George Lucas is 4th greatest American innovator

According to Forbes, George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, is the 4th greatest American innovator.

"One of the founding fathers of the modern blockbuster, Lucas also revolutionized movie merchandising, unleashing a never-ending tsunami of Star Wars action figures and Indiana Jones lunch boxes. Through his special effects house Industrial Light & Magic and THX sound outfit, he sold his tools to other moviemakers."

I can't recall a time when Lucasfilm didn't have an impact on my life, from seeing Star Wars, following a life-changing head injury in primary school, to using technologies pioneered at Skywalker Ranch. The Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine (rebranded as Star Wars Insider) published a letter of mine in 1993.

Lucas was only beaten by Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Most Wanted

On Thursday, Disney Consumer Products announced its global Star Wars: Most Wanted campaign, a yearlong program that will spotlight the most sought-after merchandise inspired by both new and classic stories from the Star Wars galaxy. Fans will enjoy an ongoing cadence of reveals and product drops in 2026, featuring toys, collectibles, apparel, accessories and more from top collaborators, along with retail activations tied to the new campaign.

The announcement was made at an event in New York City ahead of Toy Fair New York 2026. The event featured the very first look at toys and collectibles inspired by the highly anticipated film, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” coming to theaters on May 22. New product highlights include fan and kid items from Hasbro, including the Black Series and The Vintage Collection figure lines, all-new building sets from the LEGO Group, Mandalorian and Grogu-inspired Funko Pop! bobbleheads, and both youth and adult costumes from Jazwares. Additional new releases come from fan-favorite brands like POP MART, Moose Toys, Mattel, Jada Toys and Displate - each bringing fresh additions to the Star Wars galaxy throughout the year.

“Star Wars products have always been at the forefront of fan demand and collector crave,” said Paul Gitter, executive vice president of global brand commercialization at Disney Consumer Products. “From the iconic lightsaber, to Grogu’s impact on pop culture, fans find ways to integrate their favorite characters into their daily lives and bring our stories into their homes. Our ‘Most Wanted’ campaign carries this legacy forward, kicking off with a robust consumer products program for kids, families, collectors and casual fans in support of this summer’s ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ release.”

Filmmaker Jon Favreau, director of “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” made a special appearance at the event, sharing insights into the upcoming film, his approach to Star Wars storytelling and his own experience as a collector. Favreau was joined onstage by Bobby Kim, global creative director at Disney Consumer Products, as they discussed the enduring impact of Star Wars, collector culture and the creativity driving the new products inspired by the film.

“One of the best parts of making Star Wars stories for the screen is seeing how they inspire the next generation of toys and collectibles,” said Jon Favreau. “For many fans my age, the toys were how we lived in the Star Wars galaxy between film releases. Now, fans have a wonderful variety of fun products to keep them connected to the story and their favorite characters. I’m very much looking forward to continuing that tradition with ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu.’”

“Star Wars products have a cultural longevity that have made them a consumer staple for nearly 50 years,” said Bobby Kim. “That’s absolutely a testament to the content, but specifically for products, it’s also a testament to creative design, unique collaborations and the stories our products help consumers share about themselves. Products that can bring people into the fandom are powerful tools for storytelling.”

Also featured at the event was an assortment of Star Wars products from every part of the galaxy including the new LEGO SMART Play sets featuring LEGO Star Wars, the recently released Star Wars-inspired sunglasses collection from Ray-Ban, new Star Wars baby toys from Kids Preferred, and exciting new toys and collectibles from Disney Store launching this spring.

As Star Wars: Most Wanted continues throughout 2026, fans of all ages can look forward to discovering new products linked to their favorite characters and stories, along with retail activations.

Discover even more galactic gifts at Amazon (affiliate link).

Happy hunting!

Steven Spielberg on Disclosure Day

A first look at Disclosure Day, directed by Steven Spielberg (Jaws), dropped during the Super Bowl.



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."

The upcoming star-studded sci-fi mystery reunites director Spielberg 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.

“I’ve always been fascinated with things that cannot be explained, and I’ve made a lot of movies about things that cannot be explained — from sharks to saucers,” Spielberg said.

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.

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.

HBO Max launching in the UK

After years of waiting, HBO Max has confirmed it will launch in the UK and Ireland on Thursday, 26th March. This is in the shadow of a proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, pending regulatory approval and a hostile bid from Paramount Sundance.

JB Perrette, CEO and president of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “After decades of delighting audiences in the UK & Ireland with our remarkable stories and brands, it’s a huge thrill to finally bring it all together on HBO Max, and also offer it directly to all consumers. Starting at just £4.99 per month or £5.99 for our complete entertainment offer – HBO Max brings the most differentiated and best streaming offer to market.”

It's a complicated rollout as HBO has a storied history with Sky.

Sky Atlantic has been the exclusive home to the award-winning Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, Westworld and many more prestige dramas from HBO. That said, if you're already a Sky or NOW (formerly NOW TV) subscriber, HBO Max will be bundled for free as an added value. Personally, I'm subscribing to a discounted annual NOW Entertainment pass and am looking forward to checking out HBO Max.

HBO Max will attempt to convince viewers to sign up for another subscription in a cost of living crisis, doing battle with the likes of Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+ and Apple TV.

HBO Max will offer 5 plans:

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

It arrives with the promise of some heavyweight titles and TNT Sports (moving from discovery+). They will include Lanterns this summer and the Harry Potter series next year.

