Generation Star Wars

Masters of the Universe unleashes He-Man nostalgia

2026-05-21T13:03:04.862+01:00

Following a star-studded press screening at the TCL Chinese Theatre, transformed into Castle Grayskull, Mattel Films and Amazon MGM Studios have dropped an official final trailer for Masters of the Universe.

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.

Masters of the Universe is in cinemas on 5th June 2026.

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

Star Wars actor Tom Kane dies aged 64

2026-05-19T16:17:36.347+01:00

Tom Kane, best known to Star Wars fans (myself included) for voicing Yoda and the narrator in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, has died at the age of 64 at a Kansas hospital, surrounded by family.

His talent agency announced the news on Facebook:

"Today we say goodbye to Tom Kane — a legendary voice actor whose work shaped the childhoods and imaginations of millions around the world.

From his unforgettable performances in Star Wars to countless animated series, documentaries, and games, Tom brought wisdom, strength, humor, and heart to every role he touched. His voice became part of our lives, our memories, and the stories we carry with us.

But beyond the incredible career was an extraordinary man. Tom was a devoted husband and father who, alongside his wife, built a loving family of nine children — three biological and six welcomed through adoption and fostering. That compassion and generosity defined who he was just as much as his remarkable talent did.

Though his voice may now be silent, the characters, stories, and love he gave to the world will live on forever.

Rest in peace, Tom Kane. Thank you for everything.

May the Force be with you, always."

The Mandalorian and Grogu in Fortnite

2026-05-18T16:22:03.931+01:00

Fortnite and Star Wars fans (myself included) can watch a 10-minute sneak peek from The Mandalorian and Grogu for free this Tuesday.

I enjoyed watching the special look at The Mandalorian and Grogu on Disney+! Seeing an INT-4 Interceptor (as seen in Matt Ferguson's poster art) in action was so much fun! Hopefully, there'll be more deep cut Easter eggs in the upcoming Star Wars movie!

Whilst speaking about the upcoming Star Wars film, director Jon Favreau (Iron Man) teased that he’s already thinking far beyond this next adventure, especially when it comes to where Grogu’s story is headed in the larger Star Wars universe.

"Creatively, I have a lot of plans, and I have a lot of thoughts about these characters, especially for Grogu. Grogu is a character that is – his species lives for centuries.

“He's on a path to be both a Jedi and a Mandalorian. He's making certain choices and decisions, and he has a great teacher now. And so, as he develops and grows, there's opportunities for stories that would emanate from that."

The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian on Disney+, embark on their most thrilling mission yet in The Mandalorian and Grogu, an all-new family-friendly Star Wars adventure filmed for IMAX and opening exclusively in cinemas on 22nd May 2026.

Are you looking forward to The Mandalorian and Grogu? Will you be watching the 10-minute sneak peek in Fortnite? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Starfighter alters the Force

2026-05-15T12:00:00.000+01:00

Details regarding Star Wars: Starfighter remain scarce, but an intriguing plot description has emerged from a reliable source.

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.

Doctor Who streaming on AMC+

2026-05-14T17:07:31.924+01:00

Following the ending of the Disney+ deal after only two seasons, the future of Doctor Who has been in flux. However, AMC+ has signed an exclusive deal to stream the beloved BBC sci-fi series in the US.

“Doctor Who strengthens AMC+’s position as a destination for premium genre storytelling – curated franchises defined by iconic worlds, passionate fan bases and enduring cultural impact,” said Courtney Thomasma, Executive Vice President of AMC Global Media’s linear and streaming products. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Whoniverse into our home of fandoms, giving longtime fans a reason to return while inviting new audiences to discover one of television’s most beloved franchises.”

The streaming rights are for 13 seasons from 2005-2022, featuring Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker. It does not include classic serials or the two seasons starring Ncuti Gatwa as the titular Time Lord on Disney+.

“Doctor Who is one of the most beloved franchises in television, with a fanbase that spans generations,” said Lawrence Szabo, EVP of Content Sales, North America & LatAm, BBC Studios. “AMC+ has built a differentiated home for premium genre franchises and deeply engaged fandoms, making it the ideal exclusive U.S. streaming partner for these 13 seasons of Doctor Who. We’re excited to bring these adventures back to longtime U.S. fans and welcome new audiences into the Whoniverse. Allons-y!”

This announcement follows a Reddit rumour that the BBC has signed a three-series deal with AMC Global Media and Sony Pictures Television (owner of Badwolf Studios) for a new series of Doctor Who. Production is expected to begin in 2027, with the first season slated for a global premiere in 2028.

