Generation Star Wars

LEGO Ideas The X-Files

2026-07-21T16:07:55.831+01:00

The LEGO Group, in collaboration with Disney Entertainment, today unveils the LEGO Ideas The X-Files (21369) set, a 1,478-piece model that invites adult fans to celebrate the iconic ‘90s sci-fi drama.

To mark the reveal, Emmy Award-winning actor, Gillian Anderson, stars in a cinematic mini-film tribute to the beloved series. With a nod to FBI Special Agent Dana Scully, Anderson is drawn into an investigation that gradually leads her to uncover the LEGO set itself, piece by piece – bringing the world of The X-Files into brick-built form for the fans.

The LEGO Ideas The X-Files set recreates iconic moments from the series, centred on a detailed build of Fox Mulder’s office, paired with a forest clearing scene and a hovering UFO. The set includes 8 Minifigures: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Mr. X, Alex Krycek, Carl Busch, The Flukeman and a grey alien, allowing fans to recreate key investigations and encounters.

Anderson comments: “I didn’t expect to be stepping back into Scully’s heels to investigate a LEGO set… it has been so much fun revisiting that world all these years later. This set is a wonderful celebration of The X-Files, and the fans who have kept its mystery alive. The level of detail is brilliant - there are so many little nods that fans will absolutely recognise - and as a LEGO fan myself, I love that people can now quite literally build their own X-Files moments at home.”

LEGO Ideas The X-Files is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding LEGO Ideas The X-Files to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Masters of the Universe on Prime

2026-07-20T16:20:56.636+01:00

Only a month or so after its release in cinemas, Masters of the Universe is coming home to Prime Video this Wednesday in time for San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).

Read the official synopsis:

"After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) back to Eternia, where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto). To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe."

Masters of the Universe is directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee) from a script by Chris Butler. It stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He-Man, alongside Camila Mendes as Teela, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, Morena Baccarin as The Sorceress of Castle Grayskull, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Malcolm/Fisto, and Jared Leto as Skeletor.

Mattel launched Masters of the Universe with a toy line in 1982, followed by the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon from 1983-1985. The franchise now includes multiple animated series, toy lines, comics, video games, and books, along with a 1987 live-action film.

Only time will tell if the movie has enough of a second life on streaming to convince Amazon MGM Studios to take another journey to Eternia.

Masters of the Universe is streaming on Prime Video (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to Masters of the Universe on Prime Video? Let me know in the comments below.

Kenner Wars Kickstarter

2026-07-19T15:31:04.598+01:00

Kenner played a huge part in the success of Star Wars, enabling fans (myself included) to create their own adventures. Personally, the toys (licensed by Palitoy in the UK) took my mind off of years of neurological rehabilitation in the wake of a life-changing traumatic brain injury in childhood. I still have my original R2-D2 action figure, which an aunt gifted me before Star Wars was in cinemas in 1978.

Pulse has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Kenner Wars documenting the original toy line from 1978 to 1985, curated and annotated by Ron Salvatore and Jean-François Rolland.

Read the official description for Kenner Wars:

"A long, long time ago, in a toy store near you...

With the book Kenner Wars, travel back in time and return to the Star Wars toys range manufactured by Kenner between 1978 and 1985. This stunning, large-format, 240-page hardcover book will take you back to your childhood with hundreds of original photos, detailed descriptions of the action figures, spaceships and playsets, in-depth information on their production, and the most surprising stories.

A brand-new collector’s edition of Jean-François Rolland’s book is now available in an exclusive slipcase, along with a second 100-page book of advertisements titled May the Toys Be With You, by Ron Salvatore and Jean-François Rolland, as well as five prints of exclusive photos created for the book’s illustrations.

If you already own the first edition of the book, you can back a special Upgrade Bundle that includes the case, May the Toys Be With You, the five prints, and a dust cover to have your initial edition match the new one.

Kenner Wars is the gift that all the nostalgic fans from the galaxy far, far away have been waiting for! We need your support to make it real, so you can receive it by next Christmas."

What are your Kenner Star Wars memories? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars made out of cardboard

2026-07-18T14:10:44.662+01:00

In an era of AI-generated slop and algorithms, I stumbled across Star Wars superfan and YouTuber Zach King's loving recreation of the original Star Wars, made out of cardboard!

King enlisted several of his friends to help create the Star Wars reimagining, including on-screen roles for actors Randall Park and Jamie Costa. Costa has previously acted in Star Wars fan films.

"Star Wars has truly inspired so many filmmakers and reshaped how movies are made," King tells SPACE. "As a nod to how groundbreaking those films were, we asked ourselves, what if we made a version out of cardboard and shot it in just five days? That’s exactly what we ended up doing."

