Star Wars: Starfighter wraps filming

It's the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. Director Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) announced principal photography has wrapped on Star Wars: Starfighter. Now, postproduction begins in earnest.

The upcoming film stars Ryan Gosling, Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams.

For half a decade, Star Wars has been on the small screen with animated and live-action spin-off series on Disney+. The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian, will be in cinemas next year.

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.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a happy and safe holiday season.

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

Chris Evans returns in Avengers: Doomsday

Chris Evans' Captain America returns in the Russo brothers' Avengers: Doomsday.

A teaser trailer, showing before Avatar: Fire and Ash, confirms the fan-favourite First Avenger is back and he's a dad!

Evans isn’t the only original Avengers star who will be back for Avengers: Doomsday.

Robert Downey Jr. is returning, but not as Tony Stark. Instead, he is replacing his Iron Man armour to play the ultimate villain, Doctor Doom, in the multiverse-crossing movie. Other returning heroes include Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Sebastian Stan, Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Simu Liu, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen and Lewis Pullman.

From the X-Men universe, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, Alan Cumming, James Marsden, Channing Tatum and Rebecca Romijn will cross over into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Avengers: Doomsday will be released in cinemas on 18th December 2026.

Are you looking forward to Avengers: Doomsday? Let me know in the comments below.

The Muppet Show returns on Disney+

On Wednesday, an official teaser trailer dropped for The Muppet Show on Disney+.



Read the official synopsis:

"It's “The Muppet Show!” Kermit, Miss Piggy and the beloved Muppet gang are back with a brand-new special event. Music, comedy, and a whole lot of chaos are bound to ensue when The Muppets once again take the stage of the original Muppet Theatre with their very special guest, Sabrina Carpenter!"

There's a talented team behind the project, with Alex Timbers, known for his work in musical theatre, serving as director and executive producer of the special. Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Alex McAtee are executive producers for Point Grey Pictures; David Lightbody, Leigh Slaughter and Michael Steinbach are executive producers for The Muppets Studio; and Sabrina Carpenter, Albertina Rizzo, Matt Vogel and Eric Jacobson also serve as additional executive producers.

The Muppet Show is as important to me as Doctor Who and Star Wars, but that's a story for another time.

Disney+ is currently home to the original The Muppet Show, and the new special will reportedly serve as a backdoor pilot, the success of which will determine if the show gets a full revival.

The Muppet Show returns on 4th February for a triumphant special event on Disney+ and ABC.

Are you looking forward to The Muppet Show on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Gil Gerard, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, dies

In the wake of Star Wars' success, Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century briefly lured me away from Doctor Who with their shiny daring-do!

Gil Gerard, who played Buck Rogers in the 25th Century on television for two seasons, has passed away following a brief battle with cancer.

His wife, Janet, shared the sad news on a social media post. She wrote: "Early this morning Gil - my soulmate - lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer. From the moment when we knew something was wrong to his death this morning was only days. No matter how many years I got to spend with him it would have ever been enough. Hold the ones you have tightly and love them fiercely."

She shared that the star had prepared a final message for his devoted fans (myself included).

"If you are reading this, then Janet has posted it as I asked her to," the moving message begins.

"My life has been an amazing journey. The opportunities I've had, the people I've met and the love I have given and received have made my 82 years on the planet deeply satisfying.

"My journey has taken me from Arkansas to New York to Los Angeles, and finally, to my home in North Georgia with my amazing wife, Janet, of 18 years. It's been a great ride, but inevitably one that comes to a close as mine has.

"Don't waste your time on anything that doesn't thrill you or bring you love. See you out somewhere in the cosmos."

During the summer of 1980, to give my parents some respite from the day-to-day of my rehabilitation following a life-changing head injury in primary school, we holidayed for a fortnight in the Isles of Scilly. I befriended the children of a Belgian ambassador due to our mutual Buck Rogers fandom: I spied them playing with Mego action figures and Corgi die-cast toys. We wanted to pilot Buck Rogers' Starfighter and had a childhood crush on Wilma Deering (Erin Gray).

Nick Smith, our US-based correspondent, met Gerard at Pensacon 2019.

What are your memories of watching Buck Rogers in the 25th Century? Let me know in the comments below.

We aren't alone in Disclosure Day

Universal Pictures has released an official teaser trailer for Disclosure Day. The upcoming star-studded sci-fi mystery reunites director Steven Spielberg (Jaws) with composer John Williams (Star Wars). Together, they've brought us blockbuster alien invasions in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and War of the Worlds.



Read the official synopsis:

"If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people. We are coming close to … Disclosure Day."

Based on a story by Spielberg, the screenplay is by David Koepp, whose previous work with Spielberg includes the scripts for Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Combined, those films earned more than $3 billion worldwide.

Spielberg himself has long believed we’re not alone in the universe, the director has said. “I think it’s mathematically impossible that we are the only intelligent species in the cosmos.”

Disclosure Day will be released in cinemas on 12th June 2026.

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

Tomb Raider remake for 30th anniversary

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Tomb Raider. Crystal Dynamics announced a remake of the original video game using Unreal Engine 5 at The Game Awards.



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

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

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

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

There’s no specific release date for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, but it is planned for PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2026. Amazon Games is offering the chance to grab a free bonus for linking accounts ahead of launch. As shared by both the official Xbox and PlayStation blogs, if you link your Xbox and/or PSN account to an Amazon Games iD, you can claim the 'Exclusive Mediterranean Wetsuit Outfit' next year.

Are you looking forward to Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis? Let me know in the comments below.

A festive fishy Doctor Who tale

The War Between the Land and the Sea premiered last Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the run-up to Christmas. It's great to see U.N.I.T. in a Torchwood-inspired spin-off series! I'm trying and failing not to crush on a certain fish lady!

Taking the Short View's Andrew Lewin, fellow Whovian and longtime blog collaborator, has risen from the depths to share his initial thoughts on the latest Doctor Who spin-off series, which brings to a close the Disney+ era.

Before taking a deep dive. Why not join us on The WELL?

Guest post by Andrew Lewin

Ready? Right, here we go...

