The big screen is going back long, long ago, to a galaxy far, far away, as three new Star Wars films have been announced by Lucasfilm.
The three movies will take place at different stages of the Star Wars timeline, and will be directed by James Mangold, fresh from the new Indiana Jones film, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, from Ms Marvel, as well as Dave Filoni – the man behind The Mandalorian and the upcoming Ahsoka.
Mangold’s project is said to go back to the “dawn of the Jedi”, with Filoni’s film concluding the stories told in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka in the era of the New Republic.
Obaid-Chinoy’s movie will see Daisy Ridley reprise her role as Rey, who was the focal point of the final trilogy in the original Skywalker Saga.
Lucasfilm, which is owned by Disney, said Rey will spend the film, which will be set 15 years after The Rise Of Skywalker, building a new Jedi order.
The announcements were part of a busy opening session at the annual Star Wars Celebration event, which this year is taking place in London.
Talking on stage, Obaid-Chinoy said: “I’ve always been attracted to the hero’s journey and the fact that the world needs many more heroes,” adding she has been working with “a powerful Jedi master” – who was revealed to be Ridley.
“My heart is pounding,” she said, appearing on stage. “I’m very thrilled to be continuing this journey.”
Elsewhere, convention-goers saw the new trailer for the upcoming series Ahsoka, which stars Rosario Dawson in the title role, as well as footage from the next series of Andor.
Upcoming television series in the Star Wars franchise had full casts revealed. The Skeleton Crew will star Jude Law and The Acolyte will be led by The Good Place’s Manny Jacinto, Matrix star Carrie-Anne Moss and Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae.
The cast of The Mandalorian appeared on stage too, though without lead star Pedro Pascal, to discuss the fan-favourite series, where creator Jon Favreau admitted the story is beginning to conclude.
And though it’s not a Star Wars project (though made by Lucasfilm), a trailer was shared for the latest Indiana Jones film, introduced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mads Mikkelsen.
Six minutes of footage from the new Harrison Ford-led movie was also shown.
The annual celebration of one of the world’s biggest film franchises will run through the entire Easter weekend at London’s Excel venue, where more announcements are likely to be made, and other stars will appear – including the likes of Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Obi-Wan Kenobi himself, Ewan McGregor.
British actor Terence Stamp – who famously played General Zod in Superman and Superman II – has died at the age of 87.
The Oscar-nominated actor, who was born in London’s East End, also starred in hits such as Theorem, A Season in Hell, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
He formed one of Britain’s most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in “Far From the Madding Crowd” in 1967.
In a statement, his family said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Fashion brand Topshop celebrated its relaunch with its first catwalk in seven years.
The company’s website promised everyone was invited as models strutted down a runway on Trafalgar Square in front of noughties fashion icons Cara Delevingne and Adwoa Aboah and the London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
The label has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020.
Image: Topshop held a catwalk in Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Image: A model on the catwalk
Its previous owner, Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia group, collapsed into administration and all of Topshop’s physical stores – including the Oxford Circus flagship in London’s West End – closed soon after.
Delevingne told Sky News she was “totally blown away” by the relaunch event.
“It was like nostalgia mixed with something eclectic but also something brand new,” she said.
“For me, it really brings back a time of exploration of my own fashion sense because I think for me at Topshop I got to discover so much.”
The model, who is working on a capsule collection for next year, has already unveiled a choice edit in this year’s show and said her relationship with Topshop precedes her fame.
She said: “I would go in and my friends would be like ‘you would look good in that’ and I would go ‘no, that’s not really me’, and then you’d try it on and be like ‘oh maybe I can explore more’.
“They really have everything for everyone, and I feel like they brought that back.”
The runway showcased highlights from its Autumn-Winter 2025 collection, as well as an early preview of pieces set to drop later this season, including showstopper gowns, the classic white tee, and an aloe vera-coloured faux fur coat that surely should not have been on display – to prevent just about everyone rushing to buy it.
Image: Topshop’s relaunch was staged at Trafalgar Square
Image: Models in front of the National Gallery in London’s Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Reclaiming the high street
But sharp tailoring and statement outerwear suggest the brand is ready to reclaim the high street.
Must-have denim pieces completed the womenswear line-up while the Topman collection screamed modern utility by blending refined formal wear with sharp new silhouettes.
Casual pieces are grounded by authentic denim in deep indigos, which stood out on Trafalgar Square’s magnificent stone steps.
Topshop’s relaunch comes as the high street continues to struggle and as the UK operation of Chinese fashion giant Shein announced pre-tax profits of £38.3m for the year, up some £14m from 2023.
‘Top end of the market’
Moses Rashid, global marketing director at Topshop/Topman said they are competing in a different space.
Image: Topshop has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020
“We’re at the top end of the market. We’re about elevation. We pride ourselves on the quality of the product,” he said.
Those products are being designed in north London, and managing director Michelle Wilson said the aim is to stay that way.
“We are a British brand, we want to be a positive force for fashion. We want to bring London to the world. It’s fundamental to who we are as a brand, our style is very much London-driven.”
The majority Danish-owned company has suggested it will slow fashion down by opening physical stores where customers can touch the products, browse collections and try things on, though the flagship on Oxford Circus is unlikely to return because a Swedish fast furniture brand has since occupied the space.
Designer Wayne Hemingway has previously collaborated with Topshop and said the relaunch must be more than nostalgia.
“They can’t rely on their old customers because their old customers have now got kids of their own to spend their money on, and they’ve got mortgages and all of those things of what being an adult means.
“They’ve got to have designers, marketeers, people who understand – who are on the pulse – who understood, number one, what was a success back then, and also a young generation of people who are there saying, ‘this is what our generation needs’, and who are bright and can help deliver that. They can’t rely on the past.”
Jones said in a statement: “A few months ago, I had to stop my tour HA!MILTON because I needed treatment for prostate cancer. I’m glad to say I’ve had that treatment and am now cancer-free!
“So, many thanks to all the doctors and nurses who helped me get better – I couldn’t do their job (I tried, but apparently you have to be qualified).”
Thanking his family, friends and fans, he went on to joke: “I have to admit there were a few dark moments when I wondered if anyone would ever see me again, but then I realised that I was leaning against the light switch.
“Thankfully, I’m now in a completely different place, and if you look at my website, you’ll see that very soon I’ll be in lots of other different places on tour too”.
Jones picks up his tour on 15 September in Stafford, touring until the end of November 2025.
The show, whose name is a play on the title of the hit musical Hamilton, promises laughter and unforgettable comedy moments, as well as jokes about giraffes and tomatoes.
The Richmond-born comedian has been hailed as the king of the one-liner, basing his jokes on clever wordplay and surreal humour.
He has performed on Live At The Apollo, Lee Mack’s All Star Cast, and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.