Beginning 11th June, AMC+ will now be home to 13 seasons and 176 episodes (including specials) of the award-winning sci-fi series.

Are you looking forward to streaming Doctor Who on AMC+? Let me know in the comments below.

Ahsoka is back for Star Wars anniversary

2026-05-13T14:00:07.869+01:00

The second season of Ahsoka, the Star Wars live-action spin-off series starring Rosario Dawson, will premiere on Disney+ in early 2027, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' space opera.

Dawson, who has played the fan-favourite character in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, made the announcement at Disney's Upfront presentation to advertisers. She also introduced a behind-the-scenes sizzle reel showcasing some of the making of season two.

Lucasfilm president and series showrunner Dave Filoni has described the new season as “all-out war” between Grand Admiral Thrawn and the New Republic forces led by Admiral Ackbar.

Hayden Christensen is set to reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano's former master, in season two.

Since season one of Ahsoka in 2023, Lucasfilm has scaled back on Star Wars projects. Skeleton Crew and the second and final season of Andor are the only live-action series to be released.

The Mandalorian and Grogu hit the big screen on 22nd May. For over half a decade, Star Wars has been on the small screen with animated and live-action spin-off series on Disney+. Will The Mandalorian and Grogu be more than a feature-length episode that should have been released on Disney+?

Are you looking forward to Ahsoka season two on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith

2026-05-12T16:27:00.001+01:00

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the LEGO Group has announced a Minas Tirith set.

Read the official press release:

"In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, the LEGO Group today unveiled the LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith - 25th Anniversary Legacy Collection, an impressive new building set designed for adult fans and collectors celebrating a quarter century of The Lord of the Rings.

Crafted from 8,278 pieces, this highly detailed set recreates the majestic city of Gondor – the legendary White City of Minas Tirith. Designed as a striking display model, the build captures the towering architecture, layered walls and iconic citadel that defined one of Middle-earth’s most memorable locations.

The set features a hybrid-scale design, combining an expansive microscale cityscape with richly detailed minifigure-scale interior scenes. From afar, builders can admire the sweeping skyline and defensive walls of Minas Tirith. Up close, they can explore key interior spaces, including the throne room of the citadel, where pivotal moments from the story unfold.

To bring the world of Middle-earth to life, the set includes 10 minifigures and the legendary Shadowfax horse figure. Characters featured in the set include Gandalf the White, Faramir, Denethor, Peregrin Took, Aragorn as King Elessar, Arwen, and four Soldiers of Gondor, along with themed accessories such as Gondor helmets, shields and Aragorn’s crown."

LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith set will be available to purchase for LEGO Insiders from 1st June, and for all from 4th June.

Discover LEGO The Lord of the Rings on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding the Minas Tirith set to your collection? Which LEGO The Lord of the Rings sets would you like to see released in the future? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars actor Michael Pennington dies aged 82

2026-05-11T15:21:00.005+01:00

The veteran stage and screen actor Michael Pennington, best known for his role as Death Star Commander Moff Jerjerrod in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, is understood to have passed away at the age of 82, according to Fantha Tracks.

His good friend and fellow screen veteran Miriam Margolyes (Harry Potter) confirmed news of his passing in a touching tribute on social media:

“Michael Pennington has died.

“An old friend, from Cambridge days, a very fine actor, brilliant, wise, clear. I am sad beyond measure.

“Bless your dear memory. Old chum.”

Much of Pennington's footage from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi ended up on the cutting room floor (deleted scenes are available online). However, Moff Jerjerrod was a fan-favourite, and I fondly remember quoting his memorable lines on the school playground in 1983 and later in a 1990s newsroom.

He most recently narrated Icons Unearthed: Star Wars.

How Lucasfilm Games kept Star Wars alive

2026-05-09T16:11:00.012+01:00

A long time ago, before I started blogging, I wrote video game reviews for a Mac gaming site in the early noughties, starting with Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy.

The circle is now complete.

Star Wars: Gamers' Søren Kamper approached me with an idea for an article about how Lucasfilm Games kept Star Wars alive following Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. How could I resist? Søren, you have the conn.

Guest post by Søren Kamper

When Star Wars: Return of the Jedi arrived in 1983, it gave the original trilogy a triumphant ending, complete with Ewoks, fireworks, and Darth Vader making the correct career move. But for a generation of fans, it also raised a strange question: what happens when the story seems over?

There were no new Star Wars films on the immediate horizon. Star Wars survived in toys, novels, comics, VHS tapes, and playground arguments about whether Boba Fett was truly gone. But one of the most important forces keeping the galaxy alive was quietly humming away on home computers and consoles: Lucasfilm Games.

