News

Yesterday, we already took a detailed look at the first teaser for the new »Harry Potter« series, but this week also brought several other interesting new announcements with trailers attached. The biggest talking point was probably Disney's live-action adaptation of »Moana«, because the first footage from this »why-did-this-need-to-happen?« project really did not win us over. Much more exciting, on the other hand, were these five contenders:

Devil May Cry Season 2
»Devil May Cry« fans only have to wait until May 12th to finally dive into the second season of the Netflix anime adaptation. The teaser already reveals that things are getting very personal for Dante, as the new season revolves around the feud with his twin brother Vergil. Although the two are constantly locked in bitter combat, Dante is determined to pull his brother back to the right side. The only question remains: can his brotherly love withstand Vergil's ruthless pursuit of power? Check out the trailer here:
https://youtu.be/fbZYa3bWnVw

And for those who celebrate the classic look from the video games, the »Devil May Cry 5« statues by Prime 1 Studio are absolute must-haves. While the 1/6 Dante Concept Masterline statue portrays the Devil Hunter in an incredibly audacious style, the 1/6 Vergil Concept Masterline statue captivates with a pose that perfectly expresses his superiority. We have both brothers listed for pre-order in our shop – take a look:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Games/Devil-May-Cry:::4684_4883.html?language=en&filter_id%5B0%5D=216&filter%5B0%5D%5B0%5D=40

The Sheep Detectives
And now for something completely different: sheep investigating a murder case! »The Sheep Detectives« is the film adaptation of the brilliant bestselling detective novel »Three Bags Full« by German author Leonie Swann. In this story, the sheep of shepherd George investigate his death after he is found one morning, stabbed with a spade. The trailer delivers animal-driven humor in the vein of »Babe« mixed with a »Knives Out«-style whodunit mystery. The cast is first-class as well: Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson appear in the main human roles, while Bryan Cranston, Patrick Stewart, Regina Hall, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris O'Dowd, and Bella Ramsey, among others, can be heard as the voices of the woolly investigators. This is going to be a baaa-rilliant time:
https://youtu.be/826SRt1CFbg

Apex
Things take a much less amusing turn in the trailer for »Apex.« In the remote Australian wilderness, Sasha (Charlize Theron) is hunted by a ruthless pursuer (Taron Egerton). Battling both her stalker and the harsh elements of nature, her will to survive seems boundless. Usually, these types of survival plots feel like "seen one, seen them all", but »Apex« might just be a striking exception. It premieres on Netflix on April 24th. Check out the trailer below:
https://youtu.be/kgv8jf_8dm0

The End of Oak Street
The mystery thriller »The End of Oak Street« from »It Follows« director David Robert Mitchell shows how the uptight American suburban street Oak Street is transported to an unknown location by a strange cosmic event, forcing an unassuming middle-class family, led by parents played by Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, to rise above themselves with their two children in order to survive the foreign environment they suddenly find themselves in. Produced by sci-fi blockbuster director J.J. Abrams, the trailer already stands out through striking camera choices, dense suspense atmosphere, and a shadowy glimpse of a dinosaur without revealing anything about the actual story.
https://youtu.be/IoHWPAN6FPg

Forgotten Island
And finally, for all the families among you, we have an alternative to »Moana«, because DreamWorks, the production team behind »Shrek« and »How to Train Your Dragon«, along with Oscar-nominated directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado (»Puss in Boots: The Last Wish«), offer a first look at their new animated film »Forgotten Island«. The film follows two best friends who are transported into a strange new world. To find their way back home, they must give up a shared lifetime of memories. What makes the film especially interesting is that it draws on Philippine myths and legends, while its art style is also heavily inspired by Filipino culture. The trailer looks absolutely gorgeous, feels a little reminiscent of »K-Pop Demon Hunters«, and could very well become DreamWorks' next big hit:
https://youtu.be/a8RHqN93qfo

Oh, and the animated series »Stranger Things: Tales from '85«, which premieres on Netflix on April 23, has also received a new trailer. We're still fairly skeptical, though, about whether this will actually turn out well or if the franchise's proverbial cash cow is simply being milked yet again — quite apart from the boycott by some of the show's original voice actors over an AI clause in Netflix contracts. See for yourselves:
https://youtu.be/kajCUhg36R0

Something far more exciting for fans, of course, is our »Stranger Things« section in the shop. How about the WSQK Hawkins Hitmaker Kit by Doctor Collector, for example:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Serien/Stranger-Things:::4682_4928.html

Two titles that caught our attention are launching today: the eight-part miniseries »Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen« on Netflix and the feature film »They Will Kill You«.

»Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen« tells the story of Rachel (Camila Morrone) and Nicky (Adam DiMarco), a couple who spontaneously decide to get married. During their initial visit to Nicky's family's remote estate, the wedding is scheduled for a week from now – but Rachel senses that something isn't right. Is it just her pre-wedding jitters, or is there a dark secret lurking? Weronika Tofilska (»Baby Reindeer«) directed several episodes, and the Duffer brothers (»Stranger Things«) serve as executive producers. The atmospheric trailer, in particular, piqued our interest:
https://youtu.be/vMc_pWm7G7o

At first glance, the trailer for »They Will Kill You« is reminiscent of »Ready or Not«, for which a sequel is already in the starting blocks. Director Kirill Sokolov, known for his debut »Why Don't You Just Die!«, presents his first American film with this one:
https://youtu.be/AqNFJUihSHg

Zazie Beetz plays Asia Reaves, who takes a job as a maid in a New York high-rise – unaware that a satanic cult has chosen her as a human sacrifice. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive: the film's distinctive style, playful use of references, and fast pace are praised. Comparisons to Quentin Tarantino, »Kill Bill«, »John Wick«, and »The Raid« are frequently drawn.

For our taste, the trailer shows a lot of kills and gags. Hopefully, Warner hasn't already used up all their good stuff. So maybe just take a quick look, or simply go with the flow for a bloody and bizarre movie night with a mix of action, gore, and humor. ;)

To mark yesterday's Tolkien Reading Day, Warner Bros. released a short video in which Peter Jackson revealed some exciting news:
https://youtu.be/HMHh4L2626A

Preparations for »The Hunt for Gollum« are already in full swing: Filming is scheduled to begin in New Zealand in May 2026, directed by Gollum actor Andy Serkis. Many members of the original crew are returning. The film is slated for release on December 16, 2027.

But that's not all: In addition to this project, another live-action film is in development – ​​and its screenwriter is none other than talk show legend Stephen Colbert. Colbert, a self-confessed »Lord of the Rings« fan, conceived the idea for »The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past« and pitched it to Peter Jackson two years ago. Together with his son Peter McGee, also a passionate Tolkien fan, and »Lord of the Rings« veteran Philippa Boyens, he is now working on the screenplay.

The story takes place 14 years after »The Return of the King«. It centers on the hobbits Sam, Merry, and Pippin, who decide to retrace the first steps of their journey. At the same time, Sam's daughter Elanor stumbles upon a long-hidden secret... Inspiration was drawn from chapters 3 (»The Journey of Three«) through 8 (»Mist on the Barrow-downs«) of »The Fellowship of the Ring« – a hobbit adventure that was left out in the previous films. Fan-favorite Tom Bombadil also makes an appearance, and his absence from the trilogy was lamented by many fans. His appearance in a new film would definitely be a blast!

There's a lot going on in Middle-earth again! We're sure that Weta Workshop will delight us with new collectibles related to the upcoming films. A 1:6 scale statue of Tom Bombadil would be a dream come true, wouldn't it?

And speaking of LOTR collectibles: Dark Horse is currently focussing on the 1978 animated »The Lord of the Rings« film and just announced a beautiful PVC figure set featuring Frodo, Aragorn, and Samwise. As soon as we have more information and pricing, we will of course list the set in our shop.

