As long there’s been cinema, there have been movie heroes – characters that have inspired and astonished with their words, deeds, and bravery in the face of evil or injustice. This month’s issue of Empire is all about the greatest ever heroes in film – as voted for by you, our readers. We tallied up your choices of the movie characters that have personally inspired you – from Batman to Bourne, Ripley to Rey, Atticus Finch to Axel Foley – for a celebration of the 50 Greatest Movie Heroes.
Inside the issue, you’ll find exclusive interviews with the directors, writers and stars behind these filmic icons – including Sigourney Weaver on the journey of Ellen Ripley across the Alien Quadrilogy, Sean Astin on the fearless friendship of Samwise Gamgee, Carrie-Anne Moss on slow-mo saviour Trinity in The Matrix, Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski on the birth of Baba Yaga in John Wick, the one and only Michael J. Fox talking the magnificent Marty McFly, and much, much more.
This month’s newsstand cover – on sale Thursday 11 June – was illustrated exclusively for Empire by Paul Shipper, bringing together the likes of Black Panther, Ripley, The Bride, Blade, Bond and more.
And this month’s subscriber cover was illustrated exclusively for Empire by Stanley Chow, depicting Indiana Jones in all his glory – to give you a hint, Indy proved a very popular vote.
And that’s not all – also inside the issue we catch up with Charlize Theron for a career-spanning interview discussing Furiosa, female action icons, and her latest role in The Old Guard. We venture head-first into Spike Lee’s new Vietnam war movie Da 5 Bloods, talking to the legendary writer-director himself. Plus, we catch up with Onward director Dan Scanlon to talk the film’s destiny as the essential lockdown movie, rank the films of Denzel Washington, review Judd Apatow’s long-awaited comeback movie The King Of Staten Island, go role-by-role with Jesse Eisenberg, and – if that wasn’t enough – talk The Matrix 4 with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Weeks into lockdown, it’s still the Empire you know and love, jam-packed with amazing interviews and exclusive, read-it-nowhere-else goodies. At a time when we’ve never needed heroes more – on the big screen, and in real life – we hope you enjoy the issue. Pick up a copy on newsstands from 11 June, pre-order a copy online with free p&p, or read the digital edition on iOS and Android.