BBC responds to Doctor Who rumours

With just over a month to go until the 20th anniversary of Doctor Who's return to Saturday teatime, the future of the beloved BBC sci-fi series appears in doubt depending on which media source(s) you may use.

This is a toxic trope that began during the classic era and endures to this day. When it was announced Christopher Eccleston was leaving after only one season to be replaced by David Tennant, some fans speculated whether or not the series would be cancelled.

The Sun, a British tabloid newspaper, suggests the BBC's deal with Disney+ has ended, Ncuti Gatwa is keen to exit the series to pursue a career in Hollywood and filmed a regeneration scene, and Sony's Bad Wolf Studios has laid off staff.

The BBC said the Sun report was incorrect. A spokesperson said: “Doctor Who has not been shelved. As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs.”

Like many fans, I was excited when the original deal was announced ahead of the 60th anniversary.

“The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and exactly half of those still have to transmit. And as for the rest, we never comment on the Doctor and future storylines.”

A bigger budget and utilising state-of-the-art technology developed for the Star Wars spin-off series suggested a shiny reboot for the TikTok generation. Season one wasn't the home run it needed to be, culminating in Scooby Sutekh going for TARDIS walkies. However, it boasted Boom, 73 Yards and Dot and Bubble.

The fly in the ointment is that a shorter season means not everything feels entirely earned in an era dominated by streaming services. I wanted to spend a little more time with the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa), Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) and fabulous friends (old and new) before the big bad arrived with a nightmarish flourish worthy of Steven Moffat.

Doctor Who returns later this year on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and Disney+ outside the UK and Ireland.

Do you think the Disney+ deal will end? How will it affect the future of Doctor Who? Let me know in the comments below.

The Ninth Doctor and Rose return!

March marks the 20th anniversary of Doctor Who's return to Saturday teatime telly on BBC One!

Is it really 10 years since Andrew Lewin wrote about the 10th anniversary in my absence?

Russell T Davies rebooted the BBC's beloved Time Lord for generations of fans (myself included) and returned as showrunner for the 60th anniversary and beyond. I wrote about the poignant timing of Rose back in 2005, which was published in the letters pages of Starburst magazine.

Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper are reprising their fan-favourite roles as the Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler, respectively, for Big Finish.

Christopher Eccleston said: “I am so happy to be back recording more adventures for the Ninth Doctor with Billie. I don't think my Doctor exists without Rose. He's a 'one man, one companion' kind of alien. We've explored him on his own at Big Finish, as a loner. But there's a resilience and a bravery and a deep empathy to Billie as Rose, that's why I do this. They complete each other.”

Fantastic!

Billie Piper added: “I can’t think of a better time for Rose to reunite with her first Doctor than now. Twenty years after she first ran into the TARDIS and towards adventure, here we are again, me and Chris, ready to have fun facing the universe – and the monsters – together.”

Are you looking forward to the return of the Ninth Doctor and Rose on Big Finish? Let me know in the comments below.

Exodus is a spiritual sequel to Mass Effect

Had it not been for PlayStation's State of Play and Earl Barker, a friend and fellow video gamer, I wouldn't have known about Exodus (other than hearing a brief mention of it during an episode of Podcast Unlocked and then forgetting all about it)!

The upcoming sci-fi action-adventure role-playing game (RPG) starring Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar) is developed by Archetype Entertainment, a division of Wizards of the Coast (a subsidiary of Hasbro renowned for properties like Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering). BioWare and Bungie veterans are spearheading the space odyssey, which has piqued my interest. The dream team have worked on Halo and Mass Effect.



Read the official synopsis:

"Having fled a dying Earth, humanity has found a new home in a hostile galaxy.

Here, we are the underdogs, fighting our final battle for survival.

You are the Traveler, humanity’s last hope."

It's impossible to ignore the original Mass Effect trilogy overtones, and I'm here for it.

I was very late to the Mass Effect party! After winning an Xbox 360 S from LOVEFiLM (Prime Video), I bought Mass Effect 3 in 2012. This was tantamount to watching Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, first!

So, finally, I began FemShep's hero's journey from the beginning in the lead-up to the release of Mass Effect: Andromeda in 2017. It would cement Mass Effect's status as one of the greatest space operas in any medium. Combining the Battlestar Galactica reboot with Star Trek and Star Wars to peerless effect.