The world has been spellbound! At last, the teaser for the new »Harry Potter« series is here. To our surprise, watching it feels a bit like coming home after a long time away. We can't help but compare these first impressions to the films, and the relief is immense: the costumes are authentic, the character designs stay as true to the books as possible, and the atmosphere at Hogwarts is simply magical! Check out the clip here:
https://youtu.be/RIu4sFKGi6E

We are especially excited to see if child actors Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter), Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley), and Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger) will be able to follow in their predecessors' footsteps. We are equally thrilled to see John Lithgow in the role of Albus Dumbledore and Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall. In Nick Frost, the producers have certainly found the perfect choice for Hagrid. Unfortunately, Paapa Essiedu has already faced criticism as Severus Snape even before his first trailer appearance. However, far more important than his physical appearance should be whether he can do justice to the mysterious aura of the dark professor.

Of course, the original film adaptations from the »Harry Potter« universe featuring Daniel Radcliffe and Co. will remain forever anchored in our hearts. For those who saw and loved the movies, it will certainly feel strange at first to dive back into the same world with new faces. Nevertheless, we should keep in mind that for a new generation, this series could become what the films once were for us: a magical story about responsibility, courage, and friendship.

»Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone« will premiere this Christmas on HBO Max. Are you ready to return to Hogwarts?

As of today, the blind Man Without Fear is once again balancing across the rooftops of Hell’s Kitchen, because season 2 of »Daredevil: Born Again« is now streaming on Disney+. After the trailer for »Spider-Man: Brand New Day« sparked plenty of speculation about the whereabouts of the “really good lawyer” Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), we can finally see how New York has changed under the rule of Kingpin, aka Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), and his Anti-Vigilante Task Force – and how we arrive at the status quo of the new Spider-Man film.

Because the last remaining resistance against the power of the corrupt giant is now operating from the shadows, using guerrilla tactics under the guidance of Murdock and his right hand Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) to keep the pressure on Fisk. Oh, and yes – Murdock is also wearing the iconic DD logo from the comics on his chest for the very first time, another step in the MCU’s ongoing effort to gradually give all of its heroes their comic-accurate costumes.

We’re especially excited for the return of Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), because after Daredevil and Punisher, she is the next superhero from the Netflix »Defenders« series to be brought into the MCU with »Born Again«. As for when we’ll see Luke Cage, Iron Fist, or even Elektra again… that’s probably only a matter of time.

By the way: Hot Toys has also teased a gorgeous 1/6 figure based on Daredevil’s look in season 2 of »Daredevil: Born Again«. 😎

Following the initial announcements for »Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu« that Hot Toys dropped yesterday, Sideshow has now joined the fray – and with a truly innovative surprise:

To complement their top-selling 1:1 The Child Life-Size Statue, based on »The Mandalorian« series, an accessories set will be released, allowing you to outfit little Grogu in a truly cool way: Beskar Rondel, shoulder bag, wrist shooter, grav charge, and of course, a delicious blue macaron – so Baby Yoda isn't just looking badderass, but he's also perfectly equipped for the adventures on the big screen!

This set is the perfect add-on for anyone who owns the 1:1 The Child Life-Size Statue. You can pre-order it from us now. 🥳

It may still be a while until the legendary San Diego Comic Con will open, but the anticipation can start now: Last Friday, Sideshow announced that after a few years of absence, they will finally be back on the show floor at the Convention Center!

If we understood correctly, the focus will likely be on Hot Toys (the Asian company is surely highly motivated to participate in the convention) – but Sideshow will undoubtedly also be showcasing some of their own amazing products. In addition, as in previous years, a separate online event will be taking place. Starting Monday, July 20, 2026, and continuing throughout the week, Sideshow will be accompanying Comic Con with an exclusive online coverage, and much more. We're excited and looking forward to it – what do you think?

And speaking of Hot Toys: the first four collectibles on »Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu« have just been announced. It all starts with two life-size figures: Grogu and an Anzellan Droidsmith. These little rascals are already listed in our shop:
https://www.space-figuren.de/products_all.php?filter%5B2%5D%5B0%5D=1313
Of course, Mando and Grogu will also be available as 1/6 scale figures in a regular edition and as a deluxe release with three Grogu figures and a newly developed hover pram. Rest assured that we'll list this dynamic duo in our shop as soon as we have detailed information and prices.

