Josh D'Amaro is next Disney CEO

Josh D'Amaro has been appointed as Bob Iger's successor as Disney CEO.

Iger returned as CEO after Bob Chapek was fired in 2022. As former CEO, Iger oversaw the successful acquisition of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and more. This culminated in the launch of Disney+ in 2019.

ABC News, owned by Disney, sat down with D'Amaro and Iger.



Read the official synopsis:

"The Walt Disney Company has named Josh D’Amaro as its new CEO, succeeding Bob Iger after nearly two decades of leadership. David Muir sits down with D’Amaro and Iger to discuss Disney’s future – including streaming, embracing AI, and the company’s legacy."

In a unanimous vote on Monday, the board elected Disney Experiences Chairman D’Amaro to serve as Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, succeeding Iger.

“Josh D’Amaro possesses that rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation, a keen eye for strategic growth opportunities, and a deep passion for the Disney brand and its people – all of which make him the right person to take the helm as Disney’s next CEO,” said James Gorman, Chairman of The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors. “Throughout this search process, Josh has demonstrated a strong vision for the company’s future and a deep understanding of the creative spirit that makes Disney unique in an ever-changing marketplace. He has an outstanding record of business achievement, collaborating with some of the biggest names in entertainment to bring their stories to life in our parks, showcasing the power of combining Disney storytelling with cutting-edge technology. The Board believes he is exceptionally well prepared to guide this global company forward to serve our consumers around the world and create long-term value for shareholders.”

Disney also named Dana Walden, currently co-chair of its entertainment business, to a new role as chief creative officer, reporting to D'Amaro.

“Dana Walden is an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community,” Iger said. “Given that creativity is at the heart of everything Disney does, she is a wonderful choice to serve in this new leadership role. In the years since Dana joined Disney, she has accumulated great knowledge about the many facets of our businesses and brands, and is very well prepared to be President and Chief Creative Officer.”

Last year, Disney shocked the world when it announced a partnership with OpenAI to allow user-generated artificial intelligence (AI) content on Disney+. This pivot will only hasten despite critics being wary of so-called 'AI slop' and its implications for the media industry.

What do you think about Josh D'Amaro's appointment as Disney CEO? Let me know in the comments below.

His story begins... Michael

On Monday, Lionsgate released the official trailer for Michael, the long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic from director Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as the titular King of Pop.



Read the official synopsis:

"MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins."

More myth than man before controversy overshadowed his cosmic career. Jackson was an enigmatic force. Combining consummately crafted songs and stellar, gravity-defying dance moves, his concerts remain vivid and surreal experiences. The first Super Bowl halftime show featured Jackson to promote sales of his Dangerous album in 1993.

The movie's production woes have been documented elsewhere, but Lionsgate is teasing the possibility of splitting the Michael biopic into two parts.

Michael is exclusively in cinemas on 24th April.

Have you watched the trailer? Do you think it will be the most successful music biopic of all time? Are you looking forward to seeing Michael? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who auction with Propstore

Doctor Who fans (myself included) can bid on memorabilia from the BBC's beloved sci-fi series.

Twenty per cent of the auction money will go to BBC Children in Need. The remaining will be reinvested in the storage and preservation of historic Doctor Who items for future generations.

“Doctor Who has always been a wonderful friend to BBC Children in Need, and we’re delighted to see the Whovian community come together once again,” said Tommy Nagra, Director of Content at BBC Children in Need. “Their support helps raise vital funds to make lives lighter for children and young people across the UK.”

For over 60 years, Doctor Who has captured imaginations, united fans of all ages, and become a cherished part of British culture. This auction celebrates that legacy, giving fans the opportunity to own a part of the beloved series and make a difference along the way.

The collection, which includes pieces from 2005 through to 2025, incorporating David Tennant's double tenure as the Doctor, and Ncuti Gatwa's more recent incarnation, will be auctioned online from Tuesday, until 19th February.

“Propstore is honoured to support BBC Children in Need with another Doctor Who auction,” said Stephen Lane, Founder and CEO at Propstore. “The 2025 Doctor Who charity sale earlier this year, and the response from fans was incredible. This new auction brings an even stronger selection, and we’re excited to see it raise even more for such an important cause.”

Will you be bidding on any of the Doctor Who props? Let me know in the comments below.

Music By John Williams wins Grammy

Music By John Williams, a compelling Disney+ documentary chronicling the Oscar-winning career of the legendary Hollywood composer, has won a Grammy Award.

Williams' soundtracks are synonymous with the movies of George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws). His scores have been the beating heart from Jaws to E.T. and Indiana Jones to Jurassic Park, and have had a profound impact on my childhood in the wake of a life-changing trauma in 1977. His music, played in isolation, inspired in times of tribulation - years of rehabilitation were my Jedi trials.

Spielberg had this to say about their milestone achievement:

“Thank you to all the Grammy voters, whose recognition of Music By John Williams, means the world to me and our Amblin team, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey and congratulations to our partners at Imagine and the Walt Disney Company. This acknowledgment is obviously deeply meaningful to me because it validates what I have known for over 50 years: John Williams influence on culture and music is immeasurable and his artistry and legacy is unrivaled. I am proud to be associated with Laurent’s beautiful film.”

Spielberg has not yet directly addressed his EGOT status.

An acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, the coveted designation is given to people who have won all four of the major performing arts prizes. Winners include Rita Moreno, Mel Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend, and Elton John, amongst others.

Williams is currently scoring the soundtrack to Spielberg's upcoming sci-fi movie, Disclosure Day.

Music By John Williams is streaming on Disney+.

Have you watched Music By John Williams on Disney+? Do you have a favourite movie or television soundtrack? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Space Up-Scaled Blue Astronaut

The LEGO Group has announced an Up-Scaled Blue Astronaut Minifigure building set (40921) inspired by the iconic LEGO astronaut minifigure first seen in 1984.

Growing up, LEGO Space was my jam! When the LEGO Group announced the Galaxy Explorer, based on the iconic 1979 spaceship I vividly remember building on Christmas Day, many brick fans (myself included) hoped there would be more nostalgic sets based on the fan-favourite theme. I'll be adding this set when it is available on 1st March.

Up-Scaled Blue Astronaut Minifigure is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding the Up-Scaled Blue Astronaut Minifigure to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

How a modern Stormtrooper helmet is made!

Adam Savage (MythBusters) returned to the Propstore in London and talked to founder Stephen Lane about the construction of a Stormtrooper helmet from Star Wars.



Read the official synopsis:

"After seeing an original Star Wars Stormtrooper helmet at Propstore a year ago, Adam gets the opportunity to examine the same helmet design, created by the speciality costume makers at FBFX for a modern Star Wars production. It’s a fascinating look at how modern fabrication techniques are used to recreate an iconic design and retain all the aesthetic hallmarks of the original."

I remember holding an original Stormtrooper helmet from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi at The Elstree Star Wars Day in 1994. I regret not having a camera with me to capture the memories with college friends. However, there were film props, and I met David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Warwick Davis (Wicket). This was one of Davis' earliest appearances at a Star Wars-related event before the first Star Wars Celebration in 1999.

Masters of the Universe movie toys first look

Entertainment Weekly (EW) has released an exclusive first look at the initial wave of Masters of the Universe Chronicles action figures based on the upcoming movie directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee) and starring Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He-Man.

Mattel has pulled out all the stops for this collector-level toy line, with a movie-accurate design, which was first revealed at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. The sculpts are amazing for He-Man, Battle Cat, Skeletor, Evil-Lyn, Trap Jaw, Tri-Klops, Man-at-Arms and Teela.

Roberto Stanichi, Mattel's chief global brand officer, said there was a lot of nostalgia for a toy line that first came out in the 1980s. "So we've been waiting for the right moment to bring it back in a way that really delivers on the legacy", he said at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany.

He-Man and Battle Cat will make a perfect pairing on my desktop when the line launches on 25th April.

Masters of the Universe is released in cinemas on 5th June 2026.

Will you be collecting the Masters of the Universe Chronicles action figure toy line? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO SMART Play expands the LEGO Star Wars Galaxy

Actor Anthony Daniels, who brings C-3PO to life in the Star Wars galaxy, joined the LEGO Group live at the Nuremberg Toy Fair to showcase the next step in LEGO SMART Play within the Star Wars galaxy.

Daniels revealed a range of new LEGO SMART Play toys, including the first-ever C-3PO SMART Minifigure.

“Though he was never a fan of adventures himself, I have always loved C-3PO as a LEGO Star Wars minifigure but SMART Play takes it to a whole new level. Fans will get to experience my friend and other beloved characters in a thrilling new way. It makes me happy and proud that 3PO will now be part of endless SMART Play adventures,” said Anthony Daniels, Actor, C-3PO.

The new sets revealed include iconic builds like the Millennium Falcon, the Mos Eisley Cantina and Luke’s Landspeeder, as well as SMART Minifigures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Yoda, among others.

"LEGO SMART Play is opening up a whole new galaxy of play for fans to explore. We have been telling incredible stories through LEGO Star Wars for over 25 years and Lucasfilm has been a fantastic collaborator, so it's a thrill to embark on this new adventure with them. These five new sets showcase what our talented teams can create with the LEGO SMART Play platform. We can now bring fans all new experiences that react to how you move and play in real time and we can’t wait for builders to get their hands on these sets and explore a galaxy far, far, away like never before.” said Mike Ilacqua, Head of Product, LEGO Star Wars at the LEGO Group.

Powered by the innovative LEGO SMART Brick, which is packed with pioneering, world-first technologies, LEGO SMART Play is a groundbreaking new platform that brings LEGO creations to life like never before.

Discover LEGO Star Wars on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Are you excited about LEGO SMART Play LEGO Star Wars sets? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars Outlaws on Game Pass

Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws has arrived on Game Pass two years after its release.

The action-adventure game was initially met with a muted response due to bugs and gameplay mechanics that frustrated some players. However, those issues have been fixed in subsequent patches.

Over the weekend, I downloaded Star Wars Outlaws on Xbox Series S and soon found myself fully immersed in this single-player open-world adventure set between Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. In this galactic underworld of my choosing, Kay Vess is aligned with the Crimson Dawn, an organisation founded by former Sith Lord Darth Maul, and double-crossed the Hutts.

As long as you're not looking for a spiritual successor to the cancelled Star Wars 1313, there's a lot of fun to be had here. It's Assassin's Creed in a galaxy far, far away...

A prequel book, Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon, is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you playing Star Wars Outlaws on Game Pass? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

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.