The Cait Corrain Review Controversy Explained, and More Top Pop Culture News of the Week

Somehow fans of Star Wars’ Kylo Ren and Rey Skywalker made the news for very different reasons this week. But outside of big drama in the sci-fi book world, we also got the last of Doctor Who’s anniversay specials, a new Dune Part Two trailer, and more in the list of our most read stories, so here’s you might have missed this week!—James Whitbrook

Author Loses Book Deal After Blaming Star Wars Fans for Bizarre Review-Bombing Scheme [Update]

Late last week, the fantasy/sci-fi book scene found itself in disarray following allegations of an author review bombing several other authors in the community. The end result has seen writer Cait Corrain lose her deal with Del Rey Publishing, and other partnerships she had in the works also canceled. – Justin Carter Read More

Christopher Eccleston Still Has a Strong Ask For Returning to Doctor Who

Christopher Eccleston has had a long road of private and publicly processing his time on Doctor Who—for many years, the actor simply refused to talk about why, having helped turn the series into a sensation when it returned in 2005, he left and never looked back. But, while still largely reserved, Eccleston is now more open about his experience than ever—and clearer about what it’d take for him to return. – James Whitbrook Read More

Alex Garland’s Next Movie Looks Scarier Than Any of His Sci-Fi Films

Alex Garland has written or directed several excellent, terrifying, disturbing films. Films like 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Ex Machina and Annihilation. Films that show familiar worlds in unfamiliar, and often times unfathomable, circumstances. His new film seems as if it’s going to do that too, but it’s somehow much scarier than all of those combined. Because, well, the dystopia feels a little too real. – Germain Lussier Read More

Wyatt Russell Would Love to Remake The Last Starfighter

The Last Starfighter is Hollywood’s white whale. The 1984 film about a young man who is recruited to defend a planet because of his video game skills was decades ahead of its time and, in recent years, has been the frequent subject of speculation and excitement. It seems everyone in Hollywood has attempted to bring the story back to life and there’s even been talk, and development, of a possible sequel that would do just that. – Germain Lussier Read More

Dune Part 2’s Epic New Trailer Teases a War Across Generations

It’s certainly disappointing that Dune: Part Two isn’t in theaters right now but sometimes waiting is the best part. Case in point, today we’ve been graced with a brand new trailer, and it’ll make you somehow even more excited for the sequel than you already are. Which is really saying something. – Germain Lussier Read More

The X-Men’s Return to Lego Marvel Comes at a High Price

Although the X-Men have been returning to the world of Lego in fits and starts recently—a few characters in the Marvel minifigures line here, a giant Wolverine fist there—2014 was the last time Marvel’s mutants actually got to star in a more traditional Lego set. That’s now changing… but it’s not an entirely joyous turn of events. – James Whitbrook Read More

Our Favorite Toys of 2023

We love toys here at io9, and when we’re not writing about them, we’re probably playing with them. It’s been a killer year for cool nerdy collectibles, so here’s just a few of our favorite things we picked up in the proverbial toy aisle this past year. – James Whitbrook and Germain Lussier Read More

Doctor Who Saved Its Biggest Gift for Itself

For a show that is often so optimistically forward thinking—and where change is baked into its hearts—Doctor Who often has a bittersweet view of its own past. Heroes and friends come and go, goodbyes are frequent and brief, and a lot of them are permanent, especially when part of the key to its longevity is that its main character dies every few years. But as a wise Time Lord once said, every once in a while, just occasionally, everybody lives. – James Whitbrook Read More

Did Indy 5 Borrow a Scene From a ‘80s Animated Movie?

io9 chats with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny director James Mangold about a particular Indy 5 chase scene.

Kylo Ren Wasn’t Originally Supposed to Become Ben Solo Again

As if the movies themselves didn’t make it more than obvious, fans have long come to understand that the Star Wars sequel trilogy changed drastically throughout development. Multiple writers and directors worked on The Force Awakens as well as The Rise of Skywalker, sometimes with radically different results, while The Last Jedi stayed true to itself in between, with even more polarizing results. – Germain Lussier Read More

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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