I was somewhat wary of the basic concept of The War Between the Land and the Sea ahead of time! It felt .... I don't like the word 'woke', but the outline did seem to be very worthy and environmentally right-on, which made me worried that they might have lost sight of the entertainment aspect, as some of Russell T. Davies' standalone dramas have done in the past. Davies is not subtle when it comes to pushing a point that he's making.

So, two of the most vividly memorable moments in the first two episodes are (1) when leading Sea Devil (now known as Homo Aqua), Salt, spills onto the conference room floor the dead foetuses of her babies who have been poisoned by human pollution in the oceans; and then (2) at the climax of the second episode where she returns all the plastic waste from the oceans and has it tumble down into the human cities, in a scene that brings home the extent of the damage that humans have done to the marine environment.

It feels like these two scenes are the two that inspired the whole BBC/Disney+ co-production, around which the rest has been built up. So far, there have been a lot of ecological points being made, some of with a great deal of grandeur and spectacle thanks to the impressive budget, and those points have certainly landed, underscored by Hollywood composer Lorne Balfe's lush orchestrations. But there's not much else beyond that in terms of storyline, and not a great deal has happened that we couldn't have guessed or devised for ourselves.

One surprising thing is just how different The War Between the Land and the Sea is in tone and feel from the last two seasons of the parent show: Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who was painted in vivid primary dayglow colours, his huge smile lighting up the screen, the villains (like Maestro) cheerfully big and over the top.

Whereas in The War Between the Land and the Sea, the prevailing colour palette is "Gotham grim", and there are very few jokes or laughs or knowing quips. There were a couple of low-key mentions of the Doctor in the show, but as a whole, it didn't feel much like the same show, which is a worry.

Even in the original era of Whovian spin-offs in the 2000s, when we had Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures all running contemporaneously, there was a satisfying DNA through-line that connected all the different shows with the titular Time Lord. Not so much here.

I'm not sure where The War Between the Land and the Sea will go from this point onwards: there are three episodes to go, and at some point, it's going to have to come up with something original and exciting to carry it to the finish line. I hope it will be worth the effort, and I look forward to cheerfully eating these words of anxiety (and a few mince pies) when and if it duly delivers on its adult-themed premise.

For now, the show is relying heavily on Russell Tovey to make the drama work on an emotional level beyond mere shock and polemic. Fortunately, he's very good as always. I've been a fan of his for years, even before his supporting turn as Titanic midshipman Alonso Frame in Voyage of the Damned - back to Being Human at least. (I'm also watching the first season of John Le Carre drama The Night Manager from 2016, and guess who pops up in a small but key role in the first episode, looking outrageously young?)

And I always really like Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart as well - it's amazing to think the character has been in the show since 2012. It's a shame that the other members of the recurring U.N.I.T. cast (Colonel Ibrahim, Mrs Bingham) are getting so little to do other than standing around looking supportive.

However, the breakout actor/character is Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ambassador Salt: a compelling performance and some astounding makeup/costume work. We've come a long way since the papier-maché heads used for the 1972 Sea Devils, which haunted my dreams as a kid. More than anything else, I look forward to seeing what they will do with Salt in the remaining episodes.

New episodes drop every Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer and will be exclusively on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available) in 2026.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

What are your thoughts on The War Between the Land and the Sea? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic announced

A new Star Wars video game from the game director of the original Mass Effect trilogy was announced at The Game Awards.

Developed by Arcanaut Studios in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is a new single-player narrative-driven action RPG and spiritual successor to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR), which will be available on PC and console.



Led by Casey Hudson, game director of the original KOTOR and the Mass Effect trilogy, the team of veteran game developers and storytellers at Arcanaut Studios is crafting an epic interactive adventure across a galaxy on the brink of rebirth, where every decision shapes your path towards light or darkness.

Hudson reflected on his experience with his first Star Wars game and how its influence will affect his approach for a new vision of the galaxy far, far away:

“When we developed the original KOTOR, we wanted to create a definitive Star Wars experience — crafting an adventure that consisted of all the things we dreamed of doing as Star Wars fans. Now, 25 years after we started work on that game, our aspirations are equally ambitious.

“Fate of the Old Republic represents an opportunity to explore a contemporary vision of a definitive Star Wars experience, using state-of-the-art technology and game design, and an all-new story crafted specifically to deliver on the combination of player agency and immersion in Star Wars that was at the heart of KOTOR.

“It’s hard to describe how exciting it was to be able to work in the Star Wars galaxy, contributing to its incredible legacy. We had so much fun working on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and it was one of the defining experiences of my career. But a project like this is a huge commitment for everyone involved, so it took the right conditions to get everything to line up.

“Our goal is developing the kind of games I love making: emotionally powerful, cinematic adventures driven by player agency, narrative depth, and immersive world-building. Conversations between our team and Lucasfilm Games led to an incredible opportunity to return to Star Wars, and once again we can hardly believe we’re working on such a special project.”

Are you looking forward to Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic? Let me know in the comments below.

The DNSO performs Rey's Theme

December marks the 10th anniversary of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The first instalment in Disney's sequel trilogy gave fans (myself included) one of the best themes from the saga, Rey's Theme, composed by the legendary John Williams.

“I fell in love immediately with Daisy Ridley [who plays Rey]. She is just a superstar born,” Williams told the Los Angeles Times in a 2015 interview. “[The theme] suggests a female adventurer, but with great strength,” he continued. “She’s a fighter, she’s infused with the Force, and it needed to be something that was strong but thoughtful.”



The Danish National Symphony Orchestra (DNSO) performs Rey's Theme, recorded as part of the sci-fi concert Galaxymphony Strikes Back, in August 2021 at DR Koncerthuset, Copenhagen, Denmark.

“[Disney] asked me if I would do the next episode of Star Wars,” Williams told the audience at a 2016 Hollywood Bowl concert. “I thought I wanted to think about it for a minute, but then I made up my mind – because I didn’t want anybody else writing music for Rey.”

What's your favourite theme from Star Wars? Let me know in the comments below.

Paramount strikes back with bid for Warner Bros

Paramount Sundance has reentered the chat. The studio has launched a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery in the wake of Netflix's announcement of its takeover last week.

