Popcorn With Peter Travers

It's been 13 years since Billy Bob Thornton donned the red suit and white beard and shocked us all with his NSFW comedy "Bad Santa." So what took so long for the sequel? Thornton talks to Peter Travers about the big break between films and why he's finally back at it in "Bad Santa 2." * ABOUT POPCORN WITH PETER TRAVERS: This show features the world's biggest stars and top moviemakers. They drop by the ABC News studio to talk to Rolling Stone's film and television critic Peter Travers about their latest projects and their lives. And just when you think you know all there is about these stars, there's a musical surprise at the end of every interview! Popcorn on Twitter: http://abcn.ws/2gGYRiD Popcorn on Facebook: http://abcn.ws/2f3iHDw Popcorn on YouTube: http://abcn.ws/2gyswtx Popcorn on Instagram: http://abcn.ws/2fC0Ak2 * DISCOVER MORE PODCASTS: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

Internationally renowned singer, songwriter and actor Josh Groban is making his Broadway debut. Groban is appearing in the all new musical "The Great Comet." The show is already receiving rave reviews with some critics saying it is the greatest thing since the Broadway smash hit "Hamilton" and even better! During the performance, some theatergoers are even interacting with Groban on stage. Groban talks to Peter Travers about what it's like to take to the Broadway stage for the first time and play to an audience that's so up close and personal. Discover more ABC podcasts at http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

Ruth Negga, hotly Oscar buzzed as Best Actress for her breathtaking performance in "Loving," showed up on our Popcorn set at ABC and held us spellbound. Of Ethiopian and Irish descent, Ruth radiates beauty inside and out. And it's all there to see in "Loving," in which she plays Mildred Loving, a black woman who was jailed in 1958 in Virginia where marrying a white man (Joe Edgerton) was a crime. The Loving's fight against racism led to a landmark Supreme Court decision that took the law off the books. Discover more ABC podcasts at http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

Tim Daly, the former "Wings" star plays Henry McCord, husband to Tea Leoni's Secretary of State on the whipsmart political drama "Madam Secretary." Daly talks about his role as the theology and ethics professor who, in addition to being voted one of the hottest D.C. spouses, also works covertly for the NSA. Be sure to listen for Daly's spot-on impression of Bill Clinton and his enthusiastic rendition of "You Really Got Me" by the Kinks. Discover more ABC podcasts at http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

It's been ten years since Mel Gibson last directed a film. In what's been called his comeback, Gibson is already getting Oscar buzz for his movie "Hacksaw Ridge." Gibson talks to Peter Travers about getting back in the director's seat, how he came back from the controversy of his 2006 DUI arrest and what it's like to be a father for the ninth time. Discover more ABC podcasts at http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

In honor of the upcoming elections, Peter Travers offers up a 'Popcorn' special about the best political movies and TV shows - the ones that get you laughing, crying or just plain teed-off about what’s up in the polls. From "Citizen Kane" and "Primary Colors" to "House of Cards," there’s just so much to see. So, did Hollywood somehow predict what is playing out right before our eyes? Take a listen and you may be in store for a few surprises. Discover more ABC podcasts at http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

Popcorn Trick or Treat: It's Peter Travers' picks for the best spine-tingling movie watching this Halloween weekend. There's zombies, from "Night of the Living Dead" to the barbed wire-bat-bashing new season of "The Walking Dead." Ghosts show up, from "The Shining" to "The Conjuring." Peter's list includes horror shows that never fail and fright classics you've never heard of ("Martyrs," anyone?) Get ready to creep out! Happy Halloween! Discover more ABC podcasts at http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

Norman Reedus' character in the hit AMC zombie series "The Walking Dead" is arguably one of the most buzzed about TV heroes of the year. Fans of the show are going bonkers trying to figure out just how long 'Daryl Dixon' will be around to fight off zombies. Reedus talks to Peter Travers about battling those zombies and about the extreme measures the producers take to ward off plotline spoilers to keep the shows fresh for fans. Discover more ABC podcasts at: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

Cobie Smulders is giving Tom Cruise a run for his action money this week in "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back." Smulders starred for nine seasons on the CBS sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" and puts in her two cents about the controversial 2014 series finale. She also plays Maria Hill as part of the Marvel cinematic universe, though she says she wishes she could be Iron Man (don't we all?). Discover more ABC podcasts at http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

