It’s shaping up to be a big few months for fans of Star Wars.
Before spring has even been allowed to settle, 2023 will already have delivered new seasons in the popular Mandalorian and Bad Batch series, and one of the most highly anticipated games of the year.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the sequel to 2019’s Fallen Order, which released to widespread acclaim and has since amassed more than 20 million players.
Among its qualities was the performance of its lead actor, Cameron Monaghan, who had made his name in TV shows including Shameless and Gotham.
Having lent both his voice and likeness to the character of Jedi Knight Cal Kestis, the 29-year-old offered some star quality to the project – and thinks more of his peers will soon make the jump into games.
“We’re seeing games coming into their own as a story-telling medium,” he told Sky News.
“We’re seeing mature, smart stories being told, which are every bit as in-depth and meaningful as film or TV can be.
“Regardless of whether a performer has been on film, TV, or theatre, or might specialise in performance capture, or voice acting, there are so many performers that are getting their due through the video game medium.”
Image: Monaghan expects more screen actors to take on video game roles
‘My inner 12-year-old is really excited’
Monaghan said he was excited to be picking up the lightsaber again for the sequel to Fallen Order.
The American, who also performed motion capture for the part, said his “inner 12-year-old kid who just used to run around with a broom handle, and spin it until I broke a lamp, is really excited to be able to continue”.
He said there was no difference between acting for film or TV, and performing in a 3D-rendered game.
“In any of them, you’re just trying to find the truth of scenes and situations,” he said.
“As long as you’re present and reactive, that’s the most important thing you can do as an artist and a performer.
“Obviously the window dressing around it changes, on a set so much of what you’re worried about might be your lighting or your wardrobe.
“When you get on to a performance capture stage, a lot of it is a lot more technical.”
While he had praise for the “really incredible” Andor, Monaghan denied these productions had any impact on his portrayal of Kestis, as most of his inspiration for the character came from outside the Star Wars universe.
He said: “For me, when I’m watching any film, any story, I’m usually trying to look for a little something to put in the back pocket and use at a different time.”
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is due for release on 15 March.
Neighbours has been axed for a second time, just two years after Amazon threw the Australian soap a lifeline.
A statement on the programme’s social media accounts confirmed the final episode of the 40-year series would air in December 2025.
The show follows the lives of the residents of Erinsborough, a fictional suburb of Melbourne, with famous former alumni including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie.
Executive producer Jason Herbison said: “Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years including often appearing as one of the Top 10 titles in the UK and the show’s first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024.
“As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally.
“We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future.”
Image: Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan returned for the first series finale. Photo by Fremantle Media/Shutterstock
It is the second time the show has been cancelled, after it was first axed by Channel 5 in the UK after it failed to secure new funding.
But a few months after what was meant to be its final episode, the series was revivedby streaming giant Amazon Freeve and Freemantle.
The show is available online in the UK and on Channel 10 in Australia.
Channel 10 said on X: “They’ve been our neighbours for almost 40 years, we’re so sad to be saying goodbye. We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this remarkable Australian story over the years.”
Dad was a showman with great charisma, but he never lost sight of the fact that an interview is about the guest, not the host.
That is made clear when you review the 10,000+ interviews he did, as I have done over the last decade since he left us.
That theme has been central to the series, David Frost Vs.
Image: David Frost with Muhammad Ali. Pic: David Paradine Productions Ltd
Image: Elton John and David Frost in New York in 1978. Pic: Adam Scull/Shutterstock
Image: John Lennon and Yoko Ono with Sir David. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock
Six individual films about crucial moments in our recent history, that are still relevant and resonant today, where Dad just happened to have a front row seat, not six films specifically about Dad.
His extraordinarily revealing interviews with the likes of The Beatles, Yoko Ono, Muhammad Ali, Jane Fonda, Elton John and Richard Nixon are in part so revealing because they were given time to breathe.
Image: Jane Fonda being interviewed by David Frost. Pic: David Paradine Productions Ltd
Image: David Frost with George Harrison and John Lennon in 1967. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock
Long-form is critical to have a chance of delivering the era-defining conversations that stand the test of time as he did so often. But it takes much more than that. These conversations are deeply personal.
I think our films will reveal more than expected about the people and topics we explore because you really feel the words being spoken.
Dad understood live television better than anyone and when it came to interviewing, both his guests and his viewers are drawn in because what drove him was a genuine curiosity about people.
Image: Sky’s Wilfred Frost interviewing Sir Keir Starmer last year
Image: David Frost with his wife Lady Carina and Wilfred as they left St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington on 19 August 1985. Pic: PA
He never entered an interview with an agenda. He was interested in the person in front of him and what they had to say.
But I don’t think that is something you can teach or learn. He just genuinely loved people.
David Frost Vs is coming soon to Sky Documentaries.
Creative control of the long-running James Bond franchise has been handed to Amazon MGM Studios, in a joint venture with the current owners.
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson – who are the daughter and stepson of film producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, the man responsible for developing the Bond franchise into the success it is today – will remain co-owners of 007 intellectual property rights.
The pair own EON Productions, the company behind Bond films including Skyfall and Spectre. It has produced 25 films since 1962.
Image: Craig played Bond for a fifth and final time in No Time To Die. Pic: MGM
The deal follows speculation over when the next Bond movie – and indeed the next Bond – will be announced.
The last film, No Time To Die, was delivered four years ago to rave reviews and box office success. It was the swansong for Daniel Craig in his performance of the lady-loving spy.
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Details of the 26th official Bond film – and its new star – are yet to be revealed.
In a statement on EON Productions website, Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios said they were “honoured to continue this treasured heritage” and looked forward to “ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world”.
Wilson said that after 60 years spent working across the franchise, he would now be focusing on “art and charitable projects”.
Image: Brian Cox and Barbara Broccoli on the 007: Road To A Million red carpet. Pic: Ian West
Barbara Broccoli said: “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli.
“I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of No Time To Die and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.”
In 2022, Amazon bought MGM Studios, which distributes Bond, for $8.45bn (£6.79bn).
Since the acquisition, the streamer has held the rights to distribute all the Bond movies.
Image: Cox as The Controller in 007’s Road To A Million. Pic: Amazon Prime Video
In the spring of 2023, Amazon Prime Video launched Bond-themed reality show, 007 Road To A Million.
Hosted by Succession star Brian Cox, it offered nine pairs of contestants the chance to win £1m as they travelled through global locations associated with the franchise.
While no one took home the full £1m jackpot, brothers James and Joey did take £150,000. The show was met with a mixed critical reception but was given the green light for a second season.