Generation Star Wars

Alien director says he's an influencer

2026-08-24T16:18:25.781+01:00

Sir Ridley Scott, the 88-year-old director of seminal sci-fi movies Alien and Blade Runner, told The Times of London how his legacy has inspired others:

"Every time, you are vulnerable. Also, I never want to repeat myself and all my films have been on the money. I've been ahead of the game frequently and, if you're ahead of the game, you're an influencer. So I'm not a filmmaker, I'm an influencer."

Scott is one of the highest-grossing directors of all time – winning two Golden Globes and two Emmys – as well as being nominated for four Oscars, eight Baftas and a Grammy.

Like many, I watched the original Alien on home video far too young and the titular xenomorph has stalked my nightmares and woven itself into the fabric of fragmented memories of a life-changing childhood trauma featuring creepy hospital corridors, flickering neon lights and faceless adults.

Do you agree that Ridley Scott is an influencer, not a filmmaker? Let me know in the comments below.

Harrison Ford and Cookie Monster team up

2026-08-21T15:06:24.473+01:00

The cast of Shrinking on Apple TV visited the set of Sesame Street earlier this year, where Harrison Ford and Cookie Monster teamed up.

The odd couple hummed composer John Williams' Raiders March from the Indiana Jones franchise in a viral clip that has broken the internet! As a kid growing up watching Sesame Street, Star Wars and Indiana Jones, this made my day.

Shrinking is streaming exclusively on Apple TV.

LEGO DC Batman: Batman Returns Batmobile

2026-08-20T16:00:00.000+01:00

The LEGO Group, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, unveils the LEGO DC Batman: Batman Returns Batmobile (76355). The 2,269-piece set, inspired by the legendary vehicle from the 1992 film Batman Returns, recreates the sleek silhouette, intricate details and unforgettable transformation sequence of one of cinema's most recognisable Super Hero vehicles.

The latest in a series of LEGO Batman display models, this set brings the distinctive vehicle from Tim Burton's Batman Returns to LEGO brick form for the very first time. Featuring authentic details, an innovative transformation function and hidden references from the film, the model celebrates one of Batman's most memorable on-screen appearances.

From its elongated bodywork and jet turbine rear engine to the opening canopy and detailed cockpit, every element has been carefully recreated to reflect the Batmobile as seen on screen. Builders can also discover several hidden details throughout the model, including The Penguin's tracking device, inspired by memorable moments from the film.

LEGO DC Batman: Batman Returns Batmobile is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

What do you think of the LEGO DC Batman: Batman Returns Batmobile? Will you add this to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who legends launch the Pondcast!

2026-08-19T10:00:00.000+01:00

Doctor Who legends Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) and Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams) have officially launched their new podcast, The Pondcast!

The duo, who played fan-favourite companions of the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), will be featuring guests from the beloved BBC sci-fi series, including former showrunner Steven Moffat.

Whilst the date of the first episode hasn't been confirmed, the former co-stars launched their show on Monday with an Instagram account, with Darvill explaining: "We're going to be doing some chatting."

"And drinking tea," Gillan added. "Telling stories..."

You had me at drinking tea.

"And reminiscing," Darvill went on. "And generally having an absolutely lovely time."

Darvill and Gillan first appeared in The Eleventh Hour and remained on Doctor Who until their heartbreaking exit in The Angels Take Manhattan.

What are your favourite episodes featuring the Ponds? Will you be listening to The Pondcast? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Starfighter at D23

2026-08-17T11:00:00.000+01:00

During the Disney Studio Showcase panel at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, director Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) and actor Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary) took to the stage with Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni to promote Star Wars: Starfighter.

“I owe a lot to Disney,” Gosling, a former member of the Mickey Mouse Club who is playing Kade Auberon, said. “Had they not looked far and wide and come to my hometown, I would not be here today. And now here I am 30 years later... I’m back, and it’s changing my life again.”

D23 attendees got an exclusive first look at the upcoming Star Wars movie along with its retro-inspired logo.

