The final Empire Podcast of the year is here, folks, and it’s a bumper-sized jamboree, longer than usual and hopefully fit to tide you over until we return with Episode 700 (live from Kings Place) on January 9th. For the first time ever, the revolving fourth chair revolves wildly during the pod itself, so Chris Hewitt, Helen O’Hara, and James Dyer are joined by John Nugent, to answer listeners’ questions; Beth Webb, to review Avatar: Fire And Ash, Sentimental Value, Marty Supreme, and The Housemaid; and Alex Godfrey, who joins the team for the News section to pay an extended tribute to the great Rob Reiner, who was so senselessly and shockingly taken from us, along with his wife Michelle Singer Reiner, earlier this week.
Guest-wise, our stocking is truly stuffed, as Chris has lovely chats with Wake Up Dead Man star, and all-round legend, Glenn Close, and Avatar antagonist, Colonel Miles Quaritch himself, Stephen Lang; while Beth has a joyous sit-down with Marty Supreme director, Josh Safdie. We hope you enjoy it. Thanks so much for listening to and supporting the pod this year, folks. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and we’ll see you in 2026.
You can listen to this week’s episode (which, if you’re counting, is #698) on the pod app of your choice. And if you want more of The Empire Film Podcast, but LIVE and IN PERSON, then boy do we have just the thing for you. As mentioned above, on Friday 9 January, 2026 at 7pm, Team Empire will be coming at you live from Kings Place for an evening of movie news, reviews, nonsense, and maybe a special guest or two to celebrate our 700th episode. Head on over to Kings Place’s website to secure your ticket now. We’ll see you there!
