While there are countless elements that make great movies work, they’re made all the more powerful by the stars lighting up the screen – captivating displays of pure acting talent. But what makes someone a truly great actor? And which big-screen performers are the greatest of all time? It’s a question that Empire put to you, our readers, a few weeks ago – and now we’re revealing the results in the 50 Greatest Actors issue – an epic celebration of the most legendary performers ever to step in front of the lens. Included in that list, and taking over the cover, is none other than Nicolas Cage – who welcomed us into his Las Vegas home for a career-spanning cover interview and dazzling photo shoot.
You can find the issue on newsstands from Thursday 22 December – and order a copy online here. But for now, take a sneak peek at the treats that await inside the issue below…
Greatest Actors
We asked, you voted – and now, the results are in. Empire presents a celebration of the 50 Greatest Actors as chosen by you, complete with individual illustrations, masterclasses from the stars themselves, tributes from their creative collaborators, deep dives into their killer scenes and more.
Nicolas Cage
When one of cinema’s most unique, iconic, prolific performers invites you to his Las Vegas home for the day, you don’t say no. To celebrate his inclusion in our Greatest Actors list, Empire spends a wild morning with Nicolas Cage and his many, many pets, talking about the actors that inspire him, his approach to his craft, the boundaries he still wishes to push and a whole lot more – complete with an exclusive photoshoot by Samuel McGuire.
Tilda Swinton
There’s range, and then there’s Tilda Swinton – the utterly unpindownable actor continues to astound and amaze, with her physical on-screen transformations and ability to get under the skin of her always-complex characters. Empire asks Swinton where this chameleonic skill came from, about her working relationship with Derek Jarman, and what acting means to her – and she delivers.
Director Tributes
Who better to tell us what makes these greatest actors so great, than the people who directed them in some of their standout roles? Tim Burton talks about his “anarchist” Joker, Jack Nicholson; Ridley Scott tells us about going on gut instinct and casting Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator (and in his latest historical epic, Napoleon); Baz Luhrmann honours his magical Moulin Rouge lead Nicole Kidman; and Ang Lee pays an emotional tribute to the beating heart of Brokeback Mountain, Heath Ledger.
The Whale
Darren Aronofsky’s latest tale of humanity pushed to the extremes has done something long overdue – bringing Brendan Fraser back into the Hollywood fold, and providing the perfect showcase for his endless empathy and enduring charm. Empire goes deep into this moving study of someone stuck on the outside of society, speaking to Aronofsky, Fraser, writer Samuel D. Hunter, Sadie Sink and more.
Women Talking
As Sarah Polley’s new drama brings together a group of women to share their stories of sexual violence and figure out their future, Empire unites the director with her cast – Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley and Rooney Mara – to talk about the film, their conversations on set, and its real-life resonance.
Till
The racially-motivated murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till is a story that has haunted generations – and bringing his mother’s relentless pursuit of justice to the screen was a tough, emotional journey for director Chinonye Chukwu. Empire talks to Chukwu and star Danielle Deadwyler about how they took on telling the tragic tale.
Take 20
In the news section this month, we take an exclusive look at The Last Of Us with showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann; meet Rian Johnson’s latest detective, played by Natasha Lyonne, in new mystery series Poker Face; talk the chaos of Cocaine Bear with director Elizabeth Banks; explain why you should be excited for new animated adventure Puss In Boots: The Last Wish; get a bloody new glimpse of Lee Cronin’s horror sequel Evil Dead Rise; and much, much more.
Re.View
In this month’s home entertainment section, we reflect on the final season of Better Call Saul with Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Peter Gould and Vince Gilligan; go role-by-role with Frank Grillo; dig into the songs of Spirited with director Sean Anders; rank the Muppet movies; celebrate Jane Campion’s seminal The Piano; and much more.
On Screen
Reviewed this month are James Cameron’s big blue sequel Avatar: The Way Of Water, Cate Blanchett’s conductor character study TÁR, Bait director Mark Jenkin’s folk-horror follow-up Enys Men, David Harbour’s blood-soaked Santa blowout Violent Night, Sam Mendes’ love-letter to cinema Empire Of Light, the third and final series of His Dark Materials, the Kumail Nanjiani-starring Welcome To Chippendales and much, much more.
Empire's Greatest Actors issue goes on sale from Thursday 22 December – find it on newsstands then, or pre-order a copy online here.