“I am so honored to release this film on the same weekend that the original film opened 50 years earlier,” Levy said.

Like Star Wars creator George Lucas, Levy was inspired by American car culture and films like The Outsiders and Lucas’ American Graffiti.

“Starfighter embodies the themes of hope, family and adventure that have always been core to Star Wars, but our story takes place in a period of time that has never been seen before, which has been a privilege to create and explore."

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.

Ahsoka brings the Force to D23

2026-08-15T11:14:34.419+01:00

During the Ahsoka Spotlight panel at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Star Wars fans (myself included) got a first look at Ahsoka season two on Disney+. Creator and Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni and stars Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), and Eman Esfandi (Ezra Bridger) were on stage to tease the next chapter for Ahsoka Tano.

Read the official synopsis:

"As Ahsoka and her Jedi apprentice Sabine Wren travel across a mysterious and perilous world to find their way home, their friends Hera, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper, must face the powerful Grand Admiral Thrawn and his sinister allies, who seek to plunge the New Republic into war."

It looks like the 3-year wait was worth it, with Lucasfilm pulling no punches for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars.

Season two of Ahsoka, streaming on 20th January, 2027 on Disney+.

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

The Mandalorian and Grogu on Disney+

2026-08-14T16:27:07.957+01:00

The Mandalorian and Grogu are coming home.

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+. The family-friendly adventure, featuring fan-favourites from The Mandalorian series, brought the saga back to cinemas. This is the way.

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. 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.

Experience Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, streaming 2nd September on Disney+.

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

Stargate producer on rebooting Doctor Who

2026-08-13T12:24:21.365+01:00

The BBC is putting Doctor Who out to competitive tender after the Disney+ deal was not renewed and the departure of series showrunner Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf.

Dean Devlin, who co-wrote and produced Stargate and Independence Day, has responded to rumours that his production company, Electric Entertainment, is linked to a new series of Doctor Who with David Tennant purportedly reprising the titular role.

When approached by the Radio Times, Devlin said in a statement: "It is untrue that we have had negotiations with the BBC. Preliminary or otherwise. When the proper time comes when they are prepared to speak with people, we certainly hope to have a discussion with them."

The update follows an earlier post by Devlin on Facebook, in which he shared an AI-generated video featuring himself and various other former Doctor Who actors posing on the set of the TARDIS. "So BBC is putting Doctor Who out to tender," Devlin captioned the video. "Do you think they should partner with us at Electric Entertainment?"

What are your thoughts on Dean Devlin producing Doctor Who? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars and Marvel Comics collide

2026-08-12T15:28:26.173+01:00

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm Publishing unveiled Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles, the first-ever crossover between the two beloved franchises launching in January 2027.

Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles marks a new chapter in the decades-spanning relationship between Marvel Comics and Star Wars.

“On April 12th, 1977, Marvel Comics introduced readers to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars #1. Now, 50 years later, it's only fitting that the Star Wars galaxy collides with the Marvel Universe to celebrate the 50th anniversary of A New Hope,” reflects Michael Siglain, Creative Director of Lucasfilm Publishing. “With Hope Assembles, Kevin Smith has written a true love letter to Star Wars, to Marvel, and to comics in general. And combined with David Marquez's incredible art, we'll see the heroes and villains of Star Wars team-up and battle with the heroes and villains of Earth-616.”

As I've written previously, Star Wars Weekly #2 was my first comic book glimpse of a galaxy far, far away...

“Marvel and Star Wars’ histories have been intertwined for 50 years and continue to set the standard for storytelling across the world… and across the media landscape,” adds Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Stephen Wacker. “Lifelong lovers of both Star Wars and Marvel have a lot to look forward to as we finally bring the characters together in ways fans have been dreaming about for decades!”

Series scribe Kevin Smith is one such lifelong lover of both franchises. “Back in the early ‘80s, I had a subscription to Marvel’s Star Wars comics. And as fun as it was to follow the adventures of Luke, Leia and Han, I always wished that Spider-Man or Doctor Doom could cross over into their cinematic saga,” he shares. “So when the opportunity arose to actually tell that story, nobody had to Force my hand! I’m ecstatic to be writing Hope Assembles for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars! Many thanks to Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm for trusting me to fly the Falcon and the Quinjet!”

