BBC Proms: The Planets and Star Wars

On Saturday, the Force was strong with The National Youth Orchestra as they performed a brand new suite from Star Wars by John Williams and Holst's The Planets at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms.

"Britain’s most talented teenagers present a concert of intergalactic musical giants. Expect moons and meteor showers, spaceships, stars and lightsabers from the National Youth Orchestra and Dalia Stasevska.

The many worlds of Holst’s The Planets, including the mysterious beauty of ‘Neptune’ and rousing ‘Jupiter’ theme, meet the music from John Williams’s mighty Star Wars soundtracks, plus Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw’s piece inspired by sci-fi and some sky-gazing at the Griffin Observatory in Los Angeles."

The Planets and Star Wars are two musical pillars from my formative years, with the former influencing the latter.

Listen now on BBC Sounds and watch on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two on 24th August.

Alien at the Natural History Museum

Alien: Earth crash-lands this week on Disney+, and an alien egg is on display at the London Natural History Museum.

For the next fortnight, visitors and fans alike can bear witness to the first stage in the life cycle of the titular xenomorph in this special display, celebrating the release of FX’s Alien: Earth, a new sci-fi series from Emmy Award-winning Noah Hawley (Fargo).

Professor Caroline Smith, planetary scientist at the Natural History Museum, says: "Extraterrestrial life and the secrets of the solar system have forever fascinated humans. It's a treat to have one of the most iconic depictions of alien life opposite our fantastic exhibition, which reveals the very latest scientific discoveries as it explores the age-old question - are we alone in the universe?"

Read the official synopsis for Alien: Earth:

“When the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash-lands on Earth, “Wendy” (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat in FX’s “Alien: Earth.”

In the year 2120, the Earth is governed by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold. In this Corporate Era, cyborgs (humans with both biological and artificial parts) and synthetics (humanoid robots with artificial intelligence) exist alongside humans. But the game is changed when the wunderkind Founder and CEO of Prodigy Corporation unlocks a new technological advancement: hybrids (humanoid robots infused with human consciousness). The first hybrid prototype named “Wendy” marks a new dawn in the race for immortality. After Weyland-Yutani’s spaceship collides into Prodigy City, “Wendy” and the other hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined.”

The cast for Alien: Earth includes Sydney Chandler (Don't Worry Darling), Alex Lawther (Andor), Samuel Blenkin (The Sandman), Kit Young (Shadow and Bone), Essie Davis (Assassin's Creed), Adarsh Gourav (The White Tiger) and Timothy Olyphant (The Mandalorian).

Alien: Earth's first two episodes premiere exclusively on Disney+ on 13th August.

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

Hulu goes global on Disney+

After 4 years, Star on Disney+ internationally will be rebranded as Hulu later this year as the House of Mouse consolidates its streaming services and focuses on the Disney+ app after buying out Comcast’s stake in Hulu.

Star ushered in grown-up content on Disney+ in 2021. However, Hulu is synonymous with prestige television from The Bear to Shōgun, and has far greater brand recognition. In 2009, Hulu and ITV almost signed a content deal.

Disney+ currently comprises Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic, with the ESPN and Star brands available in selected territories.

“Work is already underway to continue enhancing our technology, and over the coming months, we will be implementing numerous improvements within the Disney+ app, including exciting new features and a more personalised homepage,” said Disney in a statement. “All of this work will culminate with the unified Disney+ and Hulu streaming app experience that will be available to consumers next year.”

Could UK-based Disney+ subscribers (myself included) see Hulu launched as soon as next week to tie in with Alien: Earth?

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

Matt Smith to play villain in Star Wars

Former Doctor Who star Matt Smith, after being rumoured for a role as a young Palpatine in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, joins Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth in Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter.

According to Deadline, Smith will play a villain in the upcoming Star Wars movie, set for release in 2027 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' space opera. Smith, best known for playing the heroic Eleventh Doctor, is no stranger to playing villains in Terminator Genisys and House of the Dragon.

As a lifelong Doctor Who and Star Wars fan, I’m more excited for Star Wars: Starfighter than The Mandalorian and Grogu, which should have been released on Disney+.

What are your thoughts on Matt Smith playing a big bad in a galaxy far, far away? Are you excited for Star Wars: Starfighter? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars fans urged to back Boba Fett

Appearing at the Tampa Bay Comic Convention, Temuera Morrison, who has played bounty hunters Jango Fett and Boba Fett, was asked about his involvement in future Star Wars projects.

“No,” Morrison answered. “We really have to treasure those moments now. All of you need to send a fax, or a letter or an email to those powers-that-be at Lucasfilm. I’m sure they’d love to hear from everyone. Please give Daniel Logan and Temuera Morrison another chance and put them somewhere.”

The enigmatic and mysterious mercenary Boba Fett was first introduced in an animated segment during the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. However, most fans (outside the US) wouldn't have known about him until Kenner's mail-away action figure promotion before appearing in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, played by the late Jeremy Bulloch.

The bounty hunter's apparent demise in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi was less than satisfactory and was used mostly for comedic effect. A school friend and I were left nonplussed and, wrongly, assumed he'd escape moments after the Rebels had destroyed Jabba's Sail Barge as creator George Lucas rushed to tie up loose ends leftover from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and sell more toys.

