Tintin In Space! (ft. guest, Ian McKellen)

The Empire Film Podcast kicks off with a lively discussion on chocolate cravings and a playful roast of Tintin, setting a humorous tone before diving into a spirited debate about characters who hijacked franchises in sequels. The panel debates iconic figures like Puss in Boots, Furiosa, and Dr. Frasier Crane, ultimately settling on Puss in Boots as the most franchise-hijacking character. They then explore whether 'event cinema' is back, with strong support for films like *Project Hail Mary* and *Devil Wears Prada 2* as evidence of renewed theatrical excitement, despite ongoing challenges in the cinema experience. The show shifts gears with a major announcement: Peter Jackson is threatening to make *Tintin 2* and demands his way, reigniting passion for the beloved character. This leads into a special guest segment featuring Sir Ian McKellen, who discusses his role in Steven Soderbergh’s *The Christophers*, a sharp, dialogue-driven black comedy about art forgery and a complex mentor-mentee relationship. The episode concludes with glowing four-star reviews for *The Christophers*, *Normal*, *The Punisher: One Last Kill*, and especially *Obsession*, a breakout horror film praised for its psychological depth, unsettling tone, and social commentary on toxic relationships.