Generation Star Wars

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.

The Daleks' Master Plan now streaming

2026-04-03T16:47:00.002+01:00

It's Good Friday for Doctor Who fans (myself included). The BBC has released two missing episodes of The Daleks' Master Plan, starring William Hartnell as the First Doctor, on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on the Doctor Who Classic YouTube channel in the US.

The recovery means that the first three instalments of a once totally missing 12-part story now exist. They provide a dark and gritty outing for the Daleks, who were being groomed by their creator, Terry Nation, for their own series, and life outside of Doctor Who. Indeed, The Daleks’ Master Plan was not sold by the BBC to overseas broadcasters.

Film is Fabulous! have collaborated with BBC Archives to enable these programmes to be returned to the BBC. BBC Archives has ensured that the original 16mm telerecordings are restored – meaning viewers will be able to watch them in the best possible condition on BBC iPlayer.

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.

Darth Maul character commentary with Dave Filoni

2026-04-02T17:40:00.000+01:00

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord debuts this month on Disney+. Not only will Maul have his revenge, but his journey will also continue with a second season.

Lucasfilm has released a Darth Maul character commentary with Dave Filoni.

Read the official synopsis:

"Go behind the scenes with Dave Filoni (President & Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm) as he analyzes Darth Maul’s character across S5E16 of Star Wars: Clone Wars and S2E22 of Star Wars: Rebels. Filoni provides a look into Maul’s hunger for power and major fight scenes from his perspective as Supervising Director on Star Wars: Clone Wars and SD/Creator on Star Wars: Rebels."

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is created by Dave Filoni, based on Star Wars and characters created by George Lucas. The series is developed by Dave Filoni and Matt Michnovetz. Brad Rau is the supervising director.

The executive producers are Dave Filoni, Athena Yvette Portillo, Matt Michnovetz, Brad Rau, Carrie Beck, and Josh Rimes. Alex Spotswood is the co-executive producer.

The voice cast includes Sam Witwer as Maul, Gideon Adlon as Devon Izara, Oscar nominee Wagner Moura as Brander Lawson, Richard Ayoade as Two-Boots, Dennis Haysbert as Master Eeko-Dio-Daki, Chris Diamantopoulos as Looti Vario, Charlie Bushnell as Rylee Lawson, Vanessa Marshall as Rook Kast, David C. Collins as Spybot, A.J. LoCascio as Marrok, and Steve Blum as Icarus.

The two-episode premiere of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord streams on 6th April only on Disney+.

Are you looking forward to Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

50 years of Apple

2026-04-01T10:00:00.030+01:00

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Apple. The Cupertino-based tech titan was started by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in a small garage in 1976. It was incorporated in 1977.

Dad initially looked at an Apple II for his business, but went with a Commodore PET (the first computer I saw in person). My earliest memory of using an Apple Macintosh computer was during a work experience week at a Cornwall-based design agency that my dad had hired in 1987. Creative work I'd developed was used in GCSE Art.

As an 8-bit Commodore and Sinclair kid, I was instantly smitten with the Macintosh's intuitive graphical user interface (GUI). Years earlier, Apple co-founder Jobs visited Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) and saw the future...

In college, I used Macs to design newsletters, albums, and video covers for Media Studies. With student friends, we taught ourselves desktop publishing (DTP), a skill I use to this day.

However, it would be another decade before I owned my first Macintosh computer, a Performa 5200. This all-in-one machine enabled me to create my first website in the era of dial-up internet. MacWorld and MacUser magazines were my gotos before the advent of broadband and social media.

Over the decades, I’ve owned the following Apple devices:

Macintosh Performa 5200
iMac DV SE
LCD iMac G4
iPod classic
iMac Intel Core 2 Duo
Apple AirPort Extreme
iPod touch
iPad 3
Apple AirPort Time Capsule
iPad Pro (2016)
Apple TV 4K
iPhone SE (2020)
27-inch iMac (2020)
iPad Pro (M1)
AirPods
iPhone 16 Pro
iPad Pro (M4)

Sir Jony Ive's iconic all-in-one iMac design would become a cultural phenomenon, appearing in everything from Jennifer Lopez's iconic pop promo for If You Had My Love to television series, foreshadowing the Cupertino-based company's rise, Lazarus-like, under the auspices of the then returning co-founder Jobs, from imminent collapse into the consumer electronics giant we know today.