I mean, what Star Wars kid (myself included) didn't use cardboard boxes and pretend they were flying the Millennium Falcon or an X-wing into the Death Star trench during school summer holidays?

Have you watched Star Wars made out of cardboard? Let me know in the comments below.

The Batman: Part II first look

2026-07-15T16:25:50.985+01:00

Director Matt Reeves has shared a camera test from The Batman: Part II. The upcoming sequel has been delayed until 18th February 2028.

Reeves recently confirmed that Robert Pattinson (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Jeffrey Wright (Jim Gordon), Andy Serkis (Alfred Pennyworth), Colin Farrell (Oz Cobb/The Penguin), Jayme Lawson (Bella Réal) and Gil Perez-Abraham (Officer Martinez) will reprise their roles, alongside new cast members Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Charles Dance, Sebastian Koch and Brian Tyree Henry.

Nick Smith, our US-based reviewer, raved about The Batman.

Are you looking forward to The Batman: Part II? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO celebrates SpongeBob Day!

2026-07-14T15:40:43.638+01:00

It's SpongeBob Day! The LEGO Group dives down to Bikini Bottom with two new SpongeBob SquarePants sets, the 1,794-piece LEGO Icons SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom (11386) and the 72-piece LEGO BrickHeadz SpongeBob SquarePants Figure (40858), both available 1st September.

Read the official press release:

"Embark on an underwater journey with the LEGO® Icons SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom (11386) building set, a perfect gift for adult fans of the popular animated series. Enjoy the experience as you recreate SpongeBob’s pineapple home with a living room and bedroom; Squidward’s house with a living room, bedroom, bathroom and rooftop lounge; Patrick’s rock with a detailed interior; and a Jellyfish Fields scene. Relive iconic moments with favourite characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star and Squidward Tentacles, Gary the Snail and DoodleBob. Discover items from famed storylines, including the boatmobile, Squidward’s clarinet and music stand and a portrait of Gary, plus lots of surprises. Bring your favourite scenes to any bookshelf, desk or display cabinet with this collectible home and office décor building kit. Build smarter with the LEGO Builder app, where you can rotate the model in 3D, zoom in and track your progress."

LEGO Icons SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding LEGO Icons SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill dies aged 78

2026-07-13T12:47:47.547+01:00

Actor Sir Sam Neill, famed for his leading role in Steven Spielberg's dinosaur blockbuster Jurassic Park, has died aged 78.

Born in Omagh, Neill moved to New Zealand with his family when he was seven.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Sir Sam "started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of".

"For more than fifty years, he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The first film I remember seeing Neill star in was Omen III: The Final Conflict. He played Damien Thorn, son of the devil. During an illustrious career, he auditioned for the role of James Bond and later starred in Peaky Blinders.

In a statement to Variety, Spielberg paid tribute to Neill.

"I owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Donaldson, Gilliam Armstrong, Graham Baker and Phillip Noyce for casting Sam Neill in the roles in which he was so brilliant that brought him to my attention and led to his playing Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park.

“Sam was exceptionally collaborative,” the Jurassic Park director said. “It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were messy and smelly because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children.”

Spielberg concluded his statement by saying, “I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him. Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world.”

To this lifelong Spielberg fan, Neill will always be fondly remembered as Dr Alan Grant!

LEGO Icons Hubble Space Telescope

2026-07-11T17:30:23.361+01:00

The LEGO Group has revealed the 1,252-piece LEGO Icons Hubble Space Telescope, a detailed replica that captures the essence of the legendary observatory that helped reshape our understanding of the cosmos, available from 1st August.

Read the official press release:

"Explore one of humanity’s greatest scientific achievements with the LEGO® Icons Hubble Space Telescope (11382) – a space decor building set for adults. Perfect as a gift idea for astronomy enthusiasts, this detailed replica captures the essence of the legendary observatory that helped reshape our understanding of the cosmos. Remove the exterior panels to reveal a detailed instrument bay depicting gyroscopes and primary and secondary mirrors. Position the solar arrays and antennas, open the aperture door and display the telescope on its stand, complete with an information plaque. The set also includes an astronaut minifigure for approximate scale representation. Build this space model with confidence using the LEGO Builder app’s detailed 3D instructions. Discover the inspiring range of LEGO Icons projects (sold separately) designed specifically for ages 18 and up. This set contains 1,252 pieces."

LEGO Icons Hubble Space Telescope is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding LEGO Icons Hubble Space Telescope to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars SDCC exclusive from Jazwares

2026-07-10T12:10:54.300+01:00

Lucasfilm licensee Jazwares has announced its San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) exclusives, including a concept art variant of Boba Fett’s Slave I from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, which will sell for $60.

