Transformers x Star Wars: The Mandalorian

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding Transformers Collaborative Star Wars: The Mandalorian N-1 Starfighter announced at New York Comic Con (NYCC).

The iconic N-1 Starfighter from STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN is now a converting TRANSFORMERS toy! Inspired by the N-1 Starfighter from the STAR WARS galaxy, this 7.5-inch figure converts from character mode to N-1 Starfighter alt mode in 37 steps. Comes with 6 blast effects that can attach in both modes, 2 blasters, and a shield and cape that convert to a display stand for the figure in N-1 Starfighter mode.

TRANSFORMERS robots have always been — More Than Meets the Eye — but now, through the TRANSFORMERS Collaborative, fans can experience these larger-than-life characters as they team-up, mash-up, and meet up with other characters, teams, and people who share this same special quality. Available for pre-order on October 17 at 10AM ET exclusively at Walmart.com for $54.97. It will be released in spring 2025.

As a fan of both Transformers and Star Wars, I can't wait to add this to my collection. It's a Walmart exclusive and is available in limited quantities on Hasbro Pulse.

Will you be adding Transformers Collaborative Star Wars: The Mandalorian N-1 Starfighter to your collection? What Transformers x Star Wars would you like to see? Let me know in the comments below.

James Gunn teases Krypto in Superman

Director James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) took to social media to share a first look at Krypto the Superdog in his upcoming Superman movie.

“Krypto was inspired by our dog Ozu, who we adopted shortly after I started writing Superman,” Gunn wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Ozu, who came from a hoarding situation in a backyard with 60 other dogs & never knew human beings, was problematic to say the least. He immediately came in & destroyed our home, our shoes, our furniture - he even ate my laptop. It took a long time before he would even let us touch him.”

Gunn then remembers thinking, "Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?

“And thus Krypto came into the script & changed the shape of the story as Ozu was changing my life,” he continues. “What better time to debut the not-so-good-good-boy Krypto than #AdoptAShelterDog month. Btw, Ozu today, is, fairly often, a very good boy.”

Gunn's Superman flies onto cinema screens next summer.

Are you looking forward to seeing Krypto in Superman? Let me know in the comments below.

The truth is out there in Silo season two

Apple TV+ has released an official trailer for Silo season two.



Read the official synopsis:

"Silo is the story of the last ten thousand people on Earth, their mile-deep home protecting them from the toxic and deadly world outside. However, no one knows when or why the silo was built and any who try to find out face fatal consequences. Rebecca Ferguson stars as Juliette, an engineer, who seeks answers about a loved one’s murder and tumbles onto a mystery that goes far deeper than she could have ever imagined, leading her to discover that if the lies don’t kill you, the truth will."

In addition to Ferguson, Silo season two stars new addition Steve Zahn, alongside returning stars Tim Robbins, Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Avi Nash, Alexandria Riley, Shane McRae, Remmie Milner, Clare Perkins, Billy Postlethwaite, Rick Gomez, Caitlin Zoz, Tanya Moodie and Iain Glen.

Whereas Foundation was a shiny macOS screensaver that failed to resonate with this sci-fi fan, Silo’s a prestige drama filled with conspiracy and clawing claustrophobia, themes I’ll never tire of since The X-Files’ heyday!

Featuring a stellar cast surviving day-to-day in a detailed lived-in universe reminiscent of 10 Cloverfield Lane and Fallout, I can’t wait to discover the mysterious dark secrets of a labyrinthine Silo.

Silo season two premieres on 15th November on Apple TV+.

Are you watching Silo on Apple TV+? Are you looking forward to season two? Let me know in the comments below.

Alien anniversary

Alien vs. Predator (AVP) was released twenty years ago. It marked the first time the fan-favourite franchises clashed on the big screen, which was teased in Predator 2 and explored in the pages of Dark Horse Comics.

Nick Smith, our resident US-based xenomorph expert, goes on a bug hunt in the spooky season.

Guest post by Nick Smith

It’s not just bullied school kids who spend their time hiding in lockers.

If you’ve played Alien: Isolation and survived, you’re doubtless adept at cowering from savage xenomorph beasties. If you haven’t played the Sega survival game, I highly recommend it; with its creepy atmosphere, sympathetic heroine, terrifying jump scares and highly detailed space-bound setting, it’s truer to Ridley Scott’s original movie than any of the movie sequels.

Since it landed in 2014, Alien: Isolation has left its acid mark on several games, including last year’s Jurassic World Aftermath. Some of the locations in Alien: Romulus were eerily reminiscent of Alien: Isolation’s Sevastopol space station, adding an extra layer of fascination for gamers.

Alien: Isolation has been hailed as one of the best Alien video games, but I would go one better – it’s one of the best survival games! No wonder UK-based development studio Creative Assembly is working on a sequel, announced on the tenth anniversary of the original game. It will be years before we see this as-yet-unnamed follow-up, but in the meantime, there are several excellent Alien: Isolation DLCs and another anniversary to celebrate.

October 10th, 2004 is the day that aliens fought predators in the Antarctic, according to director Paul W. S. Anderson’s celluloid fightfest, Alien vs. Predator (AVP). Inspired by a comic book, this ambitious film does not measure up to its classic predecessors.