Without the iMac, there would be no iPod, iPhone or iPad and quite possibly no Apple.

What are your Apple memories? Let me know in the comments below.

Masters of the Universe official trailer

2026-03-31T15:18:00.011+01:00

Mattel Films and Amazon MGM Studios have dropped an official 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.

“There’s an inherent silliness to it, which we are acknowledging and embracing,” director Travis Knight said in a recent interview with Empire. “I think it’s a virtue, actually. And it’s woven into the script to help some of these things make sense to a modern audience. Like, why would that character have that stupid name? Well, over the course of the movie we show you why.”

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.

HBO Max casts its streaming spell

2026-03-29T09:00:00.018+01:00

On Thursday, HBO Max launched in the UK. This is six years after first launching in the US.

Ahead of the eagerly awaited launch, HBO Max dropped an official trailer for its Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone series, which debuts exclusively on the streamer this Christmas.

HBO Max had a complicated and protracted rollout as HBO has a storied history with Sky.

For years, Sky Atlantic has been the exclusive home to the award-winning Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, Westworld and many more prestige dramas from HBO. That said, if you're already a Sky or NOW (formerly NOW TV) subscriber, HBO Max Basic with Ads is bundled for free as an added value.

Currently, I'm subscribing to a discounted annual NOW Entertainment & HBO Max membership and am looking forward to checking out The Pitt on the HBO Max hub.

HBO Max needs to convince viewers to sign up for another subscription service amid a cost of living crisis, battling the likes of Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+ and Apple TV.

If you only want to watch Warner Bros. Discovery content, HBO Max offers 5 plans:

Basic with Ads - £4.99/month
Standard with Ads - £5.99/month
Standard - £9.99/month
Premium - £14.99/month
TNT Sports - £30.99/month

There are also annual saver plans.

HBO Max is available across all major devices, including select phones, tablets, computers, TVs, streaming players, set-top boxes, and game consoles. My initial impressions of watching TNT Sports on HBO Max are positive, and I won't miss discovery+.

The future of HBO Max is uncertain. Paramount outbid Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery and, subject to regulatory approval, is looking to consolidate its brands. HBO Max has a greater brand awareness than Paramount+. Just saying.

Are you subscribing to HBO Max? Let me know in the comments below.

The End of Oak Street teaser trailer

2026-03-27T14:23:00.009+00:00

An enigmatic teaser trailer for The End of Oak Street has dropped. The mysterious sci-fi thriller is produced by JJ Abrams (Super 8) and directed by David Robert Mitchell (It Follows).

Read the official synopsis:

"After a mysterious cosmic event rips Oak Street from suburbia and transports their neighborhood to someplace unknown, the Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognizable surroundings."

Starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, THE END OF OAK STREET also stars Maisy Stella and Christian Convery. The film is written and directed by David Robert Mitchell and produced by JJ Abrams, Hannah Minghella, Jon Cohen, David Robert Mitchell, Matt Jackson and Tommy Harper. The executive producers are Chris Bender, Jake Weiner, Joanne Lee and Leeann Stonebreaker.

With its seemingly seventies setting, possible links to Abrams' Super 8 and Cloverfield (10 Cloverfield Lane starred McGregor's wife, Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and a score by Michael Giacchino, The End of Oak Street is right up my Spielbergian suburban street.

Are you looking forward to The End of Oak Street? Let me know in the comments below.

Ryan Gosling teases Star Wars: Starfighter

2026-03-26T10:00:00.001+00:00

While promoting Project Hail Mary on BBC Radio, Ryan Gosling shared a story from the set of Star Wars: Starfighter.

“There is a thing that happened on Star Wars — I’m going to have to tread carefully — but I went to the creature shop early to see everything that they were building so that I could find ways to interact with them in the film because I didn’t want them to just be going by in the background,” Gosling said.

“And I found one very special one that was meant to be background, and I asked if I could have a scene [with it], and it ended up being one of the most fun scenes I’ve ever done.”

Gosling revealed: “As my wrap present, they made me a model. And so I have it in my house now.”