Read the official press release:

"Based on its concept art and model prototypes from the production of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™, the Starship comes packed with a pivoting cockpit and wings, an opening side panel, a removable weapons rack, an extending boarding ramp, positionable chin cannons, a seismic charge hatch, and more."

The fan-favourite Ralph McQuarrie design will be a must-have for fans (myself included) when it goes on sale on Friday, 23rd July. I might ask Nick Smith, our US-based reporter who is attending SDCC, to pick one up for me if it hasn't sold out.

Are you getting the Jazwares Star Wars Micro Galaxy Squadron exclusive at Comic-Con? Let me know in the comments below.

Lucasfilm announces Star Wars: The Experience

2026-07-09T10:33:11.981+01:00

Lucasfilm has officially announced Star Wars: The Experience, a large museum exhibit to celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary in 2027.

The roaming exhibit will contain more than 70 objects from a galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars: The Experience will open on 13th February 2027, just before the 50th anniversary re-release of the original Star Wars comes to cinemas. The exhibit will be on display at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until 6th September 2027.

“Star Wars created a cultural landscape that spans decades and delivers massive, undeniable global appeal,” says Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute. “Its influence extends far beyond cinema—shaping entertainment, culture, technology, and business, while redefining how stories are created, experienced, and shared across generations. The Franklin Institute is excited to put Philadelphia once again at the center of a major cultural moment with another blockbuster world premiere exhibition in 2027.”

From there, it will visit cities all across North America over the course of 5 years. It will not be going overseas.

Fans (including our very own Nick Smith) attending San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) this month will get the first look at the care put into curating this exhibit over more than four years of collaboration, with exclusive exhibit renderings and other new details.

Are you planning on visiting Star Wars: The Experience? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars fans patrol seaside town

2026-07-07T17:00:00.000+01:00

Star Wars fans descended on a Lancashire seaside town for a free six-and-a-half-hour themed event, featuring costumes, market stalls and more.

For years, local fans have organised meet-ups at Cleveleys, on the Fylde Coast, where Andor season one was filmed on the seafront. Cleveleys was transformed into the planet Niamos as part of the filming for Andor in 2021.

Jessica Monger grew up in California, not far from Star Wars creator George Lucas and moved to Cleveleys on the Fylde Coast in 2012.

"I still get giddy thinking about it, especially since I grew up in California next to Modesto, where George Lucas was from," the Star Wars superfan said.

Andor is a prequel spin-off series set before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on Disney+.

"So I move halfway across the globe, and it's right here at my doorstep - yeah, it's brilliant," said Monger, who has lived in the UK for more than 15 years.

Organisers said the event's emphasis was on community spirit and accessibility. This is the way.

Star Wars: Visions gets striking spin-off

2026-07-04T13:02:27.993+01:00

On Friday, Lucasfilm dropped an official trailer for Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi on Disney+ and Hulu, first revealed at Anime Expo 2026.

Read the official synopsis:

"This summer, trust in the Force and listen to your heart when Kara resumes her quest to find her missing father and evade Jedi Hunters in Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi, a new limited series from Lucasfilm and Production I.G."

The 8-episode limited anime series is part of an all-new Star Wars: Visions Presents banner, which allows filmmakers to tell longer-form Star Wars: Visions stories. Picking up not long after the events of the Visions shorts, in the new series, Lah Kara continues to train in the ways of the Jedi under Margrave Juro amid an epic journey of self-discovery as she and Juro’s small fellowship of Jedi-in-training embark on a quest to save her father.

Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi, an all-new anime series, streams on 5th August on Disney+ and Hulu.

Are you looking forward to Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi on Disney+ and Hulu? Let me know in the comments below.

Sony to end physical discs on PlayStation

2026-07-03T11:00:00.000+01:00

Sony has entered the digital-only chat by announcing it will no longer produce physical discs for new games releasing on PlayStation in January 2028. Does this suggest the PlayStation 6 (PS6) will be digital-only?

The Tokyo-based electronics giant has also announced that 551 digital movies from Studio Canal would be removed from the PlayStation Store.

This is an anti-consumer practice.

The halcyon days of midnight launches are gone forever post-pandemic, and vertical companies will have complete control over distribution, availability and dynamic pricing.

There are also cybersecurity concerns. Who else remembers the infamous PlayStation Network (PSN) hack of 2011?

An online backlash from console gamers (myself included) has witnessed satirical responses from Domino’s Pizza and KFC mocking Sony’s profit-driven decision with clever viral marketing.

