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.