As covered in Welcome to Lucasfilm, Lucasfilm Games carries a deep sense of nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the 8-bit Atari and Commodore 64 era. That nostalgia matters because these early games were not just merchandise. They were a way of travelling back to the galaxy when the cinema doors had seemingly closed.

The Galaxy Needed Somewhere to Go

Lucasfilm Games was established in 1982, just before Star Wars: Return of the Jedi completed George Lucas’ original trilogy. Its first titles, including Rescue on Fractalus! and Ballblazer, were not Star Wars games, but they showed the studio’s early DNA: technical curiosity, science-fiction atmosphere, and a willingness to treat games as more than branded distractions.

That distinction is important. Lucasfilm Games did not initially keep Star Wars alive by simply pumping out film adaptations. It helped keep the spirit of Lucasfilm alive by experimenting. The same company that had made audiences believe in X-wings, lightsabers, and trench runs was now asking what else could be done with a screen, a joystick, and a little imagination.

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the original trilogy had become a home-video fixture, the Expanded Universe (EU) was gathering strength, and players wanted more than simplified recreations of famous scenes. They wanted to live in the galaxy. Lucasfilm Games, later LucasArts, understood that better than almost anyone.

X-Wing Made Star Wars Feel Serious Again

If one game truly announced that Star Wars could be reborn through interactive storytelling, it was Star Wars: X-Wing in 1993. This was not just “remember the trench run?” with better packaging. It was a proper PC space combat simulator that asked players to manage power systems, follow mission briefings, and survive as Rebel pilots in a campaign that treated the Galactic Civil War as a living conflict.

That mattered enormously. In the long gap between Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, X-Wing made Star Wars feel operational again. The Rebellion had missions. The Empire had patrols. Convoys needed protecting. Capital ships loomed. Suddenly, Star Wars was not a trilogy you rewatched; it was a place you reported for duty.

For a fuller historical breakdown, the Complete List of All Star Wars Games Ever Made at Star Wars: Gamers shows just how central the 1990s became to the franchise’s gaming identity. The decade did not merely fill the dead air between film releases. It built an entire interactive wing of Star Wars fandom.

TIE Fighter Gave the Empire a Cockpit

Star Wars: TIE Fighter arrived in 1994 and remains one of the bravest ideas in the franchise’s gaming history. Instead of putting players back in the Rebel Alliance, it placed them inside the Imperial Navy. You were not Luke Skywalker. You were following orders, defending Imperial interests, and realising that Star Wars could become more interesting when games were allowed to shift perspective.

That is where LucasArts separated itself from ordinary licensed game development. The studio was not just adapting Star Wars. It was finding playable angles that the films could not easily explore. The Star Wars Games of the 1990s archive captures this period well: flight sims, shooters, and console adventures turned the decade into a genuine expansion era.

TIE Fighter also proved that games could complicate Star Wars without breaking it. The Empire was still the Empire. Darth Vader was not suddenly running a charity. But from inside the cockpit, the conflict felt different.

Dark Forces Opened Another Door

Then came Star Wars: Dark Forces in 1995, and suddenly the galaxy had boots on the ground. Kyle Katarn was not a Skywalker, not a Jedi, and not a movie character waiting for his close-up. He was a former Imperial turned mercenary, and his world felt grubbier, moodier, and more dangerous than the polished heroics of the films.

Generation Star Wars has already highlighted Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster, and it is easy to see why the game still has a hold on players. Dark Forces expanded the galaxy without making it feel less like Star Wars. Imperial bases, secret weapons, sabotage missions, and the Dark Trooper project gave players a story that felt adjacent to the films rather than trapped beneath them.

The 1990s Became the Second Life of Star Wars

By the middle of the 1990s, LucasArts had helped turn Star Wars into a living archive of playable experiences. Rebel Assault used CD-ROM spectacle to make Star Wars feel cinematic on home computers. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire became part of a multimedia experiment that treated a story between Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi like a major event, even without a film. Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II pushed Kyle Katarn into Force mythology with live-action cutscenes and branching choices.

Not every game was perfect. Some have aged like blue milk left too close to a binary sunset. But collectively, they did something vital. They kept the galaxy moving. For fans who discovered Star Wars on VHS, these games were often the main course. They let players fly, sneak, shoot, race, and explore during an era when Star Wars could easily have become a museum piece.

From LucasArts to Lucasfilm Games Again

That is why the closure of LucasArts in 2013 hit so hard. The Generation Star Wars article LucasArts closed and game over for Star Wars 1313 captured the feeling at the time: it was the end of an era, and not just because a studio name had disappeared. For many fans, LucasArts was where Star Wars had gone during the quiet years.

