The news of Chadwick Boseman’s passing this August came as a total shock – an actor in the prime of his career, making waves on and off screen, surely with so much more ahead of him. But when his private four-year battle with colon cancer came to an end, fans, filmmakers and the wider world were faced with a sudden, surprising loss. This month’s issue of Empire pays tribute to Boseman – his work, his life, his legacy – celebrating the man who proved to be a superhero in so many ways.
Find a copy on newsstands from Thursday 1 October – or order online here – and read on for a preview of what’s inside this month’s magazine.
Chadwick Boseman: An Empire Tribute
Our tribute to the late, great Chadwick Boseman features remembrances from his collaborators, including filmmakers Tate Taylor, Brian Helgeland, and Mischa Webley, and co-stars J.K. Simmons, Sienna Miller, Clarke Peters, and John Kani.
We also take a look back at Boseman’s most iconic roles, from T’Challa and Thurgood Marshall, to James Brown and Jackie Robinson.
Plus, we revisit Boseman’s Empire interviews through the years, from conversations on the set of Black Panther, to his light-hearted Pint Of Milk interview, and our last conversation with him amid the release of 21 Bridges, looking to the future and what he had in store.
Mank
David Fincher is back with a historical tale about the making of Citizen Kane – that, thanks to a screenplay from his late father, is also one of his most personal projects. Empire spends a week on set, speaking to Fincher and his star Gary Oldman.
Soul
Pixar genius Pete Docter – previously behind the likes of Inside Out and Up – is back with an existential jazz odyssey. Empire speaks to the filmmaker about his latest animated exploration of what it means to be human.
On The Rocks
For her latest film, Sofia Coppola re-teams with Bill Murray and pairs him with Rashida Jones and Marlon Wayans for a family comedy about generational divides. Empire gets the four of them together to talk dads, parenting wisdom, and the magic of Murray.
Rebecca Ferguson
From taking on major Mission stunts, to stepping into the Overlook Hotel in Doctor Sleep, to diving deep into Dune, Empire catches up with the fearless Ferguson in a career-spanning new interview.
Chris Farley
In the ‘90s, Chris Farley became a major SNL star who delivered big laughs with a major dose of sweetness – but died tragically young before the decade was through. As his breakout film Tommy Boy tuns 25, Empire looks back at the work of a comedy icon.
Zardoz
Fresh from making Deliverance, director John Boorman followed it up with the wild and baffling sci-fi folly Zardoz. Empire revisits the movie that gave us Sean Connery in a big red nappy with the filmmaker himself.
Re View
In this month’s home entertainment section, Mike Leigh looks back at Topsy-Turvy, David Koepp and Kevin Bacon talk their love of horror, Thomas Jane goes role-by-role on his most notable performances, the Nightmare On Elm Street films get the ranking treatment, and much more.
Take 20
This month in the 20 movie moments that matter: Empire talks to George Clooney about his apocalyptic sci-fi drama The Midnight Sky, we take an exclusive look at the return of His Dark Materials, Francis Lee talks Ammonite, we get the latest on the Rocky IV robot rumble, pay tribute to the late Diana Rigg, and much more.
Spoiler Special
Still confused by Tenet? You’re not alone. This month’s spoiler section is dedicated entirely to Nolan’s mind-bending blockbuster, breaking down backwards bullets, time-turning, and what (possibly) comes next.
On Screen
Reviewed this month is Rose Glass’s must-see horror Saint Maud, Lucy Brydon’s directorial debut Body Of Water, Miranda July’s heist-comedy Kajillionaire, Sofia Coppola’s On The Rocks, and much more.
On sale Thursday 1 October, or order a copy online – with free UK delivery – here.