Spinning off from the hit TV show, Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu sends bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu on a mission to rescue Jabba the Hutt’s nephew Rotta, who’s working as a gladiator in a fighting pit. Sci-fi icon Sigourney Weaver co-stars as a New Republic commander. Expect spectacular visuals, a host of new creatures, exhilarating dogfights, TIE-fighter battles, and plenty of surprises.

4K, 4K SteelBook, Blu-ray and DVD formats are available now, while a Beskar Collector’s Edition featuring two exclusive metal posters will be released on 5 October. Buy the film on 4K or Blu-ray and you’ll get some great bonus features: director Jon Favreau provides an audio commentary, and there are 41 minutes of behind-the-scenes featurettes, including looks at how they created snowy landscapes and a living swamp, and the fabrication of the bustling metropolis of Shakari.

We have 5 Blu-rays up for grabs. To put your name in the hat for the chance to win one, simply answer the question below. PLEASE NOTE: THIS COMPETITION IS OPEN TO UK ENTRANTS ONLY.

The news that Star Wars is apparently heading back into the Skywalker Saga caught me a little off guard. After The Rise of Skywalker closed out nine numbered movies in 2019, Lucasfilm spent years exploring everything from Mandalorians and High Republic Jedi to whatever beautifully strange corner of the galaxy Andor occupied. I figured the studio might leave Episodes I through IX alone for a while longer. However, on second thought, there is probably one big reason fans should have maybe seen this news we're about to talk about coming.

Reportedly, the Skywalker Saga is going to continue, with the Spider-Man: No Way Home filmmaker Jon Watts set to direct the first installment of a new trilogy written by Simon Kinberg. Daisy Ridley is expected to return as Rey in some capacity. Nothing has been formally greenlit yet, and plenty about the movie remains unknown. Still, a comment from Dave Filoni’s D23 appearance shared by Star Wars Holocron on X suddenly feels a lot more interesting in hindsight. He said:

During a Disney Worldbuilders panel at D23 in August, Filoni talked about the challenge of running a franchise with multiple generations of fans who didn't necessarily grow up loving the same version of Star Wars. He went on to explain what he thinks about how Lucasfilm can serve those different interests while also finding ways to bring them together. He also talked about balancing nostalgia for what came before with pushing the franchise forward.

To be clear, I do not think Filoni was standing on that D23 stage secretly teasing Jon Watts’ movie. The comments were made during a broader discussion about storytelling, fandom and even how Star Wars works inside the Disney parks. But they do reveal something about how Lucasfilm’s new creative boss is thinking. Plus, with the Watts news now out there, his comments make the strategy look a little less mysterious.

Look at what Lucasfilm has on the board right now. Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter is headed to theaters May 28, 2027, with Ryan Gosling leading a story built around new characters and a section of the timeline Levy has described as largely untethered from the existing saga. Ahsoka continues Filoni’s corner of the franchise, drawing heavily from The Clone Wars and Rebels. Then you potentially have Watts and Kinberg going straight back to the Skywalker Saga.

That is pretty much Filoni’s D23 philosophy playing out in real time. Some fans want something completely new. Others want Rey back. Some still want Luke, Leia and the mythology surrounding the original trilogy to remain central to whatever new Star Wars movies and shows come next. Lucasfilm does not seem interested in picking one of those groups and telling everybody else good luck. Instead, it may be trying to build different lanes.

Watts is also an interesting choice for the Skywalker lane. Beyond directing Tom Holland’s first three MCU Spider-Man movies, he already has Star Wars experience from co-creating Skeleton Crew. Kinberg, meanwhile, co-created Star Wars Rebels with Filoni and previously consulted on The Force Awakens. These are not filmmakers walking into the galaxy cold.

Whether returning to the Skywalker Saga is the right creative move is another question entirely. After nine mainline movies, I am still interested in seeing Star Wars wander somewhere weird and unfamiliar. But am I surprised Lucasfilm is going back to the well of nostalgia? After hearing Filoni explain how he views the fandom, absolutely not.

All the Star Wars films and shows are streaming with a Disney+ subscription.

I already have some concerns about the next Star Wars trilogy. I recently wrote about how fans are questioning Lucasfilm’s apparent return to the Skywalker Saga, and I’m still firmly in the camp that would rather spend some time exploring literally anywhere else in this enormous galaxy. One part of the latest news I’m considerably less worried about is Jon Watts. Still, that hasn't stopped a large outpouring of fan backlash to the director's hiring. Now a viral tweet is clapping back.

Watts is reportedly attached to direct the first movie in Simon Kinberg’s developing trilogy, and the reaction online has been rough. Some fans immediately questioned the choice, while others pointed toward their dislike of Skeleton Crew or argued that Lucasfilm is once again playing things far too safe. However, another viral response making the rounds, see below, essentially asked why everyone is acting like hiring the movie maker is some five-alarm disaster. I’m kind of with them.

To be fair, I do understand some of the frustration Star Wars fans are expressing, but why is the backlash against Jon Watts so loud? Let’s break it down.

Jon Watts Backlash Heated Up Pretty Fast

The Spider-Man director is not exactly the most exciting filmmaker choice. He isn't the type of director you hire when you want audiences wondering what strange auteur experiment Disney has cooked up. He spent three Spider-Man movies working comfortably within the MCU movie machine, then co-created Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. If you complain that Lucasfilm should be handing these movies to filmmakers with really aggressive, unmistakable styles, I can see the argument.

Some X users were considerably less diplomatic. Complaints included Watts getting another major franchise, criticism of his previous work, and broader exhaustion with Star Wars' current direction. Here are some of the loudest critics' comments:

• @JboiHQ: "Clinging onto the hope that Jon Watts’ Star Wars movie might have some of the sauce of Skeleton Crew, even if Watts himself directed two of the more juiceless episodes"
• @TaeGlLuv: “ I thought i was numb to bs they keep churning out but the words “jon watts” and “simon kinberg” genuinely sent me reeling ENOUGHHHH put this franchise out of its misery please god
• @SavintheBees: “Disney really dgaf that’s crazy. Jon watts movie written by Simon Kinberg gotta be a humiliation ritual.”
• @MovieMantze: “May the Force stop beating a dead horse.”

The mood around Lucasfilm’s latest announcements seems to have a considerable degree of enthusiasm somewhere south of a Sarlacc pit. And again, I have questions about this upcoming trilogy, too. Still, my trepidation comes down to the screenwriter.

Reports indicate Simon Kinberg is writing the films and that they may carry on the Skywalker Saga, potentially with Daisy Ridley returning as Rey. Disney has not officially greenlit the trilogy, and Lucasfilm has not clarified whether these really are Episodes X through XII. But “I don’t want more Skywalker” and “Jon Watts is a terrible director” are two very different arguments.

Watts’ Resume Is Pretty Solid

This is where the pushback makes sense to me. The former MCU helmer directed Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home and No Way Home. Their Rotten Tomatoes critic scores currently sit at 92%, 91% and 93%, respectively. No Way Home also became one of the biggest theatrical events of the pandemic era.

Then there is Skeleton Crew. You absolutely do not have to like it, but critics largely did. The Disney+ series sits at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 79% audience score. Watts co-created the show and directed its premiere and finale. That is hardly the résumé of somebody who wandered onto the Lucasfilm lot and was handed the keys to the Melinniem falcon.

Is the Spidey trilogy director a safe choice? Sure. But “safe” can mean competent, reliable and capable of handling enormous franchise machinery without the production imploding. Given that Disney has spent years announcing new Star Wars movies that never actually reach theaters, I can understand why Lucasfilm might value someone who has already delivered three huge franchise movies and knows this universe.

My bigger concern remains the story. I want Star Wars to move forward. I want new corners of the galaxy, new families and new problems that do not somehow trace back to Palpatine’s extended genealogy. As for the director himself? I’m willing to let the man cook.

We have some time before Jon Watts' Star Wars hits screens; until then, fans can revisit Skeleton Crew with a Disney+ subscription.

It’s more than evident that George Lucas is a filmmaker who thinks quite deeply about his craft. That’s a major reason why his Star Wars movies are so meticulously thought out and made. Said care really went into developing the films that made up the Original Trilogy, and I’d argue that’s especially the case when it comes to 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back. That particular film, of course, features Darth Vader’s major reveal and, while it’s important, I still would’ve never guessed Lucas’ reason for consulting with psychologists about it.

Empire sees Vader reveal to an injured and distraught Luke Skywalker that he is indeed his father, Anakin Skywalker. That major moment is not only one of the biggest developments in the Star Wars universe, but it’s also one of the biggest twists in film history. On paper, it sounds like a poetic reveal and one that would thrill audiences, but George Lucas wasn’t so sure. The prolific producer/writer/director previously spoke with SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend and explained why he sought psychiatric-based assistance:

Honestly, I never would’ve considered the notion of some children taking issue with Vader being Luke’s dad and, even now, the thought of Lucas talking to psychiatrists about the powerful Sith Lord still seems wild. Still, I can admit that Lucas’ decision to take such a step during the creative process speaks volumes to just how seriously he takes the exploits of the galaxy far, far away. And, when I really think about it, Lucas’ rationale didn’t prove to be too far-fetched, given what happened when Empire hit theaters over 40 years ago.

The Empire Strikes Back may now be revered as arguably the best installment in the Skywalker Saga (which is now set to continue with a fourth trilogy). However, back in 1980, Star Wars fans weren’t too sure about the film for a myriad of reasons relating to its narrative. Even Last Jedi director Rian Johnson admitted to disliking the movie when he first saw it as a kid.

While I’ve long loved this Star Wars installment, I can understand why contemporary audiences would’ve been thrown off. Director Irvin Kershner moved away from the bright, zippy and buoyant tone of the original 1977 film and presented a darker story filled with loss and failure. Simply put, audiences definitely didn’t get a medal ceremony at the end of this sequel. But, while some may have been lukewarm about the notion of Luke’s parentage (and other details), writer Lawrence Kasdan (a firm collaborator of Lucas’) loved the idea:

I, too, find that interesting, and I’m glad everything panned out the way it did, even if that didn’t necessarily translate to praise from audiences right away. Those who’d like to check out Darth Vader’s familial revelation can stream The Empire Strikes Back alongside other Star Wars movies using a Disney+ subscription.

Just when it looked like the galaxy far, far away was expanding, and we longtime fans were finally ready to spend some serious time outside the Skywalker family tree, Lucasfilm may be heading back to the tried-and-true well. If you’re like me, you may have missed the breaking news, but we are reportedly getting a big new Star Wars trilogy. As exciting as that sounds, many fans are saying the same thing about the upcoming Star Wars films.

A New Star Wars Movie Lands A Director

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Spider-Man: Home trilogy filmmaker Jon Watts -- who directed the Spider-Man: Home trilogy -- is set to direct the first movie in a new trilogy written by Simon Kinberg. The movies are reportedly being developed as the next chapters of the Skywalker Saga, which previously concluded with The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. Disney has not officially greenlit the project yet, and Lucasfilm declined to comment.

Watts is no stranger to either Disney franchises or this galaxy. He directed Tom Holland’s first three solo Spider-Man movies, co-created the show Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and directed episodes of it, which are streaming with a Disney+ subscription.

Kinberg also has a history with Lucasfilm. He co-created Star Wars Rebels with Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck and has allegedly been developing this mystery trilogy since 2024. Early reporting around the project was actually contradictory about whether it would continue Episodes I through IX.

The newest reports, however, have once again linked the trilogy to the Skywalker Saga, with Daisy Ridley reportedly being eyed to return as Rey. That would certainly make sense after The Rise of Skywalker ended with her taking the Skywalker name, but I understand why fans immediately started asking the obvious question.

Star Wars Fans Are Making An Observation That Aligns With My Thoughts

Lucasfilm itself still describes The Rise of Skywalker as the “epic conclusion to the Skywalker Saga.” But, apparently, “conclusion” may have been doing some temporary work there following the new trilogy news. The reaction on X was not exactly subtle. Under post about the big news, several fans immediately zeroed in on the decision to potentially revive the Skywalker Saga. Some of the responses included:

• @Maksh3adr00m: “There are no more Skywalkers.”
• @MoonKnight 5657: "This doesn't make no sense I thought they were done with the skywalker saga after episode 9."
• @ResonatJustice: “>Jon Watts directing >Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) writing… Brother…..”
• @Tosoto_: “What Skywalkers? The Palpatines wiped out their entire bloodline.”
• @Browny_red: “they're really making another Skywalker trilogy. that family never gets a day off”
• @AustinPlanet: “There is an entire galaxy worth of stories out there and LucasFilm just can’t leave the Skywalker’s alone. It’s so annoying. Also going from Tony Gilroy to Simon Kinberg sucks.”

That last comment is essentially where my head is at, and clearly a lot of fans feel the same way. To be fair, there are ways to continue this story without digging up another secret member of Anakin Skywalker’s extended family. Rey adopted the name at the end of Episode IX, and a trilogy about what “Skywalker” means after Luke, Leia and Ben Solo could move the saga somewhere new.

Still, Star Wars is an enormous galaxy. We have just started seeing Lucasfilm lean harder into corners that do not revolve around the same family. Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, led by Ryan Gosling, is set five years after The Rise of Skywalker and has been pitched as a standalone adventure with new characters. It hits the 2027 movie schedule on May 28.

What's worth noting is that not everybody is worried about Watts and Kinberg getting the keys to the Falcon, either. Some fans in the comments expressed their love for the sequel trilogy and hoped the later films would be as beloved and reevaluated as the prequel trilogy has become in recent years.

I can see the argument. I, for one, was hoping for an expansion of the universe instead of revisiting what the past nine mainline films have covered. But I'm willing to keep an open mind. I just hope Lucasfilm has a really good reason for taking the “Skywalker Saga” toys back out of their box because, judging by the first wave of fan reactions, I’m definitely not the only one asking: Why more Skywalker?

There are few movie franchises quite as popular as Star Wars. Generations grew up with the Star Wars movies, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. For those fans late actress Carrie Fisher remains synonymous with her tenure as Leia Organa, but for Billie Lourd she was simply her mom. The American Horror Story actress recently got honest about the "trippy" and "special" experience of her own children watching their grandmother as Princess Leia.

Star Wars fans are still mourning the loss of Fisher, who died before she was set to have a major role in The Rise of Skywalker. Lourd got to join her mother in the sequel trilogy as Lieutenant Connix, and during a recent appearance on The View, she spoke about seeing her own children Kingston and Jackson watch their grandmother in Star Wars. In her words:

While celebrities can be just like us, this is an experience that only Billie Lourd can really understand. Not only did her mother play one of the most iconic Star Wars characters of all time, but now she has the unique experience of showing her own children their grandmother in that role. Add in their young ages, and my head is spinning just thinking about it.

It might be challenging for Lourd to help her kids understand the difference between Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia, she also spoke about the upside to having her late mother's iconic role available at any given point. As she told the hosts of The View:

Talk about a great perspective. Despite her feelings of grief and Carrie Fisher not being able to physically be her kids' lives, Lourd is thankful that they've got the Star Wars films as as a living tribute to her mother in her youth. Since the actress/writer put so much of own personality into Leia, it also helps to show what she was like in life.

