At this very moment, cinemas across the UK are closed amid lockdown measures. But as soon as it’s safe to do so, there are countless cinephiles nationwide and beyond who can’t wait to get back to the big screen for the ultimate moviegoing experience – seeing a film projected large as intended, with booming sound and popcorn in hand, sat with a rapt audience, collectively sharing in the adventures of other people’s lives for a few hours. Whether sticky-carpeted multiplexes or boutiquey independents, cinemas are to be treasured – and have been responsible for so many magical moments that film fans (and filmmakers) will never forget.
Filmmakers just like Edgar Wright, the British writer-director behind the likes of The Cornetto Trilogy, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, and Baby Driver (and soon to chill us all to the bone with his upcoming psychological horror Last Night In Soho). For a very, very special new issue of Empire, Wright instigated a massive celebration of the cinemagoing moments that changed us forever – featuring contributions from you, the readers, Wright himself, and some of the biggest names from his mighty book of contacts. The result is an issue of Empire overflowing with adoration for the cinema experience, both from the people who make the movies and the people who watch them religiously. Here’s Wright to explain it all a little more:
This month’s newsstand cover was illustrated exclusively for Empire by Bill McConkey, featuring some of the issue’s big-name contributors in their favourite place: the cinema.
And this month’s exclusive subscriber cover was illustrated for Empire by Corey Brickley – an ode to the magic of our favourite film venues.
As revealed over the past few days, the line-up for the issue is a stellar rundown of incredible filmmakers and actors, who love seeing movies as much as they love making them. Inside the issue you’ll find essays, remembrances and missives on the moviegoing moments that brought the house down, collated by Edgar Wright and contributed by:
Steven Spielberg
Tessa Thompson
Patty Jenkins
Jordan Peele
Taika Waititi
Paul Rudd
Guillermo del Toro
Chris Evans
Simon Pegg
Daniel Kaluuya
M. Night Shyamalan
Matt Stone
Kumail Nanjiani & Emily V Gordon
George Miller
Greta Gerwig
Kevin Feige
Christopher McQuarrie
Joe Russo
J.J. Abrams
Bong Joon-ho
David Yates
Daisy Ridley
Joe Cornish
Anya Taylor-Joy
James Gunn
Bill Hader
Alfonso Cuarón
Walter Hill
Rian Johnson
Spike Lee
James Cameron
Lily James
Robert Zemeckis
Ang Lee
Jon Hamm
Daniel Craig
Jon Favreau
Sam Mendes
Mark Hamill
And – just as importantly – there are contributions from Empire readers too. There are more announcements coming your way soon, as well as Empire’s own writers sharing their favourite ever cinema experiences. In the meantime, start getting excited for an issue of the magazine that you truly will not want to miss.
Empire’s Greatest Cinema Moments Ever issue will be available for online pre-order at 5pm on 15 January from GreatMagazines.com, and arrives on newsstands from Thursday 21 January.
Right now, our local cinemas could use all the help they can get – as part of Empire’s Celebrate Our Cinemas campaign, here’s our guide on how you can help your favourite film venue right now through periods of necessary closure.
READ MORE: Edgar Wright On The Importance Of Saving The Big Screen Experience