One more tip for anyone who wants to get in the mood in the meantime: the Hot Toys showcase that Sideshow released on YouTube last week is really worth watching. While we didn't spot any true world premieres, the look at the many 1/6 scale figures, all of which will be arriving in the coming months, is still very exciting and informative. You can find the video here:
https://youtu.be/j69FOPlBpIk

This year, Capcom is celebrating not only the most successful release since its inception with »Resident Evil Requiem«, but also the 30th anniversary of the legendary video game series. It all began on March 22, 1996, with the very first »Resident Evil«. Some of you surely remember the original graphics, squeezed into fixed camera perspectives as you played as Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield – it was and remains an absolute cult classic! The series' success since then has been remarkable: the remake of »Resident Evil 2« is the current frontrunner with approx. 16.8 million copies sold, closely followed by »Resident Evil 7: Biohazard« at approx. 16.4 million. The fanbase continues to grow year after year. In particular, the groundbreaking launch of the ninth main installment, which sold an incredible five million copies in just five days, has attracted numerous newcomers and brought long-time veterans back into the fold.

The franchise's future looks just as promising, with new releases on the horizon. Just a few days ago, Capcom announced a story-driven DLC expansion for »Resident Evil Requiem«. While not yet officially confirmed by the developers, insiders have leaked several upcoming projects, primarily focused on remakes. Rumors point toward »Resident Evil Code: Veronica« for 2027 and »Resident Evil Zero« for 2028. Furthermore, the tenth main installment is reportedly already in pre-production for a 2029-2031 window. It remains to be seen which of these details Capcom will eventually confirm. Due to the current hype surrounding the franchise, numerous rumors and fan requests for specific remakes and story developments are circulating online. Some developer statements on social media have already been faked to generate clicks, so caution is advised!

Over the years, the »Resident Evil« franchise has expanded far beyond video games. Today, there is an impressive selection of movies, series, books, manga, and more. However, it is important to distinguish which works belong to the official canon. For example, the well-known »Resident Evil« film series starring Milla Jovovich stands on its own and deviates from the games' plot. In contrast, CGI films like 2023's »Death Island« continue the story of beloved characters such as Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Chris Redfield within the video game timeline. Additionally, a live-action reboot directed by Zach Cregger is slated for release in September 2026 and will take place in its own »Resident Evil« universe.

Hardcore fans will also find plenty to love in our shop! Feel free to browse our »Resident Evil« category, where you'll find the dark ladies of »Resident Evil Village«, and Leon from the »Resident Evil 4« remake, among others. Manufacturers like Prime 1 Studio and PureArts have perfectly captured their passion for the series through high-quality, stunning statues:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Games/Resident-Evil:::4684_5093.html?language=en

Sven and Eva present a selection of current stock highlights live and in color in our new episode 💫 NEUES AUS DEM FIGUREN UNIVERSUM 💫! Among them are a bloodthirsty shark from McFarlane Toys, a sexy vampire lady from Kotobukiya, and an adventurous archaeologist from Iron Studios. On top of that, we also have the most exciting new announcements from the past few weeks – including a cuddly reindeer from Hot Toys and a formidable villainess from Sideshow. 👊

See the latest gems from our shop in NADFU Episode 36 – available now on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/uvE4WC3HnUw

»Project Hail Mary« is hitting cinemas. Mick had the opportunity to see the film at a preview screening last weekend. Here are his impressions:

»Project Hail Mary« is based on the book of the same name by Andy Weir, whom you'll likely know from his novel »The Martian« or its film adaptation by Ridley Scott. The overwhelming success of »The Martian« quickly led Hollywood to secure the rights to »Project Hail Mary« even before its publication.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are directing, and they're no strangers to the industry. They're the writers of the »Spiderverse« films and have made a name for themselves as directors of »21 Jump Street«, »22 Jump Street« and the animated film »The Lego Movie«.