The name has since returned through Lucasfilm Games, now coordinating Star Wars projects with studios across the industry. That modern model is different from the old in-house LucasArts era, but the mission is familiar.

As the Star Wars: Galactic Racer gameplay trailer coverage shows, Lucasfilm Games still understands the power of reaching back into gaming memory and finding something worth reviving.

That may be the real legacy of Lucasfilm Games after Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. It did not merely keep Star Wars commercially visible. It kept the galaxy playable. It gave fans agency at a time when the films had gone quiet. It transformed nostalgia into missions, cockpits, corridors, lightsaber duels, and loading screens.

Following Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Lucasfilm Games helped prove that Star Wars did not need to be on cinema screens to feel alive. Sometimes, all it needed was a keyboard, a joystick, a mission briefing, and the sound of a TIE fighter screaming past.

What are your favourite Lucasfilm Games or LucasArts memories? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars Celebration sold out

2026-05-07T12:11:00.011+01:00

On Wednesday, tickets for Star Wars Celebration Los Angeles 2027 went on sale.

Out of curiosity, I joined the virtual queue (I was watching Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord on Disney+)! It'll be the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' space opera, and demand for tickets to the 4-day event was greater than ever. After 4 hours or so in the queue on my iPad Pro, all the adult tickets were sold out...

As I've written previously, Star Wars Celebration is fantastic fun and a unique opportunity to meet fellow fans and forge new friendships through all things Star Wars.

As a blogger, I've had the chance to work with Lucasfilm licensees since the first-ever Star Wars Celebration Europe in 2007.

Whilst I'm disappointed not to be attending in person to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, we'll be covering the official fan event next April. So stay tuned for further updates.

Star Wars Celebration Los Angeles 2027 will run from 1st to 4th April, 2027. Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, will be in cinemas on 28th May, 2027.

Did you get tickets for Star Wars Celebration Los Angeles 2027? Let me know in the comments below.

Neo Geo returns for 35th anniversary

2026-05-06T19:23:00.001+01:00

SNK's Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System (AES), promoted by its hugely successful arcade incarnation, Neo Geo Multi-Video System (MVS), failed to challenge the dominance of Nintendo and Sega's 16-bit consoles in the early nineties.

This was due to the prohibitively expensive hardware aimed at rich kids (I was one myself, but my folks rightly said I had enough stuff) and the Nintendo/Sega duopoly. However, Neo Geo was home to Fatal Fury, Metal Slug and The King of Fighters franchises.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of SNK's luxury console, the Neo Geo AES+ has been announced for the holiday season.

Commenting on the launch of the new Neo Geo AES+ console, software and accessories, Ben Jones, Commercial Director of PLAION REPLAI said, “Neo Geo remains peerless in the eyes of arcade enthusiasts who were never inclined to accept anything less than the authentic arcade experience. For 35 years, SNK’s hardware has continued to astonish gamers with the system’s game collection, which includes a wealth of great titles, somehow only improving with age, and remaining timeless classics to this day. We are beyond excited to reintroduce this legendary system to modern gamers, in a way that refuses to compromise on the integrity of the original hardware and collecting experience, now priced at a level which every gamer can finally afford. We look forward to unveiling more news throughout the year and cannot wait for gamers to get reacquainted with the 100Mega Shock that only Neo Geo can provide.”

All versions of the Neo Geo AES+ come complete with power supply, HDMI cable and Arcade Stick, and in addition, the following Neo Geo AES+ accessories will also be available to purchase upon launch:

Neo Geo AES+ Arcade Stick: A 1:1 replica of the original classic controller, now updated to offer both wired and wireless capability
Neo Geo AES+ Memory Card: A 1:1 replica of the original, performing in the exact same fashion as the original, but now updated to no longer require a cell battery
Neo Geo AES+ Gamepad: A 1:1 replica of the original

Launching alongside the console is a collection of ten classic games:

Metal Slug
The King of Fighters 2002
Garou: Mark of the Wolves
Big Tournament Golf
Shock Troopers
Samurai Shodown V Special
Pulstar
Twinkle Star Sprites
Magician Lord
Over Top

Response to the announcement of the Neo Geo AES+ has been overwhelmingly positive, says Lars Wingefors:

"As we reflect on how Neo Geo AES+ has been received over the past week, it's hard not to pause for a moment.

