As 2019 draws to a close, Empire rings in the new with a world exclusive look inside one of the biggest movies of 2020. No Time To Die, Daniel Craig's fifth and final outing as James Bond, filmed in London, Jamaica and New York... and Empire was there all the way to bring you the ultimate in insider access. It's all in the new issue, which is, of course, packed with further features. For a glimpse of those, read on. The new Empire hits newsstands on Friday 27 December.
No Time To Die
A leading man who was initially expected not to return; high-profile creative differences; and the end of an era. Empire's world exclusive No Time To Die access includes brand new interviews with Daniel Craig, director Cary Joji Fukunaga, new villain Rami Malek, and incoming 00-agent Lashana Lynch. It’s the ultimate introduction to Bond’s momentous new mission.
Birds Of Prey
Suicide Squad may not have been anybody's favourite film of 2016, but from its ashes has risen something fresh. Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn returns for spin-off / not-quite-sequel (deep breath) Birds Of Prey: And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn. Empire sat down with Robbie and director Cathy Yan on the Burbank set.
Bong Joon-ho
With Parasite fresh from wowing the festival circuit (including scooping the Palme d'Or at Cannes), Empire spoke at length with director Bong Joon-ho to discuss a body of work that mixes Hitchcockian suspense with sharp social commentary.
Portrait Of A Lady On Fire
Another festival darling, writer-director Céline Sciamma's Portrait Of A Lady On Fire is a slow burning, sensual story of forbidden love between an 18th-century painter and her muse. In this exclusive and intimate account, Sciamma explains how her tale grew from a flicker to a flame.
Queen & Slim
And still with the festival faves... Writer, director and stars of the racially charged romantic road movie Queen & Slim give Empire the lowdown on its eventful journey to the screen. "What's beautiful is it's kind of an independent film with a studio push," says director Melina Matsoukas. "It's the best of both worlds."
Tango & Cash
30.years ago this month, the last action movie of the '80s crashed onto screens. Tango & Cash, starring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell, is perhaps the apotheosis of that decade's one-man (or in this case two-man)-army absurdity, and its production was... not straightforward. "It was the most screwed up show I ever worked on," producer Larry Franco tells Empire, "and I worked on Apocalypse Now..."
On Screen
Sam Mendes' single-shot World War One epic 1917 leads Empire's review section this month. Also assessed this issue: Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, Cats, Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen, and many more.
Take 20
This month’s film moments that matter include Patty Jenkins talking us through Wonder Woman 1984, Luke Evans on the price of a pinta, Terry Gilliam on the unbelievably beleaguered The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, and Dominic West on a prequel to The Wire that might just happen.
Re.View
Hustlers, one of Empire's top films of 2019, leads the new issue's home entertainment section. Also included: more Gilliam via a look back at Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas; plus Eddie Murphy's filmography rated and ranked.
Pick up the new issue of Empire, on sale from Friday 27 December.
