Interviews

National treasure Miranda Otto is here to talk about her new film The War of the Rohirrim. The anime adventure expands JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings with a story about Helm Hammerhand and the battle to save his people at the fortress that would come to be known as Helm's Deep. In a special Popcorn Podcast chat, Otto shares what it was like to revisit her iconic character Éowyn…

Venture to Middle Earth with Popcorn Podcast and The War of the Rohirrim co-writers Arty Papageorgiou and Phoebe Gittins. The duo takes us behind the scenes of their new original film that reawakens JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings in a way we haven’t seen before – as anime. Discover how Papageorgiou and Gittins convinced Miranda Otto to reprise her role as Eowyn; why hero Hera is so more than a warrior princess ;and why anime was the only approach to do this epic adventure justice – plus, stick around for a tease about their next project, The Hunt For Gollum…

Friend of the podcast Melissa Barrera returns to Popcorn Podcast to talk new film Your Monster, the beastly rom-com/horror from Caroline Lindy that's all about embracing your inner rage. Barrera shares why we should get in touch with darker feelings and how the film challenged her own notions of how women should behave. She also reveals the monster on her back while filming and why she's levelling up in 2025…

Jonathan Bailey joins Popcorn Podcast to take us behind the scenes of Jon M Chu's highly anticipated Wicked adaptation. Bailey, of Bridgerton fame, portrays Winkie Prince Fiyero alongside Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba and Ariana Grande's Glinda – he delights with talk of clunky booties, Wizard of Oz Easter eggs and how to dismount a horse in style. Tune in and swoon out…

Jason Scott Lee joins Popcorn Podcast to talk The Wind and The Reckoning, Hawaii's first native language film to receive a wide release. The movie, inspired by real events, follows the rebellion of a group of Native Hawaiians as they resist government-mandated exile during an outbreak of leprosy in 19th-century colonial Hawaii. Lee (Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Mulan) also shares what it was like filming a movie about a pandemic during an actual pandemic and the groundbreaking film that blows his mind…

Love on the Spectrum star Michael Theo drops by Popcorn Podcast to talk acting, his love of movies and being recognised as a CGA Rising Star. Each year, the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) comes together to identify a group of extraordinary actors they believe have the potential to break out on the world stage. Theo recently made his acting debut in the ABC series Austin, after his small-screen turn in the uplifting Netflix docuseries Love on the Spectrum…

Gladiator II star Connie Nielsen joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss her return to Ancient Rome in Ridley Scott's epic sequel. The Danish actor (also known as Queen Hippolyta in the Wonder Woman and Justice League films) reprises her role as Lucilla, some 24 years after the Oscar-winning Gladiator, returning as the now-grown Gladiator Lucius’ (Paul Mescal) mother. In a wide-ranging interview that gets a little emotional, Nielsen reveals how Lucilla has changed and shares insights into Ridley Scott, as well as shocks us with a surprising fact about the original Gladiator…

Shari Sebbens joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss her leading role in Indigenous psychological horror The Moogai. Sebbens shares what she loves about the horror genre, the importance of telling Indigenous stories and how she balanced crazy and truth in her chilling performance…

Gabriel LaBelle returns to Popcorn Podcast to talk about his new film Saturday Night, in which he portrays legendary SNL co-creator and producer Lorne Michaels. LaBelle shares insights into the high-energy, chaotic atmosphere of Jason Reitman’s film and the unique challenges of taking on such an influential figure in entertainment history – something the star is becoming accustomed to following his turn as a young Steven Spielberg in The Fabelmans…

Antony Penrose, the son of iconic photographer and war correspondent Lee Miller, joins Popcorn Podcast to dive into the highly anticipated film Lee, starring Kate Winslet. Penrose shares personal insights into his mother’s extraordinary life and their relationship; discusses her lasting legacy in art and photography; and shares how it felt seeing Oscar-winner Winslet portray Miller's fearless spirit and complex character…

Writer and director Parker Finn joins Popcorn Podcast while in Australia for SXSW Sydney to chat much-anticipated horror follow-up Smile 2. In our interview, Finn unravels his manic writing process; reminisces on Naomi Scott’s impressive ability to chug; and shares what Smile 2 says about celebrity consumption – all while nerding out over his opening one-take shot… 

Academy Award-winning independent animator and visual artist Adam Elliot is here to talk new "clayography" Memoir of a Snail. In our chat, Elliot shares how audiences are reacting to his film; his “backwards” writing process; why he wants to make us all cry; and why Sarah Snook and Kodi Smit-McPhee came to mind for his tormented characters.