The upcoming film directed by Shawn Levy 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 Trek: Starfleet Academy cancelled

2026-03-24T12:36:00.011+00:00

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has been cancelled after only two seasons. The second season recently wrapped and has yet to be shown on Paramount+.

“We’re incredibly proud of the ambition, passion, and creativity that went into bringing ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ to life,” CBS Studios and Paramount+ said in a joint statement. “The series introduced audiences to a bold new group of characters, welcomed familiar faces, and expanded the ‘Star Trek’ universe in exciting new ways. We’re grateful to Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau, Gaia Violo, and the entire cast and crew who pushed storytelling boundaries in the spirit of Gene Roddenberry’s vision. We look forward to sharing the upcoming second and final season with everyone, and continuing to celebrate the cast, crew, and all that was accomplished with this series.”

The cast included Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, and Zoë Steiner, along with heavy hitters like Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Gina Yashere, Robert Picardo, and Tig Notaro. Tatiana Maslany even showed up in a guest role.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy the latest Star Trek spin-off series as much as I have! From Jeff Russo's opening theme, which pays homage to Jerry Goldsmith, to a shiny San Fransico and flying robots, it's the most fun and inclusive Star Trek has been since the first season of Star Trek: Discovery.

Series showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau released the letter below to the cast and crew of Starfleet Academy, republished in Variety.

"It’s been my and Noga’s joy and privilege to help carry Gene Roddenberry’s extraordinary vision forward with Starfleet Academy, thanks to the hundreds of hardworking humans who pour every ounce of their talents into the work daily with imagination and reverence. We are in post-production now on what will be the second and final season. We’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished together on this show, and the world will get to see the work of these extraordinary artists when season two airs. We will finish strong.

Whether you’re working on Star Trek or part of the marvel that is Star Trek fandom — its very heart, soul, and conscience —the joy comes from adventuring across boundaries of time, space, and the humanly possible in service to Roddenberry’s transformative vision of the future. That incomparable vision was fueled by an inexhaustible optimism. Star Trek places its bet on the best in human nature. It dares to imagine a society of “infinite diversity in infinite combinations,” free of war, hate, poverty, disease, and repression, and dedicated to the spirit of scientific inquiry and respect for all life, whether carbon or silicon-based, green-skinned or blue.

But make no mistake: Gene Roddenberry wasn’t some starry-eyed dreamer. He was a decorated Army bomber pilot in the Pacific Theater. He had seen first-hand the grim consequences of the worst of human nature. And his vision of the future wasn’t just a promise of hope. It was also a warning. In a fraught, frightening time of intolerance and violence, Star Trek said: Look! We made it! But just barely. First, we had to put all those ancient scourges behind us. It said that what makes us glorious as a species, and gives us hope for the future and the galaxy is inextricably linked to what makes us dangerous to each other, to this one world we presently inhabit, and to ourselves. That dual message—of hope and of warning—isn’t just a pretty dream but a call to action, to think about who we are in a different way.

Please don’t take our word for it. Take Gene’s:

“Star Trek was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life forms. […] If we cannot learn to actually enjoy those small differences, to take a positive delight in those small differences between our own kind, here on this planet, then we do not deserve to go out into space and meet the diversity that is almost certainly out there.”

With enduring hope that his vision of the future is possible, for our children, their children, and every future cadet in Starfleet Academy: Live Long and Prosper."

A mix of toxic fandom and media ownership means many of our favourite franchises, including Doctor Who and Star Trek, are facing an uncertain future. Before the announcement, I'd cancelled my annual subscription to Paramount+. Like many, I'm suffering from subscription fatigue amid a cost of living crisis.

Are you disappointed that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has been cancelled? Will you be cancelling Paramount+? Let me know in the comments below.

50 years ago in a galaxy far, far away...

2026-03-22T16:26:00.006+00:00

50 years ago, in the middle of a salt flat on the edge of North Africa’s Sahara Desert, an independent movie produced by Lucasfilm and financed by 20th Century Fox began principal photography. Its working title was The Star Wars, directed by George Lucas (American Graffiti).

The rest is cinematic history...

Buffy star Nicholas Brendon dies

2026-03-21T11:00:00.012+00:00

It's been a tough time for Buffy fans (myself included). Hulu has cancelled the pilot for a revival series, and most tragically, Nicholas Brendon, who played Buffy's best friend Xander Harris in the Scooby Gang, has died aged 54.

