Get Ready For May The 4th: Here’s What’s Happening For LEGO Star Wars

As celebrations for the LEGO Star Wars 25th anniversary continue throughout the year, fans should hold on tight to their TIE Interceptors as a lot of exciting things are happening. May the 4th be with you!

New 25th anniversary products are coming for May the 4th:

The TIE Interceptor building set that was part of the first launch of the Ultimate Collector Series in 2000 is back in a new and redesigned version. Admirers of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi can relive the action of the movie, as they recreate the distinctive wings, detailed cockpit, and laser cannons of the magnificent LEGO Star Wars TIE Interceptor building set.

The 1,931-piece set is an impressive 16 inches long and comes complete with an exclusive TIE Pilot minifigure and Mouse Droid figure, currently limited to this set. The model is mounted on a stand with a printed plaque and includes a printed brick (1.3 inches wide, 0.3 inches long and 1.3 inches high) with the LEGO Star Wars anniversary logo.

Fans of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace can dive into building a dynamic snapshot of Tatooine with the Mos Espa Podrace Diorama building set. The 718-piece display set includes Anakin Skywalker, the Arch Canyon and a plaque with Qui-Gon Jinn’s advice: “Remember. Concentrate on the moment. Feel. Don’t think. Use your instincts.”

For those who have already ventured to the dark side, the 640-piece Darth Maul’s Sith Infiltrator building set could be ideal. Fans can fold out the wings and retract the landing gear for flight, fire the 2 spring-loaded shooters and press the trigger to drop 3 DRK-1 probe droids from the front compartment.

Alternatively, fans can check out the brick-built destroyer droid, Droideka set with 583 pieces. 

Anyone who is team Grogu will be happy that they can now immerse themselves into the building experience of the 221-piece BARC Speeder Escape alongside Kelleran Beq.

Also launching for pre-order on May 1st is the new LEGO Star Wars Coffee Table Book, The Force of Creativity – 312-page hardcover book in a slipcase with collective memorabilia which takes fans on a journey through interviews with more than 50 contributors from the LEGO Group and Lucasfilm. The book includes development art, character designs and gives fans a true insight into the LEGO Star Wars galaxy. The book will be available for pre-order HERE.

From May 1st to 5th, LEGO Star Wars fans will receive all three Gift with Purchases when purchasing the new LEGO Star Wars TIE Interceptor: including the Battle of Yavin collectible depicting Darth Vader’s cockpit view, the Trade Federation Troop Carrier set commemorating the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, and the AAT building set.

These offerings coincide with the LEGO Star Wars May the 4th Livestream Event featuring special offers, set reveals, designer presentation and exciting giveaways like a signed TIE Interceptor set in the US, UK, and Germany on May 1st.

The new LEGO Star Wars products will be available from May 1, 2024. The LEGO Star Wars TIE Interceptor set is available exclusively at LEGO stores and online at LEGO.com with LEGO Insiders early access from 1st May 2024, and all shoppers from May 4, 2024. www.LEGO.com/Star-Wars.

Jerry Seinfeld On “Unfrosted,” The Made-Up Origin Tale of Pop-Tarts

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has stepped into the director’s shoes for his new film “Unfrosted,” the not-quite-true story of the creation of the Kellogg’s Pop-Tart. Correspondent Mo Rocca from CBS Sunday Morning talks with Seinfeld about working behind the camera for the first time, and calling on a bunch of his comedian friends (including “Sunday Morning” contributor Jim Gaffigan) to act in his origin tale of a breakfast staple.

Jabba The Hutt Popcorn Bucket

The new Jabba the Hutt popcorn bucket has been unveiled and Star Wars fans will want to add this to their collection!

The popcorn bucket will be available to purchase for $35 until June 2, 2024, at the Disneyland Resort.

On the bucket, Jabba’s mouth opens to store popcorn and it comes with a mini Salacious B. Crumb attached to it. Fans will be able to buy only two buckets at a time. The popcorn bucket makes Jabba sounds when it’s opened and closed and is available at the Galactic Grill or the popcorn cart near Star Trader in Tomorrowland. 

The 2024 Hallmark Ornaments Were Announced And These Are Some of My Favorites

Christmas is still 257 days away but to celebrate early, the 2024 Hallmark ornaments were announced today!

The 2024 Dream Book is finally here! Discover new releases, find new family favorites, and hold onto holiday memories with ornaments that will become a new piece of your story. I love the pop culture themed ornaments and here are a few of my favorites for this year!

