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.

You are the prey in Predator: Badlands

On Monday, 20th Century Studios dropped a final trailer for Predator: Badlands from the director of Prey.



Read the official synopsis:

"Predator: Badlands, which stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator (Schuster-Koloamatangi), outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary."

The film is directed by Dan Trachtenberg and produced by John Davis, Dan Trachtenberg, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, and Brent O’Connor.

The announcement of a PG-13 rating has sparked some trepidation among Predator fans online. Still, Trachtenberg and Rosenblatt claim there will be no compromise in terms of quality compared to previous movie entries in the franchise.

"We don't have any humans in the movie, and so we don't have any human red blood," Rosenblatt confirmed to IGN. "We're going to go as hard as we possibly can within those constraints, and we think we'll be able to do some pretty awesomely gruesome stuff. But in colours other than red."

Both Benjamin Wallfish and Sarah Schachner are returning to score Predator: Badlands! It’s been officially announced that Wallfisch, who previously scored Predator: Killer of Killers and Schachner, who scored Prey, are collaborating on the score for Predator: Badlands! I hope Alan Silvestri's main theme from Predator is reprised.

Predator: Badlands opens exclusively in cinemas on 7th November in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, Cinemark XD, 4DX, ScreenX, and premium screens everywhere.

Have you watched the final trailer for Predator: Badlands? Let me know in the comments below.

Hulu launches internationally on Disney+

This Wednesday, Hulu launches on Disney+ in the UK and internationally.

All current Star content migrates seamlessly to the new Hulu section. Shows like Only Murders in the Building, Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family, and newer hits like High Potential, Rivals, and Alien: Earth will be under the Hulu banner.

Along with the rollout of Hulu to replace the Star brand, an ESPN tile will be available in selected territories, and Disney+ is receiving a much-needed makeover. The homepage will feature an improved "For You" tab with better personalised recommendations and a new "Live Hub" for live sports, news, and events.

Disney has recently courted controversy with chat show host Jimmy Kimmel, and an annual price hike is not good optics. I've been a subscriber since the launch of Disney+ in the UK in March 2020. However, I am now considering cancelling an annual subscription next year.

What are your thoughts on Hulu launching internationally on Disney+? Are you cancelling Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Peanuts stay on Apple TV+ through 2030

Charlie Brown and Snoopy stay on Apple TV+ until 2030.

"In this milestone 75th anniversary year, it feels incredibly meaningful to continue our collaboration with our brilliant partners at WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide and Lee Mendelson," Tara Sorensen, head of children's programming for Apple TV+, said in a statement. "Our commitment, dedication and passion for ‘Peanuts' runs deep. These beloved characters and stories hold a timeless significance, resonating with people of all ages across the globe."

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

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: Saturday, 18th October and Sunday, 19th October
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Saturday, 15th November and Sunday, 16th November
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Saturday, 13th December and Sunday, 14th December

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

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

Echo Dot Max looks like the Death Star

Amazon has announced a new lineup of Alexa-enabled devices with premium audio for the autumn.

The all-new Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11 deliver more processing power for premium audio, feature an all-new look and feel that Amazon thinks customers will love, and are ready to unlock new-generation artificial intelligence (AI) experiences through Alexa+ once available in the UK. With Alexa+, you can now have full-blown conversations with the AI, while also picking up on colloquial expressions.

As a fan of the Echo Dot, the Echo Dot Max has caught my attention, as I'm considering replacing my existing Echo Dot (3rd generation) smart speaker on Black Friday. It looks like a miniature Death Star. This Star Wars fan approves and I can't wait to review it.

Pre-order Echo Dot Max from Amazon (affiliate link).

Do you like the Echo Dot Max? Does it remind you of the Death Star? Let me know in the comments below.

The Rubber-Keyed Wonder

Tron: Ares has inspired a nostalgic journey back to the 8-bit wonder years of my childhood!

Christmas 1982 was all about the rubber-keyed Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K, Horace Goes Skiing and Disney’s Tron (available on Disney+)!

The first time I saw a computer in person was at my dad’s lighting shop in Truro in the late seventies. The Commodore PET looked like something out of Star Trek and captured my nascent imagination. Soon after, a BBC Micro materialised in middle school. However, having our own 8-bit home computer was transcendental!

Countless hours were spent and lost inputting basic code from the pack-in manual and Crash magazine at weekends.

And games! So many games in the age of Atari!

Most notably from Ultimate Play the Game, AKA Rare. Rare, now part of Microsoft Studios, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and was synonymous with the 8-bit era before working with Nintendo on the revolutionary Donkey Kong Country for the 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)! Followed by GoldenEye and Perfect Dark in the nineties.

Plugging in the Currah μSpeech peripheral for the ZX Spectrum unlocked voices in Atic Atac years before Atari’s Gauntlet gobbled up my allowance at the arcades! Titles such as Knight Lore were revolutionary. And Ocean’s Daley Thompson’s Decathlon culminated in the premature demise of joysticks, much to the chagrin of my late mum.

Apple and Google dominate in this homogenous mobile-centric era. However, I miss the halcyon days of walking into a computer store like Laskys or Silica Shop and seeing Apple, Atari, Commodore, MSX, and many more on store shelves.

I would go on to own a Sinclair ZX Spectrum+ (the beloved rubber-keyed original was handed down to a younger cousin, who soon broke it), a Commodore 64, and all things Apple thereafter (my iPhone and iPad wallpapers are based on the iconic ZX Spectrum rainbow motif). But nothing will surpass discovering that little 8-bit home computer, with the rubbery keyboard, filled with infinite possibilities under the Christmas tree in 1982...

The Rubber-Keyed Wonder tells the story of legendary British inventor Clive Sinclair and the birth of the ZX Spectrum home computer in 1982, opening the door to a new world of technological possibilities and enabling home users to learn programming - directly contributing to the video game boom of the 1980s.

Watch The Rubber-Keyed Wonder on Prime Video (affiliate link).

Have you watched The Rubber-Keyed Wonder? What are your 8-bit home computer memories? Let me know in the comments below.