Are you looking forward to Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars at D23

2026-08-11T11:26:01.635+01:00

Lucasfilm has exciting news about the Star Wars franchise at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event this week.

Friday, August 14

A LEGO Star Wars Conversation with Shelby Young

10 a.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Go behind the bricks with voice actress Shelby Young as she discusses her experience across various LEGO Star Wars projects, including a sneak peek into new LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian special coming to Disney+ on September 2.

Ahsoka Spotlight

12 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Ahsoka’s Eman Esfandi, who plays Ezra Bridger in live action, stops by to talk about making Season 1 of the Emmy Award®-winning Disney+ series.

Creatures and Characters with Legacy Effects

2 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

The creative effects studio that brought the Mandalorian, Grogu, and the Anzellans to life talks about the craft of making lifelike creatures and costumes.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Meet & Greet

4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Saturday, August 15

Hasbro: Bringing Star Wars Characters to Life Through Toys

10 a.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Meet the Makers! Join the Hasbro team for a conversation about the creative journey behind bringing Star Wars characters from the screen into fans' hands through expressive, interactive toy design.

Designing The Mandalorian and Grogu: A Conversation with Doug Chiang

12 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Join Lucasfilm's Senior Vice President and Executive Design Director Doug Chiang for a moderated conversation about bringing The Mandalorian and Grogu to the big screen. Hear firsthand how the film's environments, creatures, and vehicles were developed from concept to screen.

Creatures and Characters with Legacy Effects

2 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

The creative effects studio that brought the Mandalorian, Grogu, and the Anzellans to life talks about the craft of making lifelike creatures and costumes.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Meet & Greet

4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Sunday, August 16

The Making of Star Wars: The Experience

10 a.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Lucasfilm’s Portia Fontes and Matt Martin join The Franklin Institute’s Abby Bysshe and MDSX’s Dan Picard to provide an in-depth look at curating the new Star Wars: The Experience traveling exhibition to celebrate 50 years of the franchise and the fandom.

Inside Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord with Matt Michnovetz

12 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Join head writer and executive producer Matt Michnovetz as he discusses the production process, creative journey, and powerful storytelling of Maul - Shadow Lord Season 1.

Creatures and Characters with Legacy Effects

2 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

The creative effects studio that brought the Mandalorian, Grogu, and the Anzellans to life talks about the craft of making lifelike creatures and costumes.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Meet & Greet

4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Which Star Wars panels are you looking forward to at D23? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd

2026-08-08T17:18:44.452+01:00

Lucasfilm has announced a Welsh-language dub of Star Wars: A New Hope. Entitled Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, it is scheduled to air on Christmas Day on S4C in anticipation of the movie's 50th anniversary next year.

S4C's chief executive Geraint Evans said: "We were thrilled when Lucasfilm approached us to partner on producing a Welsh version of Star Wars: A New Hope.

"It's such an iconic film to so many generations of fans across the world so we're delighted to be working with them and Creative Wales to turn this ambition into reality."

Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd is directed by Ellyn Stern and produced by Michael Kohn, director of distribution operations at Lucasfilm.

"We're really excited about this project for many reasons," Kohn said.

"I've been involved in a few indigenous dubs of Star Wars over the years that aim to preserve and revitalise interest in learning the language.

"The chance to celebrate the Welsh language through Star Wars is one we couldn't pass up."

Wales has a storied history with Star Wars. A life-sized Millennium Falcon was built at Pembroke Dock in 1979 for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, as well as scenes from Disney+ series Star Wars: The Acolyte that were shot across Bannau Brycheiniog.

Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan, who was born and raised in Wales, said: "Wales has such a rich history of storytelling and a beautiful lyrical language.