What are your thoughts on Sony ending physical media on PlayStation? Let me know in the comments below.

Grand Theft Auto VI is digital-only

2026-07-02T12:09:03.789+01:00

The highs of Summer Game Fest 2026 gave way to negative news, including studio shutdowns, layoffs, and further price increases for current-gen consoles. To cap it all, Rockstar Games announced pre-orders and a release date for Grand Theft Auto VI.

Read the official synopsis:

"Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a criminal conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida — forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive."

GTA VI heads to the state of Leonida, home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond, in the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series yet. With a reported budget of over a billion dollars and featuring a female protagonist (Lucia), GTA VI was originally due to be released in 2025.

The long-awaited next instalment in the GTA franchise will be released on PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X|S on 19th November and will be digital-only.

This has sent shockwaves through the console community regarding physical vs digital media ownership.

Since 2021, along with Game Pass Ultimate, I've bought digital-only games on sale on the Xbox Series S, but I still like buying physical releases on PS5. However, I've pre-ordered the Grand Theft Auto VI: Ultimate Edition.

As a fan of GTA since GTA III, GTA VI is my most anticipated video game in years! Good thing I upgraded my PS5 with a WD_BLACK 2TB SSD before RAMageddon!

Rockstar Games has yet to announce a third official trailer for GTA VI. Given the unprecedented hype surrounding the video game, there's no need.

Pre-order Grand Theft Auto VI at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to Grand Theft Auto VI? Does it matter that it's digital-only at launch? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Starfighter footage shown by Disney

2026-07-01T07:00:00.000+01:00

During an Infinity Vision presentation in Barcelona, a certification program launched by the Walt Disney Company that verifies premium large format (PLF) cinema screens, Disney showed footage from Star Wars: Starfighter.

The footage was shown behind closed doors to industry professionals attending CineEurope.

Matt Smith, star of Doctor Who and House of the Dragon, has seen a rough cut of Star Wars: Starfighter and describes it as "absolutely blinding!"

According to a synopsis published on IMDb:

"In a rebuilding galaxy, a solitary pilot becomes entangled in a crucial mission as new threats emerge. Their journey may alter the future of the Force itself."

The upcoming film directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) stars Ryan Gosling, Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams.

Star Wars: Starfighter, a standalone story set 5 years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, is due for release on 28th May 2027 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' space opera.

Are you looking forward to Star Wars: Starfighter? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars Zero Company gameplay

2026-06-29T15:09:26.637+01:00

This is where the fun begins. During Summer Game Fest 2026, Electronic Arts and Lucasfilm Games shared a gameplay trailer for Star Wars Zero Company.

Read the official synopsis:

"Every Move Counts. Command an elite squad through a gritty and authentic story in Star Wars Zero Company, a single-player turn-based tactics game launching on PC, PlayStation 5 (PS5), and Xbox Series X|S.

Each choice you make could alter the fate of the galaxy in this cinematic original story set in the twilight of the Clone Wars Era."

"Our team has poured everything we love about Star Wars into Zero Company," said Greg Foertsch, CEO and Creative Director at Bit Reactor. "We've worked hand-in-hand with Lucasfilm Games to create an authentic Star Wars story packed with unique new characters, robust character customization, a new ship, Separatist Droids, and much more, all rooted in the conflict of the Clone Wars."

Take command of an elite squad when the new Star Wars video game arrives on PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series X|S and PC on 27th August.

“Star Wars Zero Company delivers an entirely new experience in the galaxy and for our fans,” says Douglas Reilly, VP and GM of Lucasfilm Games. “It pairs cinematic storytelling with strategic gameplay in a way that feels fresh for the franchise. Some of the most interesting stories come from new perspectives, and Zero Company explores the Clone Wars from deep within the shadows of the conflict, through a lens we haven’t seen before, while still feeling completely authentic to the world fans know.”

Pre-order Star Wars Zero Company at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to Star Wars Zero Company? Let me know in the comments below.

BBC cancels Doctor Who Christmas special

2026-06-11T11:00:47.949+01:00

The Christmas special has been cancelled, leaving the future of Doctor Who in flux!

The second and final season of Doctor Who on Disney+ ended with the titular Time Lord (Ncuti Gatwa) seemingly regenerating into Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) in the wake of a season that was wibbly-wobbly due to reshoots and uncertainty. Sorry, not sorry.

Russell T Davies, the returning series showrunner who had successfully rebooted the beloved BBC sci-fi series in 2005, teased that all would be revealed in a Christmas special in 2026.

In a timey-wimey twist, the BBC has announced the cancellation of the festive special. The BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead.

