Latest news with #TheForceAwakens
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
On This Week: Greg O'Shea wins fifth series of Love Island
On This Week: Irish Moments from History (28th July - 3rd August) Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life. Here's your dose of Irish nostalgia from 28th July to 3rd August. This Week In Irish News The Transocean Airways DC8 Jet became the first chartered transatlantic flight to fly directly to Cork Airport from New York City. The landing came following a recent extension of a thousand feet to the Cork Airport runway. When the plane landed, The St. Finbar's Pipe Band, along with crowds of people, were there to greet them. The then Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Chrissie Aherne, and Minister of State for Tourism and Transport, Denis Lyons, were also present to welcome its passengers to Cork. 2014: When the Jedi came to the great Skellig Skellig Michael became a part of the Star Wars universe when filming of The Force Awakens took place there. Local boatmen ferried crew members from Portmagee to the World Heritage Site for filming while the cast was brought by helicopter from a helipad on Valentia Island. The island, located off the coast of County Kerry, featured in two Star Wars movies: The Force Awakens in 2015 and again in the following instalment, The Last Jedi, released in 2017. This Week In Irish Sports 2015: Team Ireland finish on a high in Special Olympics Team Ireland finished the Special Olympics in Los Angeles with an incredible 86 medals. On the final day of the competition alone, Irish athletes won six gold, five silver, and five bronze medals. The final medal tally of 26 gold, 29 silver, 31 bronze, 31 personal bests and 43 placement ribbons. The team obtained medals in disciplines such as basketball, soccer, athletics, badminton, equestrian, gymnastics and bowling, 2024: Paris Olympics bring medals for Ireland in multiple disciplines Ireland had an Olympics to remember, with gold medals and more obtained in multiple disciplines. Overall, the final tally was four golds, three bronzes, and 26 top-10 finishes. In swimming, Daniel Wiffen took gold in the men's 800m freestyle and bronze in the men's 1500m freestyle, while Mona McSharry took the bronze in the women's 100m breaststroke. In rowing, Fintan McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan took gold in the men's lightweight double sculls, while Daire Lynch and Philip Doyle took bronze in the men's double sculls. Kellie Harrington took gold in the women's lightweight boxing, and Rhys McClenaghan took gold in the men's pommel horse. This Week In Irish Entertainment 2001: Brian Dowling crowned winner of Big Brother 2 The reality TV game show Big Brother saw Brian Dowling crowned the winner of its second series. Over four and a quarter million people cast telephone votes, making Dowling, from Rathangan in Co. Kildare, the winner. The series was the most-watched Big Brother ever, with the final watched by 13.7 million viewers, making it Channel 4's second most-watched show. 2019: Greg O'Shea wins fifth series of Love Island Limerick rugby player Greg O'Shea and his partner Amber Gill, who is from Newcastle in the UK, were announced as the winners of Love Island 2019. They were competing against Longford model Maura Higgins and her partner Curtis Pritchard, Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague, and Ovie Soko and India Reynolds. O'Shea entered the villa on day 43 before coupling up with Gill on day 46 This Week In Irish Culture 1965: The first Grand Canal Festival in Co Kildare The first Grand Canal Festival opened in Robertstown, Co. Kildare in 1965. Created as part of an effort to maintain the canals for boating, the festival evolved into an annual event featuring people dressed in 18th-century costumes, entertainment, archaeological and art exhibitions, and more. The festival centre was the Grand Canal Hotel, which operated as a museum showcasing weapons, Georgian maps and rare books relating to the canal. Funds raised from the festival were used to cover additional repairs to the building. What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week? 1976: 'The Boys Are Back in Town' by Thin Lizzy Considered to be the band's best song, the song was the first single from their album Jailbreak. 2003: 'Crazy in Love' by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z The lead single in Beyoncé's debut solo album Dangerously in Love, her song has been ranked in several best-of lists. 2022: 'Running Up That Hill' by Kate Bush The 1985 hit gained a new lease of life after featuring in the fourth season of Stranger Things, reaching number one in eight countries. Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week Eamon Dunphy (80) Media personality, journalist, broadcaster, author, and sports pundit Frances Fitzgerald (75) Former Fine Gael politician who was Tánaiste from 2016 to 2017 Micheál Martin (65) Taoiseach of Ireland and leader of Fianna Fáil Other Irish Trivia From This Week 1994: Having tea with Daniel O'Donnell Thousands of fans turned out in County Donegal, travelling as far as Australia, to chat and have tea with Daniel O'Donnell. The tea party hosted by the singer in his mother's home in Kincasslagh, Co Donegal, is a highlight of the Mary from Dungloe Festival. Several thousand fans queued up outside his mother's house to have a cup of tea and a chat with the man himself. The tradition began four years previously when he invited some fans to call around. The tradition would continue until 2000 when large numbers made it unfeasible. Looking Ahead Each Monday, On This Week will bring you a mix of stories from the last 75 years, to celebrate Volkswagen's 75 year anniversary, featuring the big news stories, sporting highlights and major pop culture moments. Volkswagen has been part of those unforgettable moments - driving families to milestones, memories, and moments that matter. Join us every week as we look back at the moments of yesteryear.
