 |  Like a big TED talk in fancy dress or the Davos conference organised by the actual Davros, Comic-Con is currently transforming San Diego into its own geek temple. As you'd expect, Empire has donned its Orgrimmar battle armour, picked up its two-handed Dictaphone and waded into the fray to bring you the freshest scoops from Hall H - and, if we can find them, Halls A through G. Only a day in and we've already been treated to a surprise visit from Christopher Nolan and Interstellar, a reveal of Ben Affleck's Batman and new Age Of Ultron concept art. But it's not just 'Con business this week. We've also had a look at the Fifty Shades Of Grey trailer (nothing to see there... move along please), not to mention Community's Joel McHale spilling the beans on his other career-defining role, Vice-President of Home Loans in Spider-Man 2, and The Purge: Anarchy's Frank Grillo giving us a blow-by-blow on his favourite Hollywood tough guys. Fans of Michael 'The Terror' Cera are going to be disappointed. Phil De Semlyen
Staff Writer, Empire
 
Guardians Of The Galaxy!
Inside The Summer's Coolest, Craziest Superhero Gamble!
Marvel's new space epic is our cover star this month, and we've got an in depth feature bringing you all the details on the galaxy's weirdest heroes (also known as "a bunch of A-holes"). If you want a talking raccoon, a bald Karen Gillan and "an outer-space Liberace", we've got your fix right here. Find out more about what's inside the new issue. Buy this issue online right now VIP print and digital packages: 6 issues for only £17.50! Subscribe to Empire magazine: 6 issues for only £15! Buy single iPad editions on the App Store View all subscription offers
  New Full-Length Whiplash Trailer Arrives
You've likely already seen the first clip from Whiplash, the Sundance award-winner that comes bearing positive buzz and plenty of praise for director Damien Chazelle and stars Miles Teller and JK Simmons. The initial trailer, which shows more of the film's tone, is now online. More: First Fifty Shades Of Grey Trailer Arrives You may find this story dangerously erotic. New Clip From Football Animation The Unbeatables Fuss in boots. Red Band Hot Tub Time Machine 2 Trailer Staggers Online The boys are back in hot water. Nightcrawler Trailer Stalks Online The city shines brightest at night... Latest Star Wars Rebels Trailer Lands Disney show puts out extended promo. New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV Spot Online Get Shell Shocked by the film's rap tie-in. New Trailer For Ethan Hawke's Predestination Wibbly wobbly timey wimey trailer business.
  This Under The Skin cake, baked specially for the film's DVD/Blu-ray release, sadly didn't come with a Scarlett Johansson made of icing. Not sure where this leaves our 'frost in translation' joke.
 Help! I can't stop my iPad downloading season eight of Grey's Anatomy.  Nick de Semlyen has a medical emergency. Paging Dr. Shepherd!
Frank Grillo's Ten Toughest Hollywood Tough Guys
Set over one lawless night in future Los Angeles, The Purge: Anarchy tackles the hoary question of what you'd do if crime ruled and only the strong and/or extremely heavily-armed survived. Empire, who would cower under the nearest table, was so impressed by Frank 'Crossbones' Grillo's tough guy activities in the film - a blend of punching, kicking, shooting, driving really fast and looking exceptionally cool at all times - that we decided to quiz him on the Hollywood tough guys who impress him the most. "I'm probably going to give you some off-the-wall answers," the erstwhile SHIELD man laugh-growls down the phone from his Los Angeles bunker. Fine with us Mr. Grillo, sir. | |
|  | | The Empire Podcast #121
With many of the regular gang off in San Diego for some sort of comic-book convention or other, things take a turn for the weird on the Empire Podcast this week. Sinister, Paranormal Activity and The Purge: Anarchy producer Jason Blum explains how to set up an inflatable double bed on a plane, while Hercules director Brett Ratner talks about his favourite British confectionary. |
|  | | Jackie Chan Live Q&A - Get Tickets Now!
For one night only, Empire has joined forces with London's Prince Charles Cinema to host a very special Q&A screening of the film with the living legend himself. Join Empire's Chris Hewitt as he chats through this screen icon's illustrious 40 year movie career in an interactive Q&A after the screening. He"s one of the greatest action staples of all time, the star of classics like Drunken Master, Project A, Shanghai Knights, Police Story and the Rush Hour trilogy. Do not miss the last ever film in which JC will be doing his own death-defying stunts as its home entertainment release is marked by this exclusive movie event. |
|  | | Open Air Cinema With The Luna Cinema
The Luna Cinema is the country's leading producer of open air cinema. Our 2014 season is set to comprise over 70 screenings across the country's most prestigious and beautiful settings, from royal palaces and castles to London parks, country manor houses, botanic gardens and even open air swimming pools! We always follow the same key formula: a classic film on a giant screen, in an incredible setting. Films that will be screened this year include The Dark Knight at Pinewood Studios and Dirty Dancing at Hampton Court Palace. It promises to be an unforgettable summer of cinema under the stars. For more information on all The Luna Cinema's events go to: www.thelunacinema.com. |
|  | | Role By Role With Joel McHale
As chief stirrer of E!'s pop culture bubble popper The Soup and Community's very own whip-smart disgraced lawyer Jeff Winger, Joel McHale is a much-loved man, with fans likely to shout "Mmm... meaty!" (a Soup catchphrase) or "Pop pop!" (Community) when they see him in the street. When he was recently in town to talk about E! UK's new season of The Soup, we talked to him about both of his career's biggest hitters, as well as the minor roles that you keep spotting him in. Remember when he denied Aunt May a bank loan? He definitely does... |