Referring to the announcement many fans (myself included) feared, Davies explained: "We only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there's no need for it.

"You'll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who... but you'll be waiting for more Doctor Who than a one-off. So it's worth it!

"For the record: there was no script, I never wrote it, and no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor."

I've long championed J Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5) as a potential series showrunner. After news broke on Wednesday about the future of Doctor Who, Straczynski took to social media to reiterate his previously stated desire for the role.

"A (relatively) quick note to respond to the (much appreciated) scores of (very nice) notes online regarding today's news about Doctor Who," he said.

"My interest and record is well-established; the only real question I think the BBC would (very fairly) ask is: would British fans be open to an American showrunner, even one who is legally a resident of the UK under a visa that allows me to work for in TV/film in the UK?

"I think so but I doubt they'd just take my word for it, nor should they. The fan community would have to have their (polite, constructive) say."

The production will now go out to tender.

HBO Max was rumoured to replace Disney+ as part of a broader co-production deal with the BBC, but that may have been nixed by the merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance. Apple TV is home to prestige sci-fi, and the current TARDIS interior wouldn’t look out of place in Cupertino. Just saying.

As a lifelong Whovian, it's all too easy to liken this news to the classic series cancellation in 1989! However, the media landscape and how we consume content have changed irrevocably. Doctor Who will be back on our screens and second screens sooner rather than later.

Tales from the TARDIS have been stuck in a nostalgia loop post-pandemic. Do you think J Michael Straczynski should be the next series showrunner? Let me know in the comments below.

Hayley Atwell plays the villain in Fable

2026-06-10T11:00:14.274+01:00

Sunday's XBOX Games Showcase, the first with Asha Sharma at the helm, celebrated 25 years of play with XBOX!

From Fable to Gears of War: E-Day, it harkened back to the original XBOX and XBOX 360 eras! It's worth noting that these titles were in development when Phil Spencer was the head of XBOX.

During the XBOX Games Showcase, pre-order details and a release date trailer dropped for Fable.

Read the official synopsis:

"Become the Hero you want to be in an immersive open-world action-RPG where each choice shapes your journey, reputation is everything, and fairytale endings are never guaranteed."

Fable is a beloved fantasy role-playing game franchise, and Playground Games' (Forza) reboot stars Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter) as the villain, Isobel. Talking to XBOX Wire, Fable Associate Narrative Director Craig Owens explained why Atwell was cast:

“Hayley’s ability to combine vulnerability with strength made her the perfect person to play Isabel, and working with her was a real pleasure. Her desire to really dig into the character and deliver the best possible performance in every scene blew us all away, not just on the performance capture stage but in the voice recording booth, where her classical training was on full display. Hayley brought a dedication, seriousness and grit to the role that, in many ways, mirrors the character’s own.”

Whilst Sharma has hit the reset button on the XBOX brand with a pivot back to exclusives, including Gears of War: E-Day, Halo: Campaign Evolved and Fable will be available on the PlayStation 5 (PS5).

Fable will be released on PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series X|S and PC on 23rd February 2027.

Pre-order Fable at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to Fable? Let me know in the comments below.

Masters of the Universe

2026-06-07T12:04:29.779+01:00

What a time to be a sci-fi and fantasy fan (myself included)! Not only is Star Wars back on the big screen, but also Masters of the Universe after almost 4 decades.

Following their adventure in a galaxy far, far away, Matt, Harry and Luke Charlton journey to Eternia.

Guest post by the Charltons

Our second trip to the cinema in as many weeks, but this time, we ventured out to see Masters of the Universe.

I've got a long history with this franchise.

The original Filmation cartoons were released when I was 2 or 3 years old. I had the toys, and we borrowed the VHS from the video rental guy who drove around in his van every week. In fact, we borrowed this particular He-Man videotape so many times that he actually gave it to my mum and dad.

I've had the original cartoons on Apple TV for many years, I watch them every now and again - especially when I'm at my most vulnerable. They are what you would call my ultimate comfort blanket. Those days when I'm really struggling to function at all, I'll watch a few episodes of He-Man, forget the world for a bit, and just travel back to those very young times when nothing really mattered and I would get a story about good vs evil, morals, and consequences. It was a much simpler time - or maybe it wasn't, but it certainly felt like it to me.

When I heard they were making a new live-action movie, I didn't really know what to think. It was either going to be great, or it was going to be awful - and that sort of awful that ends up being great later, where people decide it's cool or whatever.

Casting-wise, Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms felt a strong choice, and he undergoes quite a strong arc in the film. Nicholas Galitzine was a perfect Adam, and an awesome He-Man despite a few people being mean about his stature and overall muscle density - he has presence, and he works it, he works it well.