The film stars Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller. The acclaimed novel, the directors, and, not least, the actors ensured that the film launched with considerable advance praise and a healthy dose of hype. Some very enthusiastic reviews raised expectations immensely. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a critics' score of 95%, and the audience rating is a staggering 98%. With such breathtaking ratings, I was naturally looking forward to the film, but I tried to temper my excitement to avoid falling into the trap of inflated expectations.

Ryan Gosling plays scientist and science teacher Ryland Grace, who awakens on a spaceship with no recollection of who he is. His memories return only slowly. A second narrative thread reveals the backstory of these events. Some time ago, a substance was discovered that gradually dims the sun and all other stars. Due to his unconventional scientific publications from the past, he is recruited by research director Eva Stratt, played by Sandra Hüller, for Project Hail Mary. Time is running out; a new ice age is imminent, and the survival of humanity is at stake. Since a sun has been discovered in the universe unaffected by the dimming phenomenon, humanity collaborates and arranges an interstellar mission to that sun, hoping to find the solution to the threatening problem. Shortly before reaching his destination, Grace encounters an alien spaceship and meets an extraterrestrial creature whom he nicknames Rocky because of his appearance. Rocky's sun is also affected by the problem. The two scientists learn to communicate with each other and search for a solution to save their worlds.

We learn all of this in the first trailer for the film. This led to quite a bit of discontent, as many moviegoers felt badly spoiled by this information. However, it must be said that the contact between Grace and Rocky is the central element of the film, around which everything revolves. The knowledge from the trailer doesn't spoil anything, because there's still plenty to discover and uncharted territory to explore. Nevertheless, I often long for the innocence of seeing a film without any prior information and simply being able to marvel at it.

»Project Hail Mary« is a film you absolutely should see in the cinema, because visually it's a real feast for the eyes. The spaceship set is fantastic and feels incredibly real. The cinematography was in the experienced hands of Greig Fraser, whom we know, among other things, for the fantastic visuals in »Rogue One: A Star Wars Story«, »Dune: Part One«, »Dune: Part Two«, and »The Batman«. Visually, the film is a great treat, made for the very big screen.

For a film about the potential downfall of humanity and the end of all life, it's surprisingly optimistic and told with a great deal of humor. At times, I might have wished for a bit more seriousness. But the lightheartedness suits Gosling's character quite well, portrayed as a brilliant and slightly clueless perpetual student. It's a bit like »The Odd Couple« in space, where one of the roommates is a sympathetic rock. At its core, it's a film about friendship and connection, ultimately a feel-good movie through and through, and perhaps that's exactly what we need in these dark times.

Some fans of the novel have criticized the film for significantly cutting the scientific aspects. Andy Weir is apparently quite the science nerd who likes to underpin his stories with plausible scientific evidence. This aspect is somewhat neglected in the film, but even though I couldn't fully grasp some things, the film kept me engaged and entertained me very well. 

I can't yet say how long it will stay with me, but I fear that the film's lightheartedness might also prevent it from being included in the pantheon of great philosophical science fiction works. But be that as it may, the film is definitely worth seeing in the cinema.

It's time for gamers to reclaim what's rightfully theirs – in »Crimson Desert«. Pearl Abyss' open-world action-adventure releases today for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Originally conceived as an MMORPG prequel to »Black Desert«, the developers decided to create a purely single-player experience. Even the trailer promises a grand fantasy adventure in a visually stunning world:
https://youtu.be/YHhwdyWkwTQ

The story centers on Kliff, a mercenary and leader of the Greymanes. His faction is ambushed and almost completely wiped out. The remaining members are scattered across the continent of Pywel, so he sets out to find them and restore the Greymanes to their former strength. On his journey, Kliff must confront corrupt rulers, the misery of the population, forge new alliances, and grapple with his own past. This tale of betrayal and inner conflict, combined with the vibrant world and multi-faceted combat system, could truly set a new standard.

Are you also excited to see what »Crimson Desert« has to offer?

