Alien director says he's an influencer

Sir Ridley Scott, who has directed Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator and many more influential movies, told The Times of London how his legacy has inspired others:

"Every time, you are vulnerable. Also, I never want to repeat myself and all my films have been on the money. I've been ahead of the game frequently and, if you're ahead of the game, you're an influencer. So I'm not a filmmaker, I'm an influencer."

Like many, I watched the original Alien on home video far too young and the titular xenomorph has stalked my nightmares and woven itself into the fabric of fragmented memories of a childhood trauma featuring creepy hospital corridors, flickering neon lights and faceless adults.

Do you agree that Ridley Scott is an influencer, not a filmmaker? Let me know in the comments below.

Harrison Ford and Cookie Monster team up

The cast of Shrinking on Apple TV visited the set of Sesame Street earlier this year, where Harrison Ford and Cookie Monster teamed up.

The odd couple hummed composer John Williams' Raiders March from the Indiana Jones franchise in a viral clip that has broken the internet! As a kid growing up watching Sesame Street, Star Wars and Indiana Jones, this made my day.

Shrinking is streaming exclusively on Apple TV.

LEGO DC Batman: Batman Returns Batmobile

The LEGO Group, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, unveils the LEGO DC Batman: Batman Returns Batmobile (76355). The 2,269-piece set, inspired by the legendary vehicle from the 1992 film Batman Returns, recreates the sleek silhouette, intricate details and unforgettable transformation sequence of one of cinema's most recognisable Super Hero vehicles.

The latest in a series of LEGO Batman display models, this set brings the distinctive vehicle from Tim Burton's Batman Returns to LEGO brick form for the very first time. Featuring authentic details, an innovative transformation function and hidden references from the film, the model celebrates one of Batman's most memorable on-screen appearances.

From its elongated bodywork and jet turbine rear engine to the opening canopy and detailed cockpit, every element has been carefully recreated to reflect the Batmobile as seen on screen. Builders can also discover several hidden details throughout the model, including The Penguin's tracking device, inspired by memorable moments from the film.

LEGO DC Batman: Batman Returns Batmobile is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

What do you think of the LEGO DC Batman: Batman Returns Batmobile? Will you add this to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who legends launch the Pondcast!

Doctor Who legends Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) and Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams) have officially launched their new podcast, The Pondcast!

The duo, who played fan-favourite companions of the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), will be featuring guests from the beloved BBC sci-fi series, including former showrunner Steven Moffat.

Whilst the date of the first episode hasn't been confirmed, the former co-stars launched their show on Monday with an Instagram account, with Darvill explaining: "We're going to be doing some chatting."

"And drinking tea," Gillan added. "Telling stories..."

You had me at drinking tea.

"And reminiscing," Darvill went on. "And generally having an absolutely lovely time."

Darvill and Gillan first appeared in The Eleventh Hour and remained on Doctor Who until their heartbreaking exit in The Angels Take Manhattan.

What are your favourite episodes featuring the Ponds? Will you be listening to The Pondcast? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Starfighter at D23

During the Disney Studio Showcase panel at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, director Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) and actor Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary) took to the stage with Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni to promote Star Wars: Starfighter.

“I owe a lot to Disney,” Gosling, a former member of the Mickey Mouse Club who is playing Kade Auberon, said. “Had they not looked far and wide and come to my hometown, I would not be here today. And now here I am 30 years later... I’m back, and it’s changing my life again.”

D23 attendees got an exclusive first look at the upcoming Star Wars movie along with its retro-inspired logo.

“I am so honored to release this film on the same weekend that the original film opened 50 years earlier,” Levy said.

Like Star Wars creator George Lucas, Levy was inspired by American car culture and films like The Outsiders and Lucas’ American Graffiti.

“Starfighter embodies the themes of hope, family and adventure that have always been core to Star Wars, but our story takes place in a period of time that has never been seen before, which has been a privilege to create and explore."

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.

Ahsoka brings the Force to D23

During the Ahsoka Spotlight panel at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Star Wars fans (myself included) got a first look at Ahsoka season two on Disney+. Creator and Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni and stars Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), and Eman Esfandi (Ezra Bridger) were on stage to tease the next chapter for Ahsoka Tano.



Read the official synopsis:

"As Ahsoka and her Jedi apprentice Sabine Wren travel across a mysterious and perilous world to find their way home, their friends Hera, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper, must face the powerful Grand Admiral Thrawn and his sinister allies, who seek to plunge the New Republic into war."

It looks like the 3-year wait was worth it, with Lucasfilm pulling no punches for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars.

Season two of Ahsoka, streaming on 20th January, 2027 on Disney+.

Are you looking forward to the second season of Ahsoka on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

The Mandalorian and Grogu on Disney+

The Mandalorian and Grogu are coming home.

The Mandalorian and Grogu hit the big screen on 22nd May. For over half a decade, Star Wars has been on the small screen with animated and live-action spin-off series on Disney+. The family-friendly adventure, featuring fan-favourites from The Mandalorian series, brought the saga back to cinemas. This is the way.

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. The upcoming film directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) stars Ryan Gosling, Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams.

Experience Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, streaming 2nd September on Disney+.