Brendon's family confirmed in a statement on social media that "he passed in his sleep of natural causes."

His family added: "He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.

"Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art."

Brendon was open about his health struggles, including a heart attack, and underwent two spinal surgeries for cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition that can affect movement as well as bladder and bowel function.

The actor also lived with a stutter, later advocating the cause as a spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America.

The late actor had also opened up about his struggles with substance addiction, alcoholism and mental health issues.

His family told The Hollywood Reporter (THR): "While it's no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing."

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the titular slayer, paid tribute to Brendon with one of Xander's quotes: “They'll never know how tough it is … to live so near the spotlight and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me." She added: "I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, arguably one of the greatest television series of all time, is long overdue for a rewatch on Disney+.

LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary

2026-03-20T15:18:00.000+00:00

Launch into the realm of cinematic science fiction with the LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary spaceship model kit for adults.

A stellar LEGO gift for sci-fi fans (myself included) based on the blockbuster movie, adapting Andy Weir’s best-selling novel, starring Ryan Gosling.

Buy LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding the LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day official trailer

2026-03-18T12:19:00.007+00:00

Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures have dropped an official trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland as the titular web-slinger.

Read the official synopsis:

"After the record-breaking global success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks an entirely new chapter for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Four years have passed since the events of No Way Home, and Peter is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves. Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he's devoted himself entirely to protecting his city — a full-time Spider-Man — but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced."

When Spider-Man: Brand New Day wrapped filming last December, director Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) published an open letter on social media praising Holland. The director thanked him for his “kind, generous leadership on and off screen, for your relentless work ethic, your fearless performances and for your friendship.”

“I’m so deeply grateful for the people who walked with me through the biggest, most rewarding film I’ve ever been a part of,” Cretton added. “To our amazing cast, for breathing so much life into these beloved characters and moving us every day. To our unbelievable crew, who worked tirelessly with unmatched creativity and craftsmanship, who made me laugh so hard my stomach never stopped hurting. I love you all so much and can’t wait for the world to see your stunning work on the big screen.”

Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into cinemas on 31st July, 2026.

Are you looking forward to Spider-Man: Brand New Day? Let me know in the comments below.

The Mandalorian and Grogu at the Oscars

2026-03-16T16:01:00.005+00:00

Grogu stole the show at the Oscars on Sunday night when he appeared alongside Oscar nominee Kate Hudson. Sigourney Weaver and Pedro Pascal took to the stage, where Weaver reprised her famous line from Aliens.

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.

Hulu stakes Buffy reboot!

2026-03-14T21:37:00.011+00:00

As a Buffy fan, I didn’t see this coming. Hulu has cancelled the reboot starring Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew).

“I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me,” Sarah Michelle Gellar revealed the news on Instagram. “Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with ‘Buffy: New Sunnydale.’ I want to thank Chloé Zhao because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish, yet affordable boots, and thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love her and how much she means, not only to me, but to all of you. And this doesn’t change any of that. And I promise if the apocalypse actually comes, you could still beep me.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the spin-off series Angel, Star Trek, and The X-Files sustained me during the 1990s and early 2000s before Doctor Who returned in 2005. For seven seasons, I adored the adventures of the Scooby Gang (Heat magazine printed my letter in 1999) and have cherished memories of watching the series with my late mum. After mum died in 2007, I haven't been able to watch The Body.

Armstrong, who was set to be the new vampire slayer mentored by Gellar, has reacted to the news that the show is not moving forward at Hulu.

“I’m sure many of you have already heard the news by now. I wanted to come on here and say thank you for all the support you guys have given me and the show throughout the past couple months. It’s been really special. I’m really proud of what we did. I’m sad that you guys won’t be able to see it, but it doesn’t take away from the amazing experience that I had,” the actress said in a video message on her Instagram.

“I wanna say thank you to Sarah, the Zuckerman sisters, Chloé. I love you guys. I also wanna say thank you to all the fans and all the people that believed in this new chapter and who believed in me. So, thank you, guys. Thank you to the cast that I worked with, you guys are awesome,” she continued.

“I guess all I want to say is, you know, we brought this back for you guys and, you know, Buffy is such a big part of all of our lives, and it’s not going anywhere. So, who knows what the future will hold?” Armstrong concluded.