Jared Leto didn't suck - in fact, he was pretty good as Skeletor. There were a few lines that I didn't get that I'm going to have to wait for the home release for, so I can stick subtitles on for but it was fun, and he didn't take himself too seriously; he captured the spirit of the iconic villain very well.

Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn was great, and you get the feeling there's more to see of her in the future.

Camila Mendes as Teela - perfect. She projected a strong, complex figure who had a lot to deal with; she's fantastic.

On Rotten Tomatoes, we're sitting at 66% critic and 88% popcorn. Very similar to The Mandalorian and Grogu, who are at 62% and 87%, respectively.

This is by no means a Citizen Kane (still haven't seen that) or a Godfather (I've watched that, it was very long), but it is a wonderful love letter to everything about Mattel's beloved franchise.

Easter eggs aplenty for the eagle-eyed fan, with callbacks to the 1987 Dolph Lundgren film (21% critic and 41% popcorn) and the Filmation series. So many moments of pure elation - and some really funny backstory parts - particularly around names.

Pacing is good, there isn't too much time before we see a transformation, and, unlike the 1987 movie, very little time comparatively is spent on Earth - and KFC definitely does not feature.

With The Mandalorian and Grogu still fresh(ish). IMAX screens are booked up with that movie at the moment, so our local cinema was showing Masters of the Universe on screen 5. Screen 5 is tiny, less than 60 seats - there's no way I'm paying £50 plus £30 snack tax to watch it on something that feels only a little bigger than the living room TV, so we ventured to the Showcase Cinema Deluxe Leeds - about 15 mins away, but a little grander.

This is one of the old school dedicated cinema buildings, with 16 screens. Its grandiose lobby is a callback to releases past - in fact, I saw the midnight showing of every single Star Wars prequel trilogy release here from Star Wars: Phantom Menace to Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. It's had a makeover since then - every single seat not only reclines but also lies fairly flat - the space between the rows is something else, and you actually feel quite comfy.

It was the first trip there for the boys, and they've decided that they want to go there for Supergirl (don't you dare kill Krypto, James Gunn) and anything else we see this year.

I didn't know how Luke would be, and I only booked tickets yesterday - Harry has shown a little interest in He-Man before and wanted to go and see it, but I double-checked with Luke, and he said sure, he wanted to go. Every time I looked across at him, he was either laughing, smiling from ear to ear or totally engrossed in what was going on. He absolutely loved it. There was a little vomit scene, which I didn't realise (we had massive issues with a fear of vomiting last year), but he did amazing with it and it didn't phase him, so that's great progress.

Showcase gave us a small set of badges each, which are great. Snack-wise, it was good too, with the kids' movie box having popcorn, two different sets of sweets and a drink (which we upgraded to a blue raspberry slush). They also have Coca-Cola Freestyle, none of that Pepsi nonsense, so I guess that's another reason to head there.

The movie's runtime at 140 minutes didn't feel overly long - in fact, it felt like it was over before it started in some respects. Pacing was good, and director Travis Knight (Bumblebee) has an awful lot of love for all of it. Many of my childhood toys featured prominently, and it was great to see them in battles.

I might even go and see Masters of the Universe again, we'll see. Though the way things are going, I'll be able to buy it on digital in a month - it's not like it used to be, where there was a 2-year wait for a rental video release.

I'm sure I mentioned in the Mando review - we're a neurodivergent family - and I am autistic.

The final shot in the movie left me in floods of tears. I was overcome with emotion. Seeing the thing that brought me so much joy on a huge cinema screen ended up being too much. Tears of joy, tears of I don't know what - but definitely floods of tears.

There's an immediate credit scene, a mid-credit scene and then one final post-credits scene. It's definitely worth staying for all three.

I can only hope that this is just the beginning of the adventures in Eternia.

2026 is a fantastic year to be a moviegoer, and even better if you like what they're putting out at the moment, and I really do.

Until we meet again.......

Matt, Harry and Luke.

Have you seen Masters of the Universe? Let us know in the comments below.

Alien: Isolation 2 at Summer Game Fest

2026-06-06T11:39:54.915+01:00

During Friday's Summer Game Fest 2026 from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Alien: Isolation 2 was officially announced with a reveal trailer.

Read the official synopsis:

"The next chapter in the Alien: Isolation series, Alien: Isolation 2 will bring players face-to-face once more with cinema’s deadliest killer: Alien’s Xenomorph. With a brand-new setting, story and protagonist, players will embrace a whole new adventure, while experiencing the same deadly tension which established the original game as the ultimate survival-horror experience.