Are you looking forward to watching The Mandalorian and Grogu on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Stargate producer on rebooting Doctor Who

The BBC is putting Doctor Who out to competitive tender after the Disney+ deal was not renewed and the departure of series showrunner Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf.

Dean Devlin, who co-wrote and produced Stargate and Independence Day, has responded to rumours that his production company, Electric Entertainment, is linked to a new series of Doctor Who with David Tennant purportedly reprising the titular role.

When approached by the Radio Times, Devlin said in a statement: "It is untrue that we have had negotiations with the BBC. Preliminary or otherwise. When the proper time comes when they are prepared to speak with people, we certainly hope to have a discussion with them."

The update follows an earlier post by Devlin on Facebook, in which he shared an AI-generated video featuring himself and various other former Doctor Who actors posing on the set of the TARDIS. "So BBC is putting Doctor Who out to tender," Devlin captioned the video. "Do you think they should partner with us at Electric Entertainment?"

What are your thoughts on Dean Devlin producing Doctor Who? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars and Marvel Comics collide

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm Publishing unveiled Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles, the first-ever crossover between the two beloved franchises launching in January 2027.

Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles marks a new chapter in the decades-spanning relationship between Marvel Comics and Star Wars.

“On April 12th, 1977, Marvel Comics introduced readers to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars #1. Now, 50 years later, it's only fitting that the Star Wars galaxy collides with the Marvel Universe to celebrate the 50th anniversary of A New Hope,” reflects Michael Siglain, Creative Director of Lucasfilm Publishing. “With Hope Assembles, Kevin Smith has written a true love letter to Star Wars, to Marvel, and to comics in general. And combined with David Marquez's incredible art, we'll see the heroes and villains of Star Wars team-up and battle with the heroes and villains of Earth-616.”

As I've written previously, Star Wars Weekly #2 was my first comic book glimpse of a galaxy far, far away...

“Marvel and Star Wars’ histories have been intertwined for 50 years and continue to set the standard for storytelling across the world… and across the media landscape,” adds Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Stephen Wacker. “Lifelong lovers of both Star Wars and Marvel have a lot to look forward to as we finally bring the characters together in ways fans have been dreaming about for decades!”

Series scribe Kevin Smith is one such lifelong lover of both franchises. “Back in the early ‘80s, I had a subscription to Marvel’s Star Wars comics. And as fun as it was to follow the adventures of Luke, Leia and Han, I always wished that Spider-Man or Doctor Doom could cross over into their cinematic saga,” he shares. “So when the opportunity arose to actually tell that story, nobody had to Force my hand! I’m ecstatic to be writing Hope Assembles for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars! Many thanks to Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm for trusting me to fly the Falcon and the Quinjet!”

Are you looking forward to Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars at D23

Lucasfilm has exciting news about the Star Wars franchise at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event this week.

Friday, August 14

A LEGO Star Wars Conversation with Shelby Young

10 a.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Go behind the bricks with voice actress Shelby Young as she discusses her experience across various LEGO Star Wars projects, including a sneak peek into new LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian special coming to Disney+ on September 2.

Ahsoka Spotlight

12 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Ahsoka’s Eman Esfandi, who plays Ezra Bridger in live action, stops by to talk about making Season 1 of the Emmy Award®-winning Disney+ series.

Creatures and Characters with Legacy Effects

2 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

The creative effects studio that brought the Mandalorian, Grogu, and the Anzellans to life talks about the craft of making lifelike creatures and costumes.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Meet & Greet

4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Saturday, August 15

Hasbro: Bringing Star Wars Characters to Life Through Toys

10 a.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Meet the Makers! Join the Hasbro team for a conversation about the creative journey behind bringing Star Wars characters from the screen into fans' hands through expressive, interactive toy design.

Designing The Mandalorian and Grogu: A Conversation with Doug Chiang

12 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Join Lucasfilm's Senior Vice President and Executive Design Director Doug Chiang for a moderated conversation about bringing The Mandalorian and Grogu to the big screen. Hear firsthand how the film's environments, creatures, and vehicles were developed from concept to screen.

Creatures and Characters with Legacy Effects

2 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

The creative effects studio that brought the Mandalorian, Grogu, and the Anzellans to life talks about the craft of making lifelike creatures and costumes.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Meet & Greet

4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Sunday, August 16

The Making of Star Wars: The Experience

10 a.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Lucasfilm’s Portia Fontes and Matt Martin join The Franklin Institute’s Abby Bysshe and MDSX’s Dan Picard to provide an in-depth look at curating the new Star Wars: The Experience traveling exhibition to celebrate 50 years of the franchise and the fandom.

Inside Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord with Matt Michnovetz

12 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Join head writer and executive producer Matt Michnovetz as he discusses the production process, creative journey, and powerful storytelling of Maul - Shadow Lord Season 1.

Creatures and Characters with Legacy Effects

2 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

The creative effects studio that brought the Mandalorian, Grogu, and the Anzellans to life talks about the craft of making lifelike creatures and costumes.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Meet & Greet

4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. at the Lucasfilm Booth

Which Star Wars panels are you looking forward to at D23? Let me know in the comments below.