Zhao, the Oscar-winning director of Hamnet, responded to the cancellation of the pilot for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.

“I had an incredible, incredible time with Sarah [Michelle Gellar], with all the cast and crew doing this. And we, first and foremost, see ourselves as the guardians of the original show,” Zhao said. “Our priority for Sarah and for us has always been to be truthful to the show, to be truthful to our fans. So, things happen for a reason, and we keep our hearts open and we welcome the mystery. And what this might lead us to.”

Are you disappointed that the Buffy reboot has been cancelled? Let me know in the comments below.

Lost Dalek episodes coming to iPlayer this Easter

2026-03-13T11:00:00.004+00:00

Film is Fabulous! have recovered two missing episodes of Doctor Who, which feature William Hartnell in the title role. These are the first missing episodes of Doctor Who to be announced since 2013.

The episodes are from the serial, entitled The Daleks’ Master Plan. Written by Terry Nation, they were broadcast during the third season of Doctor Who. The serial starred William Hartnell as the Doctor, and Peter Purves as Steven Taylor. It also featured Nicholas Courtney as Bret Vyon, Adrienne Hill as Katarina, and Kevin Stoney as Mavic Chen.

The recovery means that the first three instalments of a once totally missing 12-part story now exist. They provide a dark and gritty outing for the Daleks, who were being groomed by their creator, Terry Nation, for their own series, and life outside of Doctor Who. Indeed, The Daleks’ Master Plan was not sold by the BBC to overseas broadcasters.

In addition to the recovery, the Film is Fabulous! team have organised a special event, at which the two restored episodes of Doctor Who will be screened. This celebration of vintage television will take place on Saturday 4th April. The full details will be published shortly. The two episodes will be on BBC iPlayer this Easter.

Film is Fabulous! have collaborated with BBC Archives to enable these programmes to be returned to the BBC. BBC Archives has ensured that the original 16mm telerecordings are restored – meaning viewers will be able to watch them in the best possible condition on BBC iPlayer.

Noreen Adams, director of BBC Archives, said: "BBC Archives has been working to restore the original recordings and update these to broadcast quality, ensuring fans can enjoy a little extra treat with their Easter Eggs this April."

Film is Fabulous! is a charitable trust run by film collectors, cinema lovers, and vintage television enthusiasts. Its primary objective is to ensure that vulnerable film collections held in the U.K. are preserved when private film collectors, and former industry professionals, pass away. Since 2023, the team have preserved many private film collections.

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

Are you looking forward to seeing the two missing episodes from The Daleks' Master Plan on BBC iPlayer? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Ideas Tintin Moon Rocket

2026-03-12T16:15:00.006+00:00

Blast off into comic book history with the LEGO Ideas Tintin Moon Rocket (21367), a detailed display model inspired by the classic Tintin comic books Destination Moon and Explorers on the Moon.

"Creating the Tintin Moon Rocket has been an incredible journey”, said Alexis Dos Santos. “I wanted to capture the spirit of Tintin’s iconic rocket in a way that celebrates both its engineering elegance and its place in pop culture. Recreating its curvature and connecting the three floors pushed my creativity, and seeing it finally come together with all the minifigures in their space suits has been incredibly rewarding. I hope the build sparks the same sense of imagination and adventure that inspired me from the very beginning."

Pre-order LEGO Ideas Tintin Moon Rocket on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding the LEGO Ideas Tintin Moon Rocket to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Dark Forces strikes back!

2026-03-10T16:07:00.000+00:00

Back in 1995, Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire and Star Wars: Dark Forces were the first CD-ROM-based games I owned on my first Apple Macintosh computer, a Performa 5200.

Fast forward to 2024. Nightdive Studios released an acclaimed remaster of Star Wars: Dark Forces for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PC. Atari is publishing physical editions of the game for Nintendo Switch and PS5 on 13th March.

Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster has been brought to life by the team at Nightdive Studios, fully remastered through its proprietary KEX engine. New and returning players will enjoy Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster’s upgraded gameplay, high-resolution textures, enhanced lighting and rendering, and support for gamepads.

The original 1995 Star Wars: Dark Forces raised the bar for FPS games, offering players a significant degree of movement and interactivity, a large selection of items and power-ups, and engaging environments.

