The Bearded Trio

When we look back at the classic 1980s creature features that defined our childhoods, nothing quite matches the tactile, chaotic energy of practical puppetry. Long before digital pixels dominated the screen, bringing characters like Gizmo and the unruly Gremlins to life required an army of technicians, tangled wires, and pure mechanical wizardry. This incredible behind-the-scenes photograph from the production of Joe Dante’s Gremlins (1984) captures that exact frenetic magic on the porch of the Peltzer family home. Behind the scenes on Joe Dante’s Gremlins (1984), showing just how much complex, hands-on wizardry went into bringing the creature features to life. While Zach Galligan (Billy Peltzer) stands ready in the doorway with his flashlight, the puppeteering crew is swarmed in cables, control boxes, and monitors on the porch of the Peltzer home. Look at the clapperboard on the right—production details on full display, shot on May 5, 1983, with director Joe Dante and cinematographer ...

C3PO Actor Predicted The Force Awakens Could be better than The Empire Strikes Back Back in the lead-up to The Force Awakens in 2014, Anthony Daniels didn't lack confidence when talking about the future of the franchise. Addressing the old adage that no sequel can touch The Empire Strikes Back, C-3PO himself dropped this bold prediction: "No movie sequel is better than The Empire Strikes Back." You might eat those words for Xmas dinner in 2015. Joy & Indigestion to the world! Looking back now, did we end up choking on a turkey bone, or does Empire still comfortably hold the crown? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! #StarWars  I still think Empire has it.  (But then I prefer Return of the Jedi so what do I know? - Rob)  The Bearded Trio - The Site For Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Williams and a whole lot more.

End of an Era: BioWare Closes Its Doors After Three Decades, Ending a Legendary Legacy That Includes Knights of the Old Republic It is a deeply somber day for the gaming community. Electronic Arts has officially announced the closure of BioWare, the legendary role-playing game studio that shaped the digital landscapes of millions of players for over thirty years. Alongside the shutdown of the studio, early development on the next Mass Effect project has been officially cancelled. For a studio that defined the golden age of computer RPGs with giants like Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Dragon Age, and Mass Effect, the news marks a heartbreaking final chapter. But for pop-culture enthusiasts and fans of a certain galaxy far, far away, BioWare’s legacy holds a very special, irreplaceable place in Star Wars history.  A Long Time Ago, in a Studio Not So Far Away... While BioWare built incredible proprietary universes of their own, they also gave Star Wars fans one of the greatest int...

Do you remember when...... Warwick Davis officially confirmed his role in Star Wars: Episode VII with absolute peak Life’s Too Short energy?    If you haven't seen it or need a massive hit of nostalgia (sheesh!  When did 2014 become a hit of nostalgia?) Lucasfilm dropped this brilliant video back in the day where Warwick is sitting around looking disheveled with a fake beard, clutching his mobile phone having apparently not moved an inch since Celebration Europe II the previous year just waiting for J.J. Abrams to call.    It has that signature mockumentary awkwardness complete with him staring desperately at the screen and questioning his life choices before he finally gets the long-awaited ring, jumps up, and celebrates in the most dramatic way possible. Honestly, nobody pokes fun at showbiz hustle quite like Warwick. Absolute legend. The Bearded Trio - The Site For Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Williams and a whole lot more.

Dive back into the summer of '78 with John Williams' legendary score. Intrada is back with a fantastic new limited edition release: the Jaws 2 soundtrack! Featuring brilliant music by John Williams, it includes 'The Catamaran Race'—easily one of my favorite pieces he’s ever composed. It never fails to transport me right back to the lazy, sun-drenched days of a 1970s childhood.  Here's the full press release: Released in cooperation with Universal Studios and Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), this release presents a ground-up restoration, remix and remastering from the first-generation multi-track scoring elements. Arriving a year after Williams’  Star Wars  and  Close Encounters of the Third Kind  fully unfettered the symphonic film score,  Jaws 2  builds on the iconic shark motif from the classic original and expands into a dynamic exploration of the joys and terrors of the sea in iconic Williams style. Intrada derived its previous release (2015) fro...