33 years ago today, »Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III« hit US theaters. Since then, Turtles fans have celebrated this day annually as an unofficial holiday for Leo, Mikey, Donnie, and Raphie – ideally with a big pizza! 🍕

As the icing on the cake, or rather, the extra cheese on the pizza, we've got a great deal for you this time:
For today only, you'll find an exceptional 51st item in our current sale: the 4-piece bundle of Movie Turtles Art Scale Statues from Iron Studios. Grab it for the unbeatable price of €450! 🐢🥳

Any time is the perfect time to celebrate our favorite mutant reptiles, but March is especially so! Because tomorrow, March 19th, is the unofficial TMNT Day, and fittingly, our postcard this month features The Last Ronin. 🥳

The image comes from Markus, who captured the lone turtle for us in a scene that is as dark as it is epic. Clad in his Ronin armor, he stands armed to the teeth in the pouring rain, ready for his quest for revenge. The model for the photo is the Ultimate The Last Ronin in the Armored version from NECA, who proudly presents the result here. 😄🐢
Markus has recently started posting his toy photography on Instagram – be sure to check it out!

A copy of this card is included in every package we send out this month. So take a look in our shop! You might find something you like, for example, in our big March sale. Or you can take advantage of our Turtles promotion – more on that tomorrow. 😉

📸 by @cowabungatoy

Things are coming at us fast right now. We've only just finished one news piece on an absolute trailer highlight, and the next one has already dropped. And when it comes to your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, being dropped really seems to be the central theme this time around.

In »Spider-Man: Brand New Day«, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is truly and completely alone four years after the events of »Spider-Man: No Way Home«. His friends MJ (Zendaya once again – and honestly, with how many blockbusters she's showing up in this year, respect!) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) have forgotten him. To the people of New York, he is now either a masked, crime-fighting spider, OR just an unremarkable student.

And apparently, something fundamental seems to be changing inside him… mutating, perhaps? The trailer doesn't exactly hint subtly that Tom Holland's Spider-Man may, for the first time, be able to spin organic webs without web-shooters. Combined with the rumor that Sadie Sink could be playing Jean Grey, this might be the starting signal for the Mutant Saga in the MCU. To answer that question, though, we'll probably have to wait until the film's release this July.

What we do get to see already, however, is a street-level Spider-Man. Exactly the version fans have been wanting for such a long time. And the first interactions with Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) also feel absolutely right. The hype is real:
https://youtu.be/8TZMtslA3UY

2026 is shaping up to be the year of the big science-fiction blockbuster. »Project Hail Mary« is hitting cinemas this Thursday, we already covered and praised »Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die« in detail last week, and in the months ahead we can look forward to »The Mandalorian & Grogu«, »Supergirl«, »Avengers: Doomsday«, and »Dune 3«. It is only fitting, then, that the grand master of the genre himself, Steven Spielberg, is returning to the big screen with a battle of fictional technology for the first time since 2018's »Ready Player One«. In his new epic »Disclosure Day«, Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor set out to prove to the world that we are not alone in the universe (perhaps not even on our own planet?) – something the government and antagonist Colin Firth (it's a delight seeing him as an evil character instead of the lovable geeks he so often plays) are trying to keep hidden at any cost.

The trailer presents Spielberg in a mystical mode, very much in the tradition of »Close Encounters of the Third Kind«, with grand imagery, subliminal messages, gripping action, and a strong lead cast.

The involvement of now 94-year-old film composer legend John Williams also promises the perfect popcorn atmosphere, sweeping cinematic emotion, and the ideal reason to put your phone and streaming services aside this June to sink into a big, soft red velvet cinema seat.

Watch the action-packed new trailer here:
https://youtu.be/SCYT8vb2siQ

Last night, the 98th Academy Awards ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Conan O'Brien once again served as host. The show opened with a very funny video clip in which O'Brien, wearing the Aunt Gladys mask from »Weapons«, is chased by children through sets of various nominated films. A later clip from a reworked version of »Casablanca« perfectly illustrates the absurdity of modern screenplays, where dialogue is tailored to second-screen behavior (when viewers are glued to their phones while watching the film). O'Brien didn't land every joke during his hosting duties, nor did every presentation hit the mark. Overall, the Oscars gala felt somewhat joyless and less glamorous than usual. Aside from a few minor jabs, the event was relatively tame in terms of commentary on current events.

