American filmmaker and philanthropist; creator of Star Wars, founder of Lucasfilm
The Obama Presidential Center has opened on Chicago’s South Side with a star-studded dedication ceremony and performances. Four living former presidents attended the invite-only event; President Donald Trump did not. The $850 million, 19-acre campus will open to the public on Juneteenth and will house a museum, public library branch, athletic facilities and public spaces.
Minions & Monsters has opened strongly, topping North American box office with $36.4 million for the holiday weekend and $61.4 million over five days. Toy Story 5 follows with $31 million, while Young Washington debuts around $21 million. Supergirl trails, and overall weekend revenue is down year-on-year but up for the summer period vs 2025.
The Minions & Monsters franchise continues to ride high on box office success, with Coffin defending its bridge to cinema history while the latest film tests whether silent era nostalgia can translate into new, daring storytelling.
George Lucas has described AI as the future of filmmaking, saying it makes movie production easier. He warns against resisting progress, calling comparisons to horses and carriages outdated while acknowledging concerns about focus groups and audience influence.
A roundup of recent Formula 1 coverage shows drivers pushing back on 2026 regulation changes, arguing the 50/50 power split and energy-management tech disrupts on-track racing. Editors stress the sport’s growth goals clash with drivers’ call for more direct control and traditional racing dynamics.
The 73-year-old actor has joined a panel at Comic-Con and confirmed a return as Dark Helmet in Spaceballs: The New One, a sequel to the 1987 cult classic. The event features on-stage appearances by co-stars and new cast members, with Moranis describing the decision as arriving “at the right time” and calling the project “family” to him.
A wave of new music sees artists blending genres and asserting creative independence. From Labrinth’s Cosmic Opera Act II to FLO’s Therapy at the Club and Shaboozey’s country-infused album, creators push for control over their work while embracing broader collaborations.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has opened with a record domestic debut, while The Odyssey leads the global box office, underscoring a year of mega releases. The industry is buoyed by premium formats and high ticket prices, even as overall audiences lag behind pre-pandemic levels.
The Welsh-language version of Star Wars: A New Hope has been announced for Christmas Day release on S4C, featuring a cast of Welsh actors and produced with Lucasfilm and Disney. The project marks a milestone for Welsh-language media, aligning with Wales' cultural sectors and 50th-anniversary celebrations.