The Scream Queens actress spoke about this dynamic while promoting her role in the 13th season of American Horror Story (streaming with a Hulu subscription). During that conversation Lourd also revealed another part of Carrie Fisher's career that she's excited to share with her kids one day. In her words:

Points were made. Fisher was known for her quick wit and talents as a writer, and her books offered a funny and touching look into her life and its complications. That includes her wildly successful memoir Wishful Drinking, which was also made into a one-woman show and a televised comedy special (which is streaming now on HBO Max). Billie Lourd's kids are a little young for that content currently, but in a few years they should really be able to get an understanding of Fisher and her sense of humor.

You can catch Billie Lourd in new episodes of American Horror Story Thursdays on FX and Hulu as part of the 2026 TV schedule. Of course, the family's tenure in the Star Wars is streaming in its entirety over on Disney+.

It’s a big year for Star Wars fans as A New Hope is turning a huge milestone: we’ve officially enjoyed 50 years in a galaxy far far away. What better way to celebrate than to see the movie that started it all back on the big screen? Star Wars: A New Hope is heading back to theaters for a limited run starting February 19. This isn’t the first time the original trilogy has seen a re-release with new footage added for Special Editions. However, George Lucas defends the controversial Star Wars re-release from the ‘90s.

Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson joined Norah O’Donnell on CBS Sunday Morning to discuss The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which he has previously mentioned during a panel at SDCC. Of course, no conversation with the Star Wars creator would be complete without bringing up the upcoming re-release. Naturally, Lucas had a very on-brand response to his wife stating that nothing with him is ever done:

Nothing truer has been said. Lucas famously altered parts of the original trilogy back in 1997, with the most notable change being the switch of Sebastian Shaw with Hayden Christensen as the Force Spirit of Anakin Skywalker. This was first seen on the 2004 DVD verison and had mixed reactions. Now, Lucas is taking us back to the original screening of A New Hope where we can experience it like it was back in 1977. I also hear it’ll be without a certain Jabba and Han Solo scene, which was reportedly also digitally altered. In it, you see a cocky Han Solo circling Jabba the Hutt and stomping on his tail.

This isn’t even the only change that has been made. There were A New Hope reshoots that found Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher re-filming the scene when Luke and Leia first meet, because the iconic Skywalker surname hadn’t been created when they first filmed. (Luke’s last name was originally Starkiller.) Though some of his choices have been criticized, Lucas makes no apologies for the changes he’s made. He states:

The man has a point. Despite the alterations to the movies, it hasn’t stopped fans from loving the franchise. Even Hamill’s love for Luke Skywalker has never wavered. In fact, the actor has recently celebrated Star Wars when he visited The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. He even joked about the height of his life-sized Luke Skywalker figure. His post made me excited about the upcoming re-release, which I’m hopeful will build hype for other upcoming Star Wars projects.

I’m looking forward to all the fun ways fans are going to celebrate the franchise’s major milestone. There will be plenty of opportunities in 2027. First, we’ll begin the year by going back to Star Wars’ origins with the re-release. Then, we’ll be taking a trip into a future even further away with the Ryan Gosling-led Starfighter.

While we’re celebrating the past and the future of Star Wars, I hope Lucas keeps defending the choices as everything we love about Star Wars started with A New Hope and yes, even the changes he made in the ‘90s.

Out of all the 2026 movies being released, the story behind The Love Hypothesis (now streaming via Prime Video subscription) might be the most random. It’s a light-hearted romantic comedy that’s inspired by Star Wars fanfiction between Rey and Kylo Ren. Oh, and lead is played by Daisy Ridley’s actual husband, Tom Bateman. Now that the movie is here, fans just noticed another amazing Star Wars connection that crept its way into the final film.

The Love Hypothesis isn’t about a galaxy far, far away. It follows a graduate student named Olive (Lili Reinhart) who ends up in a fake dating relationship with her friends’ most critical professor Dr. Adam Carlsen (Bateman).Star Wars fans couldn’t help but notice one moment in the movie that sounds like “Rey’s Theme” from the sequel trilogy. Check it out:

It’s only a brief moment in the film, and is definitely easy to miss if you don’t know what you're listening for. For those who fall into that camp, give this a listen:

Now, it’s not exactly the same theme or anything litigation-worthy, and I expect it’s just different enough for Amazon MGM Studios to get away with sneaking in the reference without any blowback. But isn't having even a soundalike in there wild? Here’s some of the comments on Twitter:

• "I was skeptical and immediately proven wrong that is sure as shit a rendition of Rey’s theme LMFAOOOOOOOOO" - @MaceAhWindu
• "this is batshit insane and i love it" - @spinneretmj
• "they really honored the ancient texts" - @amazinglychao
• "this is NUTS but i appreciate the gall" - @chujellys
• "this movie and its lore is the funniest and most interesting thing that has ever happened to the star wars fandom in decades" - @zoemaki

Fans are applauding the rom-com for going there with the little music cue. I also have to say, I noticed some inspiration from John Williams’ Star Wars villain themes a couple of times elsewhere in the movie, too.

Hey, it only makes sense for The Love Hypothesis to give credit where credit is due somewhere in the movie. Ali Hazelwood’s story was originally published online as Head Over Feet in 2018 under the pen name Ever-so-reylo.

It included the characters of Ben Solo, Rey and company, she later reworked it all into The Love Hypothesis without any explicit connections to Star Wars. At least within the story. It became a bestselling novel when it came out in 2021,, and with cover artwork that's very much giving Kylo Ren and Rey.

She’s not the first to pull off this kind of literary feat. Fifty Shades of Grey famously started as a Twilight fanfic, and the After books and movies are based on one about Harry Styles.

We first heard that The Love Hypothesis was going to be a movie back in 2022, and here it is. Will any other book-to-screen adaptation have a reference that will top this one this year? I’m not sure it’s possible!

Where has Emma Watson been? When last we checked up on the well-dressed former Harry Potter star she was busy crushing ice in $1400 dollar Prada shoes. That was part of her promotion for her new gin line Renais gin. She’s also kept busy with philanthropy as a UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador and more. What she hasn’t really been doing is acting, but that doesn’t mean she can’t bust out a little black dress for a red carpet occasionally.

And what a little black dress it was. This month marked the opening for the Lucasfilm Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, California. A slew of celebrities were on hand for the event. Watson’s never actually been in a Star Wars movie, but she did score an invite and her makeup artist showed off her darling minidress.

The velvet dress is giving hints fall is on the way, but the dress is extra special for one other reason: it was bespoke, and those flowers that are attached to it are real. It’s giving vintage vibes, fall vibes, and maybe a little bit of Midsommar all at once. Florist Anthony Maslo provided the flowers and the velvet was sourced in Los Angeles, per Vogue. Watson also said the dress was supposed to be “an homage to mother nature.”

She also hobknobbed with some other big names at the opening, including being seen with Janelle Monae and pictured here with Olympian Lindsey Vonn, Bryce Dallas Howard and Ron Howard.

The actress is frequently doing something slightly off-kilter, but still beautiful when it comes to fashion. I still think about the floating dress Watson wore a couple of years back that was pale blue and seemed to just drape on her in the most unconventional way. Even her casual looks feel effortless in a way that I don’t think I could ever pull off. It’s too bad we don’t get to see big celebrity fashion moments for her on red carpets more often.

She’s a bit out of the acting game, however. The actress has been candid about stepping away in the years after Potter, and while we did see her in a few notable projects like Beauty and the Beast and Little Women, the latter was her last big screen venture in 2019. She has no upcoming projects, and she and the other Potter originals weren’t even told about the new series though proper channels.

So, the opening of the Lucasfilm Museum was a bit of a treat for the fans who grew up with her and watched her on the big screen for years. Perhaps one day, she’ll step back into the world of Hollywood, and maybe even a Star Wars movie will call to her. A girl can dream…

Star Wars fans have been waiting for Ahsoka Season 2 for some time now, and that patience is set to be rewarded soon. The new season is set to debut in January 2027, and, with that, viewers will finally see the continuation of some major storylines. Of all the lingering plot threads, there’s a specific one that’s been discussed amongst fans since the Season 1 finale aired way back in October 2023. Now, much to my delight, series creator Dave Filoni has confirmed a major detail of that plot point, which ties into The Clone Wars.

One of the key storylines of Ahsoka Season 1 sees jedi-turned-mercenary Baylan Skoll (played by the late Ray Stevenson) looking for power and a better understanding of the Force on the planet Peridea. One of the last scenes of the finale sees Skoll making his way across the planet and encountering massive statues. Said monuments depict the Mortis gods and, up until this point, it’s been unclear if said beings would actually factor into Season 2. Well, Filoni now confirms to Empire Magazine that “it’s definitely a thing” in this new story.

The three gods (also known as “The Ones”) were The Father, The Daughter and The Son, who resided on the planet Mortis and represented the dark and light sides of the Force as well as the balance between them. In Clone Wars Season 3, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and young Ahsoka Tano encounter the powerful family and are drawn into a conflict amongst them. While that three-episode arc ends with the trio’s deaths, their legacy is still built into the history of the Force.

Dave Filoni doesn’t go into specifics about how exactly the concept of the gods plays into the next chapter in Tano’s journey. However, he does suggest that what this all connects to is the belief system that Rosario Dawson’s titular character has:

Plot details on the second season have been relatively slim up to this point, though what seems evident is that the galaxy will have to contend with the re-emergence of Grand Admiral Thrawn. I’d wager that the New Republic will have to spring into action accordingly to deal with that threat. All that aside, there’s still the matter of Ahsoka and (jedi-in-training) Sabine Wren’s continued exploits on Peridea with the Noti.

So far, Ahsoka has offered a considerable number of callbacks to The Clone Wars and Rebels, which have worked to varying degrees. I’m hopeful that Dave Filoni and co. can usher in the Mortis gods mythology in a way that feels fresh but is also accessible to those who haven’t seen the animated series. And, of course, beyond all that, I hope the new episodes introduce some elements that aren’t directly tied to existing shows or movies.

Ahsoka Season 2 is set to premiere on January 20, with episodes dropping weekly for Disney+ subscription holders. Also, keep your eyes peeled for updates on other upcoming Star Wars TV shows and movies.

Mark Hamill has solidified himself as a staple of pop culture, in great part due to his role as Luke Skywalker. So it’s no surprise that both he and his famous Star Wars character have been honored in a myriad of ways. That happened just recently, as a recreation of the character now stands at the museum that George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, recently opened. Hamill, however, joked about the life-size figure being taller than him, and a fan reacted by sharing the perfect response.

This past Saturday night marked the opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles. A passion project of Lucas and his wife, the institution celebrates different facets of art and features a wide array of exhibits that serve as tributes to Lucas’ work and others’. When Hamill attended the big event, he eventually made his way to an exhibit depicting Skywalker on the planet Tatooine. As seen in an Instagram post from TheWrap, Hamill posed for photos in front of the figure and made his quip about its height:

It’s hard for me to say with certainty exactly how Hamill and the Luke figure match up height-wise. Regardless of that, fans in the comment section seemed to be eating up the sweet moment. What really stands out to me, though, is a comment from one user, which puts a cheeky spin on one of the original Star Wars movie’s most iconic quotes. In response to Hamill’s observation, they asked:

The line is a direct reference to Princess Leia’s reaction to seeing Luke dressed in stormtrooper armor. Upon laying eyes on the geared-up, jedi-in-training, Carrie Fisher’s Leia drolly asks, “Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?” This fan couldn’t have timed their reaction to the Life of Chuck actor’s comments any better. I’d also like to think that, given Hamill’s own sense of humor, he could appreciate such a cheeky barb.

Any kind of jokes about size aside, though, the Lucas Museum seems to be quite a sight and, based on photos and videos that early attendees have shared, it’s a true celebration of pop culture. Funny enough, Hamill wasn’t the only Star Wars alum checking out a sculpture based on a character they played. Samuel L. Jackson was also on hand for the festivities and posed next to a life-size Mace Windu. Take a look at Deadline's post:

Jackson’s artificial doppelgänger is definitely taller than him, but that doesn’t stop it from being a fitting tribute to Mace (who Jackson still wants to reprise). These video clips alone make me wish I could’ve been among those who were able to attend the museum’s opening. Still, I hope to make the trip out to California to explore the facility and quite frankly, just geek out over its various exhibits.

In the meantime, I continue to enjoy how Mark Hamill doesn’t shy away from his connection to the lightsaber-wielding Luke Skywalker. There was a time at which Hamill tried to distance himself from the role (until late co-star Carrie Fisher convinced him otherwise). Whether the Luke figure is taller than Hamill or not, I’m just glad to see the character being honored and the actor who portrays him soaking in the love.

Star Wars fans can stream the Skywalker Saga – along with spinoff movies and TV shows – now using a Disney+ subscription.

It would be a gross understatement to say that Spider-Man: Brand New Day has been a box office juggernaut since its release as part of the 2026 movie schedule. After the film opened in late July, it remained No. 1 at the B.O. for five weeks in a row and was only just dethroned by Practical Magic 2. As it stands, the Tom Holland-led flick is now the highest grossing movie of the year and the third highest-grossing movie of all time. Now, it’s just overtaken another big record from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Lucasfilm celebrated.

Since 2015, J.J. Abrams’ The Force Awakens held the record for the highest-grossing domestic release of all time with a whopping $936 million in North America. However, that record is no more, as Destin Daniel Cretton’s Brand New Day has notched $936.773 million domestically after 47 days in theaters. Upon that new benchmark being established, Lucafilm shared a fun graphic on Instagram, and I love just how perfect it is. Take a look for yourself, and I dare you not to crack a smile:

The sight of a triumphant Spider-Man celebrating while X-wings fly over the New York City landscape makes this nerd chuckle, and that Force-related caption is a perfect way to sum up this tremendous accomplishment. What warms my heart even more is that this gesture signifies a sizable amount of respect between studios and, over the years, it’s become a tradition of sorts. Sure, Disney owns both Lucasfilm and Marvel Studios (which co-produced this Spidey flick with Sony), but it’s still a lovely sign of admiration.

Aside from the Star Wars-centric studio, a couple of others have also given Brand New Day its flowers amid its historic run at the box office. Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo celebrated after Cretton’s film overtook theirs for the highest domestic opening with $360 million. The brothers – who are currently working on Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars – marked the occasion with a sweet graphic as well, and it can be seen below:

There are so many adjectives that can be used to describe Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s success. I mean, there’s “amazing,” “spectacular” and “sensational,” just to name a few. After swinging past projections in its first weekend, the movie swung to $1 billion worldwide only six days after its release, and it eventually notched $2 billion after three weekends. Right now, this latest Marvel film sits at $2.45 billion worldwide, and I can’t help but wonder if it’ll move up another slot on the highest-grossing movie list before it’s all said and done.

Of course, at this point, questions remain in regard to what Sony, Marvel and Tom Holland want to do with the future of this franchise. It would seem foolish, on paper, not to make a fifth film with Holland in the lead. Sony’s Tom Rothman recently made a Super Bowl analogy while discussing the franchise’s future and essentially admitted he was unsure of what would happen. Something Holland has been adamant about, however, is having his Peter pass the baton to Miles Morales at some point.

