For decades, if you wanted to see epic battles and big-budget fantasy worlds, you had two choices: venture into your own imagination, or go to your local multiplex. But in 2011 that all changed with the arrival of the most cinematic TV series of all time; a mammoth, sweeping epic, with actual mammoths (and dragons, and ice-zombies). Its name was Game Of Thrones, and it’s near decade-long story is about to come to an explosive conclusion. Valar morghulis. The climax of HBO’s fantasy saga is a once-in-a-generation event, and in recognition of that, Game Of Thrones is the first TV show ever to grace the cover of Empire – take a look inside the issue here.
Game Of Thrones
To mark the era-ending climax of the fantasy epic, Empire presents a 21-page celebration of all things Thrones – inside you’ll find brand new cast interviews, filmmaker Neil Marshall revealing how he made those thunderous battles, new Red Wedding secrets from its director, the VFX team on creating Daenerys’ fiery dragons, the 30 Greatest Game Of Thrones Moments, and more.
Empire 30: Christopher Nolan
The latest filmmaker in our 30th birthday celebration is the man who put the brains back in blockbusters. We speak to his collaborators – including Guy Pearce and his effects supervisor – to testify to his cinematic genius, and chart his career through six set visits.
Shazam!
The DCEU has come a long way since its humorless origins with Man of Steel. But the comic universe is now preparing its first comedy, Shazam!, bulked out with super-powered laughs. Empire goes on set in Toronto to get the inside story.
David Harbour
With Stranger Things, he went from ‘that guy from that thing’ to a widely-beloved star – and now David Harbour is about to lead the rebooted Hellboy. Empire meets Hollywood’s most unlikely new hero.
The Empire Interview: Ralph Fiennes
From hissable baddies like Voldemort, to The Grand Budapest Hotel’s lovable lothario Gustave H., via a swathe of Shakespearean roles, Ralph Fiennes’ career contains multitudes – and he’s stepping back behind the camera for The White Crow. Take a spin through his filmography in this month’s Empire Interview.
Re.View
In this month’s home entertainment section, we revisit Spielberg’s masterpiece Schindler’s List, break down all the twists of Bad Times At The El Royale with writer-director Drew Goddard, rank Robert De Niro’s greatest works, binge-watch the Halloween series, and much more.
Pre.View
We take a brand new look at Disney’s Aladdin, break down the epic Dune cast, chat with Jonah Hill about his directorial debut Mid90s, cast an eye over this year’s must-see Super Bowl trailers, and plenty more.
On.Screen
Read Empire’s reviews of Fighting With My Family, Andrew Garfield’s noir mystery Under The Silver Lake, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s directorial debut The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, Irish horror The Hole In The Ground, and all of this month’s must-see movies.
Pilot TV
Plus, this month’s issue of Empire comes with Issue 2 of Pilot TV – your complete guide to all the TV shows that matter. This time it’s our huge spring preview, featuring the return of Killing Eve, Fleabag and Line Of Duty, Shane Meadows’ new series, the latest incarnation of Alan Partridge, and a major new Richard Gere interview for MotherFatherSon. Read more about Pilot TV Issue 2 here.
Empire’s Game Of Thrones issue hits newsstands on Thursday 21 February. Order a copy online here{