Disney+ presents a Hulu Original on ITV

The Walt Disney Company and ITV have announced an expanded strategic deal in the UK.

Building on the innovative collaboration between Disney+ and ITVX, the new deal will bring two Hulu Original series from Disney+ to ITV1 in exclusive primetime linear slots.

The first title, The Stolen Girl, will premiere on ITV1 on 25th February. The gripping psychological drama, produced by Quay Street Productions with Brightstar, made its debut on Disney+ in April 2025 and will now receive its free-to-air premiere in the UK. The series follows the emotional fallout of every parent’s worst nightmare, when their young daughter goes missing after a sleepover, unfolding into a tense story of deception, family secrets, and betrayal.

Later this year, The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox will also air on ITV1. The compelling drama explores the extraordinary real-life case that captivated global audiences, examining themes of media scrutiny, justice and public perception.

Karl Holmes, General Manager, Disney+ EMEA, said: “This marks an exciting next step in our collaboration with ITV. We’re thrilled that two of our most compelling original series will air on ITV’s powerful primetime platform, introducing millions more viewers to Hulu Originals on Disney+.”

The extension reflects the continued evolution of the Disney-ITV relationship.

Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, said: "We are delighted to be deepening our relationship with Disney. Bringing these premium Original series into our primetime linear schedule is fantastic for ITV audiences. This extension perfectly complements our existing relationship and showcases the strength of the content-sharing model we established last summer.”

What are your thoughts on the expanded Disney-ITV deal? Is it a good thing for viewers? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who’s streaming future on HBO Max?

With the end of the Disney+ deal and a confirmed Christmas special starring Billie Piper and written by Russell T Davies later this year, the BBC has teased a potential new streaming partner for Doctor Who!

HBO Max. The streamer has a storied history with Doctor Who.

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC drama, was asked whether a new HBO partnership could extend to Doctor Who?

Salt told Deadline, “There are different ways of setting up a show. We just need to make sure we do it in the right way and make sure we take the right time to do it. Ultimately it’s one of the BBC’s most treasured brands, so it’s not going anywhere.”

One of the biggest questions now hanging over the BBC's beloved sci-fi series in the wake of the Disney+ deal ending is how it can continue with a significantly reduced budget.

Salt reflected on stepping into the role during a turbulent co-production market post-pandemic. “I managed to walk into this job when the co-pro market imploded and I’ve learned a lot about the tenacity of producers and writers to make things at all budget levels,” she said. “Things are getting funded in so many different ways now.”

"We’ll wait and see how we figure it out. HBO have been great partners creatively. There’s a lot of stuff that is changing out there."

In related news. HBO Max launches in the UK and Ireland on 26th March.

What do you think about Doctor Who on HBO Max? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer gameplay trailer

Somehow, Ben Quadinaros returned. The iconic podrace in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace spawned the fan-favourite video game Star Wars: Episode I: Racer. In the spirit of that seminal racing game from 1999, Lucasfilm Games announced Star Wars: Galactic Racer at The Game Awards last December.

Lucasfilm Games has subsequently shared an official gameplay trailer that has piqued fans' (myself included) interest during Sony's recent State of Play.



Read the official synopsis:

"Star Wars: Galactic Racer™ is a high-stakes, high-octane reinvention of racing born in the lawless Outer Rim of the Star Wars™ galaxy. Coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2026.

A new racer has arrived to the Galactic League: an unsanctioned racing circuit where only the bold survive.

For Shade, a lone racer with a dream of glory and revenge, the League isn’t just a race; it’s a shot at reclaiming destiny.

Wishlist today!"

Are you looking forward to Star Wars: Galactic Racer? Let me know in the comments below.

Steven Soderbergh on The Hunt for Ben Solo

Ever since Adam Driver first spoke about The Hunt for Ben Solo, Star Wars fans (myself included) have been clamouring for the scrapped movie to be revived at Lucasfilm with Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh at the helm.

“We were all frustrated,” Soderbergh said. “You know, that was two and a half years of free work for me and Adam and [writer] Rebecca Blunt. When Adam and I discussed him talking about it publicly, I said, ‘Look, do not editorialize or speculate about the why. Just say what happened, because all we know is what happened.’ The stated reason was, ‘We don’t think Ben Solo could be alive.’ And that was all we were told. And so there’s nothing to do about it, you know, except move on.”

When Lucasfilm took the idea to Disney, they said no.

“I’d kind of made the movie in my head, and just felt bad that nobody else was going to get to see it,” the director continued. “I thought the conversation was strictly going to be a practical one—where they go, what is this going to cost? And I had a really good answer for that. But it never even got to that point. It’s insane. We’re all very disappointed.”