Smack For Heinz

As nearly four out of five people (88%) prefer Heinz Ketchup over other brands’ when eating out, there’s nothing more frustrating than being stuck at a restaurant without it. 

Heinz tackles this common ketchup catastrophe in its latest creative campaign, ‘Smack for Heinz,’ by rolling out smackable boards dispensing Heinz Ketchup outside restaurants not serving the fan-favourite sauce.

Chicago is known for ketchup controversy, so Heinz brings its smackable billboards outside restaurants around the city – from the fast-food chain known for not serving Heinz (you know who you are) to a local hot dog joint that dishes out hot dogs with a side of attitude.

Grubhub Debuts The Nuka-Blast Burger Meal To Celebrate The Series Premiere of Fallout On Prime Video

Grubhub is bringing the highly-anticipated Prime Video series premiere of Fallout to life with the limited-edition Nuka-Blast Burger Meal. Featuring a one-of-a-kind collector’s delivery box, the meal includes iconic staples from the show’s post-apocalyptic universe. Fans in select areas of New York City and Los Angeles can order the Fallout-inspired meal beginning Thursday, April 11 from the Nuka-World Café, available exclusively on Grubhub. 

The Nuka-Blast Burger Meal comes complete with the Nuka-Blast Burger, a side of fries and the iconic Nuka-Cola Victory Special Release from Jones Soda. Inspired by the Nuka-World theme park before the Great War, Grubhub’s take on the meal will help consumers experience the show in real-life while satisfying their hottest cravings.

The burger gets its distinctive heat from ingredients such as Calabrian chilis, fire-roasted jalapeño peppers, cayenne spices, and a specially crafted spicy dipping sauce made with ghost chili peppers. Fries are there as the perfect pairing to help handle the spice. 

Nuka-Cola Victory Special Release peach mango soda is the ultimate thirst-quenching flavor for any Fallout fanatic. 

How to order the Nuka-Blast Burger Meal

The Nuka-Blast Burger Meal will be sold for $12 (before taxes, tips and fees) and available for delivery via Grubhub on April 11 until supplies last. Orders are limited to select areas in New York City and Los Angeles. With a limited quantity of meals available, orders are restricted to one per customer.

Watch The Young Woman And The Sea Trailer

Disney’s “Young Woman and the Sea,” the extraordinary true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel, is coming to theaters nationwide in a special engagement May 31, 2024.

Daisy Ridley stars as the accomplished swimmer who was born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of a patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from France to England. “Young Woman and the Sea,” which also stars Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Stephen Graham, Kim Bodnia, Christopher Eccleston, and Glenn Fleshler, is directed by Joachim Rønning and written by Jeff Nathanson, based on the book “Young Woman and the Sea: How Trudy Ederle Conquered the English Channel and Inspired the World” by Glenn Stout. 

Walt Disney Studios Dazzles Attendees At 2024 Cinemacon Convention In Las Vegas

The Walt Disney Studios dazzled attendees at the 2024 CinemaCon Convention in Las Vegas earlier today. The studio provided an exclusive look at its upcoming theatrical releases, including films from some of its famed production studios: Disney Live Action, Marvel Studios, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures.

Tony Chambers, executive vice president and head of theatrical distribution kicked off the Studio’s presentation with 13 minutes of thrilling footage from the highly anticipated all-new action-adventure spectacle from 20th Century Studios, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” which opens in theaters nationwide on May 10. Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously, and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all he has known about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

Next up was Disney’s “Young Woman and the Sea,” the extraordinary true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel, which comes to theaters nationwide in a special engagement on May 31. Chambers tossed to a taped greeting from legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who then introduced the brand-new trailer featuring Daisy Ridley as the accomplished swimmer born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and animosity to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from France to England. CinemaCon attendees were the first to see the trailer.

Chambers welcomed Emmy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Amy Poehler to the stage. Poehler, who returns to cinemas as the voice of Joy in Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and who is receiving this year’s CinemaCon Vanguard award at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, spoke about the film, which is a return to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as Headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith), Anger (voice of Lewis Black), Fear (voice of Tony Hale), and Disgust (voice of Liza Lapira), who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety (voice of Maya Hawke) shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone: enter Envy (voice of Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (voice of Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (voice of Paul Walter Hauser). “Inside Out 2” is directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen.

CinemaCon attendees were then treated to the first 35 minutes of the animated film, which opens in theaters June 14.