Paramount has stated, “The Paramount offer for the entirety of WBD provides shareholders $18 billion more in cash than the Netflix consideration. WBD’s Board of Directors' recommendation of the Netflix transaction over Paramount’s offer is based on an illusory prospective valuation of Global Networks that is unsupported by the business fundamentals.” The corporation also said in their new proposal, “Paramount’s strategically and financially compelling offer to WBD shareholders provides a superior alternative to the Netflix transaction, which offers inferior and uncertain value and exposes WBD shareholders to a protracted multi-jurisdictional regulatory clearance process with an uncertain outcome, along with a complex and volatile mix of equity and cash.”

Netflix has turned Hollywood Upside Down. Cinema attendance dropped post-pandemic, and thousands of creatives are being laid off in an era dominated by streaming services and tech titans, as the cultural impact of artificial intelligence (AI) dominates discourse.

Paramount argues, “The Netflix transaction creates a clear risk of higher prices for consumers, lower pay for content creators and talent and the destruction of American and international theatrical exhibitors. Netflix has never undertaken large-scale acquisitions, resulting in increased execution risk, which WBD shareholders would have to endure.”

What are your thoughts on Paramount Sundance acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery? Will it secure the future of cinema? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who spin-off sets sail

The War Between the Land and the Sea begins today.



Read the official synopsis:

"When a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered. With the entire population at risk, UNIT step into action as the land and sea wage war."

The five-part series stars Russell Tovey as Barclay and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt, with Jemma Redgrave, Alexander Devrient, Ruth Madeley, Colin McFarlane, Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac and Vincent Franklin. Additional guest stars who can be spotted in the trailer are Waleed Hammad, Iestyn Arwel, Hannah Donaldson, Manpreet Bachu and Ann Akinjirin.

The Doctor Who spin-off series is darker in tone, similar to Torchwood, and features a soundtrack composed by Lorne Balfe (His Dark Materials). Soundtrack fans (myself included) can stream the soundtrack on Apple Music.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

The double episode premiere of The War Between the Land and the Sea is preceded by a special edition of The Sea Devils and will be exclusively on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available) in 2026.

Are you looking forward to The War Between the Land and the Sea? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars returns to cinemas in 2027

The future of cinema as we know it is uncertain in an era dominated by streaming services and tech titans. However, there is a new hope.

On Friday, Disney announced the original theatrical release of Star Wars will return to cinema screens in time for the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' space opera franchise in 2027. This follows an exclusive screening with the blessing of Lucasfilm of a newly restored version at the British Film Institute (BFI) earlier this year.

Star Wars will be followed by Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) and starring Ryan Gosling (Barbie) and Matt Smith (Doctor Who).

Are you looking forward to seeing the original Star Wars back on the big screen in 2027? Let me know in the comments below.

Netflix to buy Warner Bros

Consolidation of the mainstream media industry continues with news that Netflix is to buy Warner Bros. Discovery for $72 billion.

Netflix has prevailed in a bidding war with Paramount and Comcast, offering a $5.8 billion breakup fee to secure exclusive negotiations. Warner Bros. Discovery owns franchises such as Batman, Harry Potter and Game of Thrones, as well as the streaming services HBO Max and Discovery+.

AOL infamously bought Warner Bros. before the dot-com bubble burst in the early noughties. This is a statement of intent from the streamer, but it will likely result in HBO Max being shuttered, subscription fees increasing, and less competition.

HBO Max is due to launch in March 2026 in the UK. A longstanding exclusivity deal between Warner Bros. Discovery and Sky (owned by Comcast) ends this year. Sky and NOW customers (myself included) will get HBO Max’s ad-supported tier at no extra cost when HBO Max launches.

However, will we see future seasons of House of the Dragon and The Last of Us only on Netflix? For decades, Sky has relied on imported shows to drive subscriptions, but is now looking to buy ITV to bolster its content.

What, if any, impact will this have on the future of cinema?

Cinema attendances have not returned to pre-pandemic levels as consumers favour convenience over shared in-person experiences. Personally, I haven't been to the cinema since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and, as a confessed cinephile, I'm guilty of favouring streaming services at home.

What are your thoughts on Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery? Is it good for consumers and creatives alike in an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI)? Will it spell the demise of cinema? Let me know in the comments below.

Can Star Wars save Destiny 2?

It's the holiday season. Bungie is using the Force to lure back lapsed players (myself included) to play Destiny 2: Renegades. Will Jedi mind tricks be enough?



Players are going up against the Barant Imperium, Cabal in Stormtrooper armour, living in a diamond-shaped Death Star base, led by Dredgen Bael. Visually, he’s Darth Revan; character-wise, he’s Kylo Ren.

Are you still playing Destiny 2? If not, will officially licensed Star Wars stuff from Lucasfilm Games bring you back? Let me know in the comments below.

Sir Tom Stoppard worked on Star Wars

Sir Tom Stoppard, an award-winning Czech and English playwright famous for Shakespeare in Love, has passed away aged 88.

The playwright captivated the hearts of audiences for more than six decades with work that explored philosophical and political themes. He received many honours and accolades throughout his career, including being knighted by the late Queen for his services to literature in 1997.

Stoppard worked on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. As a fan of Lucasfilm franchises, I had no idea.

The Whoniverse goes to war this Christmas

On Friday, the BBC dropped an official trailer for The War Between the Land and the Sea.



Read the official synopsis:

"When a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered. With the entire population at risk, UNIT step into action as the land and sea wage war."

The five-part series stars Russell Tovey as Barclay and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt, with Jemma Redgrave, Alexander Devrient, Ruth Madeley, Colin McFarlane, Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac and Vincent Franklin. Additional guest stars who can be spotted in the trailer are Waleed Hammad, Iestyn Arwel, Hannah Donaldson, Manpreet Bachu and Ann Akinjirin.