Right now, though, I’m just locked in on the current Spidey film’s box office performance as well as the sweet gestures others have extended towards it. If the movie does hit any additional benchmarks before it leaves theaters, I wouldn’t be surprised if another studio or filmmaker released another celebratory graphic.

Anyone who somehow has yet to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day can swing over to a theater and check it out. Fans can also stream the first three films in the franchise using a Disney+ subscription.

In the Star Wars galaxy, death is never far off, but some actors have interesting perspectives when it comes to their death scenes, such as Star Wars’ Domhnall Gleeson. While the actor called General Hux’s death “devastating,” he also sees a silver lining. And it’s not one I would have predicted.

Initially, Hux is a high-ranking military man working against the Resistance. However, his character takes an interesting turn as a spy following a demotion. An action that ultimately leads to his death, which you can check out with a Disney+ subscription. And while the actor understood why it had to happen, he was still devastated about the turn of events. While he was promoting his upcoming movie The Incomer, SlashFilm’s Ethan Anderton shifted the topic to General Hux’s death, and we got to learn just how Gleeson felt about it:

I can’t blame him for wanting to do more with the character. Hux had quite the shift from an antagonist to spy, which would have been interesting to see more of. While the events leading up to the general’s death was as complicated as fans’ feelings toward the JJ Abrams sequel trilogy, it hasn’t stopped Gleeson from enjoying his time in the franchise. He was recently shown a lot of love when he rode Rise of the Resistance. He even had Stormtroopers saluting, which could only add to the Disney magic.

It's also a fun way for him to re-live his time playing the character. But while he was sad to be killed off so soon, he found a surprising silver lining: he was very happy about who killed him. He explains:

I guess if you’re going to go out then it’s best to go out at the hands of Richard E. Grant. And at least he found something to enjoy about being killed off. Though I’m curious if he has any thoughts about where his character could have gone. Maybe Gleeson can take a note from Katee Sackhoff and pitch a spin-off. Besides the general wouldn’t be the first popular antagonist to make a comeback. Even Darth Maul has his own show now. (The animated series Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord was reportedly renewed for Season 2).

Overall, we don’t have many upcoming Star Wars projects, but we did have the animated series The Ninth Jedi that came in August. And we have a few things in the works, such as a Season 2 of Ashoka and Ryan Gosling’s upcoming The Outsiders-inspired Starfighter that are expected next year.

And these may not have Gleeson attached, but that doesn’t mean he can never find his way back to a galaxy far far away. But for now, at least Hux’s death has a silver lining.

Now that we have seen the delightful Mandalorian and Grogu movie, I can’t help but wonder what’s next for the franchise. Especially for Bo-Katan, who had an important role in the series (though wasn’t in the movie). And turns out the actor portraying her already has that covered. Katee Sackhoff has a spinoff idea for Star Wars’ Bo-Katan and I’d love to see it.

The actor dropped the idea during a panel at FanX’s Tampa Bay Comic Con, which was hosted by Collider’s Maggie Lovitt. While I’m not surprised that the actor has been thinking about her character’s next adventure, I was surprised that her idea would take the legendary warrior back in time. She explains:

I’d totally watch a prequel exploring the dynamic between the two sisters. As we learned in the animated Star Wars projects, Bo-Katan is the sister of Duchess Satine who Bo joined the Death Watch faction to overthrow. To say things were complicated is putting it mildly. However, the story would be cool to see come to life, either animated or live action. If she were to explore the origins in animation, it would take the character back to its roots, which began when Sackhoff voiced Bo-Katan in The Clone Wars and then again in the series Rebels.

Given how long Sackhoff has portrayed the Mandalorian warrior, I can’t imagine anyone else wearing the helmet. And turns out, neither can the actor. She has previously stated that she feels confident she’ll be playing Bo-Katan forever, and then referenced how the character is based on Lucasfilm President Dave Filoni’s wife.

However, while she’s been open about her love for the character, she’s also revealed how it caused her to lose her confidence. The actor specifically shared that she had difficulty relating to Bo-Katan, whom she described as “nowhere near who I am as a human being.” So I can understand how it would be hard to get right, though I feel she perfectly encompasses the character.

While Bo-Katan’s origins aren’t one of the official upcoming Star Wars projects, it’d still be cool to see. Especially since the previously teased movies have since dwindled to a handful, leaving us unsure about the future of the franchise. We don’t even know what’s going on with Taika Waititi’s Star Wars movie, for example. Currently, there are only a few projects on the agenda: Ryan Gosling’s ' 80s-inspired Starfighter, Ashoka Season 2, and a re-release of A New Hope.

After these drop next year, we may be waiting a while before returning to a galaxy far, far away. Given that uncertainty, maybe Sackhoff has an opportunity to see her Bo-Katan prequel come to life. It could be just what the franchise needs.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is truly spectacular. It’s one of the coolest rides at any theme park, and it hasn’t gotten any less cool since it first opened at Disney World in 2019 and Disneyland in 2020. Whether you’re a diehard Star Wars fan, casual film watcher, or have never actually seen any of the franchise, it’s so impressive and so immersive from start to finish that you’ll be all-in, no matter what.

All of that considered, it must be absolutely mind-blowing to experience that ride when you were in the films and are actually part of the ride yourself. A lot of actors get to record new dialogue for theme park attractions based on properties they were a part of, but Domhnall Gleeson even has an animatronic of his General Hux likeness inside the ride. During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the star of The Paper revealed that, while he didn’t actually attend the opening of Rise of the Resistance, he did have a pretty incredible experience with the attraction.

Now, I will say that with all the times I’ve faced the First Order and joined the other Resistance recruits on that Star Wars attraction, I’ve never experienced people playing Stormtroopers inside of it (although they do walk around in the ever-evolving Galaxy’s Edge). But I wouldn’t be surprised if they sprinkled a little extra Disney magic onto Domhnall Gleeson’s experience to ensure that he has such an incredible story to share. You can check out the Fallon clip here:

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been on Rise of the Resistance since it opened, but there’s still something so special about it every time I ride it. Trackless rides give a sense of unpredictability while also providing a smooth ride. It’s ideal for those of us who are prone to motion sickness but still love the thrills that a theme park offers. It’s also endlessly re-ridable because you never quite know what you’re going to get, depending on where you sit and which vehicle you are in.

In case you’re not familiar with the Harry Potter star’s role in the Star Wars franchise, General Hux is the worst. He’s a true believer who’s up to no good and who’s even willing to be a traitor and sell out Kylo Ren, just to see him fail. Hux ultimately dies in the films without ever redeeming himself.

With the world of Batuu, the planet guests visit when going to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, shining the spotlight brighter on Darth Vader now instead of Kylo Ren, it’s likely we may never see a General Hux character walking around and interacting with guests. However the character does live on within the Disney World and Disneyland ride, where park attendees, Star Wars fans, and Domhnall Gleeson can create memorable experiences in the years to come.

Now that The Mandalorian and Grogu is streaming for those with a Disney+ subscription, we can talk about the finer details of the latest of Star Wars movies. For instance, did you catch Dave Filoni in the flick? The new Lucasfilm president reprised his role as New Republic X-wing pilot, Trapper Wolf, but apparently he was a bit camera shy about it.

Dave Filoni Has A Funny Take On His The Mandalorian And Grogu Cameo

Filoni is arguably the biggest name in Star Wars right now given, he was named Lucasfilm President (alongside corporate exec. Lynwen Brennan) early this year. The filmmaker has been behind a ton of Star Wars projects in the past from creating Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka to writing and directing on The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.

Here’s what he recently said about recently returning to play Trapper Wolf in The Mandalorian and Grogu:

Filoni revealed his thoughts on being in The Mandalorian movie while on The Mandalorian and Grogu Official Podcast alongside writer/director Jon Favreau. The X-Wing pilot role is a fun way for the filmmaker to be part of Star Wars in a more front-facing way, but I’m chuckling over his comments. He actually requested to be in the movie less. No wonder he’s a behind-the-scenes guy, and not an actor!

Who Else Had A Cameo In The Mandalorian And Grogu?

Dave Filoni isn’t the only prominent Star Wars filmmaker who plays an X-wing pilot in The Mandalorian and Grogu. There’s a whole crew of ‘em in the movie. Check it out:

Starting on the far left is Deborah Chow as Sash Ketter, who directed episodes of The Mandalorian and was the showrunner on Obi-Wan Kenobi. Next to her are Star Wars TV directors Lee Isaac Chung and Rick Famuyiwa as Dok Suri and Jib Dodger. Star Wars production designer Doug Chiang is also there, too as New Republic member Lieutenant Blick. How cool is it that these directors got to be all together to play X-wing pilots in the movie?

That’s not all, either. Park Sun-Hyung Lee also reprises his role as X-wing pilot Carson Teva after being in The Mandalorian. And Star Wars icon Anthony Daniels (aka C-3PO) has plays an air traffic droid at Adelphi Base. I wonder if there’s even more cameos in the film that we didn’t even catch.

There’s something really sweet and homemade about people like Dave Filoni being part of The Mandalorian and Grogu, and for reasons that clearly aren’t for vanity. When Filoni isn’t begrudgingly making cameos in Star Wars, he’s planning out all the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows. The next is Ahsoka Season 2 coming in early 2027.

There are popular franchises, and then there's the Star Wars movies. The film world was changed forever with George Lucas' original trilogy, and now generations have grown up watching the galaxy far, far away in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Actress Adria Arjona famously played Bix in the Emmy-winning series Andor, but it turns out she was previously up for another role. Let's break it all down.

Prior to rumors Arjona might be the DCU's Wonder Woman, brought a ton of heart to Bix in Andor. In a video on the Happy Sad Confused podcast's YouTube, the 34 year-old actress revealed she originally auditioned for a role in Solo: A Star Wars Story. She recalled this by saying:

Honesty, this is relatable. Getting to join Star Wars is a dream for many actors out there, especially if they grew up watching the beloved space opera as a young person. Adria Arjona clearly wanted to get in on the fun, which is why she was so nervous when auditioning for the role of Qi'ra in Solo.

As fans know, Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke ended playing Qi'ra during the standalone film. Unfortunately, Solo's poor box office performance meant that we didn't get a sequel. Later in the same interview, the Belko Experiment actor spoke more about her dream of joining Star Wars. In her words:

In recent years Star Wars has put out a ton of live-action TV content on Disney+. The Mandalorian was the first project to open that door, followed by Andor, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett and the ill-fated The Acolyte. But at the time of her Solo audition, Arjona was focused on joining the franchise on the big screen.

Later on in the podcast, Adria Arjona spoke more about how Emlia Clarke ultimately edged her out for the role of Qi'ra in Solo. But while she was likely originally bummed about not landing that role, she seems happy with how things ultimately turned out, and who she got to play in Andor. In the actress' words:

Sometimes things happen for a reason, and not landing the role in Solo left Adria Arjona available to play her signature role in Andor. She's clearly proud of her role in that acclaimed series, so much so that she got a tattoo of her character Bix. We'll just have to see who she ends up playing in Man of Tomorrow, and if those Wonder Woman rumors end up being legit.

Adria Arjona's new A24 movie Onslaught is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list. And folks can re-watch her time on Andor over on Disney+.

The Star Wars movies continue to be a vital part of the pop culture landscape, with generations growing up on the galaxy far, far away. While fans are looking forward to upcoming Star Wars movies and shows, many are also looking back to the previous trilogies and their stars. Luckily we just got a sweet update about actor Jake Lloyd, who famously played Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace. And he may have turned a corner in his mental health journey.

Lloyd has been open about his mental heath struggles, specifically related to issues with his schizophrenia diagnosis. While his mother said this would have happened even if he didn't have his Star Wars role (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription), the fandom is invested regardless. Over on writer Clayton Sandell's Instagram, he posted an update about the former child actor, offering:

Jake Lloyd's schizophrenia diagnosis understandably provided some major struggles for both him and his family. Star Wars fans in particular have been wishing him well, despite the many years that have passed since he played Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace. And it looks like the 37 year-old former actor is doing much better thanks to a new treatment plan.

In the same post, Sandell went on to share more about the Jingle All The Way star's mental health journey. He shared that there's more exciting news coming soon, offering:

Talk about a heartening message. After hearing about Lloyd's struggles, it's comforting to know that he's seemingly found a treatment program that is helping him deal with the challenges of schizophrenia. Hopefully more good news comes soon. You can see the post, complete with a photo of the former actor, below

Jake Lloyd was the subject of backlash after The Phantom Menace hit theaters back in 1999, leading to figures like Ron Howard defending him to journalists. Since then fans have soften to the prequel trilogy, while following along with the former actor's health issues. Hopefully that "more to come" happens sooner rather than later.

The Star Wars franchise is currently streaming in its entirety over on Disney+. The space opera will return to the big screen with Starfighter on May 28, 2027. Since it not on the 2026 movie release list, folks will have to be patient while waiting.

1977’s Star Wars remains one of the most iconic films ever to be released and, nearly 50 years later, it feels like there’s still much to learn about its production. George Lucas’ film – now subtitled Episode – A New Hope – is accompanied by plenty of cool movie facts like Harrison Ford landing Han Solo due to a carpentry gig. I’ve done a lot of reading, but what I didn’t know was how difficult it was to shoot that trash compactor scene. Not only that, but I also wouldn’t have guessed the gnarly way Mark Hamill injured himself.

Garbage, Wet Suits, Smells And More Played Into This Iconic Star Wars Scene

For those who need a refresher, during A New Hope, Han, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Chewbacca find themselves trapped in a garbage crusher that soon begins to close in on them. Eventually saved by R2-D2 and C-3PO, the characters experience quite the scare, but it doesn’t seem to compare to the ordeal the actors went through while shooting the six-minute scene.

Set decorator Roger Christian previously spoke with Yahoo! Entertainment about working on the scene and how he had to find suitable materials to double as junk on set. Not only that, but he also had to ensure that nothing about the liquid was toxic due to the actors having to be in it. Christian and production designer John Barry succeeded in building the set, but from there, the work got really hard. The actors eventually spent two days shooting the scene in shallow water, wearing wetsuits under their costumes.

It wasn’t easy for the actors to wear those suits, as Hamill admitted to needing to be blow-dried from time to time due to being too wet. Carrie Fisher also once spoke about getting “rashes in places you never thought possible.” On top of that, the set also had a nasty smell, and that odor was absorbed by the Chewbacca costume cast member Peter Mayhew wore. More practical issues also arose, including the challenge of finding a suitable drain pipe for Ford’s Han to use to stop the compactor walls from closing in on the characters.

Throw in a squabble between Ford and Hamill over that hatch number line and some issues with the Dianoga creature, and what we have is a story chock-full of obstacles. In time, everything was worked out, but not before Hamill injured himself in a painful way.