However, the cast alone makes AVP worthy of a watch (or rewatch) this Halloween. Sanaa Lathan is a worthy, charismatic heroine. Lance Henriksen – Bishop in Aliens – gets a well-deserved major role as bazillionaire Charles Bishop Weyland, the template for some future artificial persons. Brits Colin Salmon, Ewen Bremner (Spud from Trainspotting) and Tommy Flanagan (Cicero from Gladiator) all give memorable performances, and Raoul Bova (Emily in Paris) makes great amuse-bouche for the leading lady. There’s plenty of action, some Ancient Aliens-level myth-building, and the predators get more screen time than ever.

So watch the movie, watch the skies, and don’t spend all your time in isolation. There’s safety in numbers, right?

What are your memories of watching Alien vs. Predator and playing Alien: Isolation? Let me know in the comments below.

Nick Smith's new audiobook, Undead on Arrival, is available from Amazon (affiliate link).

Star Wars Reads this October

The annual Star Wars Reads event, to encourage fans around the world to read from their favourite Star Wars comics, novels and activity books whilst promoting literacy, is running throughout October.

"Books, comics, and magazines are a treasured and timeless way for readers all over the world to immerse themselves in the excitement of a galaxy far, far away. By collaborating on Star Wars Reads with organizations like First Book, Blue Star Families and New York Edge, we can share the joy of reading with fans of all ages," said Michael Siglain, creative director, Lucasfilm Publishing.

Are you organising a Star Wars Reads event? Let me know in the comments below.

Music By John Williams on Disney+

John Williams needs no introduction. The Oscar-winning Star Wars composer's stellar career is explored in a new documentary on Disney+.



"It’s no exaggeration to say that John Williams is the greatest film composer of all time," Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says. "His music has transcended cinema and become a part of our global culture, touching the hearts of billions, both young and old. John’s music has done as much to keep classical music alive as it has to shape the world of film."

Williams' soundtracks are synonymous with the movies of George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws). His scores have been the beating heart from Jaws to E.T. and Jurassic Park to The Fabelmans. Then, there are sensational soundtracks for the Star Wars saga, Superman, Harry Potter, and many more.

Williams had a profound impact on my childhood in the wake of a life-changing trauma in 1977. His music, played in isolation, inspired in times of tribulation - years of rehabilitation were my Jedi trials.

Music By John Williams is streaming on 1st November on Disney+.

Are you looking forward to Music By John Williams on Disney+? Do you have a favourite movie or television soundtrack? Let me know in the comments below.

Peanuts holiday specials free on Apple TV+

The holidays are coming and fans of classic Peanuts specials can watch them for free on Apple TV+.

To catch your favourite Charlie Brown holiday special at no cost, mark these dates on your calendar:

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: Saturday, 19th October and Sunday, 20th October
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Saturday, 23rd November and Sunday, 24th November
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Saturday, 14th December and Sunday, 15th December

Reruns of the beloved holiday specials, on the BBC, were a childhood staple in the run-up to Christmas. A cousin gifted me a Snoopy soft toy when I was in a children's hospital and it remains a cherished gift.

Are Peanuts specials part of your holiday traditions? Let me know in the comments below.

The Last of Us Day

It's The Last of Us Day and HBO has released the first official teaser trailer for The Last of Us season two. This is expected to adapt The Last of Us Part II video game from 2020.



Read the official synopsis:

“After five years of peace following the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie’s collective past catches up to them, drawing them into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind.”

Bella Ramsey, Pedro Pascal and Gabriel Luna are back and we also see Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. Catherine O’Hara also guest stars.

Season one of The Last of Us is an intense, character-driven story, and there’s a haunting beauty to its rustic depiction of America in the wake of an incurable pandemic. Heightened by a real-life pandemic we’re emerging from. Our shared trauma is explored in HBO’s live-action adaptation of Naughty Dog's award-winning PlayStation 3 (PS3) video game from 2013.

The Last of Us returns in 2025 on HBO and Sky Atlantic.

Are you looking forward to the second season of The Last of Us? What did you think of the first teaser trailer? How are you celebrating The Last of Us Day? Let me know in the comments below.

Buffy free on Tubi in time for Halloween

It’s the spooky season and according to Comicbook Buffy the Vampire Slayer starts streaming for free on Tubi from Friday.

All seven seasons of the beloved supernatural series created by Joss Whedon (Firefly) and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar (Star Wars Rebels) as the titular vampire slayer are available on Disney+. Buffy alumni Emma Caulfield stars in the WandaVision spin-off Agatha All Along. Award-winning composer Christophe Beck (Frozen) composed music for Buffy, WandaVision and Agatha All Along.

Along with The X-Files, I adored the adventures of Buffy (Heat magazine printed my letter) and have cherished memories of watching the series with my late mum. Since she died in 2007, I haven't been able to watch The Body, which was in memory of Whedon's mother.

Tubi, a free ad-supported streaming service owned by the Fox Corporation, relaunched in the UK in the summer and hosts Halloween scares.

Are you looking forward to watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Tubi? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Star Wars Jabba’s Sail Barge

Today, the LEGO Group reveals the launch of the LEGO Star Wars Jabba’s Sail Barge display set. This iconic Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) model is perfect for any Star Wars fan, packed with intricate details and LEGO Minifigures.

Aboard the barge, LEGO senior designer César Carvalhosa Soares notes that fans will notice some artistic license that adds elements beyond the vessel’s interior as seen in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. “The entire top deck has several features like hatches and stairs, cannons, and blasters and, of course, the huge textile sails that give the barge its iconic silhouette,” Carvalhosa Soares tells the official Star Wars website.

Throughout 2024, the LEGO Star Wars team plans to celebrate the 25th anniversary with fans front and centre of it all.

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

Will you be adding the LEGO Star Wars Jabba’s Sail Barge to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.