“Launching HBO Max in the UK & Ireland marks a significant moment for viewers here,” added Andrew Georgiou president & managing director for Warner Bros. Discovery UK & Ireland and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe. “HBO Max will offer them their most loved series and movies from HBO, Warner Bros. and DC Studios, alongside premium sports from TNT Sports in the UK, within an outstanding single destination for this great content and strong value proposition. Nowhere else will you be able to get The Pitt, House of the Dragon, Euphoria, Lanterns, Superman, One Battle After Another, as well as the eagerly awaited Harry Potter series, all together.”

The future of HBO Max is uncertain. If Netflix is successful in its bid, the streamer may want to consolidate everything into one app, much like how Disney is migrating Hulu to Disney+.

HBO Max will be available across all major devices, including select phones, tablets, computers, TVs, streaming players, set-top boxes, and game consoles.

Just make sure your device is updated to the latest version when HBO Max launches.

HBO Max will be available for pre-registration on the Apple App Store and Google Play on 12th March.

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

The Mandalorian and Grogu at Super Bowl

A tense Super Bowl showdown between the victorious Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots was interrupted by the Mandalorian and Grogu dashing through the snow on a wagon pulled by a team of tauntauns. Din Djarin and his charge pay homage to classic ads of the past with a new commercial.



Read the official synopsis:

"The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu (as himself)."

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

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

Baldur's Gate 3 will continue on HBO

A cold mug of tea and uneaten biscuits are a testament to an immersive, interactive experience with player agency; Larian Studios’ award-winning Baldur’s Gate 3 is such a video game!

So, news of a live-action adaptation from the co-creator of The Last of Us series, Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), has piqued my interest. I may be an outlier, but I've enjoyed seasons one and two of The Last of Us.

“After putting nearly 1000 hours into the incredible world of Baldur’s Gate 3, it is a dream come true to be able to continue the story that Larian and Wizards of the Coast created,” Mazin said. “I am a devoted fan of D&D and the brilliant way that Swen Vincke and his gifted team adapted it. I can’t wait to help bring Baldur’s Gate and all of its incredible characters to life with as much respect and love as we can, and I’m deeply grateful to Gabe Marano and his team at Hasbro for entrusting me with this incredibly important property.”

The fantasy genre captured my childhood imagination when a neighbour friend gifted me a copy of The Hobbit, and I saw Ralph Bakshi's animated adaptation of The Lord of the Rings in the cinema. From there, I consumed Fighting Fantasy, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), played text-based adventures on 8-bit home computers, watched Knightmare on ITV, and collected Citadel Miniatures.

During the spring and summer school holidays, my dad would take me on a forest trail (lost to time) as I underwent years of rehabilitation in the wake of a life-changing childhood trauma. As he carried me part of the way on his back, I imagined I was Frodo with Strider on a quest to destroy the One Ring to rule them all.

Fast forward to 2024. I downloaded Baldur’s Gate 3 for Xbox Series S and embarked on an epic adventure that encapsulates everything I love about tragic tales of found family. My character, a female elf called L’Ara Wynter (in homage to Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft), survived an abduction by mind flayers that had stepped out of a Lovecraftian nightmare, fell in love with Shadowheart and befriended a band of dysfunctional misfits on the road less travelled, in shades of Tolkien.

Over 2 years on, Baldur's Gate 3 continues to get updates with fixes and further Forgotten Realms content.

On X (formerly Twitter), the director of publishing at Larian Studios, Michael Douse, expressed concerns over his team being excluded from the upcoming HBO series' creation.

Douse wrote: "I've spent the last 8 to 10 years of my life with the writers & creators of Baldur's Gate 3 and they're the most incredible storytellers & creators in the space. Only hope is that they get both the credit deserved & the characters are represented at the same level as the game."

The decision is controversial given Mazin's creative collaboration with Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann on The Last of Us, and fans are divided. Hasbro owns Wizards of the Coast and can use its own intellectual property (IP) as it sees fit, but to ignore Larian Studios' contribution to Baldur's Gate would be disingenuous. The Fallout series on Prime Video is expanding on the subversive post-apocalyptic world with oversight from Bethesda Game Studios' Todd Howard.

He continued, "Our stories are built by fierce comeraderie [sic] and resolve. I have watched them write and write and write and through respect for audience & material come up with some of the finest shit i [sic] have ever played. I hope TV allows for the same thoroghness [sic]."

What are your thoughts on a Baldur's Gate 3 series seemingly sans creative input from Larian Studios on HBO? Let me know in the comments below.

Predator: Badlands boldly roars onto Hulu

The bold new chapter in the legendary Predator franchise charges into homes everywhere on 12th February, when Predator: Badlands arrives on Hulu on Disney+.

Predator: Badlands deepens Yautja lore by introducing new characters, Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) and Thia (Elle Fanning), following them on an underdog hero’s journey shaped by an unlikely alliance. Blending themes of survival and self-discovery with intense combat, striking visual effects, and moments of humour, the film delivers a high-stakes action adventure on both a visceral and emotional level.

Now the highest-grossing entry in the franchise’s 38-year history, Predator: Badlands earned $184.5 million worldwide, surpassing the previous record holder, 2004’s Alien vs. Predator ($177.4M). Under the direction of Dan Trachtenberg (Prey), the film’s bold vision has been embraced by audiences and critics alike, boasting a 95% Rotten Tomatoes Verified Hot Popcornmeter score and an 86% Certified Fresh Tomatometer critics rating.

Begin the hunt with the complete Predator movie franchise now streaming on Hulu on Disney+.