Mark Hamill Sustained A Nasty Injury Amidst Filming

If there’s anything that’s known about Mark Hamill, it’s that he’s a committed performer, yet I think he went a little too far for the trash compactor scene. When it came to filming the moment Luke was strangled by the Dianoga tentacle, Hamill wanted it to look realistic. He feigned fear but, in the process, he also burst a blood vessel in his eye. That injury left a red spot on one side of his face. Hamill, who’s known for sharing BTS stories, confirmed that in an X post several years back:

There’s a reason some actors use the term “suffering for my art,” and, as a whole, the compactor scene embodies that notion for just about everyone who worked on it. Still, it’s all the more impressive that Lucas and co. were able to pull it off. I thank them for their efforts and will keep it in mind whenever I stream A New Hope with a Disney+ subscription. I also hope upcoming Star Wars movies and shows don’t have similar BTS ordeals.

The galaxy far, far away is set to expand, thanks to Star Wars: Starfighter, which is set to soar into theaters as part of the 2027 movie schedule. Set five years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, the film will see Ryan Gosling play a new character named Kade Auberon. There was considerable excitement when Gosling’s involvement was announced, and I’m not sure there are many people who doubt he can lead a massive movie at this point in his career. Still, Levy’s take on why he’s the right man for the job is making me chuckle.

Levy has been able to say much about the nature of his Star Wars movie, though he’s gradually starting to open up about his approach to the flick. Something that’s been very apparent is just how much he believes in his lead actor. He and Gosling recently appeared at Disney’s D23, where they shared some new details about the film and debuted some footage. Afterwards, Gosling sat down with Fandango (as seen on YouTube) and was asked about why Gosling was the “perfect” actor to head up this film, leading him to say:

Some may think Levy is gushing too hard over Gosling, but his assessment of his skills isn’t wrong. First and foremost, Gosling has played a wide range of roles, including an empathetic (and drug-addicted) school teacher, an unconventional private eye and a self-serious doll who comes to understand the patriarchy. And, with each of those characters and others, Gosling goes all in, never phoning in any aspect of a performance. Such commitment is definitely appreciated, and I’m eager to see how that applies to (the standalone) Starfighter.

Of course, a person also can’t talk about Ryan Gosling without highlighting his natural magnetism. The actor just has a high level of natural charm, which even shines through when Gosling’s acting with a puppeteer portraying an alien that looks like a rock. Amid his interview, Levy went on to joke about Gosling’s level of cool and how he’s sought to learn those ways himself:

That cool factor was apparent at D23, where Gosling appeared on stage and sported a sweet jacket with a flipped Rebel Alliance logo that resembled a skull and crossbones. Also, the name Kade Auberon (which fans have a Legends-related theory about) is also quite cool. Details on Auberon’s journey within the film are scarce, but he’s been described as “a guy from the wrong side of the galaxy,” who becomes inexplicably tied to the fastest starfighter in the galaxy.

I’m curious as to what Shawn Levy has planned for Starfighter, which apparently draws some inspiration from The Outsiders. What I have no doubt of, though, is that Ryan Gosling will bring his A-game when playing the lead role. Check him out when the film opens on May 28, 2027 and, in the meantime, stream other Star Wars movies using a Disney+ subscription.

Disney’s Imagineers have really been cooking lately, as there are a lot of upcoming Walt Disney World attractions to look forward to. From Monsters Inc.’s Monstropolis to new rides from the world of Cars, Encanto and Indiana Jones, there are going to be many reasons to head to the Florida theme parks. However, I'd argue that few are as hyped for Villains Land as I am. What's more is that I just came across one Star Wars-related detail that really has me itching to go to the still-in-development dark side of Magic Kingdom.

The Star Wars-Related Villain Land Comparison

Weeks ago, at D23, the House of Mouse had a massive Disney Experiences Showcase, and I’m still processing it. Amid all the information that was shared, one piece of information really stuck out to me when I was going over the facts. Here’s what Bruce Vaughn, the President and CCO of Walt Disney Imagineering, said about the upcoming villain-themed location:

Guys, this is a really big deal. Let me give you a picture of what Vaughn means when he compares Villains Land to Galaxy’s Edge. The Star Wars-themed area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is 14 acres and is currently the largest single-themed land expansion ever built at one time (alongside its sister site at Disneyland’s own Galaxy’s Edge). In other words, Villains Land is about to become the largest themed land in Magic Kingdom.

And, based on what the creatives said about the attraction, it’s going to have that “immersive” feeling that Galaxy’s Edge has that’s really special. I’m over the moon about this. I’ll never forget the moment I stepped into Galaxy’s Edge for the first time and felt like I was in the Star Wars universe. The thought of having a similar experience with a place dedicated to iconic Disney Villains is just too exciting!

Other Details About Villains Land Have Been Revealed

Villains Land was announced at the end of 2024’s D23 Experiences Showcase and, at the most recent panel, there was more talk about what to expect from it. Vaughn said the land would include an “entirely new story” for some of Disney’s most famous bad guys like The Evil Queen, Cruella De Vil and Dr. Facilier. Apparently, the attraction starts with a dark, scary forest, where a wishing well with poisoned magic has corrupted the area. With that, the villains descend upon the area to claim the last bit of magic for themselves.

The land will also feature a Maleficent-themed coaster and one that takes place in the catacombs of The Evil Queen’s palace and takes guests in the Magic Mirror’s world. There’s surely going to be much more to Villains Land, and I have to wonder if rumors of the Emperor’s New Groove ride or the inclusion of villain-themed hotels could still be true.

As of this writing, an opening date has yet to be announced for Villains Land. Nevertheless, my excitement for it to open definitely just went up quite a few notches due to the Star Wars comparsion!

We’ve been slowly getting teases about Shawn Levy’s take on the Star Wars franchise, from the reveal of Gosling’s character (Kade Auberon) to a first look at him on set. However, the ‘80s movie that inspired Star Wars: Starfighter was not one I could have predicted.

I am so on board, however, as it tends to go every time I learn something new about the upcoming Star Wars movies. But nothing has me more ready to jump back into a galaxy far far away than discovering the inspiration for Starfighter is one of my favorite movies (and books). Levy shares with Zuri Hall, from Fandango, about the Brat Pack movie that inspired both him and Gosling. He states:

The book authored by S.E. Hinton is one of my favorites. Both it and its famed adaptation explore the classism between the ‘greasers’ and the ‘socs’ which find the boys from the wrong side of the tracks beat down by society. But the story also explores themes of found family, friendship, and sacrifice. I would have never put The Outsiders and Star Wars together, but now I can’t unseen how perfectly the two blend together.

I just hope that Starfighter doesn’t have the same tragic outcome. But now the jacket presented to Gosling at Disney’s D23 has new meaning. The distressed skull and crossbones (serving as a nod to the Rebel Alliance’s Starbird logo) could easily be as symbolic as Ponyboy and his friends’ aesthetic in The Outsiders. And this seems to be the vibe that Levy was going for, as he explains:

This idea also weaves into the “car culture” that the Free Guy director says inspired the new movie’s “brand new fleet of craft.” The way they’ve been teasing this movie has me hopeful, especially after writer Jonathan Tropper’s take on its comparisons to the Skywalker saga. We can expect something new and original. Much like how A New Hope was for audiences in the ‘70s, I’m hoping this movie will be a breath of fresh franchise air that will reignite our love for Star Wars.

Starfighter truly sounds like the “perfect director playground” as it will explore new characters, new droids, and won’t be reliant on grandiose history. People are predicting this could be an even bigger film than The Mandalorian and Grogu. This standalone movie is the franchise’s “chance to do something fresh and original,” and with its Gosling leading power, I have complete confidence I’m going to love it.

Knowing The Outsiders is a key inspiration for the movie only has me more impatient for it's May 2027 release.

There are popular film franchises, and then there's the Star Wars movies. Entire generations of moviegoers grew up on the galaxy far, far away, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. And while we wait for upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, Anakin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen recalled two wild fan theories he's heard over the years. And they're definitely some of the craziest I've ever been privy to.

After years of being away, Christensen has returned to Star Wars with roles in both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka. He's also been engaging with fans, hearing some bonkers Star Wars theories in the process. During a conversation with ETalk at Star Wars celebration in Japan, the 45 year-old actor revealed one that stuck with him, offering:

Holy bonkers. I'm a big Star Wars fan, but I hadn't heard this theory yet. And it's one that would completely change the emotional arcs of the prequel trilogy's three biggest characters. Of course, that doesn't mean that there's any actual truth to chatter of Obi-Wan and Padme's affair. In fact, there's no real hint of this happening in the movies.

There are a number of reasons why this theory doesn't hold water, including Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi vows. Although since he had a love interest in the Clone Wars series, perhaps that's how this theory came to be.

Later in the same interview Christensen dropped another wild Star Wars theory: that Jar Jar Binks was secretly a Sith all along. In his words:

Darth Jar Jar has been talked about for years, and is probably my favorite outlandish Star Wars fan theory. It's inception seems to be connected to how Jar Jar kept accidentally kicking ass in The Phantom Menace's final battle. And since he was also the one who suggested giving Palpatine Supreme Power, a theory was born that the character was in on the evil plans all along.

There are plenty of other wild theories circulating online, such as Palpatine being Anakin's real father or Rey being Obi-Wan's daughter. But I think the above two take the cake as far as insane claims made by the fandom goes.

Star Wars will return to theaters with Shawn Levy's Starfighter on May 28th, 2027. The Mandalorian and Grogu hit theaters recently, and will arrive on Disney+ September 2nd as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Hayden Christensen, his tenure as Anakin is available on the streaming service.

The nine entries in Star Wars’ Skywalker Saga have generated more than a few conversations over the last several decades. It feels like fans can unanimously agree on some of the films (which are streamable with a Disney+ subscription) being great. However, some spark more mixed reactions, including 1983’s Return of the Jedi. Several moments in the film seem to rub some parts of the fandom the wrong way and, as I just found out, one key moment was begrudgingly added by the director only at George Lucas’ request.

Various aspects of Jedi have been chastised by audiences, from the battle scenes on Endor to the underutilization of Boba Fett. However, I would’ve never guessed the major moment that director Richard Marquand took issue with. When marking one of ROTJ’s anniversaries, SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend spoke with Richard’s son, Jim Marquand (and more) During the chat, Jim revealed that his father wasn’t keen on filming the shot of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and Anakin Skywalker as Force ghosts. Jim said this about his father’s feelings:

That particular moment comes into play at the tail end of the movie, at which point the members of the Rebel Alliance celebrate the destruction of the second Death Star with Ewoks on Endor. It’s shortly after Luke Skywalker holds a funeral for his late father, Anakin (played by Sebastian Shaw) that he reappears alongside Yoda and Kenobi. The trio then proceed to watch over Luke and the celebration with pride.

I have to admit that I’m somewhat torn over these thoughts on that scene from Jedi (which I first watched on VHS years ago). On the one hand, I can understand how Marquand would find the moment somewhat cheesy and, even by 1983’s technical standards, there’s a slightly uncanny feel to it. However, George Lucas’ desire to have three impactful figures in Luke’s life watch him from the afterlife sounds incredibly fitting for the end of the trilogy. So, while I do find it mostly sweet, I get the Jagged Edge director’s point.

Regardless, Lucas may have been on to something, as there are definitely other fans who look upon that full-circle scene with satisfaction and warm feelings. Lucas has also adjusted the scene in the years since Return of the Jedi’s release. In the digitally restored version released in 2004, Hayden Christensen’s Anakin actually appears in place of Shaw’s. That marks just one of the alterations the filmmaker has made to the flick.

Jedi’s legacy certainly is interesting due to the mixed reception it has received. There’s, of course, a lot of nostalgia that surrounds it, and fans still seem to love any ROTJ set throwbacks that are shared online. However, even directors have varied views on the film, as Dune’s Denis Villeneuve believes it derails the Original Trilogy. However, Shawn Levy loves the flick and even said it even inspired his own upcoming Star Wars film, Starfighter.

Fans could probably debate the merits of Return of the Jedi until they’re as blue in the face as Max Rebo. However, regardless of where you fall on the film – including the Force ghost trio shot Richard Marquand had to add to appease George Lucas – know that you’re entitled to your personal opinion.

I don’t know about you, but it feels like The Force is particularly strong with the next upcoming Star Wars movie, Starfighter. I say this because it feels like it has the power to change the tides for theatrical Star Wars films if it does well. And its writer just said something about it that’s making me feel like I’m listening to one of John Williams’ wonderful Star Wars scores.

Starfighter was written by Jonathan Tropper, who made The Adam Project with Shawn Levy, along with recent Apple TV hits like Your Friends & Neighbors and Lucky. Here’s what he just said about making his Star Wars movie:

Praise the movie gods, we’re finally getting a Star Wars movie without any Skywalker connections! Look, of course I love all that mythology, and my ears instinctively perked up when I heard the theories about Ryan Gosling’s character being a Skywalker. But I’ve been wanting to see a Star Wars movie for a long time without much or any story connections to the originals, prequels or sequels. I just want to see a filmmaker do their own thing within the universe!

Shawn Levy has previously said Starfighter would be “standalone,” but there’s just something about also getting this information from the person who actually wrote it. The writer’s words to Deadline have me more optimistic for the upcoming movie, but there’s also a sense of mystery and danger to it. What does an original Star Wars movie look like?

From what we know, Gosling will play the role of Kade Auberon, who just happens to have the fastest starship in the galaxy, a G17 Imperial Reaper, in his garage. During D23, fans got to see a peek at the movie and a look at a very cool jacket Kade wears in the film.

Plot details regarding Kade’s origins and the past that led him to have the ship in his hands are being kept hidden, but we know he’ll be going on a big adventure with a teenage character played by Flynn Gray. Also among the cast are Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings and Amy Adams.

The franchise will officially be 50 years old when Starfighter comes out on May 28 on the 2027 movie schedule. I don’t expect to feel the way it must have felt to see the franchise for the first time, but I hope there’s something about it that gives the franchise some sheen to it that I’ve been missing.

It’s hard to spend any time on the Internet right now without seeing someone giving their hot take on Flock Cameras. The new law enforcement tool that uploads license plate information into a searchable database to help track movements has been a source of hot debate over the past few months with some feeling they’re a great way to catch criminals and others feeling they’re a dangerous case of government overreach. Well, let the record show Darth Vader has picked a side.

Some unidentified rabble-rouser and comedian showed up to a San Diego City Council meeting dressed as the legendary Star Wars villain and expressed his unwavering support for the new technology. He’s apparently particularly stoked about its potential to help himself and the Emperor track the “rebel scum” even if they’re children or his ex-girlfriend who must be stopped. You can read a portion of his satirical take below…

Not surprisingly, this little prank has gone over very well with large pockets of the Internet who aren’t too happy about what they see as Big Brother monitoring what everyone has been doing. Several clips and full videos of the appearance were uploaded onto social media not long after it happened, and it didn’t take much time for like-minded users to start enthusiastically sharing them. Later, the story spread to local papers, and now, it’s starting to become national news.

You can check out the video that’s making so many waves below, which also includes comments in which Vader argues too much money is being spent on libraries, parks and other public goods…

I can’t imagine there have been many characters in the history of Hollywood who people have dressed up as more than Darth Vader. Most of the time, the cosplay is just an homage to the legendary Sith Lord, but given his ties to an authoritarian regime, sometimes he’s also used in satirical protests and materials to jokingly advocate for fascism or other undesirable things. He’s sort of the ultimate symbol of governmental overreach, which is why this little city council protest feels so humorous.