On a remote, storm-ravaged colony-world, players will endure the elements as they navigate the planet’s surface, and explore the claustrophobic confines of the Weyland-Yutani outpost of Kurosaki Station. It’s a new hunting-ground for the Alien, forcing players to improvise and develop new tools, techniques and tactics to survive the deadly game of cat-and-mouse."

The upcoming sequel to Alien: Isolation from Sega and Creative Assembly has piqued fans' (myself included) interest. Alien: Isolation was a masterclass in tension - who didn't hide in lockers until the alien's artificial intelligence (AI) adapted to search them? - and the space station setting clearly influenced Alien: Romulus. This time, Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, is on a planet that evokes the flora and fauna of Predator: Badlands.

Whilst there's no release date, Alien: Isolation 2 will be available on PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.

Are you looking forward to Alien: Isolation 2? Let me know in the comments below.

Tomb Raider at State of Play

2026-06-04T11:18:07.030+01:00

Whilst the original Tomb Raider was first released on the Sega Saturn 30 years ago, the action-adventure video game franchise became synonymous with PlayStation.

During Tuesday's State of Play, pre-order details and a release date trailer dropped for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis.

Read the official synopsis:

"Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is a stunning reimagining of the 1996 genre-defining game.

As Lara Croft, harness your wits and athleticism to explore exotic locations lost to time—from the jungles of Peru to the ancient ruins of Greece, the deserts of Egypt, and a mysterious Mediterranean island shrouded in myth. Traverse treacherous landscapes, solve deadly contraptions, and face lethal predators as you hunt for the scattered pieces of the Scion, an artefact of immeasurable power.

Whether you're a veteran raider or new to Lara's world, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis delivers jaw-dropping visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, modern game design, and new surprises, while honouring the spirit and atmosphere of Lara Croft's debut adventure."

Controversy has marred the reveal after Crystal Dynamics shared an AI-generated content disclaimer on Steam. The developer has released an official statement:

"At Crystal Dynamics, we leverage AI tools to help our teams iterate on ideas faster and more efficiently, while ensuring that all finished content in the final product is human-crafted. Our goal is to empower the creativity and flexibility of our developers to deliver the highest-quality experiences for players everywhere."

I've been a fan of the Tomb Raider franchise since the original PlayStation, and the reboot Survivor trilogy was amazing. Alix Wilton Regan replaces Camilla Luddington as Lara Croft. Mass Effect fans (myself included) will recognise her as the voice of Samantha Traynor.

In related news. Hasbro has teased a Tomb Raider x G.I. Joe collaboration for Yo Joe! June. As a fan of both franchises, I can't wait for the action figure to be officially unveiled this month.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will be released on PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC on 12th February 2027. Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel to Tomb Raider: Underworld, is arriving sometime in 2027.

Pre-order Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis? Are you concerned about the use of AI-generated content in video games? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars director Gareth Edwards on AI

2026-06-02T12:25:26.244+01:00

Artificial intelligence (AI) remains a divisive ethical issue as studios scramble to respond.

From deepfake technology to the replacement of creatives in the pursuit of profit, AI is deeply embedded in our daily lives.

Star Wars and Jurassic World director Gareth Edwards, who directed the AI-themed tale The Creator, has come out in support of AI.

Edwards speaking at AI on the Lot, an event in Culver City, California, organised by Amazon, said: “I can’t see a reason why you wouldn’t become interested in this stuff as a film-maker. It’s so clearly a tool that might be up there with the camera. It’s going to be better than CGI.”

Edwards said that AI is most useful in preproduction, saying: “It’s only good for iteration and discovering what the movie should be, and then once you know what it is, go in and start making it your movie.”

He added, “It has no taste whatsoever. It is a f***ing genius at helping you. I view it like having a second-unit director who is a billionaire on acid. Like, it’ll do anything you ask, not a problem. Sometimes, it’ll [go] batshit crazy. And you’ll give it notes, and it’ll be like, ‘I don’t do notes. I’ll just do something totally different.’ But it’s worth it.”

The use of generative AI imagery in film and television has garnered a mixed reaction from critics (myself included).

Edwards, however, said that the pace of change in AI technology made it impossible to predict its future. “We don’t know where it’s going to go. I think anybody saying they know exactly what’s going to happen over the next five years is just a liar.”

What are your thoughts on AI? Is it more Star Slop than Star Wars? Let me know in the comments below.

Marcia Lucas, who saved Star Wars, dies aged 80

2026-06-01T09:00:00.000+01:00

Marcia Lucas, an Oscar-winning editor of Star Wars and ex-wife of Star Wars creator George Lucas, has passed away from cancer at the age of 80.