Pre-order Predator: Badlands on Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to Predator: Badlands on Hulu on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Josh D'Amaro is next Disney CEO

Josh D'Amaro has been appointed as Bob Iger's successor as Disney CEO.

Iger returned as CEO after Bob Chapek was fired in 2022. As former CEO, Iger oversaw the successful acquisition of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and more. This culminated in the launch of Disney+ in 2019.

ABC News, owned by Disney, sat down with D'Amaro and Iger.



Read the official synopsis:

"The Walt Disney Company has named Josh D’Amaro as its new CEO, succeeding Bob Iger after nearly two decades of leadership. David Muir sits down with D’Amaro and Iger to discuss Disney’s future – including streaming, embracing AI, and the company’s legacy."

In a unanimous vote on Monday, the board elected Disney Experiences Chairman D’Amaro to serve as Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, succeeding Iger.

“Josh D’Amaro possesses that rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation, a keen eye for strategic growth opportunities, and a deep passion for the Disney brand and its people – all of which make him the right person to take the helm as Disney’s next CEO,” said James Gorman, Chairman of The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors. “Throughout this search process, Josh has demonstrated a strong vision for the company’s future and a deep understanding of the creative spirit that makes Disney unique in an ever-changing marketplace. He has an outstanding record of business achievement, collaborating with some of the biggest names in entertainment to bring their stories to life in our parks, showcasing the power of combining Disney storytelling with cutting-edge technology. The Board believes he is exceptionally well prepared to guide this global company forward to serve our consumers around the world and create long-term value for shareholders.”

Disney also named Dana Walden, currently co-chair of its entertainment business, to a new role as chief creative officer, reporting to D'Amaro.

“Dana Walden is an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community,” Iger said. “Given that creativity is at the heart of everything Disney does, she is a wonderful choice to serve in this new leadership role. In the years since Dana joined Disney, she has accumulated great knowledge about the many facets of our businesses and brands, and is very well prepared to be President and Chief Creative Officer.”

Last year, Disney shocked the world when it announced a partnership with OpenAI to allow user-generated artificial intelligence (AI) content on Disney+. This pivot will only hasten despite critics being wary of so-called 'AI slop' and its implications for the media industry.

What do you think about Josh D'Amaro's appointment as Disney CEO? Let me know in the comments below.

His story begins... Michael

On Monday, Lionsgate released the official 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."

More myth than man before controversy overshadowed his cosmic career. Jackson was an enigmatic force. Combining consummately crafted songs and stellar, gravity-defying dance moves, his concerts remain vivid and surreal experiences. The first Super Bowl halftime show featured Jackson to promote sales of his Dangerous album in 1993.

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

Michael is exclusively in cinemas on 24th April.

Have you watched the 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.

Doctor Who auction with Propstore

Doctor Who fans (myself included) can bid on memorabilia from the BBC's beloved sci-fi series.

Twenty per cent of the auction money will go to BBC Children in Need. The remaining will be reinvested in the storage and preservation of historic Doctor Who items for future generations.

“Doctor Who has always been a wonderful friend to BBC Children in Need, and we’re delighted to see the Whovian community come together once again,” said Tommy Nagra, Director of Content at BBC Children in Need. “Their support helps raise vital funds to make lives lighter for children and young people across the UK.”

For over 60 years, Doctor Who has captured imaginations, united fans of all ages, and become a cherished part of British culture. This auction celebrates that legacy, giving fans the opportunity to own a part of the beloved series and make a difference along the way.

The collection, which includes pieces from 2005 through to 2025, incorporating David Tennant's double tenure as the Doctor, and Ncuti Gatwa's more recent incarnation, will be auctioned online from Tuesday, until 19th February.

“Propstore is honoured to support BBC Children in Need with another Doctor Who auction,” said Stephen Lane, Founder and CEO at Propstore. “The 2025 Doctor Who charity sale earlier this year, and the response from fans was incredible. This new auction brings an even stronger selection, and we’re excited to see it raise even more for such an important cause.”

Will you be bidding on any of the Doctor Who props? Let me know in the comments below.

Music By John Williams wins Grammy

Music By John Williams, a compelling Disney+ documentary chronicling the Oscar-winning career of the legendary Hollywood composer, has won a Grammy Award.

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 Indiana Jones to Jurassic Park, and have 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.

Spielberg had this to say about their milestone achievement:

“Thank you to all the Grammy voters, whose recognition of Music By John Williams, means the world to me and our Amblin team, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey and congratulations to our partners at Imagine and the Walt Disney Company. This acknowledgment is obviously deeply meaningful to me because it validates what I have known for over 50 years: John Williams influence on culture and music is immeasurable and his artistry and legacy is unrivaled. I am proud to be associated with Laurent’s beautiful film.”

Spielberg has not yet directly addressed his EGOT status.

An acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, the coveted designation is given to people who have won all four of the major performing arts prizes. Winners include Rita Moreno, Mel Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend, and Elton John, amongst others.

Williams is currently scoring the soundtrack to Spielberg's upcoming sci-fi movie, Disclosure Day.

Music By John Williams is streaming on Disney+.

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

LEGO Space Up-Scaled Blue Astronaut

The LEGO Group has announced an Up-Scaled Blue Astronaut Minifigure building set (40921) inspired by the iconic LEGO astronaut minifigure first seen in 1984.

Growing up, LEGO Space was my jam! When the LEGO Group announced the Galaxy Explorer, based on the iconic 1979 spaceship I vividly remember building on Christmas Day, many brick fans (myself included) hoped there would be more nostalgic sets based on the fan-favourite theme. I'll be adding this set when it is available on 1st March.