The forum was also a perfect choice. Local meetings like that are always filmed, and their inherent dryness is ideal for comedy. In fact, it feels like every few months, some kind of humorous protest or costumed appearance from a city council meeting somewhere in the United States goes viral. My all-time favorite is still from comedians Chad and JT where they hit up a meeting in San Clemente to argue for the city to build a Mount Rushmore for Paul Walker to honor the late actor, but if you look hard enough, you’ll find dozens of other humorous and pointed examples.

The goal of any good protest should be to open people’s ears and convince them to do some research themselves. So, if this is the impetus you need, use Darth Vader as a reason to look into Flock Cameras and form your own opinion. Everyone else certainly is.

Getting cast in a Star Wars project would be exciting for any actor, and landing a role synonymous with lightsaber fights has to be truly next level. Whether you’re the good guy or bad guy, it must be so much fun to get to wield the iconic weapons in choreographed combat, which actor Hayden Christensen knows a thing about. Of course, he also knows what it's like to be asked to stop doing his own sound effects.

While at Disney's D23 Expo, Rotten Tomatoes sat down with Ahsoka stars Rosario Dawson, Christensen and Eman Esfandi, asking them what the key is to a perfect lightsaber fight. As the title character, Dawson jumped right in to declare that it’s most important not to do the sounds. While the Anakin Skywalker actor agreed, he shared that it was also difficult for him to break the habit and even had the man himself, George Lucas, tell him to stop. Here’s what he said (via YouTube):

This is not the first time that Hayden Christensen has talked about the impulse to make the sound effect when swinging a lightsaber. At a Star Wars Celebration 40^th Anniversary panel nearly a decade ago, he revealed that both he and Ewan McGregor needed to stop doing it and that he wasn’t even aware it was happening until it was pointed out to him.

Personally, I’m delighted to hear that Star Wars actors find the same joy in filming the fight scenes for the big and small screen that every fan of every age has when pretending to be a great Star Wars hero or villain. It’s so easy to get caught up in it all that it’s incredibly relatable to know that the cast is not excluded from that. You can check out the full clip with the Ahsoka cast below:

The Star Wars prequels have been given a hard time since their release, but that hasn’t stopped the love Christensen has had thrown his way. Fans were thrilled to see Anakin in the Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series. He then returned in flashbacks and as a Force ghost in Ahsoka, which will return for Season 2 in January 2027. He’s also been incredibly gracious about the love and support from fans and has given direction to Stormtroopers when he’s taken his daughter to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in the Disney theme parks.

While the list of best Star Wars movies and great Disney+ original shows that you can watch with a Disney+ subscription continues to grow, you can track all of the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows on the horizon. I’m definitely going to keep an eye out to see how his time in a galaxy far, far away continues to play out, hoping that maybe we’ll see Anakin, Padme, and Obi-Wan all share the screen again in the future. And until then, I’ll be watching for any BTS videos that might come out with Star Wars cast members doing their own audio sound effects in lightsaber fights.

Ryan Gosling and extremely iconic movie jackets have a history. Drive gave him the satin scorpion jacket that launched a thousand Halloween costumes, and Blade Runner 2049 put him in a shearling coat that somehow made wandering around a miserable dystopian wasteland look fashionable. Now, for the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, he has apparently decided the man needs another piece of outerwear I desperately want, and this one comes with a fantastic Rebel Alliance twist.

Gosling showed off the jacket during Disney's D23 showcase in Anaheim, where director Shawn Levy officially introduced his Starfighter character, Kade Auberon. The presentation began with an adorable nod to his Disney past and his days on The Mickey Mouse Club, complete with a throwback-style MMC jacket. Then Levy helped him swap it for a jacket inspired by the one Kade wears in the upcoming Star Wars movie. The handoff was captured on TikTok by The Moment Lab and can be seen below.

Can we please talk about that new jacket? Look at the back of that thing.

As you can see in the image below, the black, star-speckled jacket has what initially looks like a distressed skull-and-crossbones insignia painted across it. Look closer, though, and the skull is created from an upside-down version of the Rebel Alliance's famous Starbird logo, with crossed blasters completing the pirate-style design.

Genuinely, that may be one of the coolest uses of existing Star Wars iconography I've seen in years.

The Starbird has been part of the franchise since the original trilogy, appearing on Rebel pilots' helmets and uniforms. Lucasfilm has also linked its origins to Sabine Wren's personal Starbird symbol in Star Wars Rebels, with the character's creative choice essentially inspiring the Rebel Alliance's insignia.

Turning that familiar symbol upside down and reshaping it into something closer to a pirate flag tells me a lot about the attitude Starfighter may be going for. We still know relatively little about the movie, and I have no idea what the emblem actually means to Kade. Still, this one design choice has me very excited to find out.

That tracks with what Gosling revealed about his character at D23. He described Kade as “a guy from the wrong side of the galaxy,” whose fate becomes tied to the fastest starfighter ever built. Lucasfilm says the movie follows the cynical rogue as his mysterious past catches up with him, sending him across the galaxy. So giving that guy what amounts to Rebel Alliance pirate gear feels pretty appropriate.

The first footage shown exclusively at D23 also revealed that Kade owns a decommissioned Imperial Reaper-class fighter that he claims is the fastest starfighter ever built. Flynn Gray's younger character becomes wrapped up in that adventure, with the footage showing the pair traveling across several planets while Kade works on the mysterious ship.

Levy has said the 2027 movie release tells an original story set during a period of the Star Wars timeline we have not previously explored on screen. Gosling and Gray are joined by Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth and Aaron Pierre, among others.

Star Wars: Starfighter arrives May 28, 2027, exactly 50 years and a few days after the original Star Wars changed movies forever in May 1977. And as for Gosling's new duds? No notes.

Fans can revisit all the Star Wars movies in order by streaming them with a Disney+ subscription.

We’re about to get a whole lot of Fortnite at Disney and Universal theme parks, and I love the different vibes that will be experienced at each. Universal Studios already announced a scare zone inspired by the game’s signature Halloween event, Fortnitemares, is coming to Halloween Horror Nights in 2026 in both Orlando and Hollywood. Now, Disney is getting in on the action in a big Star Wars-y way.

Fortnite Is Coming To Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Among the long list of theme park announcements made at D23, it was revealed the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attractions in Orlando and Anaheim are getting a newly-created Fortnite adventure called Smuggler’s Gambit. Disney execs explained their approach to creating a first-of-its-kind experience that connects the ride in the physical world at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort to Hondo Ohnaka in the digital world.

As riders complete missions, they will unlock exclusive rewards, leveling up the immersive experience. You can start in the queue, the cockpit, or in the game itself, tracking your adventure along the way, with the most unpredictable pirate captain in the Galaxy. Check out a preview of how it will all work below.

I am admittedly not someone who is well-versed in Fortnite and all it has to offer, but this addition to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a welcome perk amidst a series of recent changes that feel like its realigning the direction of the world of Batuu after hearing some of the fan complaints. It’s a beautifully impressive land that didn’t initially deliver on all of its early promises, so it’s nice to hear that it’s getting some attention. In a recent article at The Hollywood Reporter, President of Epic Games Adam Sussman explained it this way:

Now we go from sci-fi spacefare to something a bit creepier over at Universal.

A Fortnitemares Scare Zone Is Going To Be A Big Draw at HHN

While we wait to see how Disney and Fortnite will expand their relationship in the future, we can experience the more twisted and sinister side of Fortnitemares as characters step out of the digital world and into a Universal Resort HHN scare zone. While we wait to see how Disney and Fortnite will expand their relationship in the future, we can experience the more twisted and sinister side of Fortnitemares as characters step out of the digital world and into a Universal Resort HHN scare zone. From the promise of a bloodiest house of the year to roaming Art the Clown and Nikki from Obsession, the Horror Nights line-up on both coasts has a lot to choose from.

After the huge popularity of the Five Nights at Freddy’s haunted house at Horror Nights 2025, it’s not surprising that the event would want to continue to draw in that demographic of older kids and young adults, and this new scare zone could do just that. Beyond knowing it will include the Battle Bus, the Fortnitemares presence at HHN is still thin on details, but the promise of “new horrors” combined with such a popular property has me excited.

Whether it’s a Star Wars themed adventure and gaming experience, or spooky scares that become real-life nightmares in a scare zone, I actually love how these theme park announcements show the range of what Fortnite can offer. It also feels like future possibilities could be endless, and I know I’ll be there for it all.

For decades now, some Star Wars fans have made it a sport to kick around the prequel trilogy starring Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi. McGregor has usually stayed above the fray, though recently he admitted that some of the criticisms have stung. Last weekend, while speaking at the Edinburgh Film Festival in his home country of Scotland, McGregor talked about his decision to take the role, the toll the harsh reviews took on him, and why he was so gratified when he returned to the franchise in Obi-Wan Kenobi, available on Disney+.

While McGregor was attending the festival in celebration of another one of his most beloved movies, Trainspotting, he did answer a few questions at a Q&A about Star Wars. Shooting the movie marked a stark contrast to his previous experience on movies like Trainspotting. On that topic, McGregor says (via Deadline):

But he ended up really embracing the experience, even if, at the time, the movies weren’t very popular with the long-time fans of the sci-fi franchise. It's not secret that the three George Lucas-directed films -- released between 1999 and 2005 -- have taken heat over the years, and some of that continues today. Despite that, McGregor reveals one thing he took from that experience. He adds:

Over the decades since, opinions have shifted on the prequels, especially as younger fans, those who grew up with those three movies as their first Star Wars experience. It’s something that McGregor has noticed and is grateful for. He says of that:

Going to a convention, and meeting some of the franchise's biggest fans, allowed McGregor to see the movies in a whole new light, saying:

McGregor makes an excellent point that I think is too often overlooked by the older Star Wars fans. The movies, as George Lucas has often pointed out, were made for kids. They weren’t just created as fan service to the millions of people who already loved the franchise; they were for their kids. It turns out, millions of those kids love them. So they might have been dragged by fans and critics at the time, wounding McGregor, but he and Lucas are getting the last laugh.

On that note, stream the Star Wars prequels -- along with other entries in the Skywalker Saga -- using a Disney+ subscription.

Most people visiting the set of a new Star Wars movie probably show up in a production van, flash a badge and try very hard not to touch anything expensive. Tom Cruise, naturally, had another idea. When the Mission: Impossible star decided he wanted to visit Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter set, his first logistical question was apparently whether there was enough room nearby to land his helicopter.

Levy laid out the already-ridiculous story in a Rotten Tomatoes Instagram video, explaining that Cruise asked where they were filming and followed it with, “Can my chopper land there?” The answer was yes. So the Mission: Impossible star flew himself over, landed near the production and spent several hours hanging around with the cast and crew. Because, of course, that is how he visits any film set. Seriously, you've got to hear this story for yourself.

Somehow, landing a helicopter was only the opening act. Levy previously revealed that the 64-year-old action icon arrived while the crew was shooting a lightsaber fight. The director jokingly suggested that the Top Gun: Maverick star grab a camera, which he apparently interpreted as an actual job offer. Before long, he was standing ankle-deep in mud and pond water trying to frame shots for the sequence. Levy has since confirmed that some footage Cruise shot will actually appear in the finished 2027 schedule release. It's wild to think this all started with a small gesture as Levy explained:

As previously revealed, the crew reportedly even played the Mission: Impossible theme over the loudspeakers when the Hollywood heavyweight arrived, which is maybe the only appropriate response to seeing Ethan Hunt descend from the sky in real life. This whole story was already legendary, but it gets even better because lead actor Ryan Gosling missed it all.

The Barbie star has said he was on the Starfighter set essentially every day during production, only for Cruise to arrive on one of his rare days off. Gosling later admitted he was still a little salty about the timing, joking that he hoped the longtime theatrical draw choosing that particular day was an accident. Instead of meeting him, Gosling received photos from Levy showing the Mummy veteran and young co-star, Flynn Gray, standing together in the mud.

Imagine calling out of work one day and finding out Maverick himself landed a helicopter in the parking lot, grabbed a camera and helped shoot a lightsaber duel. I would be bringing that up for years. The Minority Report alum was not the only Hollywood heavyweight to stop by. Steven Spielberg also visited Levy during production, and I'm amazed that Starfighter somehow had the director of Jaws and the star of Mission: Impossible casually wandering around set.

The actual movie will see Gosling star alongside Gray, Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth and Aaron Pierre. It takes place several years after The Rise of Skywalker and is scheduled to reach theaters on May 28, 2027. Rumors have swirled around Starfighter , as what we know about the film is relatively little. So, naturally, it has us waiting.

I remain giddy, however, over the notion that somewhere in this movie is a lightsaber sequence partially filmed by Tom Cruise after he flew a helicopter onto the set for what was supposed to be a casual visit. All in all, this is a story that'll be long remembered.

As we patiently wait for Starfighter and Cruise's lightsaber battle to hit theaters, we can console ourselves by revisiting all of the Star Wars movies and TV shows, which are available to stream in order with a Disney+ subscription.

For some time now, fans have known that Ryan Gosling is set to enter the galaxy far, far away by way of the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter. Plot-specific details on the Shawn Levy-helmed film have been mostly kept under wraps, and many have been eager to learn more. Well, the fanbase now has yet another key piece of information, as the identity of Gosling’s character has finally been revealed. Fans are now reacting and, while some have jokes, some die-hard devotees have a massive theory.

Both Gosling and Levy were on hand for the Entertainment Showcase at Disney’s D23 Fan Event on Friday. It was there that the duo (who will also be working on the Ghost Rider movie) debuted the first footage from Starfighter. Amid the proceedings, Levy also confirmed the name of Gosling’s character – Kade Auberon. Not much was said about Kade’s origins, though Gosling described him as “a guy from the wrong side of the galaxy whose fate is intertwined with the fastest starfighter ever built.”

That’s obviously not too much to go on, but that hasn’t stopped the gears of speculation from churning as far as fans are concerned. While Starfighter has been touted as a standalone story within the Star Wars franchise, some are of the impression that Kade’s name could indicate a direct connection to the existing films. Let’s just say that fans of the Expanded Universe (now filed under the Legends banner) may know where we’re going with this theory. Take a look at what some users posted on X:

• Calling it now. He's [Cade[ Skywalker. - @DragonZord979
• Kade? Like Cade skywalker or am I trippin😟 - @erics2741
• K A D E. You mean I have to tell my dumb friends they were right about Ryan playing the Disney version of Cade?? How could you do this to me, Walt? - @JSolo1994
• Blonde cynical rogue named Kade with a mysterious past set long after Episode VI? Welcome back Cade Skywalker. - @Kkodii_FR
• So.. Ryan Gosling is playing Cade Skywalker… Calling it now!! - @Phoenixxstrongg

Cade Skywalker was introduced years ago in the Star Wars: Legacy comic book series released over 20 years ago. The story established Cade as a bounty hunter and ex-Jedi padawan who was a direct descendant of Luke Skywalker and his wife, Mara Jade. The wayward Cade was also a powerful warrior, who was also believed to have the power to resurrect the dead (an ability his grandfather, Anakin, sought). Based on the comments above, it seems there are those who are keen on Gosling being Cade.

