BBC cancels Doctor Who Christmas special

The Christmas special has been cancelled, leaving the future of Doctor Who in flux!

The second and final season of Doctor Who on Disney+ ended with the titular Time Lord (Ncuti Gatwa) seemingly regenerating into Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) in the wake of a season that was wibbly-wobbly due to reshoots and uncertainty. Sorry, not sorry.

Russell T Davies, the returning series showrunner who had successfully rebooted the beloved BBC sci-fi series in 2005, teased that all would be revealed in a Christmas special in 2026.

In a timey-wimey twist, the BBC has announced the cancellation of the festive special. The BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead.

Referring to the announcement many fans (myself included) feared, Davies explained: "We only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there's no need for it.

"You'll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who... but you'll be waiting for more Doctor Who than a one-off. So it's worth it!

"For the record: there was no script, I never wrote it, and no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor."

I've long championed J Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5) as a potential series showrunner. After news broke on Wednesday about the future of Doctor Who, Straczynski took to social media to reiterate his previously stated desire for the role.

"A (relatively) quick note to respond to the (much appreciated) scores of (very nice) notes online regarding today's news about Doctor Who," he said.

"My interest and record is well-established; the only real question I think the BBC would (very fairly) ask is: would British fans be open to an American showrunner, even one who is legally a resident of the UK under a visa that allows me to work for in TV/film in the UK?

"I think so but I doubt they'd just take my word for it, nor should they. The fan community would have to have their (polite, constructive) say."

The production will now go out to tender.

HBO Max was rumoured to replace Disney+ as part of a broader co-production deal with the BBC, but that may have been nixed by the merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance. Apple TV is home to prestige sci-fi, and the current TARDIS interior wouldn’t look out of place in Cupertino. Just saying.

As a lifelong Whovian, it's all too easy to liken this news to the classic series cancellation in 1989! However, the media landscape and how we consume content have changed irrevocably. Doctor Who will be back on our screens and second screens sooner rather than later.

Tales from the TARDIS have been stuck in a nostalgia loop post-pandemic. Do you think J Michael Straczynski should be the next series showrunner? Let me know in the comments below.

Hayley Atwell plays the villain in Fable

Sunday's XBOX Games Showcase, the first with Asha Sharma at the helm, celebrated 25 years of play with XBOX!

From Fable to Gears of War: E-Day, it harkened back to the original XBOX and XBOX 360 eras! It's worth noting that these titles were in development when Phil Spencer was the head of XBOX.

During the XBOX Games Showcase, pre-order details and a release date trailer dropped for Fable.



Read the official synopsis:

"Become the Hero you want to be in an immersive open-world action-RPG where each choice shapes your journey, reputation is everything, and fairytale endings are never guaranteed."

Fable is a beloved fantasy role-playing game franchise, and Playground Games' (Forza) reboot stars Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter) as the villain, Isobel. Talking to XBOX Wire, Fable Associate Narrative Director Craig Owens explained why Atwell was cast:

“Hayley’s ability to combine vulnerability with strength made her the perfect person to play Isabel, and working with her was a real pleasure. Her desire to really dig into the character and deliver the best possible performance in every scene blew us all away, not just on the performance capture stage but in the voice recording booth, where her classical training was on full display. Hayley brought a dedication, seriousness and grit to the role that, in many ways, mirrors the character’s own.”

Whilst Sharma has hit the reset button on the XBOX brand with a pivot back to exclusives, including Gears of War: E-Day, Halo: Campaign Evolved and Fable will be available on the PlayStation 5 (PS5).

Fable will be released on PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series X|S and PC on 23rd February 2027.

Pre-order Fable at Amazon (affiliate link).

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

Masters of the Universe

What a time to be a sci-fi and fantasy fan (myself included)! Not only is Star Wars back on the big screen, but also Masters of the Universe after almost 4 decades.

Following their adventure in a galaxy far, far away, Matt, Harry and Luke Charlton journey to Eternia.

Guest post by the Charltons

Our second trip to the cinema in as many weeks, but this time, we ventured out to see Masters of the Universe.

I've got a long history with this franchise.

The original Filmation cartoons were released when I was 2 or 3 years old. I had the toys, and we borrowed the VHS from the video rental guy who drove around in his van every week. In fact, we borrowed this particular He-Man videotape so many times that he actually gave it to my mum and dad.

I've had the original cartoons on Apple TV for many years, I watch them every now and again - especially when I'm at my most vulnerable. They are what you would call my ultimate comfort blanket. Those days when I'm really struggling to function at all, I'll watch a few episodes of He-Man, forget the world for a bit, and just travel back to those very young times when nothing really mattered and I would get a story about good vs evil, morals, and consequences. It was a much simpler time - or maybe it wasn't, but it certainly felt like it to me.

When I heard they were making a new live-action movie, I didn't really know what to think. It was either going to be great, or it was going to be awful - and that sort of awful that ends up being great later, where people decide it's cool or whatever.

Casting-wise, Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms felt a strong choice, and he undergoes quite a strong arc in the film. Nicholas Galitzine was a perfect Adam, and an awesome He-Man despite a few people being mean about his stature and overall muscle density - he has presence, and he works it, he works it well.