"We have never before had a translation of Star Wars into Welsh and I am so thankful that in celebration of our 50th anniversary, we have been able to work with some incredible Welsh talent to make that a reality.

"Welsh speakers will finally be able to enjoy the film in our native language and my hope is that it will have the same emotional impact as if you were watching the film again for the first time."

Matthew Rhys will voice Han Solo, with Rhys Ifans as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Princess Leia. Star Wars veteran Mark Lewis Jones, who portrayed Captain Moden Canady in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, will take on the role of Darth Vader, and Osian Morgan will voice Luke Skywalker.

May the Force be with you, or Bydded y Grym gyda chi, as fans say in Welsh.

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

Grand Theft Auto VI extended look on Netflix

2026-08-06T16:30:43.849+01:00

Rockstar Games has announced that an extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI will first be available on Netflix later this month.

"The new iteration in the blockbuster series comes 13 years following the debut of GTA 5, the same year that Netflix was beginning its push into original programming," Netflix wrote. "This collaboration represents the next generation of storytelling and content on Netflix."

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.

“Grand Theft Auto reveals have become cultural moments in their own right," said Brandon Riegg, Netflix's VP of Nonfiction Series. "The anticipation and fandom around Grand Theft Auto 6 is unprecedented, and we’re honored that Rockstar Games has partnered with us to debut the next part of the Grand Theft Auto story with Netflix members first. It’s a reflection of what we hope Netflix is becoming: a place where the most ambitious storytelling, from any medium, can find the biggest possible audience."

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

This has sparked controversy (I'm team digital on XBOX, but prefer physical on PlayStation), and now an extended look will be paywalled on Netflix for 6 hours, which will only add to the unprecedented hype.

My octogenarian dad isn't a gamer, but he knows about GTA VI given all the mainstream media coverage of this monoculture moment in entertainment and that I've pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition for PS5.

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

Are you looking forward to Grand Theft Auto VI? Let me know in the comments below.

Babylon 5 on YouTube

2026-08-05T09:00:00.000+01:00

The future of Doctor Who and Star Trek may be in flux, but renewed interest in Babylon 5 could be our last, best hope for a classic sci-fi series on streaming services following the cancellation of Stargate.

Warner Bros. Discovery has launched an official YouTube channel featuring classic episodes from J. Michael Straczynski's sprawling space saga.

Read the official description:

"You’ve arrived at Babylon 5, the last, best hope for peace. A neutral station standing at the crossroads of galactic powers, where ambassadors, soldiers, traders, and dreamers all have a stake in the future.

Here you’ll find stories of destiny and choice, of politics and prophecy, of wars fought in shadows and victories won through understanding. This channel is a gathering place for the history, ideas, and moments that made Babylon 5 one of science fiction’s most enduring legacies.

Whether you’re a longtime citizen of the station or arriving through the jump gate for the first time, you’re welcome here."

Straczynski introduced the new channel, promising it would feature original commentaries, interviews, chats, and additional material in the coming months.

As I've written previously, the sci-fi series will always be synonymous with undergraduate study. SeaQuest DSV and Babylon 5 both utilised Amiga Video Toasters and were the subject of lively debate in computer animation studies. George Lucas' Star Wars prequels were still a few years away, non-linear media production was still in its infancy and prohibitively expensive for the homebrew crowd (myself included) before Steve Jobs returned to Apple, democratising the industry with the iMac and iPhone.

Babylon 5 was originally shown on Channel 4 in the UK, running for 5 seasons between 1993 and 1997. Straczynski's sci-fi opus, a galaxy-spanning retelling of The Lord of the Rings, quickly became a touchstone in the space opera firmament. There were countless carshare and water-cooler conversations with fellow fans when I was hired as an online journalist at Reuters following graduation 30 years ago.

Could Warner Bros. Discovery be testing the cosmic waters to garner reaction from fans (myself included)? There have been premature announcements of a reboot with Straczynski back at the helm on The CW.

What are your memories of watching Babylon 5? Let me know in the comments below.