Step back into 1979, when the future of Star Wars was full of mystery, playground hype, and massive promises. I love these retro videos from the 70s where we had so much anticipation for Star Wars. So many unanswered questions which was part of the fun, the mystery of Star Wars. I even remember the buzz in the school playgrounds back then, with everyone talking about Lucas making more Star Wars movies. Some said there were going to be nine in total while others swore it was twelve. To be honest, I just wanted more of it, all while I negotiated with friends to swap their Topps trading cards so I could finally complete my blue bordered series. Back in 1979, Kenner released an internal promotional video aimed at toy store buyers and department stores. The main goal was to convince retailers that Star Wars was far more than a passing fad and to get them to commit massive shelf space for the upcoming toy lineup. Partway through the presentation, the narrator drops a pretty wild line, claimi...

THOR #803 INDIANA JONES MARVEL ARTIFACT VARIANTS COVER BY MAHMUD ASRAR –   75960621705280331 To celebrate the return of Indiana Jones to Marvel Comics, new INDIANA JONES MARVEL ARTIFACTS VARIANT COVERS, featuring the iconic archaeologist uncovering legendary artifacts from across the Marvel Universe, arrive in November. He recovered The Ark of the Covenant. He secured the Holy Grail. Now, famed archaeologist Indiana Jones sets his sights on some of the most powerful items found in the Marvel Universe in all-new INDIANA JONES MARVEL ARTIFACTS COVERS! On Sale 11/25 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1004 INDIANA JONES MARVEL ARTIFACTS VARIANT COVER BY SARA PICHELLI –  75960623001300431   Across five spectacular covers by superstar artists Carmen Carnero, Marco Checchetto, Sara Pichelli, Mahmud Asrar and Iban Coello, Indy goes artifact hunting for some of Marvel’s most legendary items including the Infinity Gauntlet famously wielded by Thanos, Thor’s hammer Mjolnir, the Crimson Gem of Cytt...

Exploring the legendary director's foreword for The EC Archives: Shock SuspenStories Did you know Steven Spielberg wrote the foreword for an EC Comics collection? In The EC Archives: Shock SuspenStories Volume 1 , Spielberg talks about growing up reading these classic 1950s comics. While many people at the time dismissed them as just pulpy shockers, he sees them as brilliant little morality tales. He credits writers Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein with being completely fearless, using mystery and sci-fi to take on real-world issues long before mainstream media dared to touch them. He also mentions how the sharp twist endings and killer visual pacing of artists like Wally Wood taught him early lessons in building suspense. You can definitely see that classic EC Comics DNA running through movies like Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark . I personally love these comics and the artwork. UK readers will certainly remember Scream! comic from the 80s, which carried a similar atmospheric vibe....

Just announced at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Comics kicks off a new era of Indiana Jones comics this December with INDIANA JONES AND THE SWORD OF PANDEMONIUM, a five-issue series by acclaimed creators Jason Aaron and Aaron Kuder. Fans who attended the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel at San Diego Comic-Con just witnessed one of the weekend’s biggest surprises! Following reveals for upcoming Marvel Star Wars titles, Marvel Comics’ Outgoing Editor-in-Chief and Editor, Asia Originals C.B. Cebulski announced that Indiana Jones returns to Marvel Comics this December in INDIANA JONES AND THE SWORD OF PANDEMONIUM, an all-new five-issue limited series from superstar writer Jason Aaron and acclaimed artist Aaron Kuder. The series kicks off an all-new era of comic book adventures for the iconic archaeologist set during the original groundbreaking films. In the wake of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indy’s most notorious villains, including the impossible return of an archenemy, seek a...

NEWLY RELEASED HIGHLIGHTS FROM SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON  Star Wars™: The Experience, an epic journey through the legacy of Star Wars™, will make its world premiere at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on February 13, 2027, as part of the global celebration of the 50th anniversary of Star Wars. The first exhibit renderings, official key art and new details were unveiled today at San Diego Comic-Con.     Developed by The Franklin Institute in collaboration with Lucasfilm, Disney Consumer Products and MDSX, Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy is the official exhibition of the landmark anniversary year, taking fans of all ages inside the galaxy’s creation and celebrating the art, innovation and fandom that have made Star Wars a global phenomenon.    “Debuting the world premiere of Star Wars™: The Experience in Philadelphia is a tremendous honor for The Franklin Institute and for our city,” said Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Frank...