Ava DuVernay is a filmmaking force of nature. Her feature film, "Selma" won an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. And "13th," her brilliant documentary about the amendment that only pretends to abolish slavery, is shaking up audiences in theaters and on Netflix. Don't miss Ava's take on the myth of racial equality in America and the power she imbues in her version of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" that ends our show. What's going on is Ava DuVernay, the creator of "Queen Sugar" on the Oprah Winfrey Network and the first African-American woman to step into blockbuster territory by directing the upcoming Disney epic, "A Wrinkle in Time." Discover more ABC podcasts at http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

There's already Oscar buzz around Emily Blunt's latest film role in "The Girl on the Train." The film is an adaptation from the bestselling book of the same name. Blunt recently stopped by the ABC News studios to appear on "Popcorn with Peter Travers." She talked about her part in the movie as an unhinged alcoholic who witnesses a crime. She also opens up about how she first met husband John Krasinski and what it's like to be a new mom to 15-week-old baby Violet. Discover more ABC News podcasts at http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

It might just be that Mike Colter was meant to be a superhero. His deep voice will stop you in your tracks. At 6'3 with broad shoulders, his presence is immediately known in a room. Colter is the newest entry into Marvel's superhero world, playing the role of Luke Cage. He stopped by ABC’s "Popcorn with Peter Travers" to talk about his show's long-awaited debut. Discover more ABC News podcasts at www.ABCNewsPodcasts.com

Jada Pinkett Smith is now steaming up TV screens as the sexy villain Fish Mooney on "Gotham." Does Jada herself have a bad-girl side? Tune in as she talks with humor and blunt honesty about how she and husband Will Smith first met and how they're raising two super cool teen stars to be real instead of entitled. Discover more ABC News podcasts at www.ABCNewsPodcasts.com

Patrick Dempsey has a lot on his mind, starting with his transition from 11 TV seasons as Dr. McDreamy on "Grey’s Anatomy" to a return to the big screen in "Bridget Jones’s Baby." It's fascinating to hear the 50-year-old actor, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 12 and made his name in movies with the 1987 teen smash, "Can’t Buy Me Love," compare acting and his new love of racing. How? Listen up, you’ll be surprised.

Two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington is already stirring quite the buzz for his new film "The Magnificent Seven." And he's never even seen the original version of the film. It's a remake of the 1960 western film of the same name. Washington talks to film critic Peter Travers about taking on the role and about his new passion project "Fences" set to be released later this year. And find out how Washington feels about one of his sons and a daughter now following in his famous footsteps and taking up their own acting careers.

John Krasinski and Margo Martindale have reunited on screen for the first time in 15 years. But most fans may not remember the first time the pair teamed up -- to peddle purses and clothing. Fast forward and the two are now household names. They've teamed up for the new comedy-drama "The Hollars," which Krasinski also directed. Krasinski and Martindale talk to film critic Peter Travers about rekindling that undeniable mother/son chemistry on set. Discover more ABC podcasts: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

Joseph Gordon-Levitt took extreme measures to prepare for his newest role as NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden in the new film "Snowden." Gordon talks to film critic Peter Travers about flying to Russia to meet Snowden face-to-face. And he opens up about his first encounter with Snowden's parents. He also shares why he thinks the controversial Snowden should be pardoned. Discover more ABC podcasts: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

Tom Hanks returns to the big screen with another Oscar-worthy film. Hanks chats with film critic Peter Travers about his transformation into legendary pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger. The conversation expands on the acclaimed actor's maturity through the years, and Hanks opens up about why he doesn’t watch his own movies. Discover more ABC podcasts: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

Heads up, movie addicts! There are a boatload of great films coming your way. Fall is the time when the studios mix their blockbusters with movies so good they can grab an Oscar. Take a listen as film critic Peter Travers breaks down all the movies you'll want to see. Discover more ABC podcasts: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com

It's LEGEND time on Popcorn this week, with the great Robert De Niro dropping by to talk about his role as iconic fight trainer Ray Arcel in "Hands of Stone." It's another award-caliber performance from an actor who keeps springing surprises. Travers talks to De Niro about transforming himself to play such characters as Vito Corleone ("The Godfather 2"), Travis Bickle ("Taxi Driver"), Jake LaMotta ("Raging Bull") and Al Capone ("The Untouchables"). Discover more ABC podcasts: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com