Up-Scaled Blue Astronaut Minifigure is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding the Up-Scaled Blue Astronaut Minifigure to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

How a modern Stormtrooper helmet is made!

Adam Savage (MythBusters) returned to the Propstore in London and talked to founder Stephen Lane about the construction of a Stormtrooper helmet from Star Wars.



Read the official synopsis:

"After seeing an original Star Wars Stormtrooper helmet at Propstore a year ago, Adam gets the opportunity to examine the same helmet design, created by the speciality costume makers at FBFX for a modern Star Wars production. It’s a fascinating look at how modern fabrication techniques are used to recreate an iconic design and retain all the aesthetic hallmarks of the original."

I remember holding an original Stormtrooper helmet from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi at The Elstree Star Wars Day in 1994. I regret not having a camera with me to capture the memories with college friends. However, there were film props, and I met David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Warwick Davis (Wicket). This was one of Davis' earliest appearances at a Star Wars-related event before the first Star Wars Celebration in 1999.

Masters of the Universe movie toys first look

Entertainment Weekly (EW) has released an exclusive first look at the initial wave of Masters of the Universe Chronicles action figures based on the upcoming movie directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee) and starring Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He-Man.

Mattel has pulled out all the stops for this collector-level toy line, with a movie-accurate design, which was first revealed at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. The sculpts are amazing for He-Man, Battle Cat, Skeletor, Evil-Lyn, Trap Jaw, Tri-Klops, Man-at-Arms and Teela.

Roberto Stanichi, Mattel's chief global brand officer, said there was a lot of nostalgia for a toy line that first came out in the 1980s. "So we've been waiting for the right moment to bring it back in a way that really delivers on the legacy", he said at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany.

He-Man and Battle Cat will make a perfect pairing on my desktop when the line launches on 25th April.

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

Will you be collecting the Masters of the Universe Chronicles action figure toy line? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO SMART Play expands the LEGO Star Wars Galaxy

Actor Anthony Daniels, who brings C-3PO to life in the Star Wars galaxy, joined the LEGO Group live at the Nuremberg Toy Fair to showcase the next step in LEGO SMART Play within the Star Wars galaxy.

Daniels revealed a range of new LEGO SMART Play toys, including the first-ever C-3PO SMART Minifigure.

“Though he was never a fan of adventures himself, I have always loved C-3PO as a LEGO Star Wars minifigure but SMART Play takes it to a whole new level. Fans will get to experience my friend and other beloved characters in a thrilling new way. It makes me happy and proud that 3PO will now be part of endless SMART Play adventures,” said Anthony Daniels, Actor, C-3PO.

The new sets revealed include iconic builds like the Millennium Falcon, the Mos Eisley Cantina and Luke’s Landspeeder, as well as SMART Minifigures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Yoda, among others.

"LEGO SMART Play is opening up a whole new galaxy of play for fans to explore. We have been telling incredible stories through LEGO Star Wars for over 25 years and Lucasfilm has been a fantastic collaborator, so it's a thrill to embark on this new adventure with them. These five new sets showcase what our talented teams can create with the LEGO SMART Play platform. We can now bring fans all new experiences that react to how you move and play in real time and we can’t wait for builders to get their hands on these sets and explore a galaxy far, far, away like never before.” said Mike Ilacqua, Head of Product, LEGO Star Wars at the LEGO Group.

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

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

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

Star Wars Outlaws on Game Pass

Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws has arrived on Game Pass two years after its release.

The action-adventure game was initially met with a muted response due to bugs and gameplay mechanics that frustrated some players. However, those issues have been fixed in subsequent patches.

Over the weekend, I downloaded Star Wars Outlaws on Xbox Series S and soon found myself fully immersed in this single-player open-world adventure set between Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. In this galactic underworld of my choosing, Kay Vess is aligned with the Crimson Dawn, an organisation founded by former Sith Lord Darth Maul, and double-crossed the Hutts.

As long as you're not looking for a spiritual successor to the cancelled Star Wars 1313, there's a lot of fun to be had here. It's Assassin's Creed in a galaxy far, far away...

A prequel book, Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon, is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you playing Star Wars Outlaws on Game Pass? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Maul is a Star Wars thrill ride on Disney+

On Thursday, Lucasfilm dropped a teaser trailer for Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord on Disney+.



Read the official synopsis:

"Chains can be broken. Empires can be shattered."

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

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

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

“Cinematography Lighting & VFX Director Joel Aron really took it up a notch with going back to the practical ways of capturing brush strokes by painting them on glass, shooting them then strategically placing them in shots,” says Executive Producer and Vice President of Lucasfilm Animation Athena Portillo. "He even went back to establishing matte paintings on canvas. There's always different challenges with every show that we do, but this one in particular raised the bar. We also wanted the animation body mechanics and the facial to be more fluid from our previous work and animation director Keith Kellogg worked closely with CGCG and our internal animation team to upgrade the performances of our main characters."

Set after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan, who could be the apprentice he is seeking, that will aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.

“And it’s a super fast-paced series,” adds Executive Producer Matt Michnovetz. “We wanted to create an action-packed thrill ride, something that had the rush of a roller coaster, so we do a lot of homages to the classic serials of the day, which gave George Lucas the inspiration for Star Wars. And we've got the perfect character to drive us through this in Maul.”

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

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

Masters of the Universe teaser trailer

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



Read the official synopsis:

"After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) back to Eternia, where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto). To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe."