The reception from the global retro community over the past week has been nothing short of overwhelming. Within the first 24 hours, we took more paid preorders than our entire annual forecasted volume of the Neo Geo AES+. Since then, sales have continued strongly through our own channels, online retailers, and specialist stores. Seeing the console currently ranked #1 on Amazon US across the entire Video Games category is both humbling and deeply inspiring. The team are now updated our production forecasts ahead of the launch Nov 12."

As a nostalgia nerd, I've written about the Neo Geo previously, and am looking forward to unboxing a Neo Geo AES+ and playing Metal Slug.

Pre-order Neo Geo AES+ at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to the Neo Geo AES+? Which games would you like to see released in the future? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars Weekender at the Royal Albert Hall

2026-05-04T12:40:00.007+01:00

May the Fourth be with you! The Royal Albert Hall has announced its first-ever Star Wars in-concert Weekender with two screenings of each film from the original trilogy taking place over four days - Thursday 29th April to Sunday 2nd May 2027 - to celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary.

The screenings of Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert will be accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), who famously recorded the original movie soundtracks with composer and conductor John Williams.

Sarah Quinn, LSO Chair and Sub-Principal Second Violin, said:

"From that triumphant opening chord on the first recording session for A New Hope in Anvil Studios, the Star Wars ‘sound’ has become synonymous with the London Symphony Orchestra, which carries the DNA of John Williams’s music in its blood. What better way to celebrate this anniversary than reliving the original trilogy in full, and we look forward to sharing these momentous performances at the Royal Albert Hall."

Screening schedule:

29th April - 2nd May

Thursday 29th April 2027

7:30pm - Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (U)

Friday 30th April 2027

7:30pm - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert (PG)

Saturday 1st May 2027

2pm - Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (U)

7:30pm - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert (PG)

Sunday 2nd May 2027

1pm - Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert (PG)

6:30pm - Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert (PG)

Are you attending the LSO Star Wars Weekender at the Royal Albert Hall in 2027? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro announces animatronic Ultimate Grogu

2026-05-01T11:01:00.015+01:00

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding an animatronic Ultimate Grogu to celebrate Star Wars Day and the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu on the big screen.

Few characters have defined modern pop culture quite like Grogu. First capturing hearts on the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, the breakout Star Wars character’s story is set to continue on the big screen in the upcoming film Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu starring Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. Hasbro is bringing that cultural phenomenon to collectors’ shelves with Ultimate Grogu, a meticulously crafted 1:1 scale animatronic designed for collectors, fans, and cosplayers alike.

“Our goal with Ultimate Grogu was to make fans feel like he’s truly part of their world,” said Adam Biehl, Head of Disney Action Brands at Hasbro. “Our design and development team spent hours studying how the character came to life in The Mandalorian series, striving to capture his personality and movements in a way that honors what Lucasfilm delivered in entertainment. Powered by our long-standing collaboration with Disney Consumer Products, we’re launching the most life-like, interactive, and expressive Grogu character Hasbro has ever created.”

The Ultimate Grogu features built-in motors, sensors, and microphones to deliver over 250 animations and sounds. The animatronic boasts three different modes of play which include endearing movements like waving, giggling and even “toddling” forward, in ways that make him incredibly life-like. Crafted with premium materials and authentic detailing, the figure includes accessories and tailoring true to the fan-favorite character’s screen appearance.

As Claire Goolsby, one of the Hasbro electrical engineers who worked on the toy, explains:

“One of the things that we’re excited to bring to life in this product is directional audio sensing. He has two microphones in him that are strictly listening for noise. When we’re in a less-crowded environment, those will be active, and he’s going to turn left or right or toward the center to really make him feel like he is part of your dinner table, your game night, or any sort of action.”

Ultimate Grogu is available for pre-order now on Hasbro Pulse, Amazon, and Fan Channel retailers, with two pre-order options launching simultaneously. The first option with standard packaging will begin shipping in early 2027. For fans looking to receive sooner, a limited run of First Edition quantities featuring special edition packaging and a collector card will ship in late 2026.

Pre-order Ultimate Grogu at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you getting an Ultimate Grogu? Let me know in the comments below.

Roger Sweet, creator of He-Man, has died

2026-04-30T16:28:00.008+01:00

Roger Sweet, the senior toy designer who created He-Man for Mattel, has died. He was 91.

TMZ reported his death, indicating Sweet passed away on Tuesday after a battle with dementia. He is survived by his wife, Marlene.

Mattel, along with Mego, infamously passed on Star Wars in the late seventies, paving the way for Kenner's stellar success. In the wake of George Lucas' space opera dominating toy aisles around the world, Mattel searched for its own intellectual property (IP) after licensing the short-lived original series of Battlestar Galactica.