Daniel Logan, who played a young Boba Fett in the prequel trilogy and appeared alongside Morrison on the panel, reflected on his experience being part of the Star Wars franchise.

"The crazy part with Star Wars is that you don’t know about filming anything until like, a week, or maybe two, or even less than that, right?" he said.

"But the thing is, Temuera is the greediest person in Star Wars. He’s played so many characters, he’s got the most characters in Star Wars, if you go down the line — from Jango, Boba, all of the Clones, Rex, Cody, Fives — he’s got the most characters in Star Wars."

Logan added, "There’s going to be plenty of opportunities. Especially for this guy, especially with this era of Star Wars, like Ahsoka, and all this stuff set after Return of the Jedi."

Morrison last played the fan-favourite bounty hunter in The Book of Boba Fett and confirmed he won't be appearing in The Mandalorian and Grogu movie next year.

If you hadn't already guessed, Boba Fett's one of my favourite characters from the franchise and the 12-inch action figure was a cherished Christmas gift from childhood - I was too excited to sleep after discovering Santa had left a smuggler's bounty on the landing.

Would you like to see the return of Boba Fett? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars returns to cinemas for 50th anniversary

On Friday, Disney announced it is rereleasing Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope in cinemas in 2027 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' groundbreaking space opera. This will be followed by Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) and starring Ryan Gosling (Barbie).

Read the press release:

"On April 30th, 2027, we’ll celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Wars with a re-release of the 1977 classic back for a limited time, in theaters everywhere.

Part of Lucasfilm’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, Star Wars: A New Hope will play in theaters over the May the 4th holiday, also known as Star Wars Day."

Back in June, an original print of Star Wars from 1977 was screened by the British Film Institute (BFI) with the blessing of Lucasfilm. Disney has not shared any details on which version of Star Wars will be shown.

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

Predator meets Star Wars

During an interview with IGN at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), director Dan Trachtenberg (Prey) revealed that Predator: Badlands was inspired by Star Wars.



The working title of the upcoming Predator movie was Backpack!

Trachtenberg has confirmed that C-3PO and Chewbacca from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back were the inspiration for the titular predator (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) to carry the Weyland-Yutani synthetic, played by Elle Fanning, around on its back.

The two Alien vs. Predator (AVP) movies were forgettable. Ever since Predator 2 teased a shared universe with Alien, I've longed for something like this.

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

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

Gunship announced as Star Wars HasLab

At San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), Hasbro announced its Battle of Geonosis campaign for 2026 with a Star Wars HasLab.

Read the official press release:

"Star Wars The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship

The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship transports you right to the heart of the first battle of the Clone Wars on Geonosis and its aftermath. In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones™, this speedy attack ship led the rescue mission of the Jedi remaining after Count Dooku and the Separatists’ assault, setting a cascade of rockets and laser fire onto the Separatist droid army.

LAAT/i (Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry) Republic ships can be seen in epic battles scenes across Star Wars, including the animated classic Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ and its more recent counterpart, Star Wars: The Bad Batch™. The HasLab team is thrilled to bring you one of the franchise’s most recognizable and celebrated vehicles.

If funded, this ship will make the perfect tribute to one of the defining moments in the prequel trilogy. Let’s get into the details!"

Take a closer look with Hasbro designer Chris and special guest Adam from Lucasfilm's product development, who sold me on backing it.



The last Gunship toy I owned was from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, which I sold to a fellow Star Wars fan and collector a few years ago. Like many fans, I have reservations about the £449.99 price tag and tiers.

After pontificating for a few days (The Ghost is still boxed), I’ve decided to back the HasLab for now, if only to support the campaign and reach 8,000 backers. I appreciate that this is a good problem to have. Will it be another Rancor? We'll see in September.

Will you be backing the Star Wars The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship HasLab on Hasbro Pulse? What do you think of the price? What are your thoughts on crowdfunded collectables? Should it be a retail release? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro teases Tron toys at Comic-Con

Hasbro's Steve Evans teased Tron toys based on Disney's original Tron, Tron: Legacy and the upcoming Tron: Ares at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Evans handed out 3.5-inch floppy disks, which contained a teaser image.

Christmas 1982 was all about the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K, Disney's Tron and Steven Spielberg's extra-terrestrial. I wanted Tron action figures and vehicles. It looks like Hasbro is about to grant that wish this holiday season.

Which Tron toys would you like to see from Hasbro? Let me know in the comments below.

Terror of the Zygons at the BFI

To mark the imminent release of Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 13, the British Film Institute (BFI) is hosting a screening of the season opener, Terror of the Zygons. The classic Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) story features the shapeshifting Zygons, which were childhood nightmare fuel.

When oil rigs come under attack from some force able to rip them to shreds, UNIT’s Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) summons the Doctor to Scotland. The Doctor has a theory about exactly what’s causing the destruction, but it couldn’t really be the Loch Ness Monster. Could it?

The event will be held on Saturday, 20th September at midday; it will be preceded by a screening of Chris Chapman’s documentary Worlds Within, about the much-missed actor and writer Ian Marter (Harry Sullivan). Besides acting in Doctor Who, Marter penned acclaimed Target novelisations. There will be a Q&A with producer Philip Hinchcliffe after the main screening.

Tickets will go on sale on 5th August to BFI members and on 7th August to non-members.

Pre-order Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 13 now on Amazon (affiliate link).