Masters of the Universe is directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee) from a script by Chris Butler. It stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He-Man, alongside Camila Mendes as Teela, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, Morena Baccarin as The Sorceress of Castle Grayskull, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Malcolm/Fisto, and Jared Leto as Skeletor.

On the eve of my birthday, watching the Masters of the Universe teaser trailer, I was transported back to childhood and my late mum surprising me with He-Man and Skeletor action figures!

Masters of the Universe is scheduled to be released in cinemas on 5th June 2026.

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

Blake's 7 reboot from Doctor Who director

Blake's 7 fans (myself included) have been here before.

The adventures of a band of freedom fighters battling a corrupt Earth Federation and stumbling upon an ultramodern alien starship, the Liberator, Blake’s 7 was the brainchild of Terry Nation. He was already fêted for creating the Daleks for Doctor Who and the post-apocalyptic series Survivors. The latter made for chilling viewing in lockdown.

Despite a restrictive budget and starting within a week of the original UK cinema release of Star Wars, Blake’s 7 was rarely short of ambition and quickly became a hit, averaging 9.22 million viewers for its first series. Nation had planned for the Daleks to appear in the second series, but this was blocked.

Talk of reboots has percolated for years. Back in 2013, Microsoft planned to bring the beloved sci-fi series to Xbox LIVE! However, Deadline reports a reboot is in the works from Doctor Who and The Last of Us director Peter Hoar.

“The Blake’s 7 story is legendary because they were given the [British police show] Softly, Softly slot that was intended for police drama with a budget intended for one big set and a few location shoots,” said double-BAFTA winner Hoar, whose credits include It’s a Sin and Umbrella Academy. “At the time it felt like it meant something. Those shows got into my veins. I could tell they didn’t have money but I was able to compartmentalize and enjoy the ride knowing that the sets wobbled.”

Hoar compares Blake’s 7 to Disney+ hit Star Wars: Andor, which he thinks is a success not because of its circa-$25 million per hour budget but “because of the integrity, wit and sophistication.”

On the subject of Doctor Who on Disney+.

“I don’t think anybody would doubt the skills at the front line of that show but something went wrong,” he added. “I think there were lots of areas you could point fingers at but ultimately it wasn’t a better show with more money. And that’s a good thing, because we haven’t got the money anymore, nobody has.”

Hoar has opened a "genre-based" production company, Multitude Productions, and has acquired the intellectual property (IP) for the iconic 1970s and 1980s cult sci-fi hit, along with executive Matthew Bouch and producer Jason Haigh-Ellery.

Bouch said: “We’re driven by our passions but also seeing that there is a gap in the market in the UK – particularly with the well-publicized dropping off of Doctor Who – for genre-based British IP.

“We look back at when we were young with a degree of nostalgia but also thinking about the 70s and 80s as we were growing up and the amount of genre material that was available, whether it was Blake’s 7 or the Narnia adaptation. We are looking to the international market and seeing if there is a way of dovetailing that British low-budget sensibility with international markets. We know in the U.S. there’s a big contraction and we all need to think about finding ways to make things more economical.”

Buy the original Blake's 7 series on Amazon (affiliate link).

Until a reboot is down and safe, what are your thoughts on Blake's 7? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy on YouTube

On Thursday, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premiered with two episodes exclusively on Paramount+.

However, for a limited time, fans can watch the feature-length pilot episode, introducing USS Athena captain Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) and her team of fresh-faced cadets, for free on YouTube. If you're outside the US, you can use a VPN such as NordVPN (affiliate link).



Read the official synopsis:

"Star Trek: Starfleet Academy introduces viewers to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself."

The latest Star Trek spin-off series is set after The Burn. If you haven't watched Star Trek: Discovery, you may not know what The Burn is.

Here's a brief explanation:

"The Burn was a galaxy-wide cataclysmic event that occurred circa 3069, in which most dilithium mysteriously went inert, causing the detonation of every active warp core. The event caused widespread death and destruction, making dilithium an even more sought-after resource, and led to the near-collapse of the United Federation of Planets."

The kids are alright!

Kids These Days is an effects-heavy opener, while Beta Test is a character-driven Earthbound episode. In my teens, I had a crush on Betazoid empath Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis)! The chemistry between Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta) and Tarima Sadal (Zoë Steiner), the Betazed president’s daughter, is palpable. It's an emotive episode that looks to a future free of the toxic trammels we all face in 2026. A philosophical study worthy of Gene Roddenberry's 60-year creation.

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

Here's an overview of the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season one release schedule, so you can mark your calendars for when each episode drops on Paramount+:

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 1 – Thursday 15th January (out now)
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 2 – Thursday 15th January (out now)
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 3 – Thursday 22nd January
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 4 – Thursday 29th January
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 5 – Thursday 5th February
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 6 – Thursday 12th February
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 7 – Thursday 19th February
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 8 – Thursday 26th February
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 9 – Thursday 5th March
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 10 – Thursday 12th March

Have you watched Star Trek: Starfleet Academy? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars boss Kathleen Kennedy departs

As per Puck News, Lucasfilm has announced that after 14 years of leading the studio, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down, with Dave Filoni leading the studio as President and Chief Creative Officer alongside Lynwen Brennan as Co-President.

“My love of storytelling was shaped by the films of Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas. I never dreamed I would be privileged to learn the craft of filmmaking from both of them,” said Filoni. “From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling onscreen that we have ever seen. I am incredibly grateful to Kathy, George, Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their trust and the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm in this new role, doing a job I truly love. May the Force be with you.”