In the first Star Wars FPS video game, players assume the role of Kyle Katarn, a defector of the Galactic Empire turned mercenary for hire. Katarn joins the Rebel Alliance’s covert operations division tasked with infiltrating the Galactic Empire, where he discovers the secret Dark Trooper Project. The development of this powerful new series of Imperial battle droids and power-armoured stormtroopers stands to strengthen the Empire’s grip on the galaxy unless Katarn and the Rebel Alliance intervene.

Pre-order Star Wars: Dark Forces at Amazon (affiliate link).

What are your memories of playing Star Wars: Dark Forces? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro reveals new line for Star Wars: Maul

2026-03-09T16:16:00.000+00:00

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding Star Wars: The Black Series Maul: Shadow Lord action figures for the upcoming animated series on Disney+.

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES MAUL

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $27.99 | Pre-Order on March 5 at 1PM ET on Hasbro and participating retailers; available Spring 2026)

After the events of the Clone Wars, Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES includes 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the STAR WARS galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, series, and more. This STAR WARS Hasbro action figure is detailed to look like Maul from STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD. Pose out Maul with his two red-bladed Lightsabers™, which can be combined into one double-bladed Lightsaber. Look for more STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-inch action figures to recreate your favorite scenes — or imagine your own (each sold separately, subject to availability).

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES ELEVENTH BROTHER

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $27.99 | Pre-Order on March 5 at 1PM ET on Hasbro and participating retailers; available Spring 2026)

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES includes 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the STAR WARS galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, series, and more. This STAR WARS Hasbro action figure is detailed to look like the Eleventh Brother from STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD. Pose out this Inquisitor with his red double-bladed Lightsaber™. Look for more STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-inch action figures to recreate your favorite scenes — or imagine your own (each sold separately, subject to availability).

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES ROOK KAST

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $27.99 | Pre-Order on March 5 at 1PM ET on Hasbro and participating retailers; available Spring 2026)

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES includes 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the STAR WARS galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, series, and more. This STAR WARS Hasbro action figure is detailed to look like the Rook Kast from STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD. Pose out Rook Kast with the included jetpack, blasters, and removable helmet accessories. Look for more STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-inch action figures to recreate your favorite scenes — or imagine your own (each sold separately, subject to availability).

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES DEVON IZARA

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $27.99 | Pre-Order on March 5 at 1PM ET on Hasbro and participating retailers; available Spring 2026)

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES includes 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the STAR WARS galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, series, and more. This STAR WARS Hasbro action figure is detailed to look like the Devon Izara from STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD. Pose out Devon Izara with the included blue-bladed Lightsaber™. Look for more STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-inch action figures to recreate your favorite scenes — or imagine your own (each sold separately, subject to availability).

Shop Star Wars at Amazon (affiliate link).

The two-episode premiere of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord streams on 6th April only on Disney+.

Are you looking forward to Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Anthony Daniels breaks silence on Star Wars

2026-03-06T09:00:00.001+00:00

During an interview for Nacelle’s Icons Unearthed: Star Wars series, Anthony Daniels, 80, detailed the first time he tried on the C-3PO costume for Star Wars.

“They put it on me, piece by piece by piece, and gradually, I really kind of felt I was losing my humanity,” he admitted. “I was clamped into this. And then they did have a camera turning. And for about 10 minutes or so, I wobbled around this workshop, crashing into things, smashing things. And then they took it off.”

Daniels continued, “It was a relief, you know? Ten minutes, 15 minutes, felt like a lifetime, a nightmare. I couldn’t see anything. It’s no wonder I crashed into stuff.”

Read the official synopsis:

"Cast, crew and experts detail the secret histories of the most iconic film and television series in Icons Unearthed. Icons Unearthed: Star Wars includes interviews with Marcia Lucas, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, Paul Hirsch, Phil Tippett, Rick Baker, Ken Ralston, John Dykstra, Howard Kazanjian, Julian Glover, Ian McDiarmid, Gus Lopez, Tom Spina and many more. Icons Unearthed: Star Wars is narrated by Michael Pennington, who portrayed the iconic character Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod in Return of the Jedi."