Elle
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
All About Daisy Ridley's Husband, Tom Bateman
Actress Daisy Ridley is a well-known figure in the Star Wars universe, playing the powerful Rey, first introduced in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In a 2021 interview with Tatler, Ridley explained that the role changed how she approaches sharing her private and romantic life, saying, 'When I signed on to Star Wars, there was nothing in my contract that said, 'Your life will be talked about.'' 'It got to the point where I realized so much of my life was out there,' she continued. 'I thought it would be nice to have something that's for me, that isn't for everybody else. I just thought I would keep that separate.' Ridley has stuck to her decision, keeping her relationship with husband Tom Bateman very private. But Bateman is an actor as well, and in July 2025 he was cast in the film adaptation of The Love Hypothesis. Why is this role so relevant to Ridley? It's based on former Star Wars fan fiction by Ali Hazelwood. Her original story published on Ao3 was about Rey and her antagonist/ally, Kylo Ren, played in The Force Awakens by Adam Driver. Driver and Ridley had chemistry on screen and many fans 'shipped' them as a romantic couple. Bateman has been cast as Adam Carlsen, originally based on Driver's character. The story has changed significantly since its first online publication and is now set in the world of a university. In the story, Professor Carlsen embarks on a fake relationship with PhD candidate Olive Smith, to be played by Lili Reinhart. Reinhart shared a TikTok about the casting notice in which she and Bateman are shaking hands as they agree on their phony love story (that might become real). Fans are now even more curious about Bateman and his relationship with Ridley. Here's everything to know so far. Bateman is a British actor raised in Jericho, a suburb of Oxford. Both his parents were teachers and he has thirteen siblings and half-siblings, including a fraternal twin brother named Merlin, per his IMDB bio. Of his family, he told Above the Line in 2023, 'It's funny because people think it's so crazy, but obviously whatever you grow up with is the norm. It doesn't matter what extreme, bizarre circumstances you might grow up in; it's normal for you. It's when you sort of start stepping out into the world and people go, 'Wait, you are one of 13.' You go, 'Oh, I suppose that is a bit different.'' He studied at Cherwell School then joined the National Youth Theatre. He went on to study theater at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and was awarded the Leverhulme Scholarship. He has an extensive theater resume and was a member of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company. He told Above the Line of LAMDA, 'It was a really cool school. I mean, there are so many amazing drama schools in the U.K. I could only afford to apply to a couple of them, and LAMDA was one of them. I was so lucky to get in. It's an amazing school.' He also has a significant list of credits in film and television, including Peacock's Based on a True Story, Beecham House, and Vanity Fair. Both starred in Kenneth Branagh's 2017 adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express, according to People. It is not clear when they started dating. Rumors of their relationship and engagement followed them for years before Ridley admitted in a January 2023 interview with Rolling Stone that they were officially married. In a 2019 interview with Marie Claire, Ridley was asked about their rumored engagement, saying only, 'It's a really nice ring that I wear.' 'The thing Is, I've never talked about my personal life, so I won't talk about it now,' she added. 'I'm so aware of how much information about my life is out there, so if there's one thing I don't want to talk about.' The couple has worked together since MOTOE on their 2024 film, Magpie. During the premiere at the SXSW festival, Bateman told CBR that Ridley is one of his 'favorite actors.' 'Being able to write to what I know her strengths are was so rewarding,' he said. 'I could be really daring and bold and write a whole scene with no dialogue and just her character's thoughts. Sam [Yates] our director, he agreed. He said 'Man you can just stick a camera on Daisy and she's got it going and she can hold that.'' 'It was super, super rewarding,' he added. Magpie is actually a thriller about a collapsing marriage, but during a press event, Ridley shared, 'It's funny, because people tell me and Tom that we're the happiest married people they know.' Per the Daily Mail, Ridley also told Radio Times, 'I found that process wonderful because our tastes align on almost everything. I think he's a brilliant writer, and we are so clear about what it is that we wanted to make. And we achieved that.'
Geek Feed
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Feed
Jude Law Allegedly Reprising Jod for Other Star Wars Projects
Jude Law entered the world of Star Wars in Skeleton Crew as a pirate with Force powers, and while a second season hasn't been announced, it does sound like we could be seeing more of Crimson Jack/Jod Na Nawood. According to insider Daniel RPK (via @screentime), Jod is expected to appear in other Star Wars projects. It's not clear which ones yet, but it's possible that he could appear in something close to the Mandalorian timeline since Skeleton Crew takes place only a few years after Return of the Jedi , but way past The Force Awakens . Personally, I was hoping for Jod and the kids to have their story take place after The Rise of Skywalker , but it's possible that Lucasfilm may want to keep expanded material away from that era in the meantime, since they're trying to rebuild a new trilogy with Rey Skywalker. As far as Jod's story goes, it looks like he's going to be taken into custody after the first season of Skeleton Crew , but there are some fans (specifically myself) who are almost positive that Jod is going to have some kind of redemption because the series is very specific about him wanting the treasure but not wanting to hurt any of the kids. We don't know when Jod is going to appear again, but you can check him out on his own space adventure with a bunch of silly kids in Skeleton Crew which is now streaming on Disney+.