Kennedy will return to full-time producing, including the studio’s upcoming feature films The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter.

“When George Lucas asked me to take over Lucasfilm upon his retirement, I couldn’t have imagined what lay ahead,” said Kennedy. “It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm. Their creativity and dedication have been an inspiration, and I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I’m excited to continue developing films and television with both longtime collaborators and fresh voices who represent the future of storytelling.”

What are your thoughts on Kathleen Kennedy's legacy, including working with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg? Let me know in the comments below.

Tomb Raider on Prime Video first look

Prime Video has released a first look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. The upcoming live-action series is from Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag).

Turner is the latest high-profile actress to take on the role of Croft. The archaeologist and adventurer was previously portrayed on screen in two films by Angelina Jolie and in another by Alicia Vikander.

The series stars Turner as Lara Croft, alongside recently announced cast Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Martin Bobb-Semple, Jack Bannon, John Heffernan, Bill Paterson, Paterson Joseph, Sasha Luss, Juliette Motamed, Celia Imrie, and August Wittgenstein.

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Tomb Raider, and Crystal Dynamics has announced a remake of the original video game. I've been a fan of the action-adventure franchise since the first PlayStation. 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 a chance to receive a free bonus for linking accounts ahead of the 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', which I've already done.

Tomb Raider will stream exclusively on Prime Video (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to the Tomb Raider live-action series on Prime Video? Let me know in the comments below.

Welcome to Lucasfilm

Lucasfilm has posted a video on YouTube featuring its employees working across the globe.



Founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas, the independent production powerhouse was a hub for film, television, and technological innovation, spawning Skywalker Sound, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), THX, and more.

I can't recall a time when Lucasfilm didn't have an impact on my life, from seeing Star Wars with my late mum, following a life-changing head injury in primary school, to using Photoshop daily.

As a video gamer since the age of Atari, Lucasfilm Games holds a lot of nostalgia for me. Rescue on Fractalus!, Ballblazer, Koronis Rift and The Eidolon are amongst my all-time favourite video games from the 8-bit era on Commodore 64. And I vividly remember playing the Labyrinth movie tie-in video game whilst listening to David Bowie and Trevor Jones' soundtrack album on cassette.

The Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine (rebranded as Star Wars Insider) published a letter of mine 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, I was approached by Lucasfilm to become an official blogger. Whilst it sadly never happened, I still hold ambitions to work with Lucasfilm in a creative capacity.

2027 marks the 50th anniversary of Star Wars. A pilgrimage to Lucasfilm and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art would be an amazing experience, both personally and professionally.

What are your earliest memories of Lucasfilm? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Pokémon sets are here!

On Monday, the LEGO Group and The Pokémon Company International unveiled the first-ever collection of highly-anticipated LEGO Pokémon sets, with pre-orders quickly selling out.

This exciting collaboration brings together two beloved worlds, inviting fans everywhere to continue their Pokémon Trainer journey, brick by brick. The launch of the first three sets sees five fan-favourite Pokémon - Pikachu, Evee, Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise - recreated in LEGO brick form, giving builders the opportunity to bring their adventures to life, one brick at a time.

“As a lifelong Pokémon fan, it's been an incredible honour to help bring these Pokémon to life in LEGO brick form for the first time,” said Siddharth Muthyala, Design Director on LEGO Pokémon. “Pokémon has inspired generations of fans around the world, so our team approached the design of these sets with immense care and passion, ensuring every detail and pose truly celebrates what makes these characters so beloved. I hope fans will love building them, as much as we did designing them.”

Based on some of the most iconic Pokémon from the brand’s 30-year history, the first LEGO Pokémon sets allow fans to build and display their favourite Pokémon in LEGO brick form when they launch on 27th February 2026.

Gaku Susai, Chief Product and Experience Officer at The Pokémon Company International adds: “Pokémon has always inspired discovery and connection and partnering with the LEGO Group brings those qualities together with creativity and imagination into a new form. By combining Pokémon’s sense of adventure with the thoughtful design and attention to detail of the LEGO Group, we’re giving fans the chance to build, play, and tell their own stories in ways they’ve never experienced before - something we’re thrilled to see come to life.”

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

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

Star Wars writer will See You In Hell

Gary Whitta, the award-winning writer of Star Wars: Rogue One, has a new podcast, See You In Hell, starring Jon Cryer (Pretty in Pink), Alex Winter (Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure), Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek), and John Boyega (Star Wars).



Read the official synopsis:

"A new scripted comedy featuring an all-star cast and created by Gary Whitta (Rogue One, The Book of Eli, The Walking Dead), See You In Hell is an unflinching takedown of a dysfunctional entertainment industry in which art and commerce are in constant, pull-your-hair-out conflict."

The title of the podcast, See You In Hell, is clever. A satirical swipe at industry development hell and an homage to Han Solo's unforgettable riposte in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

Have you listened to See You In Hell? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Tom Cruise shot lightsaber duel for Star Wars

From Top Gun to Star Wars.

Last November, Tom Cruise visited the set of Star Wars: Starfighter. Director Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) let him film part of a lightsaber duel.

“Last week Steven Spielberg was here. And now Tom Cruise is wielding a camera, ruining his very nice shoes,” he told The New York Times after suggesting Cruise walk into ankle-deep pond water to operate a camera during a scene featuring a lightsaber duel.

“Now when you see the movie, you’ll know that part of it was shot by Tom,” added Levy. “I mean, how cool is that?”

