Entertainment journalist Leigh Livingstone and movie expert Tim Iffland review the newest film releases, plus break down the latest trailers and movie news. Bite-sized, moreish and a little salty – this is Popcorn Podcast with Leigh and Tim.
All in Special
One Night Only director Will Gluck takes Popcorn Podcast behind the scenes of his new high-concept romantic comedy. In our chat with the celebrated director, Will talks about his love of Australian coffee, shooting the “lived in New York” experience for the film, the undeniable talent of Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro, his freezing ocean pool plunge with Callum turner in the middle of winter, and the thing Molly Ringwald said to him on set that made him emotional. All this and so much more.
Ginger Minj and Jujubee join Popcorn Podcast to talk their new comedy disaster film Stop! That! Train! In our chat, Ginger Minj and Jujubee talk ghost wardrobes, why drag queens are super-heroes, the conversation with director Adam Shankman that shifted their perspective on their characters, what iconic moment from drag race had to be explained to the straight crew and why nothing beats a jet 2 holiday? All this and so much more.
Christian Barkel, animation director at Flying Bark productions, joins Popcorn Podcast to take us behind the scenes of their work on Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender. In our chat, Christian talks about the integral role of an animation director across the entire production, the massive creative pay off in bringing to life an animated project, recapturing the awe and exciting and inspiration of the original Avatar series in their latest project, Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender and what sets the new film apart with a hybrid animation style, and ponder if AI is a threat or opportunity.
Barbara Stephen, CEO of Flying Bark productions, joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss her role in leading the prolific independent producer of family-focused animated content. In our chat, Barbara talks to the diversity in the animators and artists they hire and the importance of creative culture, the desire to do something exceptional - such as their work on Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender and gives a tease as to what they are working on now.
Australian actor Callan Mulvey joins Popcorn Podcast to talk his dystopian action drama, The Run. In our chat, Callan talks about how he feels about scenes getting cut that he is passionate about, how much he loves the collaborate process and surrendering to it, how his characters costume came together, and how the psychology of his character informs his performance.
Andy Serkis is on Popcorn Podcast to talk his latest directorial effort, and animated retelling of George Orwell’s classic novel, Animal Farm. In our chat, Andy shares how the origins of his adaptation were originally much darker, how the corruption of power is explored in his film, what he considers to be his spiritual home, and which moment in a Paul Thomas Anderson film brings him joy.
Obsession writer/director Curry Barker is on the podcast for this very special interview episode. In our chat, Curry talks about the film club he is now part of, his reaction to people getting tattoos inspired by the film, how he discovered a new vision for his film during the process, and how he helped Inde Navarrette learn how to scream.
Zoey Deutch, David Wain and Ken Marino are here to talk Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass - a high-concept cliché machine that plays dumb so smart. It’s so bonkers and is so gleefully committed to its absurdity. In our chat, Ken and David reveal who they write their films for, what it was like for Zoey to join the Wain/Marino Cinematic Universe, why the films stupid premise meant they just HAD to make it and who the secret Australian characters are in the film.
Hollywood icon Jeff Bridges and SNL alum Bobby Moynihan join Popcorn Podcast to talk Minions & Monsters. In our chat, Jeff and Bobby share what the most rewarding part of the filmmaking process is for them, how their research influenced their voice work and what iconic movie props they would display in a film history museum - all this and so much more.
Director of Supergirl Graig Gillespie is on Popcorn Podcast to take us behind the scenes of the DCU space opera. Supergirl which proves the range Craig has as a filmmaker, from critically acclaimed indie cinema to this big budget comic book adaptation. In our chat, Craig talks about the tonal balancing act he was going for, how he and Milly Alcock were “co-conspiritors” on set each day and the zero fucks nature to Kara that he loves.
Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira is on Popcorn Podcast in an interview DC fans won't want to miss. We first got a taste of Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El in 2025’s Superman, but Ana is giving us the true introduction to the hero in her first feature length appearance since 1984’s Supergirl. In our chat, we talk about how Ana was mining Kara’s complexities and grief, that Krypton as a symbol of home, the films connection with The Princess Bride and James Gunn’s brief to Ana about the DCU world she was to play in.
Actors Joe Bird, Mia Wasikowska and writer/director Adrian Chiarella are on Popcorn Podcast to talk new queer horror, Leviticus. We recently sat down with Joe, Mia and Adrian to discuss how the universality of fear connects us, how our primal fear plays a role in unlearning things, how horror is a safe space for the queer community, and the significance of Naim and Ryan’s rings in the film. That and so much more, including how Titanic influenced a particular scene.
Piper Curda & Bobby Moynihan join Popcorn Podcast to celebrate Disney Pixar's Hoppers streaming on Disney+. In our chat, Piper and Bobby talk about their amazing Beaver Sanctuary experience in the UK, what momentoes they now hold from their experience on the film, why their director got them to do 80-100 takes for some lines and so much more. You’re gonna love it.
Academy award nominated filmmaker Travis Knight is on Popcorn Podcast to talk his new blockbuster fantasy epic, Masters of the Universe. In our chat, Travis talks about his very clear vision for the film he wasted no time in bringing to life, how he married practical and visual effects in the film perfectly and a story about Queen lead guitarist you have to hear to believe.
Australian filmmaker Zoe Pepper is here to talk her satirical dark comedy, Birthright. In our chat, Zoe talks about the films power dynamics, satirical tone and why she gravitates towards things that are dark and political. She also shares the intention behind the films heightened music and the moral grey area the story plays in.
Life Could Be A Dream director Jasmin Tarasin and screenwriter Courtney Collins discuss their deeply important film about the destructive cycles of coercive control. In our chat, Jasmin and Courtney share how the film came to be and the unique creative process that beared fruit between writer, director and actor. They also discuss how they extended their web of knowledge to authentically represent cohesive control in relationships and how important the partnerships with CommBank and the Mancave are to the films message.
Mortal Kombat II director Simon McQuoid returns to Popcorn Podcast! In our chat, Simon shares his goal to create a maximalist world, how the IMAX experience levelled up the sequel in big ways, why dialling up the female representation was a must for the story and the dirty fighting he revelled in bringing to live. All this and much more.
Get over here friends because the trio of stars we have on Popcorn Podcast for Mortal Kombat II is a flawless victory. Karl Urban (Johnny Cage), Jessica McNamee (Sonya Blade) & Josh Lawson (Kano) are here. In our chat, the gang share how much improvisation came into play with the “battle of the one liners”, how important the strong female voice was for the film, why Karl Urban was happy to hand over the “dangerous stuff” to the stunt team, and what sits at the heart of each of their characters.
The incredibly talented Molly Gordon is here to talk new family film, The Sheep Detectives. In our chat, Molly gives us insight into her glamorous “va va voom” entrance, how her role was a “delicious challenge” and what it was like working with “dream boat” Aussie Hugh Jackman, plus so much more.
Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd joins us on Popcorn Podcast to talk new action thriller, Seven Snipers. In our chat, Ioan describes the experience of expert training to become a sniper, how the human elements of the script drew him in, what filming on location in Australia offered his performance and the underrated joys of solo visits to the cinema.
