Fran Ruiz
Fran Ruiz is our resident Star Wars guy. His hunger for movies and TV series is only matched by his love for video games. He got a BA of English Studies, focusing on English Literature, from the University of Malaga, in Spain, as well as a Master's Degree in English Studies, Multilingual and Intercultural Communication. On top of writing features and other longform articles for Space.com since 2021, he is a frequent collaborator of VG247 and other gaming sites. He also serves as associate editor over at Star Wars News Net and its sister site, Movie News Net.
Latest articles by Fran Ruiz
![Star Wars Skeleton Crew Episode 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MjgPEJWGnWg64waYva3nCZ-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' episode 5: What's hidden inside Skull Ridge Mountain?
By Fran Ruiz published
Episode 5 of Skeleton Crew is a colorful romp through a luxurious resort full of strange aliens, new friends and foes, and many hidden secrets.
![A young woman holding a blue lightsaber](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ggrGA7CSsjF5JG7vaq55hK-320-80.jpg)
Every upcoming 'Star Wars' movie officially announced
By Fran Ruiz published
After years of only new Star Wars shows, the franchise is ready to return to the big screen. But which upcoming Star Wars movies should you watch out for?
![Still from the movie Superman (2025). Superman (man wearing a blue bodysuit with a giant red S on his chest and a red cape) walking through a crowd of angry people.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7bnGnEdTJYvuqUYsUucgLA-320-80.jpg)
Everything we know about James Gunn's 'Superman'
By Fran Ruiz last updated
James Gunn's Superman reboot kicks off the DC Extended Universe's refresh in 2025.
![Two people looking at the skyline of a futuristic city full of skyscrapers. There is a small spaceship zipping across the sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KtVksb7QUMiQgHyPnappyn-320-80.jpg)
Everything we know about Exodus, the new sci-fi game from ex-BioWare developers
By Fran Ruiz last updated
While we wait for the next Mass Effect game, ex-BioWare devs have teamed up with other AAA talent to create new space RPG Exodus.
![A dark haired man in a sci-fi outfit reaches out to touch a purple alien plant.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/T8JNr2pj4P5Q36QXzBmdN9-320-80.jpg)
'Exodus' looks like a next-gen Mass Effect, but with armored space bears (trailer)
By Fran Ruiz published
Archetype Entertainment's Matthew McConaughey-led sci-fi RPG adventure is looking alright alright alright.
![Still from Star Wars: Skeleton Crew TV series.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/smFkjkwjXn6PdhmXDFvDgA-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' episode 4: What happened on At Achrann?
By Fran Ruiz published
Still from Star Wars: Skeleton Crew TV series. A disheveled girl with long hair is wearing a long-sleeved shirt and some shoulder armor. She is holding a T-shaped piece of metal.
![Still from the sci-fi video game Steel Hunters. There are two giant and armed mechs looking cool as they walk away from an explosion. They are on a barren sandy planet.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/arCyxKa3D3c5VXvxnjizQn-320-80.jpg)
The Game Awards 2024: All the new space and sci-fi games at the show
By Fran Ruiz published
Here's the full rundown of new space-related game titles from The Game Awards 2024.
![Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8paLDxcQKB4ipFF5WnC8Tg-320-80.jpg)
'Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet' is Naughty Dog's new sci-fi adventure game set on a distant planet (trailer)
By Fran Ruiz published
Naughty Dog's first new IP in over a decade is taking the developer back to its light-hearted action roots.
![Warhammer 40K art](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GR96jvEnEKhtbvEtTf8chD-320-80.jpg)
'Warhammer 40,000' TV series locked and loaded at Amazon with Henry Cavill set to star
By Fran Ruiz published
Games Workshop and Amazon have finally sealed the creative vision for several Warhammer 40,000 projects, with a TV show leading the charge.
![Still from the Star Wars TV show Skeleton Crew. Jod Na Nawood, a mysterious man wearing a hooded cloak, steps out from behind a dark pillar.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KqUGDJeHSDLNQ5S8v2SFHh-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' episode 3: What's Jod Na Nawood's true identity?
By Fran Ruiz published
In its third episode, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew gets into a groove and answers more questions than expected.
![Screenshot from MechWarrior 5: Clans](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vDB7WwvZa447o6FHiDJnwP-320-80.jpg)
'MechWarrior 5: Clans' offers the stompy robot fights you expect, and a surprisingly strong story that you probably don't
By Fran Ruiz published
The follow-up to MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries feels like an alternative rather than an upgrade, but it's a perfect entry point for newcomers.
![Still from the animated movie Lilo & Stitch.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GL4s9feQahnBZ2HjjMDAD9-320-80.jpg)
Lilo & Stitch live-action remake: Release date, plot, & everything we know
By Fran Ruiz published
Another Disney classic is getting a makeover: Lilo & Stitch are crash-landing on Earth in 2025.
![Screenshots from Directive 8020, the upcoming sci-fi horror game.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o2DNbU4aDELyZt6Ngb4YqU-320-80.png)
Directive 8020: Everything we know about Supermassive's sci-fi horror game
By Fran Ruiz published
The fifth installment of Supermassive Games' Dark Pictures Anthology is going to outer space in search of Lovecraftian horrors.
![Star Wars: Skeleton Crew](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8L6dNsXTK3ypof7FRrBxWL-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' episodes 1 & 2: What's the secret of At Attin?
By Fran Ruiz published
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew explores the New Republic era from a new, innocent perspective, but there's more than meets the eye...
![A soldier in green armor holding two submachine guns, with a yellow-tinted cityscape behind him.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hy6m9bstuC7agXs2f53zDg-320-80.jpg)
'Halo 2' 20 years later: The sequel that changed gaming forever
By Fran Ruiz published
Two decades on, Halo 2 remains one of the best video game sequels of all time. Here's how it became a monument to Xbox and sci-fi shooters.