Ready to return to Middle-earth? The new issue of Empire is nearly here, and it was – even more so than usual – forged in the fires of Mount Doom, deep in the heart of Mordor. Yes, The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power is back for a pivotal third season, as the One Ring finally gets created, and Sauron rises to seize power – and it’s on the cover of our new issue.
The Rings Of Power Season 3 issue doesn’t hit newsstands until Thursday July 30 (order a copy online here), but for now here’s a sneak peek inside its pages.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power Season 3
The Rings Of Power is forging its biggest, darkest season yet – and Empire went on set to get the inside story on one show to rule them all. We speak to showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay, and stars Morfydd Clark, Charlie Vickers, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Aramayo, Daniel Weyman about what’s in store.
Resident Evil
After Barbarian and Weapons, Zach Cregger is back to unleash hell in a new, original Resident Evil movie. He talks Empire through his journey into Raccoon City, for a visceral take on the horror games.
I Want Your Sex
Strap in. Or, on? Gregg Araki is back with the ferociously funny I Want Your Sex, depicting a wild sub-dom relationship between Olivia Wilde’s BDSM-happy artist and Cooper Hoffman’s young assistant. The director talks Empire through his long-awaited return to cinema.
The Death Of Robin Hood
The legend returns – but not as you know it. Pig director Michael Sarnoski unpacks his dark and gritty take on an ageing Robin Hood, alongside his stars Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer.
Mayday
Buddy up. Kenneth Branagh and Ryan Reynolds are a classic ‘80s odd-couple in the latest action-comedy from the directors behind Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons. The stars unite for a joint Empire interview getting to the heart of their team-up.
Aardman Animation
The beloved Bristol-based stop-motion studio is turning 50 – and still delivering delights with the likes of Wallace & Gromit, Shaun The Sheep and more. As they prepare The Beast Of Mossy Bottom, Empire goes to Aardman HQ to see how the clay magic happens.
Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey
The Wyld Stallyns went even wilder on 1991’s bizarro sequel. Empire reunites Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter for a warm-hearted, air-guitaring interview looking back on its bonkers production.
First Word
In this month’s news section, we talk with Taika Waititi on his comeback drama Klara And The Sun; get claustrophobic with locked-down horror-thriller The Last House; scale the heights of Fall 2; go deep with aquatic survival movie Whalefall; explore why 4DX screenings are having a moment; and pay tribute to the late, great Sam Neill.
Final Cut
In the home entertainment section, we blast off with Project Hail Mary directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller after the film’s massive success; crack the case of Crime 101 with writer-director Bart Layton; rank the best John Grisham movies; relive the madness of Nic Cage cult classic Vampire’s Kiss with director Robert Bierman; and much more.
Reviews
In this issue, you’ll find reviews of Christopher Nolan’s unstoppable The Odyssey; Anthony Bourdain biopic-of-sorts Tony; Jane Schoenbrun’s latest mind-blowing horror movie Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma; drag disaster-spoof Stop! That! Train!; long-awaited Looney Tunes comedy comeback Coyote Vs. Acme; pickleball sports comedy The Dink; and plenty more.
PLUS! Laika Bonus Magazine
And that’s not all! This issue also comes with a special 16-page bonus magazine, presenting a deep-dive into Laika’s much-anticipated stop-motion fantasy epic, Wildwood. Find it bundled in with the Rings Of Power issue.