I laughed, I cried and didn't want to say goodbye to Shepard's found family as the end credits rolled! Character-driven storytelling was front and centre throughout a hundred hours or more. And, for the first time, there was a disabled character I could empathise with in a video game...

During the pandemic, I played Mass Effect Legendary Edition on Game Pass. I will replay it ahead of Exodus as and when it's released sometime in the future for PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X|S.

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

Skeleton Crew at MegaCon

MegaCon returned to Orlando at the weekend and A Couple Of Park Hoppers covered the Star Wars: Skeleton Crew panel featuring Jude Law (Jod Na Nawood), Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Fern), Kyriana Kratter (KB), Ravi Cabot-Conyers (Wim), Robert Timothy Smith (Neel) and a special guest appearance from director Bryce Dallas Howard (The Mandalorian).



Read the description from A Couple Of Park Hoppers:

"The cast of the hottest show on Disney+ right now, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, paid a visit to MegaCon Orlando for their first convention visit! They discuss some behind the scenes moments, their favorite memories from set, all with very special guest, Bryce Dallas Howard!

These kids are going to be megastars, and it's so great to see them getting their flowers with the success of the show. The cast that appeared this weekend is:

Jude Law (Jod Na Nawood)
Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Fern)
Kyriana Kratter (KB)
Ravi Cabot-Conyers (Wim)
Robert Timothy Smith (Neel)
Bryce Dallas Howard (Special Panel Guest/Episode Director)

Huge thanks to MegaCon Orlando for having us out this weekend to cover the event, and treating us to this very fun interview with host Victor Dandridge."

Read Nick Smith's glowing review of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, the most fun Star Wars live-action spin-off series since The Mandalorian on Disney+!

Have you seen Star Wars: Skeleton Crew? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Celebrating John Williams on his birthday

John Williams needs no introduction. The award-winning Hollywood composer is synonymous with the films of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. He turns 93 today, and I wish him a very happy birthday.

For seven decades, Williams has written the soundtrack to the lives of generations of film fans (myself included) and continues to influence a new generation of film composers.

When I began the long journey of rehabilitation following a life-changing childhood trauma in 1977, his music for Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Superman: The Movie gave me inspiration and hope at a time of deep uncertainty about the future...

Like many fans, I'll be listening to Williams' soundtracks on Apple Music and watching Music by John Williams on Disney+. Of all the maestro's countless stellar themes, the one that resonated most deeply with me is Yoda's Theme! Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is not only my all-time favourite film, but it arrived in cinemas as I began to come to terms with a lifelong physical disability. With the help of family, friends and healthcare professionals at Vranch House and the RD&E, I learned to walk again.

From E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to Star Wars. What are your favourite John Williams soundtracks? Let me know in the comments below.

Buffy revival on Hulu?

Hulu is close to green-lighting a pilot for a reboot or revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Excitement from fans (myself included) is fever pitch for the return of the cult series, with Sarah Michelle Gellar (Star Wars Rebels), who played the titular vampire slayer, taking to social media to confirm it has been in the works for several years.

"So... you might have heard some news this week, but I realize you haven’t heard from me.

Three years ago, I got a call from my dear friend and mentor, Gail Berman. She told me that she wanted me to sit down with Chloé Zhao to hear her take on a potential “Buffy” revival. I was blown away that Chloé even knew who I was, but, as I’ve always done, I told Gail that I just didn’t see a way for the show to exist again. We’d always been aligned on that, but this time I heard something different in her voice. I eventually agreed to go (mainly just to meet Chloé) and our twenty minute coffee quickly turned into a four hour adventure. We laughed, we cried, but mostly we both talked about how much this show means to us.

While I didn’t agree to anything at that meeting, I did shock myself by agreeing to continue the conversation. These conversations did, in fact, continue over the next few years and eventually we added the incredible Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to our little tribe until ultimately, one day, we landed on an idea.

I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit “Buffy” and her world, but it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right. This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet. I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there.

I feel so lucky to be on this journey with these four unbelievably talented women, all of whom love “Buffy” as much as I do. And as much as you do. Thank you to all the fans who never stopped asking for this. This will be for you."

