Good Morning, Youtinians. We at Youtini are very excited to finally be able to play Star Wars: Hunters in June. We asked if you all were excited, and the response was generally split, with slightly more people saying they were not interested. With several big updates before the global launch, it will be interesting to see how much growth and support the game receives after the official launch. See you all in the arena soon!

— Corey Helton & JG Carse

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy Announced

The Basics: Last week, we got an announcement for the next LEGO Star Wars special, and it fulfills a dream that many Star Wars fans have held onto for years. LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy is a new “four-piece” animated special that will premiere on Disney+ on September 13th and drastically redefine certain aspects of the galaxy far, far away. You can think of this as the LEGO Star Wars version of Marvel’s What If?

The Teaser Trailer: The official Star Wars YouTube account uploaded a teaser trailer for this new special last week, and even though it is only about a minute long, it really packs a punch. Some of the highlights from the trailer include Ewoks piloting their own forest-inspired ships (as bounty hunters!), AT-AT Walkers fighting on the side of the Rebellion (the bad guys?), and even the ultimate Sith Lord that fans have been imagining for decades at this point, Darth Jar Jar. We don’t know much about it yet, but it seems like even the Millennium Falcon has switched sides.

We're all fine here now — how are you? LEGO Star Wars specials have provided a ton of fun for Star Wars fans over the past several years, and we think this one has the potential to be the best yet. What galactic change would you make in LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy? Let’s talk about it in the Youtini Discord!

New Lord of the Rings Film Scheduled for 2026

In February 2023, David Zaslav announced during a Warner Bros. Discovery earning call that studio leaders Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy had finalized a deal to make multiple films based on the Lord of the Rings novels. At the time, no details were given, but it was announced this week that the first of these films was slated for a 2026 release.

Context: The film, currently titled The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, will see Andy Serkis both direct and reprise his role as Gollum, with Peter Jackson returning to produce. Writers Walsh and Boyens, along with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, are in the initial stages of script development. Zaslav mentioned that it will delve into unexplored storylines.

Looking Ahead: Fans of Middle Earth will not have to wait long for the next entry in the franchise. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, directed by Kenji Kamiyama, is scheduled to release on December 13, 2024, taking fans over 200 years before The Fellowship of the Ring. Miranda Otto, who played Éowyn in Peter Jackson's original trilogy, is also on board to reprise her role and narrate.

Re-Release: We mentioned it in an earlier newsletter, but it’s exciting to remember that The Lord of the Rings extended and remastered are returning to select theaters!

We're all fine here now — how are you? With the news of the Gollum movie, how are you feeling about it right now? Be sure to join the Younited Discord, where you can discuss the Lord of the Rings franchise and other movies.

F1 Miami Grand Prix Surprises With a First-Time Winner

For only the second time this F1 season, Max Verstappen was not on the top position of the podium at the end of the race. Lando Norris finally secured his first win at the Miami Grand Prix in his 110th race, the 9th longest drought from debut race to first win. Team McLaren had a fantastic day with Oscar Piastri, who started strong and got up to a P2 before an untimely caution and incident with Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz.

Background: Lando Norris began his racing journey in karting, winning the Karting World Championship in 2014. He then progressed through junior formulae, claiming multiple championships and awards along the way. Joining McLaren's development program in 2017, he quickly rose to Formula 2, finishing as runner-up in 2018. Promoted to McLaren's Formula One team in 2018, Norris achieved his first podium in 2020 and his first pole position in the 2021 Miami Grand Prix. He's contracted with McLaren until at least the end of the 2027 season.

2024 Miami Grand Prix: During the initial phases of the race, Norris demonstrated a solid performance, maintaining a steady sixth place on the track. Meanwhile, his teammate Oscar Piastri showcased impressive speed, hinting at a potential upset for McLaren. However, the race dynamics shifted when a Safety Car intervention occurred midway through, playing into Norris's favor as he had already maximized his opening stint.

Exiting the pits, Norris found himself in the lead, with Verstappen relegated to second after making a routine pit stop under normal racing conditions. Despite facing an initial challenge from Verstappen during the restart, Norris skillfully defended his position. He gradually built a gap between himself and the chasing pack.

Looking Ahead: F1 will be heading to Italy for the next race. McLaren will be looking to continue their success in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Verstappen and Red Bull will try to stabilize and continue their 2024 dominance.

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

We have had a plethora of new guides added to our site, so let’s dive in.

• Anthony, co-host of The Youtini Baseball Show, delves into baseball statistics and their meaning. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, understanding baseball stats can enhance your appreciation and understanding of the sport.

• The Three Body-Problem series guide will introduce you to this sci-fi series of books and expanded media. Gea guides readers through the vast array of questions and makes it accessible for anyone to jump into this expansive, thought-provoking franchise.

• Getting Stranger: An Introduction to Stranger Things is your easy pass to the world of Hawkins, Indiana, and more. Sam, your knowledgeable guide, leads newcomers through the sci-fi horror-inspired series with foundational information that will make the viewing experience more enjoyable and boost their confidence in understanding the series.

• Last month, a guide for the Avatar the Last Airbender series was published, and this month, Emmi is here to guide you through the vast content beyond the shows. With comics, novels, and a role-playing game, there is a treasure trove of content for fans of the franchise to enjoy more stories or even create their own. Get ready to dive into a world of endless possibilities!

• With the new Doctor Who season released, now is a great time to start watching. JG assists newcomers with The Beginner's Guide to Doctor Who, navigating the expansive 60+ years of content. 

🚀 Ready for Dispatch

• The Star Wars x Fall Guys event will only last one more week. The collaboration allows players to dress their beans as Han Solo, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, or a classic Stormtrooper. Try the free game, but don’t fall into the Sarlacc pit!

• A documentary about Sir Christopher Lee's life is in development. Lee starred in several franchises, including Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. He had a military career during World War II, and most of it has been shrouded in mystery.

• The Godzilla x Kong follow-up enlists writer Dave Callaham. Callaham is known for writing Shang-Chi and co-writing Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. He is also currently writing the final film for that series, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.

• Fantastic Four has found its Galactus. Ralph Ineson of The Witch and Game of Thrones joins the star-studded cast in the antagonist role. Filming is set to start later in Summer, with release still scheduled for July 25, 2025.

• WNBA Season Openers will air on Disney+. The Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark will take on the Connecticut Sun in Disney+’s first live traditional sportscast outside of the animated specials they have done prior. In addition to this matchup, the Phoenix Mercury face the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday, May 14.