Irish Examiner
24-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Main dispute over Skellig Michael boat trips resolved
The High Court dispute over boat trips to Skellig Michael has been resolved. Mr Justice Garrett Simons was told on Tuesday that the parties had reached a settlement and a hearing date for the main case in the dispute next month could be vacated. Earlier, this month the judge granted an application by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to lift an automatic suspension on landing at the Unesco heritage site and former monastic island which was also used as a film location for the Star Wars movies, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. It meant that boat trips to the island off the Kerry coast could begin for the summer 2025 season immediately. Annual landing permits issued by the OPW for mid-May to September were automatically suspended when two unsuccessful bidders for the licences brought a High Court challenge to the decision. The OPW then had to apply to the court asking that the stay be lifted pending hearing of the substantive challenge. The unsuccessful bidders, Atlantic Endeavour Ltd and SMBT Ltd trading as Skellig Michael Boat Trips, disagreed with the OPW interpretation of the legal effect of the automatic suspension. They contended that there are a number of mechanisms open whereby landing permits might legitimately be granted to the successful tenderers for the balance of the 2025 season, while preserving their own right to challenge the allocation of landing permits for the 2026 and subsequent seasons. Mr Justice Simons, following a hearing, ordered the stay be lifted. He said his judgment entailed no finding whatsoever on whether the outcome of the tender process allows the OPW to confine the right to land passengers to the 15 successful tenderers for a five-year period. The proper interpretation of the request for tender and associated documentation, and the legal consequences of the tender process, remain open for debate at the trial of the action, he said. On Tuesday, David Dodd BL, for Atlantic and SMBT, said the matter had been resolved and a hearing date for July could be vacated. He said his clients were very happy with the outcome especially in light of the judge's decision earlier this month. The OPW had agreed to pay his side's costs. The judge struck out the case. Read More High Court clears way for Skellig Michael boat tours to resume for 2025 season
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Star Wars films ranked from best to worst with unexpected movie in third spot
Rotten Tomatoes has ranked all 12 Star Wars films from worst to best, and some fans may be left fuming at the top three Star Wars, initially conceived by George Lucas as a simple space adventure, has since evolved into one of the globe's most influential franchises, reshaping our cultural milieu. Devoted followers have made it their life's work to watch every film and TV spin-off, immersing themselves in the grand space saga. However, each viewing raises an inevitable question: which Star Wars film reigns supreme? Rotten Tomatoes has stepped in to settle this debate, ranking all 12 films based on audience ratings. Fans may be surprised to discover the top three contenders. The overall score is determined by viewer ratings, ranging from one to five stars. This method propelled the 1977 feature to an impressive 94%, securing its position at the top. Die-hard Star Wars enthusiasts might be taken aback to find that among the highest-rated films, coming in third place is a recent addition, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, reports the Mirror US. Introduced to the franchise in 2015, this narrative marked the contentious first release following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm. This signalled the beginning of Disney's reign, which subsequently gave birth to a plethora of new characters and narratives in countless Disney original series. The Force Awakens marks the beginning of the sequel trilogy and stands as the seventh installment in the Skywalker Saga. It has elicited mixed reactions from fans of the original series. One reviewer praised: "Easily the best 'first entry' of the three trilogies. Loved the characters. The story was great. Beautiful to see and hear and, most importantly, care about. There are some bad Star Wars films, and this is not one of them." Another fan expressed added: "Force Awakens is nearly perfect. I loved the pacing, acting, action, characters, and story. It's my favorite Star Wars film." At the pinnacle of many rankings remains the cinematic pioneer, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. This seminal work introduced audiences to now-iconic performers like Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. Fans continue to treasure this relatively modest production even decades later. There's a general consensus that A New Hope deserves the foremost position for starting the enduring space odyssey. Admirers echo their enduring affection for what they see as a trailblazing classic in the science fiction genre. One such accolade read: "Star Wars: A New Hope is a timeless classic that revolutionized science fiction with its groundbreaking visual effects and unforgettable score. "For its time, the film pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling, launching the legendary careers of actors like Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford. More than just a space adventure, it's a masterpiece anchored in the powerful theme of hope-reminding viewers that even in the darkest times, light can break through." Sitting proudly at second place is 'Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back', the franchise's second film released in 1980. This fan-favourite clinched nearly the top spot with an impressive 93% Rotten Tomatoes rating, tying with the third-ranked film. At the very end of the list, in twelfth position, we find 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'. The 2008 animated feature didn't quite capture fans' hearts as much as the seven-season TV series did, scraping together a meagre 15% on Rotten Tomatoes. In stark contrast, the ninth instalment, 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker', leaps significantly higher with a 51% score. Whether you're keen to immerse yourself in the entire saga, check out the highest-rated flick, or perhaps revisit the lowest-scoring one, every original and Disney addition to the Star Wars canon is now available for your viewing pleasure on Disney+.