Jared Leto didn't suck - in fact, he was pretty good as Skeletor. There were a few lines that I didn't get that I'm going to have to wait for the home release for, so I can stick subtitles on for but it was fun, and he didn't take himself too seriously; he captured the spirit of the iconic villain very well.

Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn was great, and you get the feeling there's more to see of her in the future.

Camila Mendes as Teela - perfect. She projected a strong, complex figure who had a lot to deal with; she's fantastic.

On Rotten Tomatoes, we're sitting at 66% critic and 88% popcorn. Very similar to The Mandalorian and Grogu, who are at 62% and 87%, respectively.

This is by no means a Citizen Kane (still haven't seen that) or a Godfather (I've watched that, it was very long), but it is a wonderful love letter to everything about Mattel's beloved franchise.

Easter eggs aplenty for the eagle-eyed fan, with callbacks to the 1987 Dolph Lundgren film (21% critic and 41% popcorn) and the Filmation series. So many moments of pure elation - and some really funny backstory parts - particularly around names.

Pacing is good, there isn't too much time before we see a transformation, and, unlike the 1987 movie, very little time comparatively is spent on Earth - and KFC definitely does not feature.

With The Mandalorian and Grogu still fresh(ish). IMAX screens are booked up with that movie at the moment, so our local cinema was showing Masters of the Universe on screen 5. Screen 5 is tiny, less than 60 seats - there's no way I'm paying £50 plus £30 snack tax to watch it on something that feels only a little bigger than the living room TV, so we ventured to the Showcase Cinema Deluxe Leeds - about 15 mins away, but a little grander.

This is one of the old school dedicated cinema buildings, with 16 screens. Its grandiose lobby is a callback to releases past - in fact, I saw the midnight showing of every single Star Wars prequel trilogy release here from Star Wars: Phantom Menace to Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. It's had a makeover since then - every single seat not only reclines but also lies fairly flat - the space between the rows is something else, and you actually feel quite comfy.

It was the first trip there for the boys, and they've decided that they want to go there for Supergirl (don't you dare kill Krypto, James Gunn) and anything else we see this year.

I didn't know how Luke would be, and I only booked tickets yesterday - Harry has shown a little interest in He-Man before and wanted to go and see it, but I double-checked with Luke, and he said sure, he wanted to go. Every time I looked across at him, he was either laughing, smiling from ear to ear or totally engrossed in what was going on. He absolutely loved it. There was a little vomit scene, which I didn't realise (we had massive issues with a fear of vomiting last year), but he did amazing with it and it didn't phase him, so that's great progress.

Showcase gave us a small set of badges each, which are great. Snack-wise, it was good too, with the kids' movie box having popcorn, two different sets of sweets and a drink (which we upgraded to a blue raspberry slush). They also have Coca-Cola Freestyle, none of that Pepsi nonsense, so I guess that's another reason to head there.

The movie's runtime at 140 minutes didn't feel overly long - in fact, it felt like it was over before it started in some respects. Pacing was good, and director Travis Knight (Bumblebee) has an awful lot of love for all of it. Many of my childhood toys featured prominently, and it was great to see them in battles.

I might even go and see Masters of the Universe again, we'll see. Though the way things are going, I'll be able to buy it on digital in a month - it's not like it used to be, where there was a 2-year wait for a rental video release.

I'm sure I mentioned in the Mando review - we're a neurodivergent family - and I am autistic.

The final shot in the movie left me in floods of tears. I was overcome with emotion. Seeing the thing that brought me so much joy on a huge cinema screen ended up being too much. Tears of joy, tears of I don't know what - but definitely floods of tears.

There's an immediate credit scene, a mid-credit scene and then one final post-credits scene. It's definitely worth staying for all three.

I can only hope that this is just the beginning of the adventures in Eternia.

2026 is a fantastic year to be a moviegoer, and even better if you like what they're putting out at the moment, and I really do.

Until we meet again.......

Matt, Harry and Luke.

Have you seen Masters of the Universe? Let us know in the comments below.

Alien: Isolation 2 at Summer Game Fest

During Friday's Summer Game Fest 2026 from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Alien: Isolation 2 was officially announced with a reveal trailer.



Read the official synopsis:

"The next chapter in the Alien: Isolation series, Alien: Isolation 2 will bring players face-to-face once more with cinema’s deadliest killer: Alien’s Xenomorph. With a brand-new setting, story and protagonist, players will embrace a whole new adventure, while experiencing the same deadly tension which established the original game as the ultimate survival-horror experience.

On a remote, storm-ravaged colony-world, players will endure the elements as they navigate the planet’s surface, and explore the claustrophobic confines of the Weyland-Yutani outpost of Kurosaki Station. It’s a new hunting-ground for the Alien, forcing players to improvise and develop new tools, techniques and tactics to survive the deadly game of cat-and-mouse."