The upcoming Doctor Who spin-off series is darker in tone, similar to Torchwood, and features a soundtrack composed by Lorne Balfe (His Dark Materials). Fans (myself included) can listen to Barclay's Theme on streaming services ahead of the full soundtrack release.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

The double episode premiere of The War Between the Land and the Sea is preceded by a special edition of The Sea Devils on 7th December and will be exclusively on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available) in 2026.

Are you looking forward to The War Between the Land and the Sea? Let me know in the comments below.

Stranger Things crashed Netflix

On Thursday, Stranger Things 5 premiered and instantly crashed Netflix for a few minutes, due to the unprecedented demand for the final series of the streamer's most beloved franchise.

Netflix acknowledged the brief outage in an email to Reuters. The company wrote: “Some members briefly experienced an issue streaming on TV devices, but service recovered for all accounts within five minutes.”

Read the official synopsis:

"The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time."

The cast of Stranger Things 5 includes: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie), Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler), Jake Connelly (Derek Turnbow), Alex Breaux (Lt. Akers), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).

Stranger Things invaded Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, turning it Upside Down.

In my teens, I had the biggest crush on Winona Ryder! No spoilers, but the first four episodes of Stranger Things 5 are amazing! I couldn’t love this series more… That said, I wish Netflix had switched to weekly episodes instead of 3 volumes during the holiday season. I understand it's a business decision, but it would keep the conversation going for longer on social media.

Are you watching Stranger Things 5? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Toy Story: To Infinity and Beyond

It’s been 30 years since Tom Hanks and Tim Allen brought Woody and Buzz Lightyear to life in the original Toy Story!

Pixar’s computer-generated movie masterpiece, directed by John Lasseter and distributed by Disney, would weave itself into the fabric of my final year as an undergraduate studying BA (Hons) Media Production.

A friend, who was studying computer graphics, invited me (I cheekily snuck in) to attend an early preview screening of Toy Story before its widespread release in the UK.

It all starts with a Tin Toy!

It was preceded by a Q&A with a university professor who discussed the influence of Disney’s Tron and the Lucasfilm Graphics Group, which Apple CEO Steve Jobs bought from George Lucas after he was fired from Apple and where he would triumphantly return a few years later and leave a lasting legacy. Toy Story’s genesis can be found in Tin Toy, an animated short film featuring the titular Tinny trying to escape from Billy, a human baby. That nascent narrative thread was developed into a buddy comedy.

Steve Jobs sold Pixar to Disney before his untimely death in 2011. The studio that once dwarfed the House of Mouse is but a brand alongside Marvel and Star Wars on Disney+. However, Toy Story’s cultural impact cannot be overstated.

What are your memories of Toy Story? Let me know in the comments below.

Stargate reopens on Prime Video

On Wednesday, Prime Video dropped a surprise announcement. After 14 years, the Stargate is about to reopen for a new generation.



"Twenty years ago, my first real job in television was as a Story Editor on Stargate: Atlantis,” Blindspot creator Martin Gero said. “I spent five years at the franchise working across all three series, Stargate taught me everything about making television — it’s written into my DNA. I’m beyond thrilled that Amazon MGM Studios has entrusted me with guiding this incredible franchise into its next phase. For those who’ve kept the gate active through conventions, rewatches, and unwavering faith — this one’s for you. And for those that are new to our world — I promise you’re in for something extraordinary."

The Stargate franchise centres on the titular device, which creates a stable wormhole and allows near-instantaneous travel across the cosmos.

“It is not a reboot,” Gero said. “It is a brand new chapter. It’s its own unique chapter in the Stargate universe.”

For fans wanting to catch up in the meantime, you'll first need to watch the original Stargate movie, followed by the spin-off series Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe.

Stargate will be streaming exclusively on Prime Video (affiliate link).

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

Disney+ to add user-generated AI content

Disney+ will be adding user-generated artificial intelligence (AI) content as part of a major overhaul to the streaming service! Isn't there already an app for that?

“The other thing that we’re really excited about, that AI is going to give us the ability to do, is to provide users of Disney+ with a much more engaged experience, including the ability for them to create user-generated content and to consume user-generated content — mostly short-form — from others,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said at the company's recent investment call.

AI is a disruptor with untold consequences for all industries.

Disney’s latest gambit is an astonishing development, considering the company’s extensive efforts to protect its own intellectual property (IP) from misuse by AI. The House of Mouse has already utilised AI for Marvel Studios' Secret Invasion on Disney+. Prophetic, as the company was forced to concede its use of AI after being called out by eagle-eyed viewers.

This has been met with mostly derision, leading to a backlash from Disney+ subscribers (I won't be renewing an annual subscription due to the cost of living crisis) and creatives, too.

The creator of The Owl House, Dana Terrace, urged fans to unsubscribe. "If you pay us we’ll let you make your own content slop! That we will own!" Terrace wrote as she shared the news on X (formerly Twitter).

Iger implied a deepening relationship with Epic Games by adding game-like features to Disney+.

“The opportunity here, we think, is enormous in terms of increasing our engagement with Disney fans across the world,” Iger added.

What are your thoughts on user-generated AI content shared on Disney+? Is it good or bad? What safeguards should be in place? Let me know in the comments below.

The Legend of Zelda movie first look

On Monday, Nintendo released an official first look at The Legend of Zelda live-action movie, which is directed by Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes). The look of Link and Princess Zelda is inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, who is producing, revealed the casting of Link and Zelda over the summer, writing in a social media post: “I am pleased to announce that for the live-action film of ‘The Legend of Zelda,’ Zelda will be played by Bo Bragason-san, and Link by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth-san. I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.”

The beloved fantasy action-adventure video game franchise, drawing inspiration from Miyamoto's childhood and The Lord of the Rings, debuted on the Famicom Disk System in 1986 and holds a special place for many gamers (myself included).

Following leaked footage from the New Zealand-based production, where The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed, Miyamoto has responded: "The release is some time away, so we'd appreciate it if you would wait patiently and look forward to it."

The upcoming live-action movie adaptation from Nintendo and Sony Pictures will be released in cinemas on 7th May 2027.

Are you looking forward to The Legend of Zelda movie? Let me know in the comments below.