Netflix just sent us straight back to the living room carpet in 1987 So Netflix have decided to mess with our nostalgia and released a VHS-style version of Stranger Things. Not joking. You can watch it on Netflix but it looks exactly like it’s coming through your old VCR. Grainy picture, fuzzy sound, random crackles, and that glorious 4:3 format that made everything look like it was filmed in a shoebox. It honestly looks like something you got from that one person we all knew who could get the latest movies. Barry the barber was my source. And I have to admit, it made me grin. It got me thinking. Should streaming platforms do more of this? It’s not real VHS of course, but it scratches that retro itch. Imagine watching Raiders, Star Wars or E.T. like this. And yes, everyone seemed to have a dodgy copy of E.T. at some point. Good idea or just a bit of fun. Right, I’m off to adjust the tracking before the picture starts rolling. The Bearded Trio - The Site For Steven Spielberg, George ...

Jurassic Park Star Passes Away Sad news: Sam Neill, one of cinema’s true greats, has passed away at the age of 78, surrounded by family in Sydney. His family confirmed the news in a statement, describing the loss as sudden and unexpected, though blessed by the fact that he remained cancer‑free in his final months. Sam Neill wasn’t just an actor, he was a storyteller, a steady presence, and a beloved figure across film, television, and even social media. From Jurassic Park to The Piano, Dead Calm, My Brilliant Career, The Hunt for Red October, Peaky Blinders, and countless other roles, he brought warmth, intelligence, and humanity to every performance. Born in Northern Ireland and raised in New Zealand, Neill carved out a career spanning nearly five decades, becoming one of the most respected actors of his generation. A gentle soul, a remarkable talent, and a true legend. Thank you for the stories, the characters, and the memories. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during t...

Happy Birthday, Tom! Tom Hanks celebrates his 70th birthday today, marking a milestone for one of cinema’s most enduring and beloved figures. Few actors have shaped modern film quite the way Hanks has. For decades he’s brought unforgettable characters to life, always with that unmistakable blend of warmth, honesty and humanity that audiences connect with instantly. It’s also impossible to celebrate the day without recognising his extraordinary creative partnership with Steven Spielberg. Together, Hanks and Spielberg have delivered some of the most powerful and memorable films of the last thirty years. Their collaborations include Saving Private Ryan , a landmark war film that changed the genre; Catch Me If You Can , a stylish and witty chase across decades; The Terminal , a gentle and heartfelt story anchored by Hanks’ charm; and Bridge of Spies , a gripping Cold War drama with quiet emotional weight. Their work hasn’t been limited to the big screen. Hanks and Spielberg have also colla...

THE OFFICIAL EXHIBITION CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF STAR WARS™ OPENS FEBRUARY 2027 AT THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE IN PHILADELPHIA MORE EXCLUSIVE DETAILS AND FIRST LOOKS TO COME AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2026 The world premiere exhibition, Star Wars™: The Experience, an epic journey through the legacy of Star Wars™, will open at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on February 13, 2027, as part of the Star Wars 50th anniversary celebration. Created by The Franklin Institute, in collaboration with MDSX, Lucasfilm and Disney Consumer Products, Star Wars™: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy, is the largest and most comprehensive behind-the-scenes exhibition celebrating the Star Wars galaxy, and the official exhibition during the landmark anniversary year. The all-new exhibition spans 18,000 square feet of visually rich, interconnected galleries, featuring large immersive moments, screen-used artifacts, and an RFID-powered experience for an interactive, personalized, and cinematic journey...

The Boroughs – A Modern Score with an 80s Soul I’ve been listening to John Paesano’s The Boroughs soundtrack a lot lately, and it’s one of those scores that immediately takes you somewhere familiar. It’s atmospheric, mysterious, and wrapped in that unmistakable 80s glow. There’s a warm, analogue sheen to it that instantly brings to mind the golden age of Amblin, suburban fantasy, and gentle sci‑fi wonder. Even though the show is set firmly in the present day, the music feels like it could sit comfortably alongside Poltergeist, Cocoon, Back to the Future, Close Encounters, and even Raiders of the Lost Ark. The show itself has been described as Stranger Things with adults, and that tone absolutely carries through into the score. There’s a Cocoon‑like warmth in the softer cues, a touch of Silvestri’s magic, and moments where I genuinely thought I was listening to James Newton Howard. Paesano leans into the mystery in a way that feels very Shyamalan, restrained and atmospheric with a quie...

