Empire February 2023
What happens when you’re invited inside the halls of Nicolas Cage’s Las Vegas home, and have the opportunity to photograph the iconic, maverick, no-holds-barred actor sat inside his very own giant Peruvian geodesic dome, glittering with purple crystal formations? Well, you put it front and centre on the cover, of course. For our Greatest Actors Issue – celebrating cinema’s 50 most powerful performers, as voted for by you – Empire spent a wild day with the legend himself to discuss his greatest performances, his ‘nouveau shamanic’ acting style, his ability to skirt between surrealism and naturalism, and the places he’s still yet to go in his career. Plus, we meet his menagerie of animals – fish, turtles, terrapins, a pig, a possum, a crow, a Maine Coone cat named Merlin, and his Chow Chow dog, Bruce Lee.
And that’s only the beginning – the issue is packed with celebrations of cinema’s greatest on-screen talent, boasting incredible new interviews with the stars themselves (including an extensive acting masterclass from Tilda Swinton), tributes from directors, and more. Inside, you’ll find Tim Burton waxing lyrical on his Joker, Jack Nicholson; Ridley Scott singing the praises of Joaquin Phoenix as they collaborate again on Napoleon; Baz Luhrmann on the talents of Nicole Kidman; Gina Prince-Bythewood on the magic and magnetism of Viola Davis; James Mangold, who studied Buster Keaton movies to prepare for Indiana Jones 5, on the magic of Buster; and Ang Lee paying tribute to the late, legendary Heath Ledger.
Plus, we take an exclusive look at the bonkers Cocaine Bear, prepare to face the apocalypse with The Last Of Us, blast off into the cosmos with Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3, and much, much more. Enjoy.
Order your copy today, or better still, become an Empire Member today.