The Sea Devils return from the depths

The Sea Devils return in more ways than one next month in The War Between the Land and the Sea, a 5-part spin-off series, on 7th December, as the original 1972 serial gets a special edition on BBC Four.

Russell T Davies, Showrunner, Writer and Executive Producer says: “52 years after they first rose from the depths, it’s Sea Devil night across the BBC! A great idea never dies, and viewers young and old can now heed the warning: watch the seas!”

Fans are set to be transported back to 1972 with a newly re-edited version of the classic Doctor Who story The Sea Devils, airing on BBC iPlayer from 6am and BBC Four at 7pm on Sunday, 7th December, ahead of the foes’ highly-anticipated return in The War Between the Land and the Sea at 8:30pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

This new 90-minute blockbuster special condenses the original six-part adventure into a feature-length experience, with updated sound design by Mark Ayres, and an enhanced score featured in The War Between the Land and the Sea created by the legendary Lorne Balfe, which has been woven together with Malcolm Clarke’s groundbreaking 1972 music.

The Sea Devils stars Jon Pertwee, who played the Third Doctor between 1970 and 1974, alongside Katy Manning as companion Jo Grant, and features the iconic villain, the Master, played by Roger Delgado. Written by Malcolm Hulke and directed by Michael E. Briant, the story introduced audiences to the formidable aquatic species, the Sea Devils.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to The Sea Devils and The War Between the Land and the Sea? Let me know in the comments below.

War is coming in Fallout

Prime Video has dropped an official trailer for Fallout season two.



The new season will pick up in the aftermath of season one’s epic finale and take audiences along for a journey through the wasteland of the Mojave to the post-apocalyptic city of New Vegas. Season two will premiere this December exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Based on one of the greatest video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. Two hundred years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind—and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird, and highly violent universe waiting for them.

The series stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets, Sweetpea), Aaron Moten (Emancipation, Father Stu), Walton Goggins (The White Lotus, The Righteous Gemstones), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), Moisés Arias (The King of Staten Island), and Frances Turner (The Boys).

The dynamic between Lucy (Ella Purnell) and the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) was the beating heart of season one, and I can't wait to follow their road trip to New Vegas this holiday season.

Fallout is streaming exclusively on Prime Video (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to Fallout season two? Let me know in the comments below.

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens in 2026

The starship-like Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, a $1 billion passion project envisioned by Star Wars creator George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, will open to the public on 22nd September 2026, it has been announced.

“Stories are mythology, and when illustrated, they help humans understand the mysteries of life,” said George Lucas, co-founder of the museum.

Exhibits include a life-size Naboo Starfighter, General Grievous on his wheel-bike and original concept art for Indiana Jones.

“This is a museum of the people’s art—the images are illustrations of beliefs we live with every day. For that reason, this art belongs to everyone,” said Lucas Museum co-founder Mellody Hobson. “Our hope is that as people move through the galleries, they will see themselves, and their humanity, reflected back.”

As a Star Wars fan since 1977, I'm hoping the tour guides are astromech and protocol droids.

Are you planning to visit the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art? Let me know in the comments below.

Alien: Earth renewed for second season

Alien: Earth, the first spin-off series from the Alien franchise on Hulu on Disney+, premiered to rave reviews. Noah Hawley's prequel series is a blood-stained Peter Pan parable.

According to Deadline, Hawley's (Fargo) series has been renewed for a second season, with production moving to London, where it will begin filming in 2026.

“It has been our great privilege to work with Noah for more than a decade on some of FX’s best and biggest shows, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership well into the future,” said FX Chairman John Landgraf in a statement.

He continued: “Noah never stops surprising us with truly original stories – and his unique ability to bring them to vibrant life as a director and producer as well as writer makes him extraordinary.

"We can’t wait to get to work on the next season of Alien: Earth, as well as some equally exciting future projects in advanced development.”

Set 2 years before the original Alien, the series explores corporate espionage, an age-old quest for immortality and xenomorphs! Delivering the best hour of genre television this year. What’s not to like?

Eric Schrier, President, Disney Television Studios & Global Original Television Strategy added: “I learned first-hand that Noah was a unique talent while we worked on Fargo at FX. He has gone on to make many of the best shows in television, and I couldn’t be more excited that Noah will continue his FX partnership and broaden it across Disney Entertainment Television.”

Hawley's series introduced Alien fans (myself included) to a menagerie of monsters. T. Ocellus quickly became the star of the series, leaning into Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Hawley added: “I’m thrilled that this expanded deal opens the door to new opportunities across all of Disney Entertainment Television. FX has always supported bold, character-driven storytelling. From the very beginning with Fargo, they’ve encouraged me to take creative risks and follow the story wherever it leads. I’m grateful to continue exploring the world of Alien: Earth alongside our partners, cast, and crew as we begin the next chapter.”

Did you enjoy Alien: Earth? Are you excited about a second season? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars Insider to end in 2026

Star Wars Insider will cease publication after over 30 years in early 2026, Lucasfilm announced.

“Insider has been a big part of my Star Wars experience for a very long time, both as a fan and professionally,” editor Christopher Cooper shared in a statement. “It’s been an honor to explore the galaxy far, far away with our readers during my eight year tenure. But publishing has changed immeasurably since the Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine, and we live in an increasingly digital age, which sadly means that this chapter in Star Wars Insider‘s history is coming to an end.”

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.

Star Wars Insider issue #237 will be the magazine’s last with Titan.

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

Michael teaser trailer thrills

Lionsgate has released a teaser trailer for Michael, the long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic from director Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as the titular King of Pop.



Read the official synopsis:

"MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins."

The teaser trailer has become a blockbuster online, garnering 116 million views in 24 hours. It perfectly distils the high-octane energy of Michael mania during the eighties in the wake of Thriller, before controversy would overshadow his career in later life.

Growing up, my late mum introduced me to the music of the Jacksons. In my teens, I was obsessed with Doctor Who, Star Wars and Michael Jackson. Jackson embraced science fiction and fantasy in groundbreaking videos such as Can You Feel It, Disney's Captain EO and the prophetically titled Thriller. I saw him twice with friends, live in concert at the old Wembley Stadium, and it was an unforgettable experience, eclipsing everything.