Levy is no stranger to lightsaber duels after filming one for Free Guy starring Ryan Reynolds.

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

Star Wars: Starfighter, a standalone story set 5 years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, is due for release on 28th May 2027 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' space opera.

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

Las Vegas Sphere becomes LEGO Death Star

A first-of-its-kind LEGO Star Wars–themed live interactive game experience debuted on the Exosphere of Sphere in Las Vegas. Created by Sphere Studios for the LEGO Group, and in collaboration with Disney Consumer Products and Lucasfilm, the experience celebrated the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) announcement of LEGO SMART Play, a new play innovation that brings LEGO creations to life like never before. The first building sets featuring LEGO SMART Play will be Star Wars themed.

Julia Goldin, Chief Product & Marketing Officer of the LEGO Group, said: “LEGO SMART Play marks an exciting new chapter in the LEGO Group’s story; one where creativity, technology, and imagination come together like never before. Showcasing our latest innovation via an incredible experience on Sphere in Las Vegas allowed us to celebrate play on an extraordinary scale by bringing the Star Wars galaxy to life, in alignment with our friends at Disney Consumer Products and Lucasfilm. This experience captures the essence of what the LEGO brand has always stood for: inspiring builders of all ages to create, explore, and push the boundaries of what’s possible!”

The experience brought the interactive nature of LEGO SMART Play to life on an incredible scale during CES 2026, transforming the 580,000 square foot Exosphere into a stunning interpretation of the iconic trench run scene from the film Star Wars: A New Hope.

Ron Faris, Senior Vice President, Global Brand Marketing, Disney Consumer Products, said: "The LEGO SMART Play system will breathe new life into the Star Wars galaxy, giving fans endless opportunities to create and experience Star Wars at home like never before. The size and scale of Sphere in Las Vegas lent itself perfectly for this first-of-its-kind Star Wars experience recreating the iconic trench run, allowing us to highlight the immersive capabilities of the new LEGO SMART Play system on a new canvas.”

Invited guests were able to step into the adventure themselves outside Sphere, taking a seat in a LEGO-themed X-wing cockpit to feel the thrill of “blowing up” the LEGO Star Wars Death Star, displayed on Exosphere, the world’s largest LED screen.

Marcus Ellington, Executive Vice President, Ad Sales and Sponsorships, Sphere, said: “This interactive Exosphere experience – which brings LEGO SMART Play and Star Wars to life on an unprecedented scale – marks the first collaboration to leverage Sphere’s new immersive Exosphere technologies, and exemplifies how brands can utilize Sphere to connect with their fans in new ways.”

Adding to the excitement, quarterback for the New York Giants, Jaxson Dart, was among the special guests taking part in the experience. Dart took a seat in the LEGO Star Wars-inspired X-wing cockpit as he mastered the trench run and embraced the SMART Play-enabled LEGO Star Wars experience.

“I’ve been a massive Star Wars fan my entire life - from dressing up as Anakin Skywalker at my childhood birthday party to my on-field look inspired by his character," said Jaxson Dart, quarterback for the New York Giants. "Tonight, I felt like a kid again, stepping into the giant LEGO X-Wing and lighting up the Las Vegas skyline in honor of my favorite movies. I’m thrilled to be here celebrating the future of LEGO Star Wars and to share my passion for that galaxy with the next generation of Star Wars fans."

This interactive experience was created to mark the launch of LEGO SMART Play. Unveiled at CES 2026, LEGO SMART Play represents the most significant evolution of the LEGO System-in-Play since the debut of the LEGO Minifigure in 1978 — redefining what creative play can be.

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

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

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

Dave Filoni to run Star Wars

According to Puck News, Lucasfilm is about to undergo a major management shakeup with Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan jointly replacing Kathleen Kennedy. After stepping down as Lucasfilm president, Kennedy will remain as a producer, a role for which George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have lauded her.

"When it was announced that Kathleen Kennedy was making a “succession plan” as she prepared to leave Lucasfilm and Star Wars, it seemed like there was probably only one person who would fill her shoes. Now, technically, there are two, but yes, he’s one of them.

That would be Dave Filoni. A new report from the reliable Puck News says that Filoni is about to be tapped as co-president to run the creative side of Lucasfilm, ie. all of Star Wars. His fellow co-president would be Lynwen Brennan, who would be on the executive side. Filoni is currently the chief creative officer of Lucasfilm, while Brennan is general manager. But for the big moves, it seems it will fall to Filoni.

Kathleen Kennedy is often painted as a villain for greenlighting the Star Wars projects that fans have not liked in the Disney era. Though few may realize that she was also the one pushing for a show like Andor, back when that seemed like a long shot.

The current state of Disney Star Wars is so scattered that it’s hard to even know what would happen under Filoni. Ahsoka is the only Disney+ show confirmed to even be coming back, with everything else either cancelled, finished or a one-off. The big return to Star Wars movies is a spin-off of a TV show. After that, there are more potentially interesting projects like Ryan Gosling’s Starfighter and the James Mangold-directed Dawn of the Jedi, which still exists at this point, with a graveyard of other cancelled Star Wars films behind it."

The Mandalorian and Grogu hit the big screen on 22nd May, and Ahsoka season two is coming later this year on Disney+. For over half a decade, Star Wars has been on the small screen with animated and live-action spin-off series on Disney+. Will The Mandalorian and Grogu be more than a feature-length episode that should have been released on Disney+, making way for Star Wars: Starfighter to blast onto the big screen for the 50th anniversary of the franchise in 2027?