Wizard of Waverly Place turned producer, writer and director David Henrie is here to take us on an adventure through his family-friendly spooky new movie Monster Summer, starring Mel Gibson and Mason Thames. Henrie takes us through directing screen legends and burgeoning talents; the challenges of getting Monster Summer to screens; and why it's the right time to escape into movies that have something for everyone...

Best-selling author Craig Silvey and actor Matt Day (Muriel's Wedding) visit Popcorn Podcast to talk about their heartwarming new film, Runt. Silvey's novels have been called modern Australian classics, and Runt is no different, telling a coming-of-age story of hope against adversity – featuring a delightfully villainous Fergus Fink (Day). The pair take us behind the scenes of Runt and talk "toning it down" in a special interview episode of Popcorn Podcast...

Chris Sanders, animation legend, joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss his new film The Wild Robot, featuring the voice talents of Lupita Nyong'o and Kit Connor. The DreamWorks adaptation of Peter Brown's beloved novel about a Robot shipwrecked on an uninhabited island was an ambitious undertaking. In a wide-ranging Popcorn Podcast interview, Sanders shares how The Wild Robot's unique style aligned to the DreamWorks “look and feel”; the non-negotiable elements of Peter Brown's story; and what there is to learn from the beauty of ignorance...

Academy award-nominated filmmaker Carlos Saldanha drops by Popcorn Podcast to talk his new film, Harold and the Purple Crayon. Starring Zachary Levi and Zooey Deschanel, Harold and the Purple Crayon is the first film adaptation of the beloved children’s classic that has captivated young readers for decades about an adventurous Harold who can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. In our chat, Saldanha shares how long the animation veteran has been eyeing a live-action project; the power of imagination; and a sticky situation on set he had to think fast to solve...

Local actor Shaka Cook – a proud Innawonga and Yindjibarndi man from the Pilbara region of Western Australia – visits Popcorn Podcast to take us behind the scenes of his new film Kid Snow. Cook shares insights on his personal connection to the story and his character – nicknamed Armless – who had a unique approach to fighting, as well as the films that get him excited about cinema...

Oscar-nominee June Squibb and co-star Fred Hechinger – who we'll also see in the upcoming Gladiator II – delight in this Popcorn Podcast episode about their new film, Thelma, which puts a clever spin on movies like Mission: Impossible with an elderly grandmother as an unlikely action hero. In our warm and fuzzy chat, Squibb and Hechinger share their admiration for each other; why Hechinger “tickles” Squibb; and stunt advice for Tom Cruise...

Josh Margolin, the writer and director of Sundance darling Thelma, pops by to talk about his celebrated ‘geriaction’ film. A twist on the classic “one last job” flick, Thelma follows a feisty 93-year-old grandmother (June Squibb) who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson (Fred Hechinger) and sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles to reclaim what was taken from her. In a wonderful conversation, Margolin shares dedicating Thelma to his grandma; the inherent tension of June Squibb performing her own stunts; and how his improvisation background helped influence the movie...

Kneecap co-writer and director Rich Peppiatt joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss his Irish-language film hot off its US release and award-winning turn at Sundance. Starring the members of an anarchist Belfast rap trio, Kneecap is the true story of how they became the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save their mother tongue. In our chat with the passionate filmmaker, Peppiatt talks about the collective euphoria his film offers; why beer and his film go hand-in-hand; the big gamble he and his cinematographer took; and why he was always outnumbered...

Author, charity founder and adventurer Ed Jackson joins Popcorn Podcast to talk about his new documentary, The Mountain Within Me. From award-winning filmmaker Polly Steele, the film follows Ed Jackson's journey to recovery after suffering a serious spinal cord injury in 2017 which put an end to his professional rugby career. Determined and ambitious, Jackson decides to climb some of the most challenging peaks on earth. In our open and honest chat, Jackson shares the lessons he learned from his darkest days in recovery; his evolving relationship with the word “no”; growing through trauma; and the inspiring work of his charity Millimetres 2 Mountains...