Terry Richards Disappointed Over Iconic Raiders Scene It was on this day back in 2014 that it was announced we lost Terry Richards, the brilliant British stunt man whose career spanned Indiana Jones, James Bond, Star Wars and so many classics. Richards had actually passed away on 14th June, aged 81. Richards served in the Welsh Guards before being told by a friend that they needed extras with military training.  He was asked if he could fall from a scaffolding which ultimately led to his long career as a stuntman. Most fans remember him as the Cairo Swordsman in Raiders of the Lost Ark, a scene that became iconic completely by accident. Richards had trained hard for a full sword fight, but Harrison Ford was too ill to perform it. As Ford explained: “I was no longer capable of staying out of my trailer for more than it took to expose a role of film, which was 10 minutes, and then I would have to flee back there for sanitary facilities.” Ford admitted Richards was disappointed after ...

Retro Sci-Fi Trivia Time!  ​Take a look at this snippet from Starburst Vol. 1, No. 3 which appropriately features Close Encounters on the cover.  The segment in the news section explains just how much George Lucas and Steven Spielberg loved Chuck Jones’ legendary cartoon, Duck Dodgers in the 24½ Century.  ​According to the article: ​George Lucas loved it so much he opened his initial Hollywood cast and crew screening of Star Wars with it, eventually getting it to play before the main feature in a San Francisco cinema. ​Steven Spielberg gave it a shoutout in Close Encounters, where it plays on the TV in the playroom scene ("H'h'h'happy birthday, you thing from another world, you!"). ​​I love finding little stories like this in old mags. The hype for a movie or the industry back then seemed more exciting and more innocent, but at the same time, more cosy.  But rose tinted glasses and all that as they say - Rob The Bearded Trio - The Site For Steven Spielberg, Geo...

A look back at the Welsh filmmaker whose work on Return of the Jedi deserves far more recognition. Every now and then I like to shine a light on the filmmakers who helped shape the movies that meant so much to us growing up. Today I’m revisiting one of them: Richard Marquand, the Welsh director of Return of the Jedi . I’m sharing a video tribute I made to him more than ten years ago. The quality is a little rough because it was created long before modern editing tools were easily available, but the heart behind it is still very much there. Marquand is one of those names that often slips through the cracks when people talk about Star Wars. Ask many fans who directed Jedi and you’ll hear the same line repeated again and again: “George Lucas basically took over.” It’s a comment that has been repeated so often it has become part of the mythology. But if you’ve ever read The Making of Return of the Jedi , you’ll know that Marquand’s involvement was far deeper and far more hands‑on than he’...

Brian Johnson, the Oscar‑winning special effects maestro behind some of the greatest sci‑fi films and TV shows ever made, has sadly passed away. His work helped define the look and feel of modern science fiction. From 2001: A Space Odyssey to Alien , from Thunderbirds and Space: 1999 to The Empire Strikes Back , Brian’s craftsmanship shaped entire generations of storytelling. His Oscar for The Empire Strikes Back remains one of the most deserved honours in the history of the Special Achievement category. I was fortunate enough to interview Brian back in 2016 at Showmasters’ Cardiff Film & Comic Con. He was warm, funny, and wonderfully candid, the kind of person who could talk about groundbreaking visual effects with the same ease as sharing a quiet memory from a frozen location shoot. One story that always stayed with me was his time filming The Empire Strikes Back in Norway. While most of us imagine the epic Hoth battle, Brian remembered something far less glamorous: the tiny...

If you love Indiana Jones as much as we do here at The Bearded Trio, this is one to mark on your calendar. Marvel is re‑releasing their entire 1980s run of Indy comics in two gorgeous hardcovers this September and they’ve gone all‑out with the presentation. Leatherette binding, debossed covers, ribbon bookmarks.… these things look like artifacts straight out of Indy’s office. Each volume collects the classic comic adaptations of Raiders , Temple of Doom , and Last Crusade , plus the full Further Adventures series that expanded Indy’s world with brand‑new quests. These stories were created by some absolute giants of the era — Michelinie, Simonson, Byrne, Buscema, Ditko — the list goes on. For anyone who remembers these comics from the 80s, or for fans discovering them for the first time, this is a brilliant way to experience Indy’s adventures beyond the films. Both books land on 30 September , and preorders are open now.