Generation Star Wars

Admiral Ackbar was the first action figure I owned from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Sent off several proofs of purchase to Palitoy and eagerly awaited Ackbar's arrival in the post. At the time, his identity was kept secret and I assumed Ackbar was another feckless member of the Empire awaiting a similar fate to Admiral Ozzel in The Empire Strikes Back.

So, it was sad news to learn of actor Erik Bauersfeld's passing aged 93. His line "It's a trap!" became one of the most beloved from the franchise and, in recent years, a pop culture meme often heard in hit comedy series The Big Bang Theory.

Bauersfeld most recently reprised the role of Ackbar in The Force Awakens.

Ade Edmondson, best known for Bottom and The Young Ones, has secured a secret role in Star Wars: Episode VIII, after impressing directors Rian Johnson and JJ Abrams, according to The Sun.

A source said: "Ade is one of the most-loved comedy stars in the UK but even he would admit Star Wars is a surprise move for him.

"While JJ Abrams isn’t directing, he is still heavily involved and he is really keen on British talent.

"His character is top secret, like everything else to do with the film and its plot. But given his old comedy characters, it would make sense for them to give him an eccentric part."

Edmondson is an avid supporter of my hometown's football team, Exeter City F.C., and I'm looking forward to seeing Vyvyan, vanquisher of the Jedi, in action.

Star Wars Rebels takes a darker, more mature, turn in the breathtaking 1-hour season finale on Disney XD.

Longtime fans finally get to see Darth Vader and Ahsoka Tano clash. It's a dazzling encounter between former master and apprentice that evokes all the feels. James Earl Jones reprises voiceover duties for Darth Vader and nothing more needs to be said.

Series showrunner Dave Filoni and his creative cohorts aim high and deliver a dark denouement that will haunt many children's dreams much like the original trilogy did for the first generation of Star Wars fans (including myself). Whilst the season finale maybe unsuitable for younger children, the tone is in keeping with the darkness of The Empire Strikes Back and The Force Awakens.

Clearly, Star Wars Rebels is being framed to tie-in very closely with Rogue One and A New Hope. Kanan and the crew of the Ghost may shape upcoming events in the original and sequel trilogies more profoundly than originally thought.

If you're not watching Star Wars Rebels, may I suggest you do so post haste as the Disney XD series is finite and deeply enriches the canvas of a galaxy far, far away...

TT Games has released new gameplay footage for LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens and it's a triumphant return to form for the beloved video game franchise.

The trailer showcases the franchise's trademark humour and brand new features in what could be the best LEGO video game tie-in to date.



LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens is out on the 28th June for Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, PC, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Doctor Who is returning to the US streaming market exclusively on Amazon Prime from 27th March. Eight series of the current run, including specials, will be available.

Netflix and Hulu's contracts expired in February and weren't renewed amid speculation the BBC was about to launch a rival subscription-based streaming service.

No news on whether or not the popular sci-fi series will remain on Amazon Prime and Netflix in the UK.

Meanwhile, Peter Capaldi revealed Jenna Coleman's replacement aboard the TARDIS has been cast for series 10. However, Capaldi didn't say who. Former EastEnders actress Rakhee Thakrar has been linked to the role.

The current iteration of Doctor Who began broadcasting on BBC America in 2006.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), during the Empire Awards, Daisy Ridley confirmed she's in talks to play Lara Croft in a Tomb Raider franchise reboot on the big screen. The Star Wars: The Force Awakens actress would be following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie.

Ridley's Star Wars co-star John Boyega, who plays Finn in the sequel trilogy, admitted he'd already eyed Ridley for the role of Lara Croft and he's not alone.

“I played Tomb Raider the game, it’s a new take and I think the movies are going to be based on that version,” he told THR. “But I texted Daisy [and] was like, ‘this is you!’ and ‘you need to get on that because you could be Lara Croft.’ She should be."

Daisy Ridley has already proved her leading role credentials in Star Wars and would be a fitting Lara Croft. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

This week Sony announced the price and release date for its feted virtual reality peripheral. PlayStation VR. The new device, requiring PlayStation Camera, will cost £349.99 in the UK and is launched, ahead of the holiday season, this October.

A launch lineup of over 50 games, including Eve: Valkyrie, PlayStation VR Worlds, Tumble VR and Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, is promised. But, Star Wars fans will be much more excited to learn EA and developers DICE have announced a PlayStation exclusive virtual reality version of Star Wars Battlefront for PS4.

From the official Star Wars site: "This will be a Star Wars Battlefront gaming experience like nothing else… coming only to PlayStation VR, where players can finally fully immerse themselves in a galaxy far, far away. There will be more news about this in the months ahead."

Suffice to say it's piqued my interest enough to place a tentative day-one pre-order.

If the Star Wars Battlefront experience for PlayStation VR can successfully evoke this...



It's worth noting PlayStation VR will cost around £700 from scratch. This includes PS4, PlayStation Camera and Move controllers. The DS4 is compatible, but Move may experience its first renaissance since Heavy Rain.

Excited for PlayStation VR and what titles (if any) would you like to see supported? Let me know in the comments below.

Save the date Indy fans.

The Indiana Jones revival at Disney is officially a thing. The untitled sequel to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will be released in July 2019. This coincides with the final installment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy that year.

The news has been met with mixed reaction. From excitement to bewilderment. Franchise director Steven Spielberg will be back at the helm with Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role. Ford was most recently seen in Lucasfilm's, other famous franchise, Star Wars.

Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said: "Indiana Jones is one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history, and we can't wait to bring him back to the screen in 2019.

"It's rare to have such a perfect combination of director, producers, actor and role, and we couldn't be more excited to embark on this adventure with Harrison and Steven."

Are you looking forward to further adventures with Indiana Jones? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars actor John Boyega granted a special wish by visiting sick children, in costume as fan favourite Finn, at the Royal London Hospital.

The Bafta-winning actor took toys and taught 5-year old Daniel, diagnosed with a brain tumour, lightsaber moves.

The actor said: "When I heard about Daniel's wish to meet Finn, I jumped at the chance to make it come true. It was fantastic to be a part of his very special wish with Rays of Sunshine.

"It was also great to meet the children at The Royal London Hospital and be a part of something so positive."

As someone who spent time in children's hospital, following a head injury at primary school, Boyega has my utmost admiration and Daniel my empathy. May the force be with you. Always.

Star Wars fan films are always fun to watch and sometimes they go above and beyond. T7pro's Darth Maul: Apprentice, created by talented filmmakers from Germany, is one such example.

Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace gave the franchise one of its most iconic villains and Shawn Bu decided Darth Maul deserved an enthralling encounter with Jedi. It's fair to say Bu and his talented cohorts delivered and then some in this 18-minute short film in 4K.

"We always felt that Darth Maul should have had more screen time," reads the YouTube video's biography. "So we wanted to create a film just for him with the best lightsaber fights we could do!"