Dungeons & Dragons x Star Wars

2026-08-03T10:15:14.998+01:00

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a gateway into role-playing games (RPG) for generations of fantasy fans (myself included)!

The first time I became aware of TSR's tabletop franchise (not namechecked) was in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Subsequently, Marvel Comics' D&D animated series became an afterschool staple, and my parents bought me licensed LJN action figures, which were soon integrated into Masters of the Universe and Star Wars toy stories.

Netflix's Stranger Things introduced a new generation to D&D.

Star Wars celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2027, and Hasbro's Wizards of the Coast has announced a collaboration during the D&D Vision Keynote at Gen Con!

Season of Rebellion.

"We want to let our community know that D&D Universes Beyond is additive to the incredible roadmap we have for our own worlds. We have been staffing up to support this initiative and look forward to what the future holds."

As a fan of both franchises, I'm intrigued and am envisaging Magic: The Gathering Star Wars action figures on Hasbro Pulse!

Are you looking forward to the Dungeons & Dragons | Star Wars collaboration? Let me know in the comments below.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

2026-08-01T10:00:00.000+01:00

Is superhero fatigue a thing, or can Spidey swing above it? Matt, Harry and Luke Charlton find out in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Guest post by the Charltons

Are you Spider-Man? Or are you Peter Parker?

This is the question that our hero is faced with throughout the latest movie from Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures - with the latter hoping that the webhead carries on bringing in those dollars after every other attempt to bring a Spider-Man villain to the big screen without Spidey has failed miserably and is often lambasted for being ‘that bad’ - especially by the people who star in them.

We won’t mention Morbius; suffice to say we know that Jared Leto (Tron: Ares) is very capable in Masters of the Universe, but every single attempt by Sony to do anything with the Spider-Verse that doesn’t involve Spider-Man is terrible. It is known.

This will be a spoiler-free review for the most part - but if you want to stay completely away from anything going on until you’ve seen the movie, step away now.

We, of course, will not speculate nor confirm who Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) is playing in this movie.

She is in the movie. That’s all you’re getting. Oh, and there’s no Kate Bush.

The movie picks up after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, with Peter Parker (Tom Holland) being pretty much truly alone in the universe. Nobody knows who Peter is, but everyone knows Spider-Man and his reputation has never been better. Everyone loves him. It’s great.

If you’ve seen the trailers, you’ll have seen The Punisher (Jon Bernthal) features, as does Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) (and maybe even a little Hulk - and maybe even a big Hulk?).

I’ve seen a few early reviews that say bad things, but I think they were going to the shock jock angle. People saying it was emotionless and messy. I disagree, and at the moment the critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes is 91%, which is fair.

I’ve also seen people asking if we need a 4th Spider-Man film, and the answer is yes, we do, and more, please.

This movie is an emotional rollercoaster, and it will make you feel things, and feel things again. It covers topics of grief, of loneliness, of loss and of losing hope. But it also talks about finding hope and helping others, too.

There are many lessons, multiple layers and many laughs. The stakes are high; anything could happen, and you truly feel your heart leave your chest at multiple parts.

As always these days, I travelled to the cinema with Harry (15) and Luke (10), both big Spider-Man fans and again as a dad, I can’t tell you how much love I feel in my heart that I can share these moments with them. Seeing their faces light up with joy, seeing the shock and awe. You can’t beat it.

The cinema was the fullest it's been on any of our trips, given it was the first UK showing at 5:30pm on release day - and we get it two days before the USA, too. The people sat beside me sadly could not stay off their phones or stop talking all the way through - why people are happy to pay upwards of £70 with tickets, snacks and drinks and sit there like it is their living room, I have no idea - or maybe that’s just what it was, feeling they paid enough so they could do what they wanted?

The dynamics between Spider-Man and The Punisher are great. There’s a lot of quips, attitude and history there, and you get a feeling they’ve worked together quite closely in the past.

We see Peter go through a lot of changes in this movie, both physically and emotionally, and we also see him evolve in many other ways.