Sweet had the power!

Sweet kitbashed a more muscular Big Jim action figure, and a legend was born. He-Man. The rest is pop culture history, and Sweet's legacy lives on in a new live-action movie coming this summer.

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.

Masters of the Universe is in cinemas on 5th June 2026.

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

Behind-the-scenes of The Mandalorian and Grogu

2026-04-29T11:00:00.002+01:00

With only a few weeks until Star Wars is back on the big screen, Adam Savage (MythBusters) goes behind-the-scenes of The Mandalorian and Grogu with director Jon Favreau.

Read the official synopsis:

"Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu marks the return of Star Wars to the big screen, the culmination of a journey that began when we met these now iconic characters six years ago. Tested visited the production, where director Jon Favreau walked Adam Savage through practical sets housed within Quonset Huts–the very ones built during the same mid-century aviation and hot rod boom that inspired George Lucas’s aesthetic sensibilities."

The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian on Disney+, embark on their most thrilling mission yet in The Mandalorian and Grogu, an all-new family-friendly Star Wars adventure filmed for IMAX and opening exclusively in cinemas on 22nd May 2026.

Are you looking forward to The Mandalorian and Grogu? Let me know in the comments below.

Celebrate Star Wars Day in IMAX

2026-04-27T16:05:00.002+01:00

Over 25 minutes of footage from The Mandalorian and Grogu will be shown for free at selected IMAX cinemas on Star Wars Day.

Eagle-eyed fans spotted what looked like an INT-4 Interceptor in the footage shown at CinemaCon, and a pair of them appear in a poster by UK-based artist Matt Ferguson. This is a Mini-Rigs deep cut from Kenner's original Star Wars toy line!

The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian on Disney+, embark on their most thrilling mission yet in The Mandalorian and Grogu, an all-new family-friendly Star Wars adventure filmed for IMAX and opening exclusively in cinemas on 22nd May 2026.

Are you looking forward to The Mandalorian and Grogu? Will you be attending the free special screening in IMAX? Let me know in the comments below.

Shawn Levy on Star Wars and AI

2026-04-26T10:43:00.003+01:00

Director Shawn Levy spoke to Variety about editing Star Wars: Starfighter and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative process.

The much-anticipated standalone Star Wars movie set 5 years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, starring Ryan Gosling, Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth and Aaron Pierre, doesn’t hit cinemas until 28th May, 2027. This coincides with the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' space opera.

“I’m in the beautiful sanctity of the edit room,” Levy said at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony. “We don’t come out until next year, and so it’s a rare movie where I don’t have a release date looming. So I’m in the dark quiet of the edit room, finding the best possible shape for the film.”

From the sound of it, AI will not be a significant tool in finding that shape. “To date, I’ve not incorporated AI in any meaningful way in any phase of my storytelling process, but I have no doubt that in the course of my career we will see its integration,” Levy said.

A prolific director and producer, Levy’s projects have included Stranger Things, Deadpool & Wolverine, Free Guy and The Adam Project.

“To the point that many smarter people than I have made, it’s about integrating these technologies responsibly and with still the primacy of the creative voice and not a potential replacement for that voice because I think that what you get from creative voice and vision is singular and irreplicable, but if we can use these emerging AI capacities to support storytelling in still a kind of creative and human first workflow then I think it’s something to embrace, not fear.”

Regulation is key, Levy said. “I spend a part of every day trying to increase my fluency around the regulatory options surrounding [AI],” he said. “I think it’s going to be essential, but I think to hide our heads in the sand and pretend that it’s not going to be not just an emergent but an essential part of our lives, not just filmmaking lives, [but] lives, I think that would be naive and foolish.”

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

He-Man has the power in Masters of the Universe

2026-04-25T11:35:00.001+01:00

Mattel Films and Amazon MGM Studios have dropped an international trailer for Masters of the Universe.

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.

Masters of the Universe is in cinemas on 5th June 2026.

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

Star Wars Celebration goes to Hollywood

2026-04-19T14:00:00.001+01:00

For the first time since 2006, Star Wars Celebration returns to Los Angeles for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars.

"Experience epic panels, hundreds of exhibitors, exclusive merchandise, legendary guests, and surprises around every corner together with the Star Wars community.

Be part of Star Wars history as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary alongside thousands of fans from across the galaxy. Come face-to-face with iconic heroes and villains, and hear from the creators who brought them to life on screen.

From once-in-a-lifetime reveals to moments that will give you chills, this is where the entire Star Wars community comes together to celebrate the stories, characters, and fandom that unite us all.