The upcoming sequel to Alien: Isolation from Sega and Creative Assembly has piqued fans' (myself included) interest. Alien: Isolation was a masterclass in tension - who didn't hide in lockers until the alien's artificial intelligence (AI) adapted to search them? - and the space station setting clearly influenced Alien: Romulus. This time, Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, is on a planet that evokes the flora and fauna of Predator: Badlands.

Whilst there's no release date, Alien: Isolation 2 will be available on PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.

Are you looking forward to Alien: Isolation 2? Let me know in the comments below.

Tomb Raider at State of Play

Whilst the original Tomb Raider was first released on the Sega Saturn 30 years ago, the action-adventure video game franchise became synonymous with PlayStation.

During Tuesday's State of Play, pre-order details and a release date trailer dropped for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis.



Read the official synopsis:

"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."

Controversy has marred the reveal after Crystal Dynamics shared an AI-generated content disclaimer on Steam. The developer has released an official statement:

"At Crystal Dynamics, we leverage AI tools to help our teams iterate on ideas faster and more efficiently, while ensuring that all finished content in the final product is human-crafted. Our goal is to empower the creativity and flexibility of our developers to deliver the highest-quality experiences for players everywhere."

I've been a fan of the Tomb Raider franchise since the original PlayStation, and the reboot Survivor 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.

In related news. Hasbro has teased a Tomb Raider x G.I. Joe collaboration for Yo Joe! June. As a fan of both franchises, I can't wait for the action figure to be officially unveiled this month.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will be released on PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC on 12th February 2027. Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel to Tomb Raider: Underworld, is arriving sometime in 2027.

Pre-order Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis? Are you concerned about the use of AI-generated content in video games? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars director Gareth Edwards on AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) remains a divisive ethical issue as studios scramble to respond.

From deepfake technology to the replacement of creatives in the pursuit of profit, AI is deeply embedded in our daily lives.

Star Wars and Jurassic World director Gareth Edwards, who directed the AI-themed tale The Creator, has come out in support of AI.

Edwards speaking at AI on the Lot, an event in Culver City, California, organised by Amazon, said: “I can’t see a reason why you wouldn’t become interested in this stuff as a film-maker. It’s so clearly a tool that might be up there with the camera. It’s going to be better than CGI.”

Edwards said that AI is most useful in preproduction, saying: “It’s only good for iteration and discovering what the movie should be, and then once you know what it is, go in and start making it your movie.”

He added, “It has no taste whatsoever. It is a f***ing genius at helping you. I view it like having a second-unit director who is a billionaire on acid. Like, it’ll do anything you ask, not a problem. Sometimes, it’ll [go] batshit crazy. And you’ll give it notes, and it’ll be like, ‘I don’t do notes. I’ll just do something totally different.’ But it’s worth it.”

The use of generative AI imagery in film and television has garnered a mixed reaction from critics (myself included).

Edwards, however, said that the pace of change in AI technology made it impossible to predict its future. “We don’t know where it’s going to go. I think anybody saying they know exactly what’s going to happen over the next five years is just a liar.”

What are your thoughts on AI? Is it more Star Slop than Star Wars? Let me know in the comments below.

Marcia Lucas, who saved Star Wars, dies aged 80

Marcia Lucas, an Oscar-winning editor of Star Wars and ex-wife of Star Wars creator George Lucas, has passed away from cancer at the age of 80.

“Marcia will be remembered as a brilliant storyteller, a trailblazer for women in film, a loving mother and grandmother, a generous host, and a loyal friend whose humor and sparkle filled every room she entered. Her influence on film is indelible, but those who knew her best will remember the way she made life feel more vivid, more beautiful, more fun, and more full of love,” Marcia Lucas’ family said in a statement.

Lucas was a founding force behind Star Wars and helped shape its culture-defining success in 1977.

“Her work was known for its emotional intelligence, rhythm, and humanity — a rare ability to find the truth of a scene and bring heart, momentum, and clarity to the screen,” the statement added.

During the filming of Star Wars, she suggested to her then-husband that Obi-Wan Kenobi should sacrifice himself fighting Darth Vader on the Death Star. That narrative decision raised the stakes for the film’s third act and set up the conflict between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in the sequels.

Along with editors Paul Hirsch and Richard Chew at a fledgling Lucasfilm, Lucas literally saved George Lucas' space opera in the editing suite. The climactic Death Star battle succeeds because of her tireless dedication to storytelling. Forming a foundation for the wizardry of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and John Williams' legendary score.

George Lucas credited her with helping make sense of the vast amount of footage filmed for the climactic Death Star battle.

"It was extremely complex and we had 40,000 feet of dialogue footage of pilots saying this and that," he told Rolling Stone shortly after the film's release.

"Nobody really has ever tried to interweave an actual plot story into a dogfight, and we were trying to do that."

She also collaborated with director Martin Scorsese on a string of his acclaimed 1970s films, including Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Taxi Driver and New York, New York.

Lucas would go on to work with George Lucas on Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark in an uncredited capacity, and, finally, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In a poignant quote shared by Lucasfilm, Lucas once described her passion for the craft of editing.

“I love film editing,” she said. “I have an innate ability to take good material and make it better, and to take bad material and make it fair.”