With Guardians Of The Galaxy and its sequel, James Gunn proved he was a filmmaker who could spin cinematic gold from the strangest of sources. But he’s currently hard at work on his greatest challenge – delivering a new take on DC’s z-list rogues gallery with The Suicide Squad, a film that’s not quite a sequel, and not quite a reboot to David Ayer’s much-hyped but ultimately disappointing 2016 film. With a sprawling cast, a host of bonkers characters, and promising a uniquely weird tone, it looks set to be one of the boldest and most bizarre comic book blockbusters in years.
Empire has a world-exclusive first look at the film in the December 2020 issue – on sale from Thursday 29 October, and available to order online here. Before it hits the shelves, take a sneak peek inside the pages below…
The Suicide Squad
After a rough patch with Marvel, James Gunn is back with an all-new take on DC’s expendable villain gang. In a major world-exclusive, get your first proper look at The Suicide Squad, with the world’s first images from the film, behind-the-scenes pics, and a brand new interview with Gunn himself.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Producer Denzel Washington brings another legendary August Wilson play to the screen in Netflix’s movie adaptation of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – a film containing the final performance by Chadwick Boseman. Empire speaks to Washington, director George C Wolfe, and star Viola Davis.
Free Guy
As Shawn Levy’s original action-comedy set in a sprawling online video game prepares to boot up in cinemas, stars Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer unite for a joint interview.
Small Axe
British filmmaker Steve McQueen is back with five new films – an anthology of stories about the Black experience in Britain, coming soon to the BBC. He speaks to Empire about why he switched to the small screen for one of the biggest creative undertakings of his life.
Grizzly II
The sequel to the rampaging bear creature-feature featured a truly insane troubled production, appearances from George Clooney, Laura Dern and Charie Sheen, and a titular beast that barely worked – and the film is only now seeing the light of day 40 years later. Read the full unhinged story behind its creation.
Supernova
Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci star in one of the most affecting screen romances of 2020. The pair got together for a joint interview to talk their incredible cinematic chemistry, and their shared love of pasta.
Arachnophobia
As the eight-legged creature feature turns 30, Empire assembles the the team behind it – including director Frank Marshall, producer Kathleen Kennedy, and star Jeff Daniels – for an epic oral history.
Viggo Mortensen
The acting legend has turned director for his debut filmmaking feature Falling, a time-spanning family drama. Mortensen himself writes exclusively for Empire about making his first film, and what it’s like releasing it in the world of 2020.
Take 20
In this month’s round-up of the movie moments that matter, we talk News Of The World with Paul Greengrass, catch up with Matthew McConaughey for a Pint Of Milk, delve into Luca Guadagnino’s new TV series We Are Who We Are, and talk to Jessica Chastain about her new spy movie The 355. Plus, Amon Warmann delves into the Barry Jenkins Lion King news in his new column, Black In Focus.
Re View
In the world of home entertainment, we talk to the one and only David Lynch as Eraserhead joins the Criterion Collection, Brian Cox delves into his most iconic roles, the X-Men movies get the ranking treatment, and much more.
Spoiler Special
This month, Bill & Ted Face The Music and Saint Maud get the full-spoiler treatment – talking to Bill & Ted director Dean Parisot and co-writer El Solomon, and Saint Maud director Rose Glass and star Morfydd Clark.
On Screen
Reviewed this issue, you’ll find Steve McQueen’s Mangrove and Lovers Rock, Supernova, About Endlessness, Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula, and much more.