|  | | 'I Have The Club But I Didn't Get The Lion's Head'
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson reached new heights of muscly strength for his latest role as prehistoric hero Hercules, and was still on prodigious form recently when he came to London to talk about the film. We sat down with him, and co-star Ian McShane, for a chat about the film - and stay tuned to the end for an interruption by some other co-stars and a highly inappropriate discussion of ointment... |
|  | | Classic Feature: The Making Of The Silence Of The Lambs
Anthony Hopkins is terrorising the 20 million American filmgoers who have already paid more than $100 million to be enthralled by him in Jonathan Demme's sensational movie, The Silence Of The Lambs. Rod Lurie meets Dr. Lecter, Demme and co-star Jodie Foster to get a second opinion on this year's Psycho... |
|  | | Win A Film Download, Takeaway Every Sunday With Fox Searchlight!
Throughout 2014, Empire will be giving readers the chance to win a Digital HD copy of a Fox Searchlight film, plus a £25 hungryhouse.co.uk voucher to order their favourite takeaway online. Just head to Twitter each Sunday (make sure you're following @empiremagazine ) and answer the quiz question posed, tagging your tweet with #SearchlightSundays. In addition, there will be a chance to win flights to Utah and hotel accommodation during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival! Click here for full details |
|  | | Peter Fonda On Peter Fonda
Welcoming actor, filmmaker, biker, sailing enthusiast and Hollywood scion Peter Fonda into Empire HQ with our firmest handshake, we were treated to a potted history of the gesture. "In the old days you'd hold your right arm out to show that you weren't carrying a weapon," he explains, bringing his left arm round to poke a finger pistol into our midriff. "But", he adds with a grin, "I'm a southpaw". That mischievous sense of humour, thirst for knowledge and easy charm was recurrent themes in Empire's hour with the iconic Easy Rider star. Topics covered include his '60s biker smash, villa-hopping with Terence Stamp, Tupelo honey, great direction and his old friend (and occasional foe) Dennis Hopper. It was, as the man would say, far out. |
|  | | Kevin Feige Talks Ant-Man, Guardians Of The Galaxy And Doctor Strange
This week, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige dropped by the Empir e Podcast, recorded in Leicester Square's Empire Cinema, to update us on the studio's plans for Guardians Of The Galaxy, Ant-Man, Doctor Strange and more. Exactly what happened with Edgar Wright? Who's going to blink in the face-off between Captain America 3 and Batman V. Superman, currently scheduled for the same release date? And does he speak Groot? Read on - or if you're more into the whole listening thing, listen to the Empire podcast. |
|  | | Scriptwriting Competition: Write Locke's Next Phone Call
We want you, in no more than 500 words, to tell us how Ivan's (Hardy) next phone call would go. You can carry on directly from the end of the film, or start from when you think he'd make his next call. Lay it out as you like - scripted as a film scene or as dialogue alone - as long as it's no more than 500 words, your entry will be valid. Submit your answers into the forum below before the closing date of August 18 when Steven Knight himself will pick his favourite entry. The winner will receive a personal message from Steven, along with a 16GB iPad Mini and a copy of Locke on Blu-ray. Five finalists will also receive a copy of the film on Blu-ray. |
|  | | Classic Feature: Jack Nicholson
During a rare press interview for 2002's About Schmidt, Jack Nicholson informed his audience that the biggest challenge in playing Schmidt - a worn-out widower embarked on a Winnebago odyssey - had been stripping himself of all elements that were recognisably 'Jack' and building his character from the ground up. This is interesting for two reasons. The first is that even Nicholson was aware, like many of his critics, that his persona could, if unchecked, drown out the subtleties of his performance; that for cinema audiences he is as much a draw as any part he happens to be playing. |
|  | | Empire Presents the New York Film Academy
New York Film Academy has built a reputation as one of the premier film schools in the world. With its innovative hands-on approach to teaching, students find themselves completely immersed in their course of study, surrounded by award-winning faculty and working with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Learn Filmmaking, Acting for Film, Photography, Musical Theatre, Game Design, Animation and more. |
 A plethora of Star Wars goodies to celebrate Jeffrey Brown's new book, Goodnight Darth Vader - perfect for the potential Padawans in your family.
 
The Rock's beard in Hercules is made from the pubic hair of a yak. 
Frank Grillo is hard at work on his Cockney accent. 
George Harrison's memorial tree in LA has been killed by actual beetles. 
Frank Marshall is planning to drop Benny Mardones' 'Into The Night' at the Jurassic World wrap party. 
Chris Pratt is a huge fan of TOWIE.
 |  | |  | |  | |  |  | | Johnny Depp joins Aerosmith. | | Queen's bandmen play the Game Of Thrones theme. | | Swimming Pool 1 Statham 0 | | OAP Ghostbuster FTW. |
If you have any timewasters to share, then e-mail them in to us. |
 
Hercules 
With Hercules, Brett Ratner and Dwayne Johnson are out to entertain you - no more, no less. And that is just what they do. Also Out
 
The Lego Movie 
The makers could have easily Smurfed this, chucking out something bland that would probably still make a chunky profit on the back of brand recognition. Instead they've gone for broke, unleashing a film that's insane, witty, uneven and almost certain to delight anyone who's ever laid hands on Lego. Also Out
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