What are your thoughts on the succession at Lucasfilm, which has yet to be officially confirmed? Let me know in the comments below.

First Star Wars Fanstream for 2026

January's my birthday month, and Hasbro Pulse has announced its first Star Wars Fanstream for 2026.

From the official Hasbro Pulse Instagram account:

"A new year. A new Fanstream from a galaxy far, far away...

Join the Hasbro STAR WARS team for their first Fanstream of the year, packed with fresh reveals across your favorite collections. From long-awaited additions to shelf-defining pieces, your display is about to get an upgrade!

Set your coordinates and tune in January 12th at 11:00am ET, exclusively on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel."

Unless it's being held back for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027, I'd like Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Patrol Dewback and Sandtrooper as an early birthday present.

What are you hoping will be revealed during the Hasbro Pulse Star Wars Fanstream? Let me know in the comments below.

The X-Men return in Avengers: Doomsday

This is the Avengers: Doomsday teaser trailer X-Men fans (myself included) are looking for.



Read the official synopsis:

"Doctor Doom has officially arrived in the MCU. This villain, a master of cutting-edge science and powerful magic, will unleash a cascading crisis across the entire multiverse."

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).

In my teens, I sought solace in the mutant tragedy of the X-Men. They became a metaphor for disability, something I was struggling with in the wake of a life-changing childhood trauma in primary school, and I wanted to be Cyclops.

Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the Russo brothers (Avengers: Endgame), will be released in cinemas on 18th December 2026.

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

LEGO Star Wars gets SMART Play

Now, brick builders and Star Wars fans (myself included) alike can interact with iconic scenes, characters and moments inspired by a galaxy far, far away... like never before as the LEGO SMART Play system makes its debut with three ‘All-In-One' LEGO Star Wars building sets launching on 1st March.

“Our teams work hand-in-hand with best-in-class licensees to bring technology and innovation to products that continue our storytelling in new and unexpected ways," said Paul Gitter, Executive Vice President of Global Brand Commercialisation at Disney Consumer Products. “This milestone in our long-time collaboration with the LEGO Group adds a new dimension to this legacy, continuing to help fans express their creativity and imagination by extending the Star Wars story through play."

Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in a presentation from the LEGO Group, Asad Ayaz, chief brand officer of The Walt Disney Company and president of Disney Entertainment Marketing, and Dave Filoni, chief creative officer of Lucasfilm, LEGO SMART Play building sets will debut with Star Wars vehicles and locales, the perfect playground for epic storytelling, unforgettable characters and endless brick-built adventures.

“We’ve worked with our incredible friends at Lucasfilm for over 25 years, and our focus has always remained on creating original, unique experiences for the fan community through our sets. With LEGO SMART Play, legendary stories and characters of the Star Wars galaxy will come to life like never before.” said Julia Goldin, Chief Product & Marketing Officer of the LEGO Group.

The new platform features more than twenty patented world-firsts within its technology, and the LEGO SMART Brick – at the heart of the platform – is powered by a custom-made chip, measuring smaller than a standard LEGO stud.

The technology has been developed by the LEGO Group’s Creative Play Lab team to enable responsive physical play, breathing new life into builder’s LEGO creations through advanced, invisible technology.

The LEGO SMART Brick is packed with technologies that bring play to life including sensors, accelerometers, light sensing and a sound sensor as well as a miniature speaker driven by an onboard synthesiser, and much more, in addition to easy wireless charging.

LEGO SMART Play will continue to expand through new updates, launches and technology – with the LEGO Group set to reveal more additions in the future.

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

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

Sabrina Carpenter stars in The Muppet Show

To celebrate the New Year, Disney has released a teaser trailer for the upcoming special of The Muppet Show, starring Sabrina Carpenter, which will be available on ABC and Disney+ later this year.



From 20th Television, Disney Branded Television, The Muppets Studio and Point Grey Pictures, the special event is directed by Alex Timbers, who also serves as executive producer. 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; Sabrina Carpenter, Albertina Rizzo, Matt Vogel and Eric Jacobson are executive producers.

Veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman and Matt Vogel will perform the majority of the iconic Muppet characters in this production, supported by a talented team of additional performers. Dave Goelz, who has performed with The Muppets for over 50 years, was one of the performers on the original The Muppet Show and originated the characters Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, among many others.

This year, The Muppet Show celebrates its 50th anniversary. All five seasons of The Muppet Show are currently available to stream on Disney+.

The Muppet Show special will premiere on 4th February on Disney+.

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

The Music of John Williams ARTE Concert

The festive Force is strong with this concert featuring the music of John Williams, recorded before Christmas.



Read the official synopsis:

"The menacing fanfares of Star Wars, the heroic call of Indiana Jones, the tender melodies of E.T., and the enchanting leitmotifs of Harry Potter: John Williams created unforgettable musical themes, inseparable from the images that have marked the history of cinema. By transforming music into pure emotion, the American composer contributed to the creation of a true contemporary mythology.

In a lively and festive atmosphere, the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra and violinist Nathan Mierdl, conducted by Bastien Stil, invite us to immerse ourselves in this work, both grand and intimate. A magical moment to relive some of the most beautiful soundtracks in the history of film. Because Christmas is also (and above all) about sharing the magic of memories.

Program:
Jurassic Park
Indiana Jones
Harry Potter
E.T the Extra-Terrestrial
Schindler’s List
Star Wars

Filmed on December 18, 2025 in the Radio France Auditorium, Paris."

Have you watched the concert? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.