Movie magazine Empire has unveiled its new issue, featuring Steven Spielberg as he returns to the subject of aliens for the first time in over two decades. From Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial to Minority Report and War Of The Worlds, Spielberg has made one classic of the genre after another. Now he’s back in summer-blockbuster mode with top-secret thriller Disclosure Day (in cinemas from 12 June), and Empire sat down with the filmmaker and his cast to unearth some secrets.
The publisher says exclusive quotes from inside the issue include:
Steven Spielberg on whether humanity has made contact with aliens: “If I could know, I would want to know. Who would not want to know? But there are also great questions on what kind of social and theological disruption would occur if such an event was disclosed beyond anyone’s reasonable doubts.”
Spielberg on how Disclosure Day has “resolved” his alien obsession: “I have seven solid decades of a vast personal interest in what lies beyond our atmosphere, in the cosmos, and what is within our atmosphere right here on planet Earth. The question has always remained for me: are we alone on our own planet? I cannot imagine that we are alone out there. That question has not only haunted me, but it has inspired me. But, I think, it has now resolved itself to my satisfaction in Disclosure Day.”
Spielberg on his lifelong love of all things outer space: “My dad took me outside when I was five years old in New Jersey to watch a meteor shower. Then he built me a homemade reflecting telescope, where I was able to see the moons around Jupiter and the rings around Saturn. So, I give credit to my father for instilling in me both values of science and imagination.”
For its June issue (on sale Thursday 9 April), Empire photographed Steven Spielberg exclusively for two covers – newsstand and subscriber-only – and spoke to him and key cast members – Colin Firth , Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Eve Hewson, and Colman Domingo – alongside brand-new imagery from the movie.
Nick de Semlyen, editor-in-chief of Empire, said: “Steven Spielberg means a lot to Empire and our readers: after all, he guest-edited our 20th birthday issue. Now, we’re thrilled to have him on our cover, via a world-exclusive sci-fi-themed photoshoot as he returns to the genre with which he’s synonymous. Packed with insights into his process and previously untold tales, this issue is truly a close encounter of the Spielberg kind.”
The June issue of Empire is available on all newsstands from Thursday 9 April, and to purchase online at greatmagazines.co.uk, in both print and digital editions.
Disclosure Day is in cinemas from June 12.
Keep up-to-date with publishing news: sign up here for InPubWeekly, our free weekly e-newsletter.
