannes and Cruise, run their collective eye over the week's movie news, and review The Final Reckoning, The Phoenician Scheme, Lilo & Stitch, and Guy Ritchie's Fountain Of Youth. Enjoy.