The idea of Gosling playing Cade is something of a long shot at this point, but it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility. While it hasn’t happened much, there have been instances in which certain SW characters have been re-canonized after being in the Legends continuity. Arguably the biggest instance of that is Grand Admiral Thrawn, who was brought back in Rebels before returning again in Ahsoka (and played once more by Lars Mikkelsen no less).

Of course, the biggest argument against the notion of Kade being Cade is that it would effectively defeat the notion that Starfighter doesn’t include specific connections to pre-established Star Wars characters. Sure, it would be cool to see a variation of Cade on the big screen, but I do like the idea of this movie not being hampered by any pre-established events.

Whatever the case may be, Ryan Gosling – who even had Star Wars sheets as a kid – seems to be excited about the movie. Starfighter also has a stacked cast that features the likes of Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre and Amy Adams as well as up-and-comer Flynn Gray. Levy is also a longtime fan of the franchise, and he previously revealed he was particularly inspired by Return of the Jedi. On the off chance Gosling is Cade, I have to wonder if Levy has been reading Expanded Universe material as well.

Time will tell whether there’s even more to Gosling’s Kade Auberon than meets the eye and, until the film is released, I’m expecting fans to keep speculating. See what’s what when Star Wars: Starfighter opens in theaters on May 28 as part of the 2027 movie schedule.

The return of Obi-Wan Kenobi is currently nowhere among upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows. And, apparently no one is more surprised than Ewan McGregor. In fact, the actor just called for more of his character (again). Plus, he brought up one big reason why it makes sense for the character to come back.

Ewan McGregor reprised the role of his Jedi Master for the 2022 series Obi-Wan Kenobi. The show earned mixed reviews from fans, but pretty much everyone agreed it was great to see the actor back in the Star Wars Universe. And the actor is simply waiting to yield that lightsaber again. In his words:

It’s not like Ewan McGregor has been shy about wanting to play Obi-Wan again before. A couple of years ago he shared hopes for Season 2 of the series that’s available to stream with a Disney+ subscription. The actor continued in the new interview by explaining why he thinks there’s plenty of story to tell that I hadn’t realized before. As he told E! News:

Hey, he’s got me convinced! Ewan McGregor is talking about the finale of Obi-Wan Kenobi which occurs when Luke and Leia are both 10 years old. That puts almost a decade between the ending of the show and A New Hope. This leaves a gap of story for Obi-Wan Kenobi that’s yet to be explored.

Ewan McGregor is currently 55, which is getting close, but not quite where Alec Guinness was in A New Hope aka his early sixties. As McGregor points out, that gives Disney some time, but also makes now a great time for him to get back in the robe. I hope someone at Lucasfilm has seen this and is scrambling to get a writer’s team ready for an Obi-Wan Season 2... or a movie even! Especially since McGregor seems very interested in reprising his role.

At the moment, there’s only a few known Star Wars projects on the way. The only movie that’s been officially made and dated for release is Star Wars: Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling. We also know that Ahsoka Season 2 is well on its way and a Rey movie starring Daisy Ridley is still reportedly in development. Seems like as good a time as any for Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan to swoop in, doesn’t it?

While Andor ended its acclaimed two-season run over a year ago, the impact of the Emmy-winning Star Wars show is definitely still felt today. Series creator Tony Gilroy and co. sought to craft a series that would fit into the galaxy far, far away but also feel grounded and unique compared to what came before. With that, Gilroy had no problem making shrewd creative decisions. That even included making alterations to a major element of the (now-beloved) prequel trilogy that he disliked, and I’m glad he improved on this as well.

Anyone who’s watched Andor (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription) likely knows the series features more than a few notable locations from the Star Wars universe. One of those is Couruscant, which serves as the capital of the Galactic Republic in the prequels and becomes the epicenter of the Galactic Empire in other media. It’s an important planet and, as revealed in The Art of Star Wars: Andor (The Complete Series), Gilroy was never a fan of how George Lucas’ prequels depicted it, and he only liked it in one separate instance:

Coruscant may be one of those fictional planets fans would love to visit, but Gilory wasn’t all that impressed early on for a key reason. Aforementioned visual effects artist Mohen Leo is also quoted in Phil Szostak’s book, and he laid out both Gilroy's issue with the location and how he wanted it to fit into his Rogue One spinoff show:

Gilroy and Mohan make fair points in that this particular spot on the Star Wars map doesn’t feel that dynamic in the prequels. It’s shown to be this pristine planet and, based on the movies, it almost feels like it couldn’t possibly have any lower-class areas, slums or even tangible, middle-class-populated areas.

So the creative team had to get to work, and Leo recalled a mantra of Gilroy’s that helped guide all that:

Gilroy needed “The Lower Depths and High Society,” and he also desired a look for the planet that would be non-Marvel funk and non-soapy, wealth-porn slick.” In his eyes, it needed to be “vibrant but blemished” as well as “crazy, credible, and fascinating.” He and his team more than succeeded on that front, as viewers see varied sides of the planet. There’s the bright, upper-class district including the senate and Luthen Rael’s antique store, yet there are also the back alleys that serve as the backdrops for Rebellion-based meetings. And, of course, there are tangible areas like Cassian Andor and Bix Calleen’s safehouse as well as Dedra Meero’s apartment.

What continues to be evident to me is the sheer amount of hard work that went into making Andor. In terms of the Coruscant-relationed alterations, they collectively represent just one of the reasons why the show feels so grounded. Yes, Star Wars can (and should) feel heightened at times, but I love that this show presents a corner of this world that I feel like I could live in.

Grab Phil Szostak’s The Art of Star Wars: Andor (The Complete Series) in stores now! Also, if you’ve yet to see Andor for yourself or just want to rewatch, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a watch on Disney+. Also, remain in the know on upcoming Star Wars movies and shows.

Even though he’s best known as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka, actor Hayden Christensen enjoys spending time in the Disney theme park land of Galaxy’s Edge as much as any other Star Wars fan. It’s also an annual bonding experience he shares with his soon-to-be 12-year-old daughter, as he takes her for her birthday every year.

When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first opened, fans were disappointed that they didn’t get to see and interact with like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader. That’s since changed with the addition of those classic characters taking up residency in Batuu. And while there is no specific Anakin Skywalker face character, it still has to be super cool to see Darth Vader walking around when you’ve had a hand in helping establish that character’s story. During a recent panel at Galaxycon Raleigh, Hayden Christensen shared the bit of fun he likes to have when he’s at the theme park:

While I would be absolutely delighted to witness this happening, it might get a little confusing if the Stormtroopers don’t know who Hayden Christensen is, especially out of the costume. And if you were wondering whether his daughter is aware of her father’s connection to Star Wars, the actor said in the interview that she hasn’t watched one of the movies all the way through yet, but she does know that he turns into Darth Vader, so at least she can be in on the joke. But it sounds like the daddy-daughter duo just enjoy hanging out in the immersive land:

It’s actually really nice to see how much the Jumper star embraces his involvement in the Star Wars universe. It not only means he’s gotten to share such special experiences with his daughter, but he also seems to really appreciate all of the fan love. Hayden Christensen has said it's been heartwarming to see the prequels embraced, and he and co-star Samuel L. Jackson even greeted fans at a surprise appearance for the 20^th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith in 2025.

The Shattered Glass star went on to reprise the role of Anakin Skywalker in the Disney+ shows Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka, but that doesn’t mean he’s put the role behind him. When asked at GalaxyCon if he feels there is a story to be told between Episodes III and IV, whether on the small screen or big screen, for Darth Vader, Christensen said:

There is nothing officially greenlit and there are no Vader projects currently scheduled on the 2026 movie release list or the 2026 TV schedule, so all we can do at the moment is keep our fingers crossed that maybe the powers that be will decide to move forward with that. But at least, if that does ever come to be, we already know that Hayden Christensen could be game to do it.

Insidious is one of the best horror movies of all time, so I guess it was only a matter of time before it joined the growing list of movies to get a novelty popcorn bucket like Transformers, Harry Potter and Dune. We now have a first look at the bucket that's on the way ahead of Insidious: Out Of The Further's release. What I really wasn't expecting, though, was for fans to make Star Wars comparisons and everything in between.

Honestly, I'm still not even sure how The Further works, so I guess I'm glad to see the next Insidious movie movie is getting out of that weird and creepy space. I'm also glad one of my favorite horror franchises is getting a popcorn bucket, and I'm surprised it's the Lipstick-Face Demon taking center stage. Take a look at the container in AMC's Instagram post and get a better understanding of why people are making Darth Maul jokes and plenty of other references:

The Star Wars comparisons are nothing new, because people always thought he looked like a relative of the villainous character. Lipstick-Face Demon, played by the first film's composer, Joseph Bishara, is one of the most recognizable mascots of Insidious. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like many recognize him based on these comments, which have me busting a gut laughing:

• Finally Darth Maul's cousin bucket. - newbieron20
• It looks like F. Murray Abraham - the_elusive_robert_denby
• That's Temu Darth Maul 😂😂 - movies_with_migs
• KENOBIIIIIIIII - returnofthejoedi
• Darth Maul is back 🤣 - pdulski
• Made him look super cheesy lol - mkaymeowshouseofhorror

I think the criticism has to do with the fact that the Insidious baddie looks disturbing in his popcorn bucket debut, but not necessarily terrifying. It reminds me of those scenes in movies in which a character is decapitated, but the special effects don't look convincing. Maybe I'm just too spoiled by how Hereditary's scene scarred me for life, and nothing else can compare.

Am I still buying one? Probably. With Insidious: Out Of The Further debuting amid the 2026 movie schedule later this month, this is the perfect prop to set up when Halloween season rolls around. Imagine having it positioned in a living room, and slowly moving it behind the head of a loved one while they're watching the movie?

That would be especially scary with Out Of The Further, as a woman discovers that she's able to enter and pull demons out of the Further and back into the real world. This means we could see Lipstick-Face Demon attacking people in the real world (on screen), and not just in the Further, which is a pretty frightening premise when you think about it.

I was optimistic when production wrapped on the project that this entry could breathe new life into the franchise, and I'm holding onto that until I see it in a theater and can make a decision one way or another. So believe me when I say I'll be seated when the film arrives and will likely have that popcorn bucket in tow. See Insidious: Out Of The Further when it hits theaters on August 21st.

The schedule of upcoming Star Wars shows has been somewhat light as of late, which runs in stark contrast to the constant stream of titles fans have seen in recent years. As is the case with any franchise, there are peaks and valleys, and the small-screen entries set in the galaxy far, far away have been hit or miss. However, the franchise’s newest series is receiving a considerable amount of praise upon its debut. It even has a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and, as a fan, I couldn’t be happier.

A New Star Wars Series Just Notched 100% On Rotten Tomatoes

Wednesday marks the release of Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi, which is a spinoff series of the critically acclaimed Visions anthology series. As of this writing, the anime series has a 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes out of 10 reviews. That may not be a high tally of write-ups thus far, but it’s still impressive nonetheless. As for the audience score, that number has yet to be notched, and I’m incredibly curious as to how general audiences are feeling about the eight-episode, Disney+ show thus far.

For the uninitiated, Production I.G.’s The Ninth Jedi continues a story told in two episodes of Visions, one from its first season and another from its third. The series is set in an alternate continuity in which the Jedi have long been extinguished, but the noble Margrave Juro seeks to revive the Order. Joining him are several allies, including his padawan, Lah Kara, who seeks to save her father, skilled sabersmith Lah Zhima. And, over the course of the series, Juro, Kara and co. seek to recruit others as they seek to challenge Sith Lord Nawaam.

Considering my own love of Visions (and continued hope for another short to be highlighted in this spinoff), I find it wonderful that pundits seem to be digging this 2026 TV schedule entry. I’m not exaggerating when I say that quite a bit of this praise has been effusive.

Critics Share Their Thoughts On The Ninth Jedi

It goes without saying that The Ninth Jedi is quite different from some of the usual fare Lucasfilm releases, and that’s significant, given Star Wars fatigue has been discussed over the last few years. Ryan Britt of Inverse acknowledges that the series does utilize elements that will be familiar to faithful viewers. However, that doesn’t seem to extinguish his admiration for this anime:

It’s obviously hard not to make note of the fact that it exists outside the established Skywalker Saga, and that’s significant coming off years of shows set within the Mandalorian timeline. IGN’s Jesse Schedeen seems to be pleased with this fresh continuity, as he seemingly finds it refreshing – even if it needs some time to get going:

It goes without saying that a compelling story should be a key component of any Star Wars project, but action sequences are also important. I mean, after all, this franchise is well known for its excellent lightsaber duels, which are present in both live-action and animated productions. Collider critic Aidan Kelley argues that The Ninth Jedi provides some of the IP’s best saber-based moments:

Chase Hutchinson of The A.V. Club seems enamored with this show as well. In his own review, he cites the creative team’s deft use of the anime art form, and he also shares positive sentiments about the characters:

This praise is definitely significant in a landscape where The Mandalorian and Grogu received middling reviews, and many are unsure what to make of the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter. At the very least, though, it feels like Lucasfilm has struck critical gold with Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, and I’m eager to see what lies ahead in future seasons of this anthology show. Check it now, alongside its parent series, using a Disney+ subscription.

Disney is a behemoth force in the entertainment industry, one that is constantly releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Unfortunately, some of the big summer movies have failed to make money at the box office. But even though The Mandalorian and Grogu is lowest earning Star Wars movie and the live-action Moana failed at the box office, Disney's CEO explained why it's not all bad.

When The Mandalorian and Grogu underperformed, it definitely turned the heads of fans who grew up on the galaxy far, far away. Add in the live-action Moana's poor reviews and disappointing box office performance, and some folks might think that the House of Mouse is in trouble. But during the company's earnings call (via Variety) CEO Josh D’Amaro shared some silver lining. In his words:

This is a perspective that might be lost on moviegoers, who only see how full theaters are and how much money each new release ultimately makes. But while Moana and Mando might have not made as much money at the box office as intended, there are other ways that those titles financially contributed to Disney as a whole. And as such, live-action Disney adaptations and upcoming Star Wars movies might not be in jeopardy after all.

So how exactly did these two movies service the studio, despite its poor performance in theaters? In the same earnings call, D’Amaro got into the details, saying:

Honestly, this does track. Because even if The Mandalorian and Grogu didn't make enough money at the box office, it helped sell a ton of merchandise. What's more, it also helped bring people back to a revamped version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney's parks.

And while not everyone ran to theaters to see the live-action Moana, it's almost guaranteed to be a hit when it arrives on Disney+. These beloved kids movies tend to be re-watched over and over again by families on the streaming service, so the studio could end up getting its moneys worth after all.

It remains to be seen when both Moana and The Mandalorian and Grogu end up streaming over on Disney+. For now, the latter can be purchased and rented on digital. We'll just have to wait and see what comes next for these two franchises.