“Marcia will be remembered as a brilliant storyteller, a trailblazer for women in film, a loving mother and grandmother, a generous host, and a loyal friend whose humor and sparkle filled every room she entered. Her influence on film is indelible, but those who knew her best will remember the way she made life feel more vivid, more beautiful, more fun, and more full of love,” Marcia Lucas’ family said in a statement.

Lucas was a founding force behind Star Wars and helped shape its culture-defining success in 1977.

“Her work was known for its emotional intelligence, rhythm, and humanity — a rare ability to find the truth of a scene and bring heart, momentum, and clarity to the screen,” the statement added.

During the filming of Star Wars, she suggested to her then-husband that Obi-Wan Kenobi should sacrifice himself fighting Darth Vader on the Death Star. That narrative decision raised the stakes for the film’s third act and set up the conflict between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in the sequels.

Along with editors Paul Hirsch and Richard Chew at a fledgling Lucasfilm, Lucas literally saved George Lucas' space opera in the editing suite. The climactic Death Star battle succeeds because of her tireless dedication to storytelling. Forming a foundation for the wizardry of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and John Williams' legendary score.

George Lucas credited her with helping make sense of the vast amount of footage filmed for the climactic Death Star battle.

"It was extremely complex and we had 40,000 feet of dialogue footage of pilots saying this and that," he told Rolling Stone shortly after the film's release.

"Nobody really has ever tried to interweave an actual plot story into a dogfight, and we were trying to do that."

She also collaborated with director Martin Scorsese on a string of his acclaimed 1970s films, including Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Taxi Driver and New York, New York.

Lucas would go on to work with George Lucas on Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark in an uncredited capacity, and, finally, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In a poignant quote shared by Lucasfilm, Lucas once described her passion for the craft of editing.

“I love film editing,” she said. “I have an innate ability to take good material and make it better, and to take bad material and make it fair.”

Doctor Who: The Movie at 30

2026-05-27T16:53:29.876+01:00

30 years ago, Doctor Who: The Movie was broadcast on UK TV!

The movie began life when Amblin's Philip Segal took the idea to director Steven Spielberg (Jaws), who ultimately passed on the project. Segal, who had worked on seaQuest DSV, Earth 2 and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, partnered with Universal and Fox.

There was fevered press speculation about spider-like Daleks created with computer-generated imagery (CGI), as seen in Babylon 5 and seaQuest DSV.

In the weeks leading up to its eagerly anticipated premiere, I was scrambling to finish my final year dissertation (should have written about Doctor Who and Star Wars, but that’s a story for another time) and edit my video major for an undergraduate course in BA (Hons) Media Production at Bournemouth University.

The Anglo-American co-production is somewhat of a curiosity decades before Disney+, as it failed to relaunch Doctor Who before Russell T Davies’ successful reboot in 2005. Whilst it was a ratings success on this side of the Atlantic, the Fox Network did not order a full series despite The X-Files' popularity. However, it gave fans (myself included) Sylvester McCoy’s swansong as the Seventh Doctor and introduced Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor.

McGann channelled H.G. Wells’ Victoriana as the titular Time Lord and has subsequently reprised the role on television and for Big Finish (I’ve never listened to any of the audiobooks).

Eric Roberts, brother of Oscar-winner Julia Roberts, played The Master, which was stipulated for the US market.

That day in 1996 was the first and last time I watched Doctor Who: The Movie! Watching with housemates was a poignant farewell to 3 years of university life. I'm looking forward to watching the remastered movie in 4K UHD on Blu-ray.

Buy Doctor Who: The Movie at Amazon (affiliate link).

What are your memories of watching Doctor Who: The Movie? Let me know in the comments below.

The Mandalorian and Grogu lifts off

2026-05-25T16:30:25.256+01:00

It's a long weekend on both sides of the Atlantic, and Star Wars is number one at the box office.

The Mandalorian and Grogu may have garnered mixed reviews with the lowest box office bow in the franchise's storied history. However, it's on track to recoup its $165 million budget with an estimated $103 million opening weekend through Memorial Day in the US and $64 million internationally.

Star Wars fans (myself included) are mostly enjoying the first big-screen adventure in almost 7 years. I’m reminded of childhood cinema trips to see the original trilogy with my late mum! Action figures in tow! Read our spoiler-free review.

Star Wars turns 49 today! Next year, George Lucas' space opera celebrates its 50th anniversary with the original Star Wars back on the big screen, followed by Star Wars: Starfighter on 28th May 2027.

The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian on Disney+, is in cinemas and IMAX now.

Have you seen The Mandalorian and Grogu? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.