The annual In Memoriam segment, honoring those who passed away, was somewhat longer than usual due to the many deaths. Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were given special tribute in a eulogy by Billy Crystal. Rachel McAdams paid tribute to Claudia Cardinale, Diane Ladd, Catherine O'Hara, and especially Diane Keaton. Barbra Streisand's eulogy for Robert Redford was rather awkward and cringeworthy, as it focused more on her than on Redford.

The musical portion of the gala was relatively short. Only »I Lied to You« from »Sinners« and »Golden« from »K-Pop Demon Hunters« were performed live on stage.

But now to the awards:

The big winner of the evening was »One Battle After Another«. The film received 13 nominations and won six Oscars, including BEST PICTURE, BEST EDITING, and the newly created award BEST CASTING. Sean Penn, who was not present, was awarded BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, and Paul Thomas Anderson finally won for BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY and BEST DIRECTOR.

The 16-time nominee »Sinners« took home four Academy Awards. Ryan Coogler won for BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY. Ludwig Göransson received his third Oscar for BEST ORIGINAL SCORE. Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win the golden statuette for BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY. Michael B. Jordan was awarded the Oscar for BEST ACTOR. Timothée Chalamet in »Marty Supreme« had long been considered the favorite in this category. However, the film, which received nine nominations, went home empty-handed that evening.

»Frankenstein« went into the competition with nine nominations as well, and won three awards for its visual spectacle: BEST COSTUME DESIGN, BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING, and BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN.

The two Oscars for »K-Pop Demon Hunters« came as no surprise: BEST ANIMATED FEATURE and BEST ORIGINAL SONG for »Golden«.

»Avatar: Fire and Ash« won the award for BEST VISUAL EFFECTS, which was also unsurprising. Jessie Buckley's Oscar for »Hamnet« was considered a sure thing, too. The film received eight nominations, of which only Buckley won for BEST ACTRESS, accepting the award with a very emotional speech. We were somewhat surprised, but delighted, by Amy Madigan's Oscar for BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS in »Weapons«. The Norwegian film »Sentimental Value« went into the competition with nine nominations and won BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM. »F1« took home the award for BEST SOUND.

Besides »Marty Supreme«, »Bugonia«, »The Secret Agent«, »Train Dreams«, and »Blue Moon« also went home empty-handed.

Here's a look at all the winners and nominees:
https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2026

Are you happy with the Oscars? How many did you predict correctly?

After 10 years, Gore Verbinski returns to the big screen. In »Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die« he takes us on a wild ride. Mick saw the film in a preview – here's his impression:

One evening, a down-and-out guy (Sam Rockwell) walks into Norm's Diner in Los Angeles. He claims to be from the future and says he needs to recruit volunteers to join him on a mission to save the world. The diner guests don't believe him and think he's just a crazy homeless person. The man from the future explains that this is already his 117th try and that he needs to find the perfect combination of customers to save the world from the deadly threat of artificial intelligence. He also threatens to blow up the entire diner with a bomb he's wearing. Finally, a motley crew of volunteers gathers: single mother Susan (Juno Temple), the relationship-troubled teacher couple Mark (Michael Peña) and Janet (Zazie Beetz), cake lover Marie (Georgia Goodman), assistant scout leader Bob (Daniel Barnett), Uber driver Scott (Asim Chaudhry), and children's birthday princess Ingrid (Haley Lu Richardson)...

The first ten minutes of the film are a true tour de force from Sam Rockwell. It's a delightful pleasure to follow him and his monologue as he whirls through the diner like a hurricane. With this scene alone, the film had me completely hooked.

As they work toward fulfilling their mission, Verbinski intersperses flashbacks from the backstories of some of the volunteers. We witness teachers Mark and Janet's last day of school, a traumatic event in Susan's life, and a few glimpses into Ingrid's past. The individual flashbacks are strongly reminiscent of episodes from »Black Mirror«. They begin in a slightly exaggerated everyday life scenario and then escalate into the absurd and surreal. The matter-of-factness of the absurd, for example in the behavior of the Fashionable Moms, even reminded me of Buñuel's »The Phantom of Liberty«.