Whether you walk the path of the light side or the dark side, there’s a place for you here. This is the Celebration you’re looking for."

Star Wars Celebration Los Angeles 2027 will run from 1st to 4th April, 2027. Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, will be in cinemas on 28th May, 2027.

Tickets go on sale on 6th May!

Are you hoping to attend Star Wars Celebration Los Angeles in 2027? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Star Wars celebrates Star Wars Day

2026-04-16T13:19:00.007+01:00

The biggest event in the galaxy is returning on 1st May 2026! May the Force be with brick-builders as the LEGO Group unveiled the LEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter (75442), a brand-new Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) building set revealed in celebration of Star Wars Day.

Created to mark the fan holiday, this 1,809-piece masterpiece invites adult fans to embark on an immersive building journey to recreate the sleek, silver-hulled N-1 Starfighter as seen in The Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian Season 3.

Designed with authenticity at its core, the model uses advanced LEGO building techniques and special silver Drum Lacquered elements to capture the ship’s distinctive Naboo-inspired silhouette and intricate detailing. From its elongated fuselage to its exposed engine elements, every curve has been carefully recreated to deliver a striking collector’s centrepiece worthy of any Star Wars display.

The set includes a Mandalorian LEGO Star Wars minifigure, equipped with blaster pistol, and a Grogu figure to accompany the finished build. Once complete, fans can showcase the starfighter on a display stand with an information plaque, choosing between two dynamic orientations - side-on to highlight its elegant profile or facing forward for an action-ready stance.

The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian on Disney+, embark on their most thrilling mission yet in The Mandalorian and Grogu, an all-new family-friendly Star Wars adventure filmed for IMAX and opening exclusively in cinemas on 22nd May 2026.

Discover LEGO Star Wars on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Are you getting the LEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter? Let me know in the comments below.

The Daleks' Master Plan special screening

2026-04-15T05:00:00.002+01:00

The Daleks' Master Plan, starring William Hartnell as the First Doctor, has been an overwhelming success with fans (myself included) when two recently discovered episodes dropped on BBC iPlayer over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

It was such a thrill to watch the first three episodes of the classic serial with my dad, who had introduced me to Doctor Who during the Fourth Doctor's era.

Film is Fabulous! has announced that a special screening will be held at HOME Manchester:

"NEWS: Manchester Doctor Who Event

Film is Fabulous! is delighted to confirm that a special screening of three Doctor Who episodes will be held at HOME Manchester on Saturday, 23rd May 2026. The event will offer fans of the classic series the chance to experience the first three episodes of “The Daleks’ Master Plan”, two of which were recently recovered from a private film collection.

The RECOVERED Doctor Who Special will begin at 5pm, and close at approx. 8pm. The programme will include:

Introduction: Toby Hadoke

Screening: The Nightmare Begins (Broadcast: 13th November 1965)

Discussion: Hosted by Toby Hadoke, with John Franklin and Prof. Justin Smith.

Intermission

Screening: Day of Armageddon (Broadcast: 20th November 1965)

Discussion: Hosted by Toby Hadoke, with Tim Burrows and Gavin Rymill.

Intermission

Screening: Devil’s Planet (Broadcast: 27th November 1965)

Discussion: Hosted by Toby Hadoke with Peter Purves.

Film is Fabulous! is a charitable trust dedicated to preserving film collections."

For further information and to donate, visit Film is Fabulous!

Have you watched The Daleks' Master Plan? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Jurassic World

2026-04-13T12:00:00.002+01:00

The LEGO Group reveals a thrilling new wave of LEGO sets inspired by Universal Pictures’ and Amblin Entertainment’s Jurassic World, all designed to ignite the imagination of children and adult fans alike. The newest assortment aims to celebrate the enduring appeal of the iconic Jurassic World franchise that is highly loved around the world, with new dinosaur species, play opportunities, beloved characters and unforgettable play and display opportunities.

“Creating a dinosaur out of LEGO bricks is equal parts of science, storytelling, and pure childhood wonder. Said Raquel Ojeda Gregorio, Creative Lead at the LEGO Group. “LEGO Jurassic World is all about capturing that blend of adventure and discovery. With this new wave of LEGO Jurassic World products, we pushed ourselves to introduce new species and exciting play experiences across ages. It’s our love letter to the entire Jurassic universe, made for fans who share our fascination of dinosaurs!”

Discover LEGO Jurassic World on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Are you excited about LEGO Jurassic World sets? Let me know in the comments below.