With new leadership at Disney and Lucasfilm, could The Hunt for Ben Solo begin anew?

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who: The Movie remastered in 4K

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Doctor Who: The Movie has been newly restored from the original 35mm film elements, bringing this beloved adventure back to life like never before.



In 1996, Paul McGann debuted as the Eighth Doctor in Doctor Who, a feature-length co-production between the BBC and the American Fox network, more commonly known as The TV Movie.

This 90-minute feature was shot on film, and now, for the first time, all 219 reels of original film (totalling almost 200,000 feet!) have been pulled from deep storage in the US and meticulously scanned over 21 days, then restored by Paul Vanezis to provide a definitive 4K experience.

The TV Movie has never looked or sounded so good, with a 24-frame transfer to match the original film rushes, and immersive surround sound, rebuilt from the original raw sound elements.

Also starring Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor), Daphne Ashbrook (Grace), Eric Roberts (The Master), and Yee Jee Tso (Chang Lee), The TV Movie sees the Doctor’s regeneration triggered on an operating table, with surgeon Grace Holloway accompanying the new Doctor on an epic adventure to prevent the Master from stealing the Doctor’s future lives.

This 4K UHD edition will contain the 90-minute TV Movie in 4K, plus special features:

The ‘uncensored’ UK version.
The USA broadcast version.
Soundtrack in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and stereo.
Sylvester McCoy and Janet Fielding featurette.
3 New Featurettes with Daphne Ashbrook, Eric Roberts and Yee Jee Tso.
Two audio commentaries.
Isolated music score.
Production info text.
The Seven Year Hitch making-of documentary.
Paul McGann’s audition tape.
Alternate takes.
Electronic press kit and behind-the-scenes footage.
TARDIS tour.
BBC Trails.
And much more.

Upon original broadcast, The TV Movie was divisive amongst fans (myself included)! I was in my final year as an undergraduate and haven't watched The TV Movie since. However, McGann has subsequently reprised the role of the Eighth Doctor for Big Finish and on television, most memorably in The Night of the Doctor and The Power of the Doctor.

Pre-order Doctor Who: The Movie in 4K at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to watching Doctor Who: The Movie in 4K? Let me know in the comments below.

Martin Scorsese plays an alien in Star Wars

Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver) stars in The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Lucasfilm confirmed this on X (formerly Twitter) following fan speculation that a familiar voice can be heard in the latest trailer for the upcoming movie based on the fan-favourite Star Wars spin-off series on Disney+.

Absolute cinema.

Scorsese plays an Ardennian fry cook.

Read the official synopsis:

"The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu (as himself)."

The Mandalorian and Grogu, an all-new family-friendly Star Wars adventure filmed for IMAX, opens exclusively in cinemas on 22nd May 2026.

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

The Mandalorian and Grogu go to war

Following a controversial Super Bowl spot, Lucasfilm has dropped a new trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu.



Read the official synopsis:

"The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu (as himself)."

The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian on Disney+, embark on their most thrilling mission yet in The Mandalorian and Grogu, an all-new family-friendly Star Wars adventure filmed for IMAX and opening exclusively in cinemas on 22nd May 2026.

“I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created,” director Jon Favreau (Iron Man) said when the movie was first announced. “The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”

For over half a decade, Star Wars has been on the small screen with animated and live-action spin-off series on Disney+. Will The Mandalorian and Grogu be more than a feature-length episode that should have been released on Disney+, making way for Star Wars: Starfighter to blast onto the big screen for the franchise's 50th anniversary in 2027?

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

Adam Savage inspects Sideshow's Han Solo statue

Adam Savage (MythBusters) recently visited Sideshow to inspect the prototype for a new Star Wars statue featuring Han Solo!



Read the official synopsis:

"Adam visits the headquarters of Sideshow to check out the prototype for a new Star Wars statue featuring Han Solo when we first meet him in the Mos Eisley cantina! We learn about the challenges of capturing Han's likeness and posture, and visit Sideshow's cut and sew department to get a demo for how this 1/4 scale figure's costume was tailored."

