For nearly a year, rumors circulated about one of the largest LEGO sets ever developed in collaboration with Star Wars. Now those rumors seem confirmed, as leaked images have emerged of a Death Star set with more than 9,000 (!) pieces.

The photos of 75419 USC Death Star first appeared on Reddit, showcasing the set in a warehouse environment. In the background, stacks of brown boxes can be seen, but the full attention is on the enormous Death Star that is partially constructed.

Half Open Design

Notably, the set does not form a complete sphere but consists of a half construction. This design allows for the interior to be filled with scenes and details from the films, including Palpatine's throne room, a control panel featuring C-3PO, and a large landing area with a Sentinel Class shuttle.

The set includes numerous minifigures, such as stormtroopers, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader, enabling players to recreate iconic Star Wars moments. The battle scene between Luke and Vader, with Palpatine as a spectator, is also included.

One Of The Largest LEGO Sets Ever

With 9,023 pieces, the Death Star ranks among the largest LEGO sets of all time. Only three other sets have a greater number of pieces. While the price has yet to be officially confirmed, previous rumors suggest a retail price of nearly $1,000, which would make it one of the most expensive sets in LEGO history.

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Disclaimer:

This article is not sponsored by LEGO or any other supplier and is written because the subject relates to series and/or films.

The first two episodes of the new sci-fi series Alien: Earth are available to watch on Hulu in the US and Disney+ worldwide starting today. To mark the launch, a 60-second trailer has been released, paying tribute to the iconic teaser of the original Alien movie.

The series, created and directed by Noah Hawley, follows a young woman (Sydney Chandler) and a group of tactical soldiers who come face to face with an unknown threat after a spaceship crashes on Earth. The cast includes Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, and David Rysdahl.

Latest Promo Reveals New Footage

The new trailer features a lot of previously unseen material and hints at some central mysteries in the story, including the role of a cat that hasn't appeared in other promotional material. The American networks FX / Hulu have promoted several trailers and a behind-the-scenes featurette in recent months, but clearly have some surprises left for the weekly airings.

Hawley, known for shows like Fargo and Legion, also serves as showrunner and writer for all episodes. The reception has been strong, with a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. There are already talks of a second season.

Release And Continuation

Alien: Earth will air weekly with new episodes. Check out the compelling new teaser below!

It is not uncommon for a film to be released and receive a significantly controversial reception. This was certainly the case when the Soviet film Come and See premiered in 1985, as it was immediately labeled as one of the most disturbing war films ever made. What causes this perception?

The film's director, Elem Klimov, crafted the story based on the Nazi invasion of Belarus in 1943. It follows the viewer through the eyes of a young partisan fighter named Florya. What ensues is not a heroic epic, but rather a hallucinatory, nightmarish glimpse into the horrors of war.

Problematic

At the time, numerous film critics labeled Come and See as overly shocking. Criticisms were directed at the long takes, the intense sound design, and the camera's unyielding focus on the protagonist's terrified expressions.

Klimov did not aim for a typical propaganda piece. The visuals are not heroic but exceedingly raw. Consequently, some critics deemed the film too extreme for audiences, while it was seen in the West as a moral propaganda tool, which was quite the opposite of its intention.

Reappraisal

In the decades following the Cold War, the perception of Come and See has changed dramatically. Whereas some viewed it as too confrontational or political in the 1980s, it is now celebrated worldwide as a masterpiece.



Today, the film is regarded as one of the most realistic depictions of war on film, continually ranking highly in lists of the greatest war movies of all time. It serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war, inspiring many other filmmakers in its wake.

NBCUniversal has announced that it has acquired all rights to the book series about Jason Bourne and Treadstone by author Robert Ludlum, excluding publishing rights.

This acquisition means that NBCUniversal now has the exclusive right to create adaptations of the Bourne franchise, not just now, but also in five, ten, or even fifty years. The rights are granted in perpetuity.

Future Plans For The Franchise

With this deal, NBCUniversal strengthens its grip on the Bourne franchise and lays a foundation for future expansions. Producer Frank Marshall has already been appointed to oversee new projects in the series.

The rights became available after being held by another studio. The WME agency began offering the Ludlum library on behalf of the late author’s estate in March.

Response From Universal Pictures

Peter Cramer, president of Universal Pictures, reacted enthusiastically to the news. In a statement, he says: "Since the first film in 2002, the iconic Bourne franchise has reshaped the spy genre with groundbreaking films that have raised the bar for action cinema."

He adds: "We are excited to further expand the Bourne universe with new stories that will resonate with global audiences."

From Book To Blockbuster

Robert Ludlum published the first Bourne book, The Bourne Identity, in 1980. Twenty years later, the story was adapted into a film directed by Doug Liman, starring Matt Damon, marking the beginning of a successful series.

Some cast changes are immediately noticeable, while others slip by almost unnoticed. In the second season of Wednesday, currently available on Netflix, a well-known member of the Addams Family has been seamlessly portrayed by a new actor.

Butler Lurch, the silent yet loyal aide of the family, has been a staple in the Addams universe for decades. His imposing figure and stoic expression undeniably evoke memories of Frankenstein's monster. In the original TV series from the sixties, his signature line "Did you ring the bell?" became a recognizable moment for viewers.

From Burcea To Suotamo

In the first season of Wednesday, Lurch was played by George Burcea, who made a convincing appearance at 1.90 meters tall. However, in April 2024, he announced he would not return for personal reasons. For season two, the Finnish actor and former professional basketball player Joonas Suotamo took over the role. Standing at 2.11 meters, he literally surpasses his predecessor.

Suotamo is no stranger to playing gentle giants. He previously portrayed Chewbacca in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker, and Solo: A Star Wars Story. In 2015, he succeeded the late Peter Mayhew in this iconic role.

Subtle Differences

Although the change went unnoticed by many viewers, discerning fans can spot subtle differences in posture and facial expressions. However, the makeup department ensured that the transition was visually seamless.