Star Wars: Dark Forces strikes back!

Back in 1995, Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire and Star Wars: Dark Forces were the first CD-ROM-based games I owned on my first Apple Macintosh computer, a Performa 5200.

Fast forward to 2024. Nightdive Studios released an acclaimed remaster of Star Wars: Dark Forces for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PC. Atari is publishing physical editions of the game for Nintendo Switch and PS5 on 13th March.

Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster has been brought to life by the team at Nightdive Studios, fully remastered through its proprietary KEX engine. New and returning players will enjoy Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster’s upgraded gameplay, high-resolution textures, enhanced lighting and rendering, and support for gamepads.

The original 1995 Star Wars: Dark Forces raised the bar for FPS games, offering players a significant degree of movement and interactivity, a large selection of items and power-ups, and engaging environments.

In the first Star Wars FPS video game, players assume the role of Kyle Katarn, a defector of the Galactic Empire turned mercenary for hire. Katarn joins the Rebel Alliance’s covert operations division tasked with infiltrating the Galactic Empire, where he discovers the secret Dark Trooper Project. The development of this powerful new series of Imperial battle droids and power-armoured stormtroopers stands to strengthen the Empire’s grip on the galaxy unless Katarn and the Rebel Alliance intervene.

Pre-order Star Wars: Dark Forces at Amazon (affiliate link).

What are your memories of playing Star Wars: Dark Forces? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro reveals new line for Star Wars: Maul

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding Star Wars: The Black Series Maul: Shadow Lord action figures for the upcoming animated series on Disney+.

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES MAUL

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $27.99 | Pre-Order on March 5 at 1PM ET on Hasbro and participating retailers; available Spring 2026)

After the events of the Clone Wars, Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES includes 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the STAR WARS galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, series, and more. This STAR WARS Hasbro action figure is detailed to look like Maul from STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD. Pose out Maul with his two red-bladed Lightsabers™, which can be combined into one double-bladed Lightsaber. Look for more STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-inch action figures to recreate your favorite scenes — or imagine your own (each sold separately, subject to availability).

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES ELEVENTH BROTHER

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $27.99 | Pre-Order on March 5 at 1PM ET on Hasbro and participating retailers; available Spring 2026)

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES includes 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the STAR WARS galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, series, and more. This STAR WARS Hasbro action figure is detailed to look like the Eleventh Brother from STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD. Pose out this Inquisitor with his red double-bladed Lightsaber™. Look for more STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-inch action figures to recreate your favorite scenes — or imagine your own (each sold separately, subject to availability).

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES ROOK KAST

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $27.99 | Pre-Order on March 5 at 1PM ET on Hasbro and participating retailers; available Spring 2026)

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES includes 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the STAR WARS galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, series, and more. This STAR WARS Hasbro action figure is detailed to look like the Rook Kast from STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD. Pose out Rook Kast with the included jetpack, blasters, and removable helmet accessories. Look for more STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-inch action figures to recreate your favorite scenes — or imagine your own (each sold separately, subject to availability).

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES DEVON IZARA

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $27.99 | Pre-Order on March 5 at 1PM ET on Hasbro and participating retailers; available Spring 2026)

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES includes 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the STAR WARS galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, series, and more. This STAR WARS Hasbro action figure is detailed to look like the Devon Izara from STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD. Pose out Devon Izara with the included blue-bladed Lightsaber™. Look for more STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-inch action figures to recreate your favorite scenes — or imagine your own (each sold separately, subject to availability).

Shop Star Wars at Amazon (affiliate link).

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.

Anthony Daniels breaks silence on Star Wars

During an interview for Nacelle’s Icons Unearthed: Star Wars series, Anthony Daniels, 80, detailed the first time he tried on the C-3PO costume for Star Wars.

“They put it on me, piece by piece by piece, and gradually, I really kind of felt I was losing my humanity,” he admitted. “I was clamped into this. And then they did have a camera turning. And for about 10 minutes or so, I wobbled around this workshop, crashing into things, smashing things. And then they took it off.”

Daniels continued, “It was a relief, you know? Ten minutes, 15 minutes, felt like a lifetime, a nightmare. I couldn’t see anything. It’s no wonder I crashed into stuff.”



Read the official synopsis:

"Cast, crew and experts detail the secret histories of the most iconic film and television series in Icons Unearthed. Icons Unearthed: Star Wars includes interviews with Marcia Lucas, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, Paul Hirsch, Phil Tippett, Rick Baker, Ken Ralston, John Dykstra, Howard Kazanjian, Julian Glover, Ian McDiarmid, Gus Lopez, Tom Spina and many more. Icons Unearthed: Star Wars is narrated by Michael Pennington, who portrayed the iconic character Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod in Return of the Jedi."

Have you watched Icons Unearthed: Star Wars? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars under the stars

Adventure Cinema is bringing Star Wars: A New Hope to 16 venues across the UK this summer, on a huge open-air screen under the stars in stunning settings, running between 2nd August and 20th September.