It’s fun to see how right or wrong people were about characters being photoshopped out of certain scenes in trailers, AKA Peter 2 and Peter 3 in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

There is a post-credits scene, just a single one - which doesn’t give much away but, as always with Marvel, it’s worth hanging around for, and shaking your head at the people who leave immediately - who even does that?

Some questions that you might have...

Will Spidey make it through the movie in one piece?
Does Venom eat lunch at Delmars?
Do we see Thor and the Avengers robbing ATMs again?
Do we see Man-Spider?
Does Ned turn into Hobgoblin?
Who is Sadie Sink playing?
Where else *do* those organic webs come out of?

For answers to these questions and more, book your tickets to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day... today!

Have you seen Spider-Man: Brand New Day? Let us know in the comments below.

The Mandalorian and Grogu at Steve Jobs Theater

2026-07-31T11:04:19.520+01:00

Lucasfilm recently screened The Mandalorian and Grogu at Apple's Steve Jobs Theater.

Read the official description:

"Attendees were treated to a special screening of The Mandalorian and Grogu at Apple’s Steve Jobs Theater courtesy of Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound. Before the screening, Senior Visual Effects Supervisor John Knoll joined Apple’s Alex Lindsay for a discussion about ILM’s legacy with Apple hardware and software and how the studio is developing new software and leveraging the latest Apple technology to streamline the filmmaking process. Watch the film at home on Digital now!"

Pre-order The Mandalorian and Grogu at Amazon (affiliate link).

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

Star Wars Comics Library Volume 1

2026-07-30T11:23:46.937+01:00

Marvel Comics' Star Wars Weekly was a staple of many Star Wars fans' (myself included) childhood. My earliest memory was borrowing a primary school friend's copy of Star Wars Weekly #2 featuring Tusken Raiders attacking Luke Skywalker on the cover!

TASCHEN has announced Star Wars Comics Library Volume 1 1977-1979!

The Greatest Space Fantasy of All!

The first journey into the Star Wars comic book universe

"In January 1976, as George Lucas prepared to shoot his new film, then titled The Star Wars, he asked Marvel Comics to publish a comic book for the film’s release. Marvel’s initial reluctance abated once they understood that Lucas was prepared to give the rights for free. Royalties would only be paid if the comic sold more than 100,000 copies.

Upon the movie’s release in May 1977, Marvel soon realised that they had a mega-hit on their hands. The first issues, scripted by Roy Thomas and drawn by Howard Chaykin, a young artist Lucas had spotted in the indie comic Star*Reach, sold over one million copies, four times the number of Marvel’s top superhero title: The Amazing Spider-Man. Hence, Star Wars became a monthly publication.

With no new film due to drop for at least a few years, and fans ravenous for more stories, Lucasfilm released several novels. But the only regular source of new material was the comic. It continued to outsell all Marvel’s other titles, thanks to the quality of the creators guiding the stories. Thomas and Chaykin were soon joined by writer Archie Goodwin and penciller Carmine Infantino, who took Luke, Han, Leia and Darth Vader all over the galaxy, exploring new worlds and introducing new characters.

The first 23 issues have now been digitally remastered to correct the original era’s inexpensive, imperfect printing, while still capturing the spirit and texture of the comics' historic first release, and collected in an XXL-sized edition: bigger even than a Death Star. This truly out-of-this-world collection includes an in-depth history by comic book historian Peter Sanderson."

Pre-order Star Wars Comics Library Volume 1 1977-1979 at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to Star Wars Comics Library Volume 1 1977-1979? Let me know in the comments below.

The Empire Strikes Back at the BFI IMAX

2026-07-26T15:28:17.479+01:00

This August, Star Wars fans can see Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back at the BFI IMAX.

Read the official description:

"The Empire Strikes Back is not only one of the great film sequels of all time, it is the moment when George Lucas and Frank Oz introduced masterful Jedi knight Yoda into the Star Wars series. He takes young Luke Skywalker under his wing to teach him the ways of the Force. The resulting scenes between Hamill and Oz’s puppet are seamless and accomplished. Elsewhere, pioneering special effects are showcased to impressive effect, making for a perfect film in every measurable way."