Gellar has not confirmed whether this is a reboot or revival. Either way, I'm in.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the spin-off series Angel, Star Trek, and The X-Files sustained me during the 1990s and early 2000s before Doctor Who returned in 2005. For seven seasons, I adored the adventures of the Scooby Gang (Heat magazine printed my letter in 1999) and have cherished memories of watching the series with my late mum. Since Mum died in 2007, I haven't been able to watch The Body.

Are you excited about a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot or revival on Hulu on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Monster mayhem in Jurassic World Rebirth

Universal Pictures has released an official trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. It teases an Alien-inspired mutant dinosaur and Indiana Jones thrills.

The upcoming instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise is directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and stars Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) and Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton).



Read the official synopsis:

“Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.”

The cast includes Luna Blaise (Manifest), David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Audrina Miranda (Lopez vs. Lopez) as Reuben’s family. The film also features, as members of Zora and Krebs’ crews, Philippine Velge (Station Eleven), Bechir Sylvain (BMF) and Ed Skrein (Deadpool).

“Jurassic Park is a horror film in the witness protection program,” Edwards says. “Most people don’t think of it like that. We all went to see it as kids. But I was scared shitless, to be honest, when I was at the cinema watching the T-Rex attack. It’s one of the most well-directed scenes in cinema history, so the bar’s really high to come on board and try and do this.”

Jurassic World Rebirth will be in cinemas on 2nd July.

Are you looking forward to Jurassic World Rebirth? Let me know in the comments below.

First Steps for The Fantastic Four

Marvel Studios dropped an official teaser trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps on February 4th! We all see what you did there, Disney!



Read the official synopsis:

"Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal."

The action-adventure also stars Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne and Sarah Niles.

Chris Evans (Captain America: The First Avenger) made his Marvel debut as Johnny Storm in 2005’s Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer, alongside Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba and Michael Chiklis. Evans, 43, briefly returned as the Human Torch for an hilarious cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in cinemas on 25th July.

Are you looking forward to The Fantastic Four: First Steps? Let me know in the comments below.

Alien: Earth, everyone can hear you scream!

It's a good time to be an Alien franchise fan (myself included). FX has released a new teaser trailer for Noah Hawley's (Fargo) live-action spin-off series, Alien: Earth, set two years before the ill-fated crew of the Nostromo encountered the titular Alien.



Read the official synopsis:

“When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat. As members of the crash recovery crew search for survivors among the wreckage, they encounter mysterious predatory life forms more terrifying than they could have ever imagined. With this new threat unlocked, the search crew must fight for survival, and what they choose to do with this discovery could change planet Earth as they know it.”

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 premieres only on Hulu and Disney+ in the summer of 2025.

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

Star Wars brings the Force to Destiny 2

It what could be considered as a match made in geek heaven, Destiny 2 and Star Wars is a thing. However, in an era of Fortnite, does it matter?

Longtime readers may recall that I was a huge fan of the original Destiny in 2014 and embraced the notion of a decade-spanning story from Bungie (the studio that created Halo). A so-so story was overshadowed by fun Fireteam adventures with friends on PlayStation Network (PSN) and Peter Dinklage's infamous Ghost. Dinklage was ultimately replaced by Nolan North best known for playing Nathan Drake in the Uncharted series.

The release of Destiny 2 marred the experience to the point that I stopped playing within weeks of its release in 2017. It was more of a slog than a compelling sci-fi space opera and friends left in droves.

When Bungie broke free of Activision and Destiny 2 became free-to-play, I briefly revisited the looter shooter on Game Pass during the pandemic, but it failed to fully reignite my enthusiasm.

Created by Bungie in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, this new crossover event is bringing Imperial-themed cosmetics for players to use, letting them dress their Hunters, Titans, and Warlocks as Death Troopers, Stormtroopers, and the Emperor's Royal Guards, respectively.

Alongside the new cosmetics for Guardians, there's also a new ship and Ghost gear. If you've ever wanted your Ghost to look like the unfinished second Death Star from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, or have your ship look like a TIE Fighter, now is your chance.

It will be included with Destiny 2: Heresy, which launches on 4th February. Heresy is the final epilogue of the long-running Light and Darkness saga that began in 2014.

Are you still playing Destiny 2? If not, will Star Wars bring you back? Let me know in the comments below.