"What to expect at the Star Wars outdoor cinema experience…

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Enjoy the original Star Wars like never before as you watch the movie on a huge open-air screen under the stars in a stunning setting.

A legendary start to the sci-fi saga, George Lucas opened our eyes to the possibilities of blockbuster filmmaking and things have never been the same since.

Plus music to enjoy before the movie with a soundtrack of specially curated songs."

Here are the venues and dates:

Calke Abbey, Derby – Saturday, August 2nd; gates open at 6pm
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire – Saturday, August 9th; gates open at 6:30pm
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland – Saturday, August 2nd; gates open at 5:30pm
Cobbham Hall, Gravesend – Friday, August 14th; gates open at 6pm
Aldenham House, London – Sunday, August 16th; gates open at 6:30pm
Stowe House, Buckinghamshire – Wednesday, August 19th; gates open at 6pm
Attingham Park, Shrewsbury – Sunday, August 23rd; gates open at 5pm
Harewood House, Leeds – Sunday, August 23rd; gates open at 6:30pm
Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire – Saturday, August 29th; gates open at 5pm
Ashton Court, Bristol – Sunday, August 30th; gates open at 6:30pm
Lyme Park, Cheshire – Friday, September 4th; gates open at 6:45pm
Knebworth House, Stevenage – Sunday, September 6th; gates open at 6pm
Boughton House, Northamptonshire – Sunday, September 6th; gates open at 6:30pm
Coombe Abbey Country Park, Coventry – Sunday, September 13th; gates open at 6:30pm
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge – Saturday, September 13th; gates open at 6:30pm
Arley Hall, Northwich – Sunday, September 20th; gates open at 6:30pm

Find out more and book your tickets here.

Are you looking forward to seeing Star Wars under the stars? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO SMART Play x LEGO Star Wars official trailer

Check out the LEGO SMART Play x LEGO Star Wars official trailer with Ben & Nora to see some of the latest sets in the LEGO Star Wars collection, all available to purchase now.



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.

Final issue of Star Wars Insider this May

Star Wars Insider #237, the final issue of the official magazine, will be available from 6th May, 2026, and will feature three variant covers, all celebrating the publication’s 38-year run, with an exclusive final interview with Kathleen Kennedy, short fiction and more.

The three variant covers include the Direct Market Edition featuring vintage Ralph McQuarrie artwork, a foil variant featuring Han Solo in Carbonite, and a Fan Club foil variant paying homage to The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine #1 released in the Fall of 1987.

The publication began life as the Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine in the 1980s, following the closure of Bantha Tracks! In a world without broadband internet and iPhones, it was an invaluable official resource for fans (myself included). For years, I subscribed and was published in the letters page 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, Titan Entertainment approached me about an official partnership with this blog. Whilst it never came to pass, I was grateful for the opportunity.

The decision to shutter Star Wars Insider is not entirely surprising. However, with the 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027, the publication may return in a new guise.

What are your memories of reading Star Wars Insider? Let me know in the comments below.

Brian May on Masters of the Universe soundtrack

Sir Brian May, the legendary lead guitarist and songwriter for rock band Queen, announced he's performing on the soundtrack to the upcoming Masters of the Universe live-action movie. May brought along vintage action figures and Castle Grayskull, which belonged to his son, Jimmy.

Growing up, I would often listen to Queen's Flash Gordon soundtrack before going to school.

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.

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

Are you looking forward to Masters of the Universe? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Galactic Tales of Terror

In time for the spooky season from Dark Horse Comics, Star Wars: Galactic Tales of Terror collects Tales from the Rancor Pit, Tales from the Death Star and Tales from the Nightlands!

Read the official synopsis:

"Shiver at these terrifying tales from a galaxy far, far away…

Three anthologies of spooky Star Wars comics stories are collected in this one deluxe hardcover edition!

Deep in the Outer Rim, far from the light of the Jedi, strange creatures trade chilling stories that would terrify even the cruelest Sith Lord!

As the twin suns set over Tatooine, Captain Vaclav finds himself dangling above Jabba the Hutt’s rancor pit! To bargain for his freedom, Vaclav regales the crime boss with three blood-curdling tales of phantom droids, alien lycanthropes, and ice-planet serpents! Is it possible to scare the cold-hearted Hutt?

On the dark and stormy coast of Kef Bir, a cloaked figure warns a young maverick named Fry about the horrors that lurk in the ruins of the Death Star: trash compactor terrors, ghostly pilots, and Imperial zombies! Will Fry heed the warning?

And during long nights on Ryloth, Twi’leks speak in hushed tones about the Nightlander. This shadowy entity haunts three generations of legendary heroes in its quest to bring despair to the galaxy! How will Anakin, Luke, Leia, and Rey quell this dark power unlike any other?

Written by Master of the Macabre Cavan Scott, the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader’s Castle, and rendered in ghastly detail by award-winning illustrators, including Soo Lee, Nick Brokenshire, Vincenzo Riccardi, Fico Ossio, and more!"

Pre-order Star Wars: Galactic Tales of Terror at Amazon (affiliate link).

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.