The movie's production woes have been documented elsewhere, but Lionsgate is teasing the possibility of the Michael biopic being split into two parts.

Michael is exclusively in cinemas on 24th April 2026.

Have you watched the teaser trailer? Do you think it will be the most successful music biopic of all time? Are you looking forward to seeing Michael? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Star Trek boldly goes on Black Friday

On Thursday, the LEGO Group, in partnership with Paramount Products & Experiences, unveiled the highly-anticipated LEGO Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D. This intricate model invites Star Trek and LEGO fans (myself included) to embark on a galactic voyage of creativity, building a detailed replica of Starfleet’s legendary flagship.

Speaking about the reveal of the LEGO Icons Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise set, actor Jonathan Frakes said, “As Commander Riker, I spent a lot of time on the bridge of the Enterprise, and now fans can take the helm themselves… in LEGO brick form!"

Additionally, shoppers who purchase the LEGO Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D (10356) between 28th November to 1st December will receive LEGO Icons Star Trek: Type-15 Shuttlepod as a Gift with Purchase, available while supplies last.

Embark on a creative voyage with this LEGO Icons Star Trek: Type-15 Shuttlepod model kit for adults and fans of the Star Trek: The Next Generation series. This minifigure-scale support craft comes with opening wing doors and a rear hatch. Exterior details include the vehicle name, Onizuka, and the interior features a depiction of an LCARS system display with the Stardate 45076.3 and a schematic of a Romulan spacecraft. This set also includes an Ensign Ro Laren minifigure.

LEGO Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D 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-D to your collection on Black Friday? Let me know in the comments below.

Bob Iger on The Rest Is History

Deadline exclusively announced Bob Iger, Disney CEO, is a guest on The Rest Is History podcast.

The two-part special, presented by historian and translator Tom Holland and historian and author Dominic Sandbrook, focuses on Walt Disney's legacy.

Iger, who returned after Bob Chapek was fired as CEO during the pandemic, will also offer up reflections on his own time at Disney ahead of his planned exit in 2026. He oversaw the successful acquisition of Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, as well as the launch of Disney+.

The outgoing Disney CEO is currently in dispute with YouTube TV and is facing fallout from the cancellation of the Doctor Who deal on Disney+.

Watch or listen to The Rest Is History wherever you get your podcasts.

Stranger things in IT: Welcome to Derry

My earliest memory of IT, the supernatural horror franchise from American author Stephen King, is ABC’s award-winning televisual adaptation shown on Sky One in the early nineties. It's available to stream on NOW (formerly NOW TV).

Fast forward to today. Sky Atlantic is showing where IT (see what I did there?) all began in this terrifying prequel series, tracing the origins of the murderous, shape-shifting entity known as Pennywise the Clown (Bill Skarsgård) in 1962 Derry.

King’s IT explores the horrors of childhood trauma, racism behind suburban picket fences and the omnipresent threat of nuclear war, all through the lens of the supernatural. As a coping mechanism, I immersed myself in science fiction following a life-changing injury in primary school and the subsequent fallout.

So, I found myself empathising with the children, relatives of members of the Losers’ Club, who could have been plucked from Stranger Things. The Derry kids are a great bunch of misfits to spend time with.

There are parallels with the Doctor Who episode Lux and DC Comics Easter eggs to find. The showrunners aren’t afraid to subvert expectations, and by the end of the first episode, all bets are off.

Set in the holiday season, Christmas is as much a time for ghost stories as Halloween, with Gremlins and Krampus creating chaos in the shadow of Santa Claus.

Have you watched IT: Welcome to Derry? Let me know in the comments below.

Vecna strikes back in Stranger Things 5

On Thursday, Netflix released an official trailer for the final season of Stranger Things.

“I think what's unique about this season is that it starts a little bit in chaos because our heroes ultimately lost at the end of Season 4,” series co-creator Ross Duffer tells Tudum. “We usually set up their normal life and how they’re going about school, and then we introduce the supernatural element. But in this case, this season is sprinting from the start.”



Read the official synopsis:

"The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time."

The cast of Stranger Things 5 includes: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie), Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler), Jake Connelly (Derek Turnbow), Alex Breaux (Lt. Akers), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).

Stranger Things 5 releases with the first four episodes on 26th November, followed by three episodes on Christmas, and the finale episode on New Year’s Eve. It has not yet been confirmed whether the finale will be released in any UK cinemas.

Are you looking forward to the final season of Stranger Things on Netflix? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who spin-off makes waves this Christmas

Doctor Who may not be returning until Christmas 2026, but a spin-off series emerges from the deep this holiday season with The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Russell T Davies, Showrunner, Writer and Executive Producer says: “This is a huge, spectacular Christmas treat, with heroes and monsters and battles and romance, in a world on the edge of disaster. And remember. Watch the seas!”

The five-part series will showcase how the world reacts when a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity and triggering an international crisis. Featuring a star-studded cast including Russell Tovey as Barclay, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt, Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, Ruth Madeley as Shirley Ann Bingham, Alexander Devrient as Colonel Ibrahim, and Colin McFarlane as General Austin Pierce.

Other previously announced cast members include Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac, Vincent Franklin, Waleed Hammad, Iestyn Arwel, Hannah Donaldson, Manpreet Bachu, and Ann Akinjirin.

The upcoming Doctor Who spin-off series is darker in tone, similar to Torchwood, and features a soundtrack composed by Lorne Balfe (His Dark Materials). This is great news, as I was hoping Balfe would work on seasons one and two of Doctor Who on Disney+.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

The double episode premiere of The War Between the Land and the Sea is on 7th December and will be exclusively on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available) in 2026.

Are you looking forward to The War Between the Land and the Sea? Let me know in the comments below.

Spielberg and Williams reunite for UFO movie

Director Steven Spielberg (Jaws) and Hollywood composer John Williams (Star Wars) have a storied history spanning decades.

A lifelong love of movie soundtracks began with Williams' score for Star Wars, and soon I amassed a collection of his works from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to Jaws. To say Williams' soundtracks have played a pivotal role in my life's turbulent journey would be an understatement. His music remains inspirational in the darkest of times.