Steven Soderbergh says nope to Star Wars

2026-04-10T09:00:00.014+01:00

Speaking to The Playlist while promoting The Christophers, Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Solaris) was asked if he was interested in pursuing The Hunt for Ben Solo following leadership changes at Disney and Lucasfilm, to which he replied: “Nope.”

Soderbergh revealed that Adam Driver, who played fan-favourite Kylo Ren, was the driving force behind the Star Wars project supported by former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy but vetoed by former Disney CEO Bob Iger:

“Adam and I started talking, and this would have been almost three years ago now. It was strictly Adam saying, ‘I think there’s still somewhere to go with this character.’ That’s how it started. Otherwise, I never in a million years would have found myself in that universe again.

I don’t regret one minute of the time we spent working on that. I felt the work was good. It’s just good for you to be in that room and working on it. It’s like CrossFit—it’s good for you. It’ll have a residual effect that will be unexpected at some point.

As soon as it became apparent, OK, not gonna happen, I sat down and started writing [something else]. It’s like, ‘OK, new scenario, let’s get cracking.’ At a certain point, it’s like complaining about the weather. You just gotta keep moving… Look, if it was gonna happen, it would have happened. It’s that simple.”

Are you disappointed that The Hunt for Ben Solo is seemingly scrapped for good? Let me know in the comments below.

Mark Hamill talks LEGO Star Wars SMART Play

2026-04-08T16:58:00.000+01:00

The LEGO Group has made Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) a Junior Executive Director of Information, J.E.D.I for short, and on April 8th, fans can call 1-877-80-ASK-MARK from noon to 8pm ET to ask about the new LEGO Star Wars SMART Play sets, with select callers invited to join a live video chat with the actor.

"Hamill, who most recently played Luke via voiceover in the animated series “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy,” is now teaming up with LEGO to promote the company’s latest “Star Wars” sets, which use its new SMART Play technology. SMART Play, which was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, involves the use of a custom-made chip to make LEGO sets more interactive with bricks that light up, make sounds and react as they’re played with.

As part of a new campaign, LEGO has declared Hamill its junior executive director of information − or J.E.D.I. Speaking over Zoom, the actor enthusiastically points to a nameplate with his J.E.D.I. title. “Do you get the acronym there?” he quips.

On April 8, fans can call 1-877-80-ASK-MARK from noon to 8 p.m. ET to hear facts from Hamill about the LEGO sets, and a select number of callers will be invited to join a live video chat with him.

It’s an appropriate role for the actor, who has always seen toys as “therapeutic” and says he has never outgrown his love for them. In fact, one of the first things he did when he started making money early in his career was go back and buy toys he “wanted as a kid that we couldn’t afford,” he says, giving the game Lie Detector as an example."

Powered by the innovative LEGO SMART Brick, which is packed with pioneering, world-first technologies, LEGO SMART Play is a groundbreaking new platform that brings LEGO creations to life like never before.

Discover LEGO Star Wars on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Are you excited about LEGO SMART Play LEGO Star Wars sets? Let me know in the comments below.

Dark Matter returns on Apple TV

2026-04-07T15:46:00.002+01:00

Apple TV is home to prestige sci-fi series from For All Mankind to Silo. Dark Matter is returning for a second season on the Cupertino-based tech titan's streamer.

Adapted from Blake Crouch’s novel of the same name, Dark Matter first premiered in 2024, and it follows the story of physics professor Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), who gets abducted by, well, himself, but a version from another timeline.

As Dark Matter fans (myself included) will recall, it took a lot of dimension-hopping for Jason to find “his” wife, Daniela (Jennifer Connelly), and teenage son, Charlie (Oakes Fegley). This quest included many confrontations with other Jasons, including the ruthless, FOMO-strangled version of him who invented “the Box” — a TARDIS-like device that allows him to visit different realities that look like his own but are often catastrophically altered.

Read the official synopsis for season two:

“Season 2 picks up with the Dessens as they settle into a quiet life in a world that finally seems safe until the unimaginable forces them to run once again. As Jason’s obsession with the Box deepens, Daniela’s (Connelly) growing paranoia pushes her to the brink, threatening to tear their fragile stability apart. Elsewhere, Amanda (Braga) and Ryan (Simpson) join forces in a desperate attempt to find their way home. With Blair (Brugel) determined to stop him, Leighton (Okeniyi) relentlessly chases his grand vision of creating a perfect world.”

Like His Dark Materials, the multiverse theme resonates with me. What if I hadn't had a life-changing head injury in primary school, or what if I hadn't survived?

Dark Matter season two premieres on 28th August. Stream Dark Matter season one on Apple TV.

Are you looking forward to Dark Matter season two on Apple TV? Let me know in the comments below.