Empire Magazine Issue 421 (December 2023)

Empire Magazine Issue 421 (December 2023) Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

It’s the end of an era for DC as the epic saga’s final adventure, Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, prepares to make a splash in cinemas this December. And, to mark the occasion, in this month’s issue of Empire we head back under the water with director James Wan for a world-exclusive deep-dive into the return of the Atlantean King, in the hotly-anticipated Aquaman sequel.

Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom - 2018’s billion dollar grossing briny blockbuster Aquaman had it all – eldritch Lovecraftian sea creatures, Jason Momoa heading into war with warrior sharks, and, of course, Julie Andrews as a kraken! And now, as James Wan prepares to follow up his subaqueous smash-hit and close the curtain on the DCEU, Empire catches up with the director in LA to get the inside scoop on Arthur Curry’s return.

Saltburn - Who better to guide readers into the scorching, sordid, secret-filled world of Emerald Fennell’s upcoming psychological thriller Saltburn than, well, Emerald Fennell herself? Writing exclusively for Empire about the creation of her latest pulse-racing provocation, Fennell reveals her filmmaking influences, talks about casting Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi and the rest of the cast, and what it took to bring 2006 to 2023.

Wonka - Marmalade is out and chocolate is in as director Paul King turns his attention from one institution of British children’s literature, Paddington, to another – Willy Wonka. And so, ahead of the release of all-singing, all-dancing Charlie And The Chocolate Factory prequel Wonka, we got hold of a golden ticket, and talked to the filmmaker about his recipe for cinematic success.

Society Of The Snow - J. A. Bayona is back. In his latest film, Society Of The Snow, the Spanish director tackles the horrifying true story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the heart of the Andes in 1972, leaving its 16 surviving passengers starving, desperate, and forced to do the unthinkable in order to stay alive. In an access-all-areas exclusive, Empire goes on-set with Bayona, talking to the filmmaker as well as crash survivor Nando Parrado, star Enzo Vogrincic and more about bringing this incredible story of human spirit and resilience to the screen.

Priscilla - Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla – an unexpectedly timely riposte to Baz Luhrmann’s rhinestone-encrusted myth-maker Elvis – tells the true story of how a 14-year-old girl met, fell in love with, and eventually married the world’s hottest rock’n’roll star. As you might imagine, it’s a complicated tale to tell. Speaking exclusively to Empire, Coppola – who knows a thing or two about unpacking the tension between the fantasies and realities of girl and womanhood – explains how she set about honouring Priscilla Presley’s lived experience whilst shooting the film she set out to make.

Werner Herzog - At 81 years of age, Werner Herzog has lived a life – and created an oeuvre – that is almost unparalleled in terms of experience and excitement (cf; danger). And so now, as he prepares to release his memoir, Every Man For Himself And God Against All, Empire sat down with the legendary German filmmaker for a major new exclusive interview about… well… everything. Life, death, movies, dreams of sandwiches – as we say, everything.

Deep Dive - In our latest excavation of oft-untold cinematic history, Empire reflects on one of the unsung heroes of Hollywood’s Golden Age. His name is Jimmy. He starred in over 1,000 films. And, alongside trainer Henry Wagstaff Twiford – aka Curly – the duo made movie history. Oh, and he was a raven. Of course. You’d have to be bird-brained to miss out on this high-flyer’s remarkable story.

First Word - In this month’s news section, we get emotional talking All Of Us Strangers with director Andrew Haigh, jump in the TARDIS to discuss Doctor Who with Russell T. Davies and David Tennant, load up on punch-guns with Boy Kills World filmmaker Moritz Mohr, are given paws for thought by Argylle mastermind Matthew Vaughn, learn how Jason Isaacs has transformed into Cary Grant for new series Archie, and enter a world of Payne – Alexander Payne, that is – as we get the skinny on The Holdovers. Plus, of course, much, much more besides.

Final Cut - On the home entertainment front, Ben Wheatley gives us the mega-low-down on making megalodon blockbuster Meg 2: The Trench; we talk franchise pros and (Decepti)cons with Transformers producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura; break down the emotional elements of, err, Elemental with director Peter Sohn in our Spoiler Special; take a trip down memory lane with Tom Courtenay in Time Capsule; and much more.

Reviews - In the reviews section this issue, you’ll find our verdicts on David Fincher thriller The Killer, Molly Manning-Walker’s directorial debut How To Have Sex, Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman follow-up Saltburn, horror mid-quel Saw X, Gareth Edwards’ sprawling sci-fi epic The Creator, the MCU’s latest Loki S2, Emma Seligman’s feminist comedy Bottoms, and many, many, many more.

Read about it on the Empire website.