There are popular franchises, and then there's Star Wars. Generations grew up with the movies, as well as live-action shows that are available with a Disney+ subscription. There are countless questions about upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, and actor Timothy Olyphant recently had a hilariously uncomfortable reaction when Craig Melvin pushed him for questions about his character Cobb Vanth. Let's break it all down.

The Mandalorian and Grogu underperformed in theaters, but fans are still eager for any information about their adventures on the small screen. Olyphant starred in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, and during an appearance on The Today Show, he was "interrogated" about his future in George Lucas' franchise. You can see the funny exchange between him and Melvin below:

Nice try, Craig. As you can see from the above post, Timothy Olyphant wasn't taking the bait and refused to confirm or deny that he'd be back as Cobb Vanth in a future Star Wars project. And I love how flustered he got before coming back at the Today Show journalist and calling his interview an interrogation. Hey, at least he's got a good sense of humor about it.

Fans have been curious about when we might see Vanth again since The Book of Boba Fett's finale revealed he was still alive and recovering in the Fett's bacta tank. Some folks were hoping Olyphant would appear in The Mandalorian and Grogu, but that didn't happen.

At the start of the Scream actor's interview on Today, he mentioned his ongoing enthusiasm about Star Wars, saying:

Ultimately, the journalist wasn't satisfied with this ending, and pushed back, asking Timothy Olyphant if he knows anything about his future as Cobb Vanth. After some give and take, the 58-year-old star jokingly responded with:

Olyphant laughed it off, and the clip of this interview is thoroughly delightful thanks to how exasperated he was by all the Star Wars questions. After all, it's already been a number of years since he was last seen in The Book of Boba Fett. So he probably wasn't expecting this line of questioning while appearing on The Today Show. But given the popularity of Star Wars, perhaps he should expect these queries for the foreseeable future.

The next Star Wars movie hitting theaters will be Ryan Gosling's Starfighter on May 28th, 2027. The Mandalorian and Grogu recently hit theaters as part of the 2026 movie release list and is expected to arrive on Disney+ in the fall.

It’s official: after Ryan Gosling talked about it, he really is going to play Ghost Rider. His upcoming Marvel movie was announced at San Diego Comic-Con, and along with it came news about who is directing it. I have to say, while the announcement about the Project Hail Mary actor did not surprise me one bit, the director they chose did leave me shocked.

Fresh off filming Star Wars: Starfighter, together, Gosling will team up with director Shawn Levy for Ghost Rider. You read that right, these two are jumping from one massive franchise to another together, and to me, that’s very, very exciting!

When it comes to Gosling’s casting, I can’t say I’m shocked. A few months ago, when he was promoting the release of Project Hail Mary on the 2026 movie schedule, he was asked on Happy Sad Confused about potentially playing Ghost Rider. He admitted he’d had conversations with Kevin Feige, calling it a “complicated situation” at the time. He’s spoken about this before then too, saying he had a “feeling” about this character. So, clearly, the manifestation worked.

However, while this announcement felt like it could be coming, the news that Levy would be on this journey with him was unexpected.

It’s shocking because they literally were just working on a Star Wars film. So, to jump almost immediately to Marvel is giving me whiplash. It will be a quick turnaround too, because one year after their upcoming Star Wars movie is released on the 2027 movie schedule, Ghost Rider will come out in 2028.

I do think these two are great fits for the MCU, overall. So, I’m thrilled to see them teaming up for this exciting project that Gosling’s been wanting to do. Clearly, they had such a good time on Star Wars that they wanted to make another massive movie together, and I’m ecstatic it’s Ghost Rider. Lots of fans are thrilled about this announcement too, as they commented on Marvel’s Instagram announcement:

• I used to pray for times like this 🙏 - @jpthemusicenjoyer
• Can't wait for ghost riders jacket 🔥- @he__is___him
• Midnight Suns 🙏- @voiceactorsingerrapperwriter
• “NICE JACKET!” 🔥🔥🔥- @rong.gur
• Ryan GHOSTling - @nzzhmd
• Let Nic Cage make a cameo🔥🔥🔥- @ceeramos97
• i apologize in advance for the person i'm about to become - @boda03

Of course, this won’t be Levy’s first rodeo with Marvel; he did direct the well-reviewed Deadpool & Wolverine, and he’s spent his career making action and adventure movies. So, it makes perfect sense why he's been tapped to ride with Ghost Rider. However, the speed at which he and Gosling signed on to another major project together is what got me.

Obviously, not everyone is thrilled by this news, though. Surprise can look different among fans, and here’s what some of the less enthused folks had to say:

• But yall cant make Blade??? - @infernicious
• Is it gonna get the 2019 Blade announcement treatment is the real question we all should be asking? - @sataniclivesmatter_
• SHAWN LEVY? should’ve given it to Sam Raimi 😭💔- @stillm.m

Listen, while people have a right to be anxious and question these choices, I think we should give these guys a chance.

It would seem whatever they did together on Star Wars made them want to collaborate again. So, I think we should all be excited about the fact that Ryan Gosling and Shawn Levy will be jumping from a galaxy far, far away to a world populated by superheroes as they prepare to fly with Starfighter and ride with Ghost Rider over the course of the next two years.

George Lucas has always been blunt - even about his own work - so I wasn’t surprised to hear he has less-than-glorifying thoughts on focus groups. We all know how he feels about certain Star Wars topics, so when the director sat down for an interview discussing the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (which is now in its final stages) I knew we were in for a delightful verbal treat.

What got the director started during his conversation with A Rabbit’s Foot: was his stance that “art is in the eye of the beholder,” but less so when the beholders are focus group members. It turns out his dislike for the group-based approach goes back to his famous friend group. Lucas name-dropped icons Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Francis Ford Coppola while revealing why he really hates movie focus groups. In his words:

His answer didn’t surprise me at all. Everyone he named - including himself - is known for their filmmaking talents and experimental movies. But they’re also known for being direct about their opinions regarding films in general. This has been especially true when it comes to the Marvel Universe. Just ask Francis Ford Coppola, who has been blunt about the superhero films, but showed much love to Black Panther director Ryan Coogler's horror epic by penning a love letter to Sinners. Scorsese has also shared such opinions, but maybe he'll be into the DCU's Clayface, since he's already made a body horror film himself.

In any case, the last director that Lucas name-dropped, Spielberg, is one that every generation knows, and is another that also doesn't ever seem bothered by negative critiques. (Most recently, he faced mixed reactions to his film Disclosure Day.) And I can understand that after speaking with some of the best filmmakers on the planet about one's movie ideas, it's a bit of a drop-off to then hear the opinions from random people. Lucas shared this blunt take on the matter:

I think we all know what Lucas is referring to when he says that. Every Star Wars trilogy and spinoff has sparked mixed reactions from the most passionate fans, specifically from those who thought Jar Jar Binks was terrible. Lucas certainly went into that movie knowing fans would be "picky" about the prequels, but no one could ever know how much.

But what shocked me the most was learning that people wanted the director to get rid of C-3PO and even the Ewoks at one time. I couldn’t imagine if those people had gotten there way. What is a Star Wars universe without the humorous duo of C-3PO and R-2? The director feels that studios allow the audience to be too involved in making modern movies, rather than viewing their opinions as just that. In his words:

Can you imagine what classics like Citizen Kane and Casablanca would have been like had they been guided by focus groups? How would they have changed Alfred Hitchock's Psycho had that been as big a part of the studio process at the time?

While George Lucas doesn’t have any current movies in the works, he is overseeing the completion of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art after installing himself as lead curator in the wake of the second curator quitting. The passion project houses 35 galleries and a collection that has more than 100,000 works, from infamous works to African American cinema artifacts.

This unique project serves as a commentary on “disposable art of the 20th century,” which Lucas feels “belongs at the center of its culture.” It seems the director and his wife, who is co-founding the project, want to focus primarily on art that “had never been considered art.”

I wonder if any artifacts from his director friends will be in the museum? After all, they are part of cinema history.

The Star Wars movies are a vital part of the pop culture landscape for decades, with entire generations brought up on the galaxy far, far away. In recent years fans with a Disney+ subscription were treated to live-action shows, starting with Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian. That hero and Baby Yoda made their way to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu, which struggled at the box office and is the lowest-grossing Star Wars film ever. But the franchise just got a hopeful update that should help quell the fears of fans who are worried we've seen the last of those two beloved characters.

The Mandalorian and Grogu's Rotten Tomatoes score was mixed. And when you combine that with its box office haul, some fans were concerned the movie might have been a franchise killer. But we're getting more content featuring Grogu and Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin shortly. The announcement came from the official Star Wars social media outlets, check it out below:

It look like Mando and Grogu aren't going anywhere anytime soon, as we're getting a new Disney+ special featuring those two beloved Star Wars characters in LEGO form. This will likely be a retelling of the events of The Mandalorian, but we'll just have to wait and see if it also includes parts of Jon Favreau's movie. Either way, it seems like the studio isn't ready to call it quits on this father/son combo.

While this LEGO special didn't come with any details about the franchise's future, I found this announcement to be a huge relief. While I really enjoyed seeing The Mandalorian and Grogu on the big screen, clearly not everyone agreed. And I've been nervous that the movie's conclusion will be the final time we see Pedro Pascal and Baby Yoda on the screen together.

The movie might not have performed as planned, but hopefully we'll still get a fourth season of The Mandalorian on Disney+. The show was a wild success, winning 15 Emmys across its first three seasons on the air. So while its transition to theaters left something to be desired, writing off Mando and Grogu altogether feels like a big mistake to me. After all, the show's popularity is a big reason why other live-action shows like Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor came to be. The latter is considered one of the best Star Wars projects of all time, so we've got to put respect on The Mandalorian's name.

The Mandalorian and Grogu will arrive to purchase and rent digitally on July 21st as part of the 2026 movie release list, while LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian will hit September 2nd on Disney+. Fingers crossed we get an update about the franchise's future soon.

George Lucas has spent more than 25 years hearing what fans think went wrong with the Star Wars prequels. Jar Jar Binks became shorthand for the Star Wars prequel trilogy’s sillier instincts, while the Ewoks and C-3PO had already faced similar criticism during the original trilogy. The director however, still does not sound especially persuaded by the argument that those characters were mistakes. The iconic director gets real about fan blowback over the sequels.

Speaking with A Rabbit’s Foot in a wide-ranging interview about filmmaking, technology and the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Lucas pushed back on the idea that creators should shape their work around fan demands. He said audiences can offer useful feedback, but studios often make the mistake of letting that feedback dictate the movie itself. That led him directly back to the prequel backlash and one of its most infamous targets. He explained:

George Lucas’ impression is pointed, but it also fits with something Palpatine actor Ian McDiarmid recently said about the filmmaker’s expectations for the prequels. According to him, the director knew that adults raised on the original trilogy might be “picky,” while younger viewers would likely connect more easily with the newer movies. This is a similar phenomenon we are seeing with the sequel trilogy.

That prediction looks fairly accurate in hindsight. The kids who grew up with Darth Maul, podracing and Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker are now adults, and many of them defend the prequel trilogy with the same intensity older fans once reserved for Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.

Lucas also argued that Jar Jar was hardly the first Star Wars character older viewers wanted removed. He continued:

The comparison will probably irritate some fans. C-3PO may be anxious, talkative and frequently annoying to those around him, but he never became the cultural punching bag that Jar Jar did after The Phantom Menace. The Ewoks are a closer match, since they were accused of making Return of the Jedi too childish and too easy to merchandise.

Lucas’ point is less about proving that every joke worked and more about reminding fans that Star Wars was never designed solely for adults who wanted the franchise to mature alongside them. When asked why his later films did not connect with grown viewers the same way, he gave a blunt answer. Finally, he added:

That response lines up with the way Lucas has discussed the entire Star Wars saga for years. Star Wars can contain war, betrayal and political collapse, but it still introduces those ideas through fairy-tale heroes, comic-relief droids and creatures designed to make children laugh.

The cycle has already repeated with the sequel trilogy, with some rumors even suggesting they may be retconned. Older fans criticized Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren and BB-8, while a younger generation entered the galaxy through those characters. In another decade or two, some of those viewers may be the ones defending the sequels against whatever comes next.

Lucas may not have convinced everyone that Jar Jar Binks is secretly great, or convinced fans of all ages that Episodes 1-3 belong on everyone’s list of the best prequels of all time. But he seems confident that the character belonged in the movie he wanted to make, even if fans who grew up with the original trilogy wanted something else. And you know what? Fair enough.

No matter your age, if you're a fan of the Galaxy far, far away, you can revisit all trilogies, spin-offs, and upcoming television series with your Disney+ subscription.

There are few franchises quite as popular as Star Wars, as entire generations have grown up with the galaxy far, far away. Star Wars movies started it all, but the property has also expanded thanks to live-action shows that are available with a Disney+ subscription. Chief among them is the Emmy-winning hit Andor, which featured Fantastic Four actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach in a handful of episodes during Season 1. And he recently schooled Seth Meyers about an important rule the beloved space opera lives by.

While fans are looking forward to upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, information about Andor is still trickling out. During an appearance from Late Night with Seth Meyers, the host recounted some of Moss-Bachrach's death scenes, including when the actor was "shot by a laser gun" in the Star Wars show. The Bear star corrected Meyers, saying:

Who knew? While it's common knowledge that the characters of Star Wars wield blasters, I didn't realize that the cast and crew were forbidden to refer to them as "guns." I have to assume this is due to the space opera being largely family-friendly. Although Andor might be the exception thanks to its complicated, adult-focused narrative.

While Star Wars is perhaps most closely associated with its epic lightsabers, tons of characters use blasters throughout the Skywalker Saga and beyond. But it's clearly very important that those who carry them use very specific verbiage. Don't you just love learning how the sausage gets made?

You can check out Ebon Moss-Bachrach's appearance from Late Night with Seth Meyers below:

In the first season of Andor, Moss-Bachrach played Arvel Skeen, a mercenary who worked for the Rebels on a covert mission. The Girls alum was (unsurprisingly) fascinating in that role, although he was unfortunately killed off after a few episodes. That plot twist obviously kept him from popping up in the second and final season of the Star Wars series, but the performance definitely kept Arvel in our memories.

In the above clip Meyers quizzed Moss-Bachrach about his various onscreen deaths. I'm hoping that another one doesn't join the ranks soon, specifically his role as Ben Grimm/ The Thing in the upcoming Marvel movie Avengers: Doomsday. He only just entered the MCU in Fantastic Four: First Steps, and was featured in a Doomsday teaser alongside Black Panther characters. But the stakes are high, and there's no telling how deadly Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom will end up being.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. For now, we can re-watch the Punisher actor's tenure on Andor over on Disney+.

The late Roger Ebert is one of the film industry's most notable critics, and while he's no longer with us, many of his opinions live on via the internet. We're all familiar with the classic movies he hated, and that he had some occasionally radical opinions, such as his radical distaste for fandoms and the role they hold in Hollywood.

