Three covers to rule them all – prepare yourselves, Tolkien fans. It’s almost time to return to Middle-earth, with Prime Video’s series adaptation of the Second Age, The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power set to hit the streaming service on 2 September. The budget-boundary-busting show, set aeons before the birth of Bilbo Baggins and Frodo’s fellowship frolics, will chart the rise of Sauron, Dark Lord of Mordor, and the creation of the 19 titular rings that would ultimately shape Middle-earth’s destiny. It’s also the star of the brand new issue of Empire, with three world-exclusive newsstand covers for you to collect, plus a deep-dive into the series inside. But that’s not the only precious within – here’s a sneak peek at the pages of the new issue, which hits shelves on Thursday 9 June.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power
New lands, new characters, new creatures – the rich world of Tolkien’s Second Age is about to be explored with Prime Video’s new Middle-earth-set series. Empire gets the world-exclusive scoop on Rings’ radical reboot, talking to creators JD Payne and Patrick McKay, director J.A. Bayona, stars Morfydd Clark, Robert Aramayo, Benjamin Walker, Markella Kavanagh, Lenny Henry, Sophie Nomvete and producer Ron Ames about what to expect.
Bullet Train
Ample amounts of assassins, all trapped on a high-speed train, fighting for one suitcase? Directed by action maestro David Leitch? Starring Brad Pitt, in a bucket hat? We are 100% in. We talk to Leitch and Pitt, plus Brian Tyree Henry, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Joey King and more about the neon-soaked, anime-infused action extravaganza of the summer.
Stand-Ins
What’s it like to be on Oscar-winning, box-office-breaking film sets, taking the place of the biggest actors in the world, and never seeing a trace of your work on screen? We find out, stepping into the world of the Hollywood stand-in, talking to the camera replacements for Meryl Streep, Danny DeVito, Jeff Bridges, Leonardo DiCaprio and more.
Mad God
The man behind some of your favourite on-screen creatures, including The Empire Strikes Back’s AT-AT and Jurassic Park’s kitchen-raiding velociraptors, Phil Tippett is ready to turn his attention to passion project Mad God. Here, the stop-motion genius writes for Empire on why this is his greatest creation yet.
Tim Burton
As Batman Returns turns 30, Empire sits down for a major new interview with one of the most distinctive directors of our time, Tim Burton, to revisit his gloriously gothic superhero sequel. Photographed exclusively by Steve Schofield, and featuring artwork from Burton’s own archives.
Brian And Charles
The odd couple concept isn’t a new one, but there’s a reason this curious genre continues to entice us. We talk to the cast and crew of British comedy Brian And Charles about their eccentric new buddy movie.
Cop Land
As James Mangold’s A-list action epic turns 25, we sit down with the director to reflect on the making of the masterpiece.
Review
In this month’s home entertainment section, we get the lowdown on Ambulance from Michael Bay, talk to Judd Apatow about his comedy heroes, ask Eddie Marsan how he continues to be such a prolific character actor, rank Bruce Willis movies and more.
Take 20
In this issue’s news section, we talk Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2 with the Duffer brothers, get an update from Adam Wingard on his Face/Off sequel script, meet the new aquatic creatures of Avatar: The Way Of Water, examine why Ncuti Gatwa will make the perfect new Doctor, Billy Eichner tells us all about his history-making new romcom Bros, and much more.
On Screen
Reviewed in this issue is Scott Derrickson’s return to horror, The Black Phone, high-flying sequel Top Gun: Maverick, indie drama Cha Cha Real Smooth, Baz Luhrmann’s rock and roll biopic Elvis, Emma Thompson’s sex-positive two-hander Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, Master Chief’s TV debut in Halo: Season 1, the third season of Prime Video’s ultra-violent super series The Boys, and much more.
Find Empire’s The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power issue on newsstands from Thursday 9 June – or order a copy online here.