Filmmaker Austin Peters (Give Me Future) is here and we're talking sunshine noir, brushes with death, leaps of faith and getting a superstar cast, including Elizabeth Banks, Nathan Fillion, Lewis Pullman and MJ Rodriguez, together for his first narrative feature film set in the world of celebrity skincare…

Justin Baldoni joins Popcorn Podcast for an Australian exclusive interview about his new film It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover's deeply personal best-selling novel of the same name. The Jane The Virgin actor co-stars as Ryle opposite Blake Lively's Lily Bloom and also directs the film. Baldoni shares what compelled him to adapt It Ends With Us and how he approached what is not only a really sensitive subject, but a story that has even fans of the books divided on its execution…

First-time filmmaker Daniel André joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss his feature film debut Running on Empty. The film follows Mort (Keir Gilchrist), who discovers he has less than a year to live and uses a dating service that matches people by their death dates. In our chat, André talks about society’s fascination with death; how making the film was unexpectedly cathartic; the comparisons made to his film and After Hours; and how he and star Keir Gilchrist bonded on set…

Aussie talent-to-watch Shabana Azeez joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss her complex role in Australian thriller Birdeater. The tense film follows bride-to-be Irene (Azeez) as she is invited to her fiancé's bachelor party, but when uncomfortable details of their relationship are exposed, the night takes a feral turn. The delightful Azeez shares how equally excited and terrified she was to play Irene; how she hopes audiences react to the controversial film; how collaboration was key when it came to intimacy; the classic movie that brings her joy; and so much more…

First-time filmmakers Jack Clark and Jim Weir join Popcorn Podcast to discuss their micro-budget Australian thriller, Birdeater. The tense film follows bride-to-be Irene as she is invited to her fiancé's bachelor party, but when uncomfortable details of their relationship are exposed, the night takes a feral turn. Directing duo Clark and Weir respond to the divided reactions on their film; how masculine identity is explored in its characters; the origins of the game ‘Paranoia’ and so much more…

Instantly recognisable actor and voice artist Patrick Warburton drops by Popcorn Podcast ahead of his appearance at Metro Comic Con 2024 to talk iconic characters, living large in Australia with local superstars, working with Seth Macfarlane and how Harvey Weinstein got in the way of a big payday…

Twisters director Lee Isaac Chung joins Popcorn Podcast to talk helming a long-awaited sequel to 1996 cult classic Twister, starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. Chung hopes to blow audiences away with his take on the action-packed blockbuster, this time featuring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glenn Powell as tornado chasers in pursuit of a monster storm. After bringing us the deeply personal Oscar-nominated Minari, Chung shares why independent filmmakers are perfect for big-budget popcorn films and how he stays true to the original Twisters while upping the ante for fans and new audiences alike…

Let's get Goofy! Legendary voice actor Bill Farmer drops by Popcorn Podcast ahead of Metro Comic Con to talk walking in the oversized shoes of one of Disney's most beloved characters – the one and only Goofy Goof. Farmer has been solely responsible for voicing the often clumsy, good-natured animated icon since 1987, as well other instantly recognisable characters, such as Sylvester, Yosemite Sam and Foghorn Leghorn in the original Space Jam film, and Stinkie in some of the Casper films. Farmer shares how he helped turn Goofy into a film trailblazer; the memorable fan encounter that has stayed with him through the years; and gives us one helluva Goofy holler…

Popular actor Brian Van Holt is here to talk his starring role in crime thriller Boneyard, featuring Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson and Mel Gibson. Boneyard is inspired by the real West Mesa Murders, where the skeletal remains of 11 women and girls were discovered in the New Mexico desert. Van Holt is best known for his leading role in Cougar Town, opposite Courteney Cox, and has appeared in countless TV shows and feature films over the past thirty years. In our chat, Van Holt shares how co-star Vincent E McDaniel approached him for the film; the secret to acting; and the surprising reason he will never do a musical…