While I hold reverence for Ebert and the road he paved as much as other past critics, I have to say I was shocked by this quote from his book, A Horrible Experience of Unbearable Length: More Movies That Suck, traveling the internet. In it, he goes on a rant that serves as a takedown of fandom culture, and doesn't mince words on how he feels about it. Read it below:

It's pretty rough stuff to read, especially if you're someone excited about upcoming Star Wars movies or bummed about the lack of new shows on the way for Star Trek. I find myself in both of those categories, and as a proud member of many fandoms, I have to talk about my problems with what Roger Ebert said so long ago.

Fandoms Are Not Full Of "Socially Inept" People

Roger Ebert made a lot of generalizations about fandoms, and I think the rudest is calling people who are dedicated fans "socially inept." Speaking personally, some of the biggest Star Trek fans I know are not only plenty capable of talking about things outside of it, but they've also managed to turn that fandom into a career.

In fact, many of Star Trek's recent showrunners, like Mike McMahan, started out as fans, and they used their encyclopedic knowledge of The Next Generation and other shows to pay homage to them or even come up with new ways to enjoy them. Some of them even became actors on the series, like Tawny Newsome. Go to one of her panels, and you'll realize she's forgotten more Trek knowledge than you may know.

These are just high-level examples, and say nothing to scores of fans I've met over the years who thrived in their job fields as engineers, scientists, doctors, or content creators. To generalize "fandoms" as nothing but a place for social outcasts to amass and spew facts at each other is not only rude, it's widely incorrect in my opinion. Fans across all across the human spectrum, which is part of what makes it so special.

Roger Ebert Forgets The Personal Attachment Many Have To Fandoms

Another thing Roger Ebert fails to understand about fandoms is that an intense love of any franchise can often start from an earnest place. Maybe we love a particular show or movie because we watched it with a loved one, or we experienced it through a particularly remarkable time in our lives. Entertainment can be therapeutic or comforting, and in those moments a fandom is born.

The way Ebert talks about it, it's like a person who is effectively a blank slate found a show and used it to shield the world from just how boring they were. Again, that's very rarely the case, and sounds like a comment from someone who was never really a part of one. Had he actually participated in a fandom, I think he might feel differently, but I guess we'll never know.

All this to say, I still admire Roger Ebert, and his right to have an opinion that still makes people feel things even from beyond the grave. Even if I think his opinion is wrong, I have to respect that!

One celebrity you can always count on for a good quip is Harrison Ford. The actor has spent his career being blunt and honest, even giving George Lucas “crap on the Star Wars set” and advocating for Han Solo’s demise. Some adore his grumpy personality, while others list him with other actors who hate their own fandom. So, naturally, he had a funny and blunt comment when he was asked which of his movies was his favorite.

When Ford recently showed up on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to discuss the newest season of Shrinking and talk about the lifetime achievement award he received, I knew we were in for a treat. However, the conversation delightfully pivoted when the host asked the actor to pick his favorite movie from his own filmography, leading the Indiana Jones actor to share an A+ quip:

Well, I'd expect nothing less or more from Harrison Ford. The interview started strong as he told the audience to “knock it off” when they were cheering. It only got better when his favorite movie came up following a few compliments by Kimmel about his award, which was presented by Woody Harrelson at the Actors' Awards.

This conversation about his lifetime achievement award led to more talk about the movies Ford has been in. In fact, Kimmel asked him what it was like to see a montage of his career on a big screen. In response, the 1923 actor dropped another great take, saying:

The interview focused on his achievements, which include his time on one of Apple TV's best shows, Shrinking, and being honored for his extensive filmography. However, Ford doesn't enjoy being in the limelight, stating he didn’t run his acceptance speech by anyone, not even his wife, Calista Flockhart. He “just wanted it to be over.”

So, clearly, Ford does not want to take a deep look back, and he definitely does not want to pick a favorite project. However, that won't stop me from talking about one of his most recent great works, which believe it or not, isn't a big-screen venture.

The beloved actor can currently be seen sharing the screen with Jason Segel on Shrinking (which is returning for Season 4). One thing Ford said he enjoys about being on a TV show is that he never knows what to expect, especially with his character having Parkinson’s Disease. Season 3 explored this further with Michael J. Fox playing a significant role alongside Ford. This is a storyline that has become dear to Ford, and he has nothing but lovely things to say about it.

Overall, when it comes to Shrinking (which you can stream with an Apple TV subscription), he's been praised for the humor and heart he brings to his character Paul, and there's 100% a reason he got an Emmy nomination for it.

Work like this is why the actor has been honored with a lifetime achievement award, and why people ask him which of his own movies and shows are his favorite. However, while fans might have strong opinions about that topic, don't expect Harrison Ford to.

Olivia Cooke is now arguably one of TV's big names, thanks to her impeccable work on House of the Dragon. So, as Season 3 airs on the 2026 TV schedule, it's wild to think that the actress who plays Alicent Hightower could ever lose out on a job. Of course, every actor has a role that got away and, as I just learned, Cooke missed out on a job of a lifetime in Star Wars after bombing an audition.

During an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Cooke revealed that she was in the running for a big role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and fans can probably guess which. While there's always still a chance she can show up in upcoming Star Wars movies, it won't be as Rey Skywalker, since she blew her chance at that role:

As we all know, everyone and their dog fell short, and Daisy Ridley became the new face of Star Wars. That's sad for Olivia Cooke but, obviously, everything happens for a reason, and who knows if she'd be crushing it as Alicent in House of the Dragon had she gotten picked over Ridley. Ironically, Emilia Clarke and Gwendoline Christie both did GOT and Star Wars, and I'd love for there to always a reality in which both could've happened for Cooke.

Of course, considering Cooke's talent, I was most surprised to hear her take on how the audition went. Based on the comments she shared with podcaster Josh Horowitz, the Ready Player One star's attempt to land the role was quite rough. Cooke ran down how it all transpired and gave props to Ridley for actually landing the job:

What's interesting is that while she allegedly "bombed" her Rey audition, Olivia Cooke remained in conversations to appear in Star Wars years later. She was rumored to join the cast of The Last Jedi. Based on the character description that was shared at the time, the role seemed to be Rose Tico, who was played by Kelly Marie Tran. Yet Cooke actually clarified that she never auditioned for that role and didn't know where the rumor came from.

It all worked out, of course, and she's now playing the character who might be the most traumatized in House of the Dragon. Honestly, I'd argue that the role has prepared her for what it could be like if she ever eventually joined Star Wars down the road, especially when it comes to handling the passionate fans. It's not easy being a star of a sci-fi or fantasy series, especially in the age of the internet when fans have more access than ever to stars.

We'll see if the stars ever align and we get Olivia Cooke venture into the galaxy far, far away. In the meantime, though, catch her on House of the Dragon, which airs on HBO on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET and is streamable with an HBO Max subscription. And, of course, fans can also check out Daisy Ridley's performance as Rey by streaming the Star Wars movies with a Disney+ subscription.

The Star Wars prequels occupy a fascinating place in pop culture. When The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith first arrived, reactions from longtime fans were, let's just say, spirited. Jar Jar Binks became a punching bag, midichlorians sparked endless debates, and plenty of viewers who grew up with Luke Skywalker and Han Solo weren't shy about voicing their disappointment. As it turns out, George Lucas apparently saw some of that coming.

During a panel at Spacecon 2026 (via Popverse), (somehow) Emperor Palpatine actor Ian McDiarmid returned and recalled the filmmaker's mindset. According to the actor, Lucas understood that the generation raised on the original SW trilogy might be difficult to win over. McDiarmid explained:

McDiarmid continued by revealing what Lucas considered his real measure of success. He continued:

As a middle-aged millennial raised on the prequel trilogy, I think that makes a lot of sense. Looking back, it’s remarkable how much the conversation around those movies has changed. They may not land on everyone’s list of the best prequels of all time or even on their favorite Star Wars films, but the kids who watched The Phantom Menace in 1999 are adults now. Those of us who loved Darth Maul, podracing and Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi grew up to become some of the loudest defenders of that era.

Suddenly, lines that were once mocked became beloved memes. Hayden Christensen returned to universal applause. Entire generations embraced characters that older fans initially rejected. In other words, Lucas may have understood something many fandoms forget: today's children eventually become tomorrow's nostalgic adults.

The cycle has already started repeating itself. The sequel trilogy received its own share of criticism, much like the prequels before it. Yet there are now young fans whose entry point into the galaxy far, far away was Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren and BB-8.

Twenty years from now, those fans may be having the exact same conversations. One thing Star Wars has consistently proven is that no single generation owns the franchise. And, if we are honest with ourselves, if you cue up any of the many Star Wars films and TV Shows with your Disney+ subscription and watch them in order, you can find something wrong in every installment. But what is the fun in that?

In short, some fans grew up with the Original Trilogy. Others discovered the prequels. Still, others entered through The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian or the sequel trilogy. I think we can all agree that each era brings different heroes, different aesthetics and different emotional attachments. And perhaps that was always George Lucas' goal.

When news broke that Amazon moved on from the Stargate project it announced last year, I was only mildly surprised. I was even less surprised when I heard the alleged reason was due to its concept, which was deemed something that could only appeal to dedicated fans and not a wider audience. That's because I think this cancellation points to a larger problem that's seemingly impacting a lot of major sci-fi franchises.

The 2026 TV schedule has been brutal for fans of sci-fi television, as Star Trek has zero shows in active production, Doctor Who will reportedly cancel its Christmas special, and The Mandalorian and Grogu is struggling to fight off being overtaken by a horror movie at the box office. Legacy sci-fi franchises are going through it right now, and there are some common threads between all these situations that I think creatives need to figure out quickly.

Core Fandom Support Is Seemingly Not Enough To Make A Show Successful Anymore

One thing all these franchises have in common is their ties to streaming, and it seems the messaging is clear. While there may once have been a time when a franchise's fandom could support a series on its own, those days are gone. I've theorized that different generations of fans with different beliefs have segmented fandoms and made it difficult to unify what they all want in a series.

A simpler expectation is that older fans are dying, and one Star Trek actor confirmed as much. I guess it makes sense, as some of these franchises reach the 60-year mark and beyond that a few would be lost along the way or simply fall off. Then limiting access to streaming subscriptions feels like it further sections off who can watch, with the bottom line seemingly being that executives aren't keen on relying on the small population of fans who will stream.

Changing A Treasured Franchise Is Not The Key To Success Either

It is frustrating to hear that Amazon allegedly passed on Stargate because it felt too niche and not something that appealed to a wider audience. While I don't know anything about the plot, I do know the person responsible for it, Martin Gero, made the revival of Quantum Leap. That probably landed him the job with Stargate, because he did about as good a job as possible at creating a revival that honored the original show while still being accessible to casuals.

We've also seen plenty of shows like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Wars: The Mandalorian strive to prove there is a way to walk the tightrope between serving fans and the masses.

However, it sounds to me as though Amazon is seeking someone to take the concept of Stargate and make it something new, and if that's the new corporate playbook for success, I'm worried for the rest of the legacy sci-fi franchises.

We'll see what becomes of Stargate as Amazon reportedly looks for someone else to bring the franchise back to life. As for the rest, we may hear more on Star Trek and Doctor Who when San Diego Comic-Con rolls around, and I'm hoping we'll finally see some good news.

The box office knives are already out for the 2026 movie calendar release, Masters of the Universe, which is probably inevitable when a big, expensive-looking He-Man movie heads into theaters with soft tracking attached. A lot of the early review chatter has framed Amazon MGM’s fantasy reboot as a likely flop before it even has a chance to lift the sword. I get the instinct, but I also think that framing misses much of what makes this release interesting and why it should be seen as less of a disaster than The Mandalorian and Grogu’s second week in theaters.

According to Boxoffice Pro’s Long Range Forecast, Masters of the Universe is tracking for a $30 million to $40 million domestic opening when it opens on June 5. That would be a muted start for a major franchise play, especially one built around a legacy toy brand with Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, Jared Leto as Skeletor and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn. Still, a soft opening for an Amazon MGM movie does not mean the same thing as a brutal second-week drop for The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Masters Of The Universe Just Got An IMAX Boost

One curious late development is that Masters of the Universe picked up IMAX screens at the last minute. IGN reports IMAX made room for the film after The Mandalorian and Grogu opened up space earlier than expected, with tickets going on sale just one week before the movie’s release.

That is good news for fans who want to see Eternia on the biggest screen possible, and it suggests Amazon MGM is still giving this thing a real theatrical swing. Unlike Netflix, which often treats theatrical releases like a velvet rope outside a streaming premiere, Amazon is putting Masters of the Universe into theaters for an actual run.

It may not explode out of the gate, but there is value in a streamer-backed studio still treating theatrical as something worth doing.

Early Buzz Could Give Masters Of The Universe Some Muscle

The good news is that early buzz has been warmer than the “this thing is doomed” chatter might suggest. Film commentator and critic Perri Nemiroff posted on X that Masters of the Universe could be one of her biggest surprises of 2026, saying she was swept away by its “super vibrant, weird and gleeful” energy.

Critics have been saying similar things. Mashable’s Kristy Puchko admitted her expectations were low before ultimately saying she really enjoyed Travis Knight’s take on the material, while The Irish Times called the film “all solid good fun” and “a minor miracle.” That doesn’t guarantee a breakout, but it sounds, by all accounts, the movie may have more going for it than tracking alone can show.

If families, nostalgic He-Man fans and curious folks with a Prime Video subscription hear the movie actually works, Masters of the Universe may have a better shot at hanging around than the early doom cycle suggests.

Amazon’s Math Is Not Disney’s Math

Of course, Amazon would love a hit. Nobody spends this much money on producing a big-budget fantasy flick because they hope for “decent enough.” But Amazon also has Prime Video waiting in the background, which changes how the movie should be judged.

A theatrical release can bring in real money, but for Amazon, it can also act as an awareness campaign before the movie eventually becomes a Prime title. That does not make the box office irrelevant. It just means a softer opening is not automatically a flaming wreck.

The challenge is that audiences know this, too. Amazon has trained many viewers to expect its movies to stream later. Even with a full theatrical rollout, some people will look at Masters of the Universe and decide to wait for the couch.

The Mandalorian And Grogu Has Heavier Baggage

That is why the Mandalorian and Grogu box-office comparison is a bit of an "apples-to-oranges" comparison. If Masters of the Universe opens soft, it is a stumble for a franchise trying to regain theatrical relevance. If a new Star Wars movie falls hard in Week 2 and gives up premium-format space sooner than expected, that feels like a warning light on a much bigger machine.

Star Wars is not supposed to be a bonus add-on for a Disney+ subscription. It is a legacy brand that has been around for decades. It's one of the first major film franchises that, in many ways, taught Hollywood how to think about blockbusters. The Mandalorian began as a streaming phenomenon, but bringing that story to theaters was meant to prove it could return to theaters.

That is a harder ask than what Masters of the Universe is facing. He-Man has nostalgia and a passionate fan base, but it is not carrying the same burden as Star Wars. So, yes, Masters of the Universe may have a soft opening weekend, but if it gets a real theatrical run, builds awareness and becomes a splashy Prime offering later, that is not the same kind of problem as Mando and 'Baby Yoda' losing altitude after one weekend.