There’s a profound resonance with Spielberg's and my own childhood (overshadowed by a life-changing trauma) and escaping into a darkened theatre to watch Spielberg’s movies and those of his friend and longtime collaborator, Star Wars creator George Lucas. At the end of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 6-year-old me desperately wanted to board the mothership with Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss).

The creative duo are reuniting for their 30th movie, Spielberg's untitled UFO project starring Josh O'Connor, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, and Eve Hewson.

Spielberg's UFO movie is scheduled for release in the summer of 2026. I'll be standing in line.

Doctor Who returns Christmas 2026

Following months of speculation, the BBC and Disney+ have parted ways after two seasons of Doctor Who.

Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama at the BBC, said: “We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming The War Between the Land and the Sea. The BBC remains fully committed to Doctor Who, which continues to be one of our most loved dramas, and we are delighted that Russell T Davies has agreed to write us another spectacular Christmas special for 2026. We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere, and we will be announcing plans for the next series in due course, which will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC.”

With Disney+ no longer involved, will another streamer materialise? See what I did there, fellow Whovians? Rumours continue to surround Prime Video and Netflix. What about Apple TV? The Cupertino-based streamer has established itself as a home to prestige sci-fi, and the $4 trillion tech titan has money.

Before next year’s Christmas special, fans of the beloved series still have much to enjoy with The War Between the Land and the Sea heading to BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year, as well as a brand-new animation series for CBeebies, which is in development.

The Doctor Who Christmas special will be produced by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for the BBC.

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

LEGO Ideas The Goonies

Hey You Guys! On Friday, the LEGO Group, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, announced the long-awaited LEGO Ideas The Goonies set for November.

Ke Huy Quan, the Oscar-winning actor who played Data, comments: “Revisiting Data after all these years - but this time in LEGO form - has been such a joyful experience. The Goonies was all about heart, adventure, and friendship, and this set captures that spirit in fantastic detail. From the booby traps to the treasure room, it’s like stepping back into the tunnels with the gang - only now, I get to share that magic with a whole new generation of fans.”

Additionally, shoppers who purchase the LEGO Ideas The Goonies set (21363) between 1st to 7th November will receive LEGO Ideas The Goonies: The Walshes’ Attic (40773) as a Gift with Purchase, available while supplies last.

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

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

Stranger Things finale coming to cinemas

Netflix has announced that the Stranger Things series finale will be shown in select cinemas in America and Canada.

“We’re beyond excited that fans will have the chance to experience the final episode of Stranger Things in theaters — it’s something we’ve dreamed about for years, and we’re so grateful to Ted, Bela, and everyone at Netflix for making it happen,” series creators Matt and Ross Duffer tell Tudum. “Getting to see it on the big screen, with incredible sound, picture, and a room full of fans, feels like the perfect — dare we say bitchin’ — way to celebrate the end of this adventure.”

Originally, the 2-hour finale, entitled "The Right Side Up," was only going to be streamed on Netflix, but fans (myself included) took to social media to express their enthusiasm for finale fan screenings.

Read the official synopsis:

"The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time."

Stranger Things 5 releases with the first four episodes on 26th November, followed by three episodes on Christmas, and the finale episode on New Year’s Eve. It has not yet been confirmed whether the finale will be released in any UK cinemas.

Are you looking forward to the final season of Stranger Things on Netflix? Let me know in the comments below.

Fallout Day

It's Fallout Day.

23rd October 2077 marks the most significant event in Fallout’s alternate history – the day of the Great War that destroyed the world of old and from its ashes birthed the franchise’s take on the post-apocalypse.

Bethesda has announced Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition. The update will be released on 10th November and is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.



Fallout season two premieres on Prime Video on 17th December, and Ella Purnell, who plays Lucy MacLean, a sheltered Vault Dweller, teased the following to Empire magazine: “At times, it’s like [they] are on this buddy road trip. And then other times, they’re so much at arms. They’re trying to influence each other and see who’s going to rub off on whom. Is the Ghoul going to become good? Is Lucy going to become bad? Or are they going to be somewhere in the middle?”

The dynamic between Lucy and the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) was the beating heart of season one, and I can't wait to follow their road trip to New Vegas this holiday season.

Fallout is streaming exclusively on Prime Video (affiliate link).

How are you celebrating Fallout Day? Let me know in the comments below.

Adam Driver on The Hunt for Ben Solo

After his debut in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren/Ben Solo, played by Adam Driver, quickly became a fan-favourite as he grappled with the light and the dark side of the Force before sacrificing himself to save Rey (Daisy Ridley) in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Driver recently spoke to AP about his idea for a standalone Star Wars movie. "I had been talking about doing another one since 2021. Kathleen (Kennedy) had reached out. I always said: With a great director and a great story, I’d be there in a second. I loved that character and loved playing him."

Whilst Lucasfilm loved the idea developed by Oscar-winning director Stephen Soderbergh and Rebecca Blunt, the project fell apart after they took it to Disney, who had forgotten that no one's ever really gone in Star Wars.

"We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, and they said no. They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that," Driver told AP. "It was called ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ and it was really cool. But it is no more, so I can finally talk about it."

Soderbergh, in a statement, said: “I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it.”

What do you think? Was it a missed opportunity? Let me know in the comments below.

The Force Awakens trailer 10 years on

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Lucasfilm remains relatively quiet on the matter, instead choosing to focus on Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter. The latter movie is not due in cinemas until 2027 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' space opera franchise.

Yesterday marked 10 years since the official trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released during Monday Night Football. At the time, I wrote how it evoked all the nostalgia for the original trilogy.



Much has changed in the past decade with the House of Mouse pivoting to Star Wars spin-off series on Disney+, but I'll never forget the anticipation and booking tickets at midnight to see the first instalment in the sequel trilogy on the day of release in December 2015.

Forbes revealed that with costs of $638.9 million (£452 million), Star Wars: The Force Awakens is Disney’s most expensive Star Wars movie and one of the most expensive films in Hollywood history. Remarkably, it is also one of the most profitable.

