Good Morning Youtinians. Yes, it was not an April Fool’s joke after all. The Youtini Show premeire episode is now available. Join Corey, Eric, Charles, and Wes as they reflect on the transition from The Living Force podcast to where they are today and what’s to come for The Youtini Show.

Last week, we shared some of the trailers that dropped—there were a lot. We asked what your favorites were, and it wasn’t close. House of the Dragon Season 2 burned the competition. Doctor Who and Alien: Romulus was next in the results, respectively.

— Corey Helton & JG Carse

The Skywalker Saga Returns to Theaters!

2024 marks the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace, and Lucasfilm has announced a major celebration in your local theater. Check your listings now to get tickets to the entire Skywalker Saga on May the 4th! This movie marathon will be an all-day event that will include each of the nine Skywalker Saga films in chronological order.

The Nostalgia Corner: It’s hard to believe it has been 25 years since young Ani’s pod racing skills graced the big screen and Darth Maul’s evil presence scared younglings across the world. But this marathon event is more than just a movie marathon; it's a shared experience that gives us all the chance to dedicate the entire day to the nostalgia and fun of Star Wars, together.

Bonus Features! An all-day marathon is quite the commitment—even for a Star Wars fan. But Lucasfilm would not have you walk away empty-handed. Moviegoers on May the 4th will not only experience the Skywalker Saga; they will also get an exclusive first look at the upcoming series, The Acolyte. If you want to catch that but don’t have the time to give your entire day to Star Wars, buy a ticket to The Phantom Menace. And it wouldn’t be a Star Wars showing without a poster! Fans of The Phantom Menace will receive an exclusive poster from their theater, a special memento of this unforgettable event.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? Have you ever binged the entire Skywalker Saga? Or a specific trilogy? Let’s talk about it in the Younited discord!

Marvel Hero Fighter Game Announced

The Marvel Universe is expanding its gaming presence. A full trailer unveiled Marvel Rivals, setting up the game's context and giving us a first look at gameplay. Developed by Netease Games, Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play 6v6 multiplayer hero fighter that pits mixed teams of heroes and villains against each other. 

Context: Netease Games is known for its mobile games, and Marvel Rivals is poised to be one of its largest releases. Taking inspiration from Overwatch, two teams of six players will compete as Marvel characters, attempting to achieve goals and capture victory. Each character will have special abilities, allowing players to build ever-evolving teams that combine strengths and unlock unique team-up skills. 

Who Can I Play As?: Marvel Rivals promises a wide array of characters, with 18 different characters appearing in the reveal trailer. From the beloved Iron Man and Spider-Man to the lesser-known Luna Snow and Magik, we get the feeling that anyone in the Marvel storytelling mythos might show up. Netease Games promises to support the game with post-launch content, including an expanding roster of playable fighters. 

When Can I Play?: There isn’t an official release date as of now; however, players can sign up for the Closed Alpha test, which will launch in May.

Changes Coming Next NFL Season

Every year, NFL owners vote on changes to improve the game further. Sometimes, these are minimal and not even noticeable; however, some can be massive and shake up the game. Let’s look at some of the most significant changes coming next season.

Kickoffs: Kickoffs, as of late, have been rather dull. There have been many attempts to shake it up while improving player safety, and this year will see the most substantial change yet. The kicker will still kick from the 35-yard line, but the rest of the kicking team will line up on the opponent's 40. Players can only move once the ball touches the ground or a receiving team player in the landing zone (goal line to 20-yard line). The fair catch has also been removed, and onside kicks are only allowed in the fourth quarter and after the trailing team has notified the officials. 

Trade Deadline Moved Back: The deadline for teams to make trades has been pushed back to Week 9 instead of the Tuesday after Week 8. The league had not adjusted the deadline when it extended the regular season to 18 weeks. This latest change will give teams a little more time to prepare for the second half of the season as they push for the playoffs.

Hip Drop Tackle Banned: Hip Drop Tackle Banned: The most controversial change amongst fans and commentators is banning “hip drop tackles.” Competition committee chairman Rich McKay said in a news conference, “This is elimination of a swivel technique that doesn't get used very often and when it is used, it is incredibly injurious to the runner. The runner is purely defenseless.” While ultimately, player safety should always be a priority, it will be interesting to watch how the game officials will determine in a matter of seconds whether a tackle is legal or not.

We’re all fine here now—how are you? We want to hear what you think about these changes, so let’s discuss them in our American football channel on the Younited Discord. 

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

It’s a baseball takeover this week: 

• The Youtini Baseball Show has officially launched. Join Anthony, Parker, and Adam as they share their love, knowledge, and insight for the sport. In the premiere episode of The Youtini Baseball Show, the hosts introduce their mission to explore America's pastime, catering to rookies and die-hard fans alike.

• Over on YouTube, Eric explored the timeless wonder of baseball’s opening day. Looking at his past and the power of the experience of ballpark atmosphere, Eric reminds us of the sport's enduring allure and communal spirit.

• A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Major League Baseball, written by Youtini Baseball Show host Anthony, launched on our site this week. You can begin to immerse yourself in the structure of the game, its history, how it's played, the fan experience, and how you can continue to learn about and engage with one of the most exciting sports in the world.

🚀 Ready for Dispatch

• An excerpt from The Living Force offered a first look at the Jedi Council during a debate instigated by Qui-Gonn Jinn. John Jackson Miller takes us back to a time just before The Phantom Menace as the Jedi High Council embarks on a mission that takes them outside the temple walls. The book comes out on April 9.

• The first volume of the soundtrack for Season 3 of The Bad Batch has been released. Listen to both triumphant and tragic melodies wherever you get your digital music as you wait for the remaining episodes to air leading up to the conclusion of the series.

• Florence Pugh took fans behind the scenes of the Thunderbolts*. Teasing sets and more, Pugh was coy about revealing much. Nevertheless, many fans have noticed that on set and in the tweet, the movie's title now has an asterisk at the end, with no indication of its meaning.

• A Jurassic World: Chaos Theory teaser trailer gives fans the first look at the sequel series to Camp Cretaceous. Showrunner Scott Kreamer stated, "I would want to tell a more sophisticated story with the older kids, tonally closer to the end of the Harry Potter movies than the beginning of the Harry Potter movies." He adds, "It kept going from there, and people luckily got on board."

• USA Basketball confirmed that it invited University of Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark to participate in the Olympic training camp, which will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, from April 3 to 5. That's right before the women's Final Four, where the Iowa Hawkeyes will appear after Monday night's win against Louisiana State University.