Have you watched Icons Unearthed: Star Wars? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars under the stars

2026-03-04T10:00:00.007+00:00

Adventure Cinema is bringing Star Wars: A New Hope to 16 venues across the UK this summer, on a huge open-air screen under the stars in stunning settings, running between 2nd August and 20th September.

"What to expect at the Star Wars outdoor cinema experience…

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Enjoy the original Star Wars like never before as you watch the movie on a huge open-air screen under the stars in a stunning setting.

A legendary start to the sci-fi saga, George Lucas opened our eyes to the possibilities of blockbuster filmmaking and things have never been the same since.

Plus music to enjoy before the movie with a soundtrack of specially curated songs."

Here are the venues and dates:

Calke Abbey, Derby – Saturday, August 2nd; gates open at 6pm
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire – Saturday, August 9th; gates open at 6:30pm
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland – Saturday, August 2nd; gates open at 5:30pm
Cobbham Hall, Gravesend – Friday, August 14th; gates open at 6pm
Aldenham House, London – Sunday, August 16th; gates open at 6:30pm
Stowe House, Buckinghamshire – Wednesday, August 19th; gates open at 6pm
Attingham Park, Shrewsbury – Sunday, August 23rd; gates open at 5pm
Harewood House, Leeds – Sunday, August 23rd; gates open at 6:30pm
Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire – Saturday, August 29th; gates open at 5pm
Ashton Court, Bristol – Sunday, August 30th; gates open at 6:30pm
Lyme Park, Cheshire – Friday, September 4th; gates open at 6:45pm
Knebworth House, Stevenage – Sunday, September 6th; gates open at 6pm
Boughton House, Northamptonshire – Sunday, September 6th; gates open at 6:30pm
Coombe Abbey Country Park, Coventry – Sunday, September 13th; gates open at 6:30pm
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge – Saturday, September 13th; gates open at 6:30pm
Arley Hall, Northwich – Sunday, September 20th; gates open at 6:30pm

Find out more and book your tickets here.

Are you looking forward to seeing Star Wars under the stars? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO SMART Play x LEGO Star Wars official trailer

2026-03-02T15:41:00.001+00:00

Check out the LEGO SMART Play x LEGO Star Wars official trailer with Ben & Nora to see some of the latest sets in the LEGO Star Wars collection, all available to purchase now.

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.

Final issue of Star Wars Insider this May

2026-03-01T10:00:00.013+00:00

Star Wars Insider #237, the final issue of the official magazine, will be available from 6th May, 2026, and will feature three variant covers, all celebrating the publication’s 38-year run, with an exclusive final interview with Kathleen Kennedy, short fiction and more.

The three variant covers include the Direct Market Edition featuring vintage Ralph McQuarrie artwork, a foil variant featuring Han Solo in Carbonite, and a Fan Club foil variant paying homage to The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine #1 released in the Fall of 1987.

The publication began life as the Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine in the 1980s, following the closure of Bantha Tracks! In a world without broadband internet and iPhones, it was an invaluable official resource for fans (myself included). For years, I subscribed and was published in the letters page in 1993.

In 1997, I responded to an advert in Star Wars Insider. I was interviewed for a BBC Radio 1 documentary, Skywalker, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Star Wars. Lucasfilm decided to drop the fan segment, but it was fun to share my Star Wars story with the director. At the time, my workstation was surrounded by Power of the Force II action figures, Micro Machines and copies of Star Wars Insider.

Before Disney acquired Lucasfilm from George Lucas in 2012, Titan Entertainment approached me about an official partnership with this blog. Whilst it never came to pass, I was grateful for the opportunity.

The decision to shutter Star Wars Insider is not entirely surprising. However, with the 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027, the publication may return in a new guise.

What are your memories of reading Star Wars Insider? Let me know in the comments below.

Brian May on Masters of the Universe soundtrack

2026-02-27T11:40:00.005+00:00

Sir Brian May, the legendary lead guitarist and songwriter for rock band Queen, announced he's performing on the soundtrack to the upcoming Masters of the Universe live-action movie. May brought along vintage action figures and Castle Grayskull, which belonged to his son, Jimmy.

Growing up, I would often listen to Queen's Flash Gordon soundtrack before going to school.

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 released in cinemas on 5th June 2026.

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