What are your memories of watching the official trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars Eclipse still in development

4 years ago, Star Wars Eclipse was announced with fanfare from Lucasfilm Games, followed by controversy as developer Quantic Dream faced allegations of a toxic working environment.

Since then, there has been silence until now.

“For over 28 years, Quantic Dream has been pushing the boundaries of interactive storytelling,” founder David Cage said in a statement. “With award-winning titles like Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls, and Detroit: Become Human, more than 25 million players worldwide have shared the journeys of Ethan Mars, Jodie Holmes, Kara, Markus and Connor with us.”

As a fan of Quantic Dream's previous PlayStation console exclusives Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human, I was excited to play Star Wars Eclipse. Set during the High Republic era, Star Wars Eclipse is an intricately branching action-adventure game that can be experienced in many ways and puts the destinies of multiple playable characters in your hands.

“Of course, development of Star Wars Eclipse continues, and we are eager to share more with you in the future,” he said.

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

Drew Struzan, legendary poster artist, dies

On Tuesday, it was announced on Instagram that Drew Struzan, a legendary Hollywood artist famous for his collaborations with directors George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws), has passed away at the age of 78.

"It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that Drew Struzan has moved on from this world as of yesterday, October 13th. I feel it is important that you all know how many times he expressed to me the joy he felt knowing how much you appreciated his art. - Greg, IG manager"

For generations of film fans (myself included), Struzan's iconic movie posters from Indiana Jones to Star Wars were woven into the fabric of popular culture. In the eighties, when I walked into a local video rental store owned by family friends in a pre-streaming world, I would look for his art on the cover of VHS cases. John Carpenter's The Thing always stood out, years before I saw it on ITV.

“Drew was an artist of the highest order,” says Star Wars creator George Lucas. “His illustrations fully captured the excitement, tone and spirit of each of my films his artwork represented. His creativity, through a single illustrated image, opened up a world full of life in vivid color…even at a glance. I was lucky to have worked with him time and time again.”

I may be misremembering, but I'm sure his unused poster art for Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi, before the final chapter in the original Star Wars trilogy was renamed at the last minute, was used on toy aisles to promote the latest merchandise. Certainly, it was somehow seared into my childhood memories.

“When one thinks of iconic movie poster artists, Drew Struzan is the first name that comes to mind,” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “Drew’s unforgettable artwork has touched so many hearts throughout the years, and I have been thankful to have worked with him on films such as E.T., Back to the Future, Hook, and the Indiana Jones series. His artwork is so imaginative, so beautiful, it elevated the movie-going experience for those films before audiences even stepped foot into a theater. Drew’s work is timeless, and will undoubtedly inspire both artists and film lovers for generations to come.”

As I write this, I'm poignantly listening to The Spielberg/Williams Collaboration on Apple Music, featuring album art by Struzan.

RIP Drew Struzan.

Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV for F1

In a press release for F1: The Movie, Apple quietly announced that Apple TV+ is rebranding as Apple TV.

“It’s been thrilling to see audiences around the world embrace F1: The Movie in theatres,” said producer Jerry Bruckheimer. “Now, we’re beyond excited to bring this exhilarating, cinematic ride to fans everywhere through Apple TV’s unparalleled global reach. Partnering with Apple and Formula 1 has been an incredible journey, and we’re proud that even more viewers, from every corner of the world, will get to experience the heart-pounding action and passion that defines F1.”

Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity.

This holiday season, I'll be watching F1: The Movie on Apple TV on Apple TV... on Apple TV!

Will you be watching F1: The Movie on Apple TV? What do you think about the change from Apple TV+ to Apple TV? Let me know in the comments below.

Alien gets Monster High makeover for Halloween

H.R. Giger's iconic xenomorph design from the Alien franchise gets a Monster High makeover that slays this Halloween from Mattel Creations.

“This elegantly designed doll pays tribute to the iconic Xenomorph, blending sci-fi inspiration with high fashion. It features a sheer black dress with subtle exoskeleton-inspired embellishments and a headpiece that echoes the creature’s elongated skull. With refined detail and a unique aesthetic, this release offers a fresh take on a pop culture legend and is ideal for collectors and fans of science fiction. Packaged in premium collectable packaging and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, this Skullector delivers horror at its most stylish.”

The Monster High Skullector dolls usually sell out in minutes after going on sale. Following the success of Alien: Romulus and Alien: Earth, the latest crossover will be no exception when it goes on sale to the public on 17th October. Whilst I'm not a Monster High collector, as an Alien fan, this is a must-have for the spooky season.

Will you be adding Monster High Skullector Alien Doll to your collection? Which other iconic horror franchises would you like to see get the Monster High treatment? Let me know in the comments below.

Tron toys at New York Comic Con

During San Diego Comic Con (SDCC), Hasbro's Steve Evans, senior design director for Marvel and Star Wars, teased Tron toys based on Disney's Tron franchise. Evans handed out 3.5-inch floppy disks, which contained a teaser image.

Fast forward to today. Hasbro has announced a Tron HasLab and 6-inch Tron: Legacy action figures at New York Comic Con (NYCC).

The latest HasLab is Tron: Heroes of the Grid, which features five 3.75-inch action figures based on Tron, Flynn, Yori, Sark, and a Program, two Light Cycles and an LED-lit display stand. The action figure sculpts look amazing, but it shouldn't be a HasLab requiring 10,000 backers and costing £259.99! Granted, a Recognizer or Tank would have been cool! However, in view of current market conditions, I think it's egregious.

I was hoping for a Hasbro Pulse exclusive line of action figures and accessories, as I missed out on the original toy line from Tomy. Even so, I did have fun collecting Tomytronic 3D handheld gaming devices inspired by Tron.

Hasbro 375 is a new line of 3.75-inch action figures inspired by the vintage Kenner Star Wars toys, beginning with Tron: Heroes of the Grid. Perfect for world-building on your desktop, I would like to see Indiana Jones and the Micronauts next.

Will you be backing the Tron: Heroes of the Grid HasLab? Which Hasbro 375 action figures would you like to see released in the future? Let me know in the comments below.