One is also inevitably reminded of other time-travel dystopias. The time traveler's costume, with its transparent raincoat and all the retro-futuristic gadgets and tubes, is reminiscent of »12 Monkeys«, and there are also some parallels to Terry Gilliam's film in its resolution. Elements from »The Matrix« will also be recognizable. Last but not least, »The Terminator« served as inspiration, where the antagonist is also an artificial intelligence threatening the world. The fact that the hero of our story is such a down-and-out guy and not a superhero only underscores how badly humanity has screwed up the future. The time-loop concept from »Groundhog Day«, or, more closely related, from »Source Code«, also reappears. While we only experience one loop, the behavior of the nameless man from the future allows us to draw conclusions about all the missions that have already failed.

The film highlights the dangers of technology. Even in today's world, we clearly see the problems: how technology and the internet all too often alienate us from one another, and how all the swiping on our smartphones is making us increasingly stupid, with AI as the kraken controlling everything at its center. Admittedly, the critique of society is rather heavy-handed, but that doesn't detract from the fun. I loved it, especially the fact that the plot is unpredictable and that Verbinski unleashes his pent-up creative energy, ultimately going completely off the rails.

Better late than never, here's our slightly different Valentine's Day greeting! We actually wanted to show you our February postcard right on time for Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, the postal service decided to send the card itself on a little journey through the galaxy first. 🚀📦
In short: It arrived at the photographer's too late – and therefore too late for our usual postcard post. But for the sake of completeness, we're making up for it now. The card itself is already history and no longer in the current packages.

The image is by Gabriel, and poses an important question: How do Ewoks actually celebrate Valentine's Day? Instead of sending flowers or writing love letters, this Ewok was apparently a little too enthusiastic with a bow and arrow – and was probably a bit rougher than Cupid. The result: two fewer Stormtroopers – and even General Grievous sadly didn't survive the day of love. Romance on Endor apparently looks a little different. 💘
Of course, such things don't go unpunished in the Empire. For the presentation photo, Gabriel imagined how the famously merciful Darth Vader might react. His solution: The Ewok is promptly frozen in carbonite. In the background, Stormtroopers are already transporting the culprit away – along with a framed picture, presumably for redecorating the Death Star.
Various figures from Hasbro's Black Series (some specially repainted and customized) were used for the photos. This includes the Ewok in the Valentine's Day version, which has recently been wreaking havoc in our warehouse as well. You can find the figure in our shop:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Filme/Star-Wars/6-Ewok-Valentines-Day-Version-Star-Wars-The-Black-Series::29731.html

Many thanks to Gabriel for this wonderfully morbid Valentine's Day scenario!

📸 by @gbalda

Set sail, it's time again! Season 2 of the live-action adaptation of »One Piece« premieres today on Netflix.

The eight new episodes pick up right where the first season left off and take us to new waters, as the Straw Hat Pirates Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy), Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), Nami (Emily Rudd), Usopp (Jacob Romero), and Sanji (Taz Skylar) head for the legendary Grand Line, the most dangerous sea route in the world. Their journey takes them to places like Loguetown, Little Garden, and Drum Island. Along the way, they encounter not only ruthless adversaries like Buggy and the assassins of Baroque Works, but also other great dangers such as whales, giants, and dinosaurs – Season 2 seems to be raising the bar even higher than the first. Hardly any absurdity from the source material is left out, and that's precisely what makes the series so captivating. Eiichirō Oda's work is continued here with heart and attention to detail – and we're so excited to set sail again with our favorite pirate crew!

But we don't just get new stuff from the »One Piece« series on screen – just in time for the second season, Hot Toys has announced an adorable and plush Chopper figure, which you can pre-order from us now. On the other hand, you don't have to wait any longer for Zoro and Luffy in 1/6 scale, which we recently added to our stock. You can find these and other cool collectibles in our »One Piece« category:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Serien/One-Piece:::4682_5570.html