The three screenings take place on Saturday 15th August, Friday 21st August and Monday 31st August.

Are you booking tickets to see Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back at the BFI IMAX? Let me know in the comments below.

Tomb Raider joins G.I. Joe at Comic-Con

2026-07-25T08:00:00.000+01:00

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding G.I. Joe Classified Series Collaborative Lara Croft Tomb Raider at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).

G.I. JOE CLASSIFIED SERIES RETRO CARDBACK COLLABORATIVE LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER

(HASBRO | Ages 4 years & up | Approx. Retail Price: $44.99 | Pre-Order Thursday July 23 at 5 PM ET; Available Fall 2026)

G.I. Joe is a highly skilled, on-demand, special operations force of men and women from around the world. Lara Croft, the TOMB RAIDER, is a legendary truth seeker and adventurer whose globetrotting explorations have brought her fame and notoriety. It's only natural their paths would cross while exploring the jungles of Cobra Island in this amazing collaborative between Hasbro and Crystal Dynamics. New to the G.I. Joe Classified Series line, Lara Croft TOMB RAIDER comes ready for adventure, with multiple points of articulation for high poseability. This Lara Croft TOMB RAIDER figure contains 16 character-inspired accessory pieces including alternate head, 2 alt hands, 2 climbing axes, backpack, grappling hook with handle and rope, recurve bow and arrow, quiver, the Dagger of Xian with sheath, and dual weapon accessories; plus a removable bandolier.

Look for other G.I. Joe figures and toys to build your roster of heroic G.I. Joe’s and Cobra villains (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.).

Lara Croft is based on her appearance in the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis video game coming to PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series S|X, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC on 12th February 2027. Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel to Tomb Raider: Underworld, has been delayed until 2028.

Despite a premium price tag, Lara Croft quickly sold out on Hasbro Pulse and fan channels when she went up for pre-order. I managed to pre-order mine along with Action Man from Star Action Figures in the UK in time for Christmas.

Pre-order G.I. Joe Classified Series Collaborative Lara Croft Tomb Raider at Amazon (affiliate link).

Have you pre-ordered G.I. Joe Classified Series Collaborative Lara Croft Tomb Raider? What other collaborative crossovers would you like to see in the future? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO celebrates 60 years of Star Trek

2026-07-23T11:05:04.847+01:00

Today, the LEGO Group, in partnership with Paramount Products & Experiences, unveils the LEGO Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge (11385), a 1,701-piece building set for adult fans. The model recreates two of the most recognisable locations from the original series Star Trek – the bridge and transporter room of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

Following the debut of the first ever LEGO Star Trek set, which recreated the iconic exterior of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D from Star Trek: The Next Generation, the highly-anticipated new LEGO Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge gives fans the opportunity to step inside the legendary starship from the original series for the very first time in LEGO form, with an impressive level of detail, interactive features and an all-star Starfleet crew.

The model focuses on the ship’s iconic bridge and transporter room, featuring computer stations, a viewscreen displaying a Klingon warrior, and a transporter platform for crew deployment. Once completed, the modular sections can be arranged into a display configuration.

Several interactive features that recreate familiar on-screen moments are included. Builders can rock the captain’s chair to simulate ship turbulence and battle sequences, turn a dial to activate the transporter and move crew between pads, and use a lever to open the turbo lift doors.

Eight brand-new minifigures represent the Starfleet crew: James T. Kirk, Spock, Nyota Uhura, Hikaru Sulu, Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy, Pavel Chekov, Christine Chapel and Montgomery “Scotty” Scott. It also includes four tribbles – the iconic, fluffy alien characters from Star Trek – along with accessories such as two Starfleet communicators, four phasers, Spock’s harp, two Vulcan Lirpas and a Trident Scanner. The Starfleet communicators are represented by a decorated 1×2 tile, while the phaser is an all-new LEGO element.

LEGO Icons Star Trek: U.S.S Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding LEGO Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

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.