Inspired by Star Wars: A New Hope, the Han Solo: Sorry About the Mess Premium Format Mixed Media Figure showcases the captain of the Millennium Falcon in an idealized version of the iconic film scene. The nook in which he sits features a small gray table, cushioned bench, and a wall painted with weathering and distressed textures, adding to the authenticity of the environment. To give your display a realistic tavern ambiance, this Star Wars statue also includes a drink and a light-up lamp on the table. Han Solo himself wears a screen-accurate ensemble with sculpted boots and custom-tailored brown fabric trousers, a white shirt, and a navy vest. His belt and holster are also incredibly detailed and meticulously crafted with immense care for character accuracy. Additionally, the Han Solo: Sorry About the Mess Premium Format Mixed Media Figure has two alternate right arm pieces: a hand with a standard DL-44 blaster pistol and a swap-out hand with the DL-44 blaster used to defeat Jabba’s bounty hunter Greedo. Pair it with the Han Solo: Sorry About the Mess Fine Art Print by artist Jerry Vanderstelt — sold separately — for the ultimate tribute to this character’s iconic introduction.

Pre-order Han Solo: Sorry About the Mess from Sideshow (affiliate link).

George Lucas is 4th greatest American innovator

According to Forbes, George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, is the 4th greatest American innovator.

"One of the founding fathers of the modern blockbuster, Lucas also revolutionized movie merchandising, unleashing a never-ending tsunami of Star Wars action figures and Indiana Jones lunch boxes. Through his special effects house Industrial Light & Magic and THX sound outfit, he sold his tools to other moviemakers."

I can't recall a time when Lucasfilm didn't have an impact on my life, from seeing Star Wars, following a life-changing head injury in primary school, to using technologies pioneered at Skywalker Ranch.

The Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine (rebranded as Star Wars Insider) published a letter of mine in 1993.

Lucas was only beaten by Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

What do you think about George Lucas being ranked 4th on Forbes' 250 list of the greatest American innovators? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Most Wanted

On Thursday, Disney Consumer Products announced its global Star Wars: Most Wanted campaign, a yearlong program that will spotlight the most sought-after merchandise inspired by both new and classic stories from the Star Wars galaxy. Fans will enjoy an ongoing cadence of reveals and product drops in 2026, featuring toys, collectibles, apparel, accessories and more from top collaborators, along with retail activations tied to the new campaign.

The announcement was made at an event in New York City ahead of Toy Fair New York 2026. The event featured the very first look at toys and collectibles inspired by the highly anticipated film, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” coming to theaters on May 22. New product highlights include fan and kid items from Hasbro, including the Black Series and The Vintage Collection figure lines, all-new building sets from the LEGO Group, Mandalorian and Grogu-inspired Funko Pop! bobbleheads, and both youth and adult costumes from Jazwares. Additional new releases come from fan-favorite brands like POP MART, Moose Toys, Mattel, Jada Toys and Displate - each bringing fresh additions to the Star Wars galaxy throughout the year.

“Star Wars products have always been at the forefront of fan demand and collector crave,” said Paul Gitter, executive vice president of global brand commercialization at Disney Consumer Products. “From the iconic lightsaber, to Grogu’s impact on pop culture, fans find ways to integrate their favorite characters into their daily lives and bring our stories into their homes. Our ‘Most Wanted’ campaign carries this legacy forward, kicking off with a robust consumer products program for kids, families, collectors and casual fans in support of this summer’s ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ release.”

Filmmaker Jon Favreau, director of “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” made a special appearance at the event, sharing insights into the upcoming film, his approach to Star Wars storytelling and his own experience as a collector. Favreau was joined onstage by Bobby Kim, global creative director at Disney Consumer Products, as they discussed the enduring impact of Star Wars, collector culture and the creativity driving the new products inspired by the film.

“One of the best parts of making Star Wars stories for the screen is seeing how they inspire the next generation of toys and collectibles,” said Jon Favreau. “For many fans my age, the toys were how we lived in the Star Wars galaxy between film releases. Now, fans have a wonderful variety of fun products to keep them connected to the story and their favorite characters. I’m very much looking forward to continuing that tradition with ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu.’”

“Star Wars products have a cultural longevity that have made them a consumer staple for nearly 50 years,” said Bobby Kim. “That’s absolutely a testament to the content, but specifically for products, it’s also a testament to creative design, unique collaborations and the stories our products help consumers share about themselves. Products that can bring people into the fandom are powerful tools for storytelling.”

Also featured at the event was an assortment of Star Wars products from every part of the galaxy including the new LEGO SMART Play sets featuring LEGO Star Wars, the recently released Star Wars-inspired sunglasses collection from Ray-Ban, new Star Wars baby toys from Kids Preferred, and exciting new toys and collectibles from Disney Store launching this spring.

As Star Wars: Most Wanted continues throughout 2026, fans of all ages can look forward to discovering new products linked to their favorite characters and stories, along with retail activations.

Discover even more galactic gifts at Amazon (affiliate link).

Happy hunting!