Looking ahead to two of the most anticipated upcoming releases, Chambers brought Kevin Feige, producer and president of Marvel Studios, to the stage, who, in turn, welcomed Cap himself, Anthony Mackie, to talk about Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Brave New World.”

Mackie offered up a little behind-the-scenes insight before introducing a first look at the film, which hits theaters on February 14, 2025. Directed by Julius Onah, produced by Feige and Nate Moore, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Charles Newirth, and Mackie, “Captain America: Brave New World” also stars Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, Shira Haas, with Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford.

Feige then spoke about Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” and introduced Shawn Levy, the film’s director. The filmmaker, who is receiving CinemaCon’s Director of the Year award at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, thrilled the audience with an exclusive look at the film, which stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen. Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D’Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, George Dewey and Simon Kinberg serving as executive producers. “Deadpool & Wolverine” is written by Ryan Reynolds & Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Zeb Wells & Shawn Levy. “Deadpool & Wolverine” opens in theaters July 26.

 

Chambers then shared a special greeting from producer Ridley Scott and director/writer Fede Alvarez, who thanked exhibitors for their ongoing partnership and their support of the “Alien” franchise over the past 45 years and introduced a special look at the upcoming film, a truly terrifying cinematic experience opening in theaters August 16. 20th Century Studios’ “Alien: Romulus” takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. 

Up next was Searchlight Pictures, which recently released “Poor Things,” the winner of four Academy Awards last month and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. On June 21, “Kinds of Kindness,” which will premiere this summer at the Cannes Film Festival, opens exclusively in theaters—directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the film stars recent Oscar winner Emma Stone, who is joined by Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer. The film is a triptych fable, following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife, who was missing at sea, has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.

The first footage from 20th Century Studios’ “The Amateur” was then screened exclusively in the room. The film, an action-packed espionage thriller directed by James Hawes and starring Oscar winner Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitriona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, and Laurence Fishburne, opens in theaters nationwide on April 11, 2025.

Oscar winner Barry Jenkins then took to the stage to talk about Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” the follow-up to 2019’s global phenomenon, and showcase the teaser trailer for the film, which opens in theaters on December 20. Told in flashbacks, “Mufasa: The Lion King” reveals the rise of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands as Rafiki, Timon, and Pumbaa share the story of Mufasa with a young lion cub. The film is produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen.

The Studio closed out the presentation with a surprise appearance by Dwayne Johnson, who came to a stage filled with Polynesian drummers and dancers from Tiana Liufau’s Nonasina (Liufau is the choreographer on the “Moana” films). Johnson returns as the voice of Maui in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2,” opening in theaters on November 27. 

“Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Directed by Dave Derrick Jr., co-directed by Jason Hand, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, the epic animated musical features music by GRAMMY winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, GRAMMY nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time GRAMMY winner Mark Mancina. 

Batman: Resurrection

After The Joker’s death, Batman and Gotham City face a mysterious new threat in this direct sequel to Tim Burton’s iconic Batman.

Batman: Resurrection by John Jackson Miller will directly follow the events after the 1989 movie, in a similar manner to DC Comics’ own Batman ‘89 miniseries, as Batman’s fight to protect Gotham in the wake of the Joker’s death continues. Ever vigilant, Batman battles the remnants of the Joker’s gang, but between criminal turmoil, the lingering damage the Joker’s gas attacks had on the city, and trying to imagine a future for himself beyond crime fighting, he realizes that it will take both of his masks to try and pull Gotham back into the light: the cowl of the caped crusader and the wealthy pocket book of Bruce Wayne. But as he finds his desire to save Gotham becoming an obsession, and the forces of the criminal underworld growing more powerful by the day, Batman begins to wonder… could his greatest foe have survived their fateful encounter?

Batman: Resurrection will hit bookshelves on October 15, 2024 and is available to pre-order now from Amazon, Penguin Random House and Bookshop.

LINK: Gizmodo

“The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden – The Greatest Arena Run of All Time” To Air April 14, 2024 On CBS

The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden – The Greatest Arena Run of All Time will air Sunday, April 14, 2024 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/ PT) on the CBS Television Network, and be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

This is Billy Joel’s first concert to air on a broadcast network. The concert special will be shot at Joel’s record-breaking 100th consecutive performance at Madison Square Garden as part of his franchise run on March 28.

Joel has sold out Madison Square Garden more than any other artist. Since his first show at the venue on Dec. 14, 1978, through his final residency show this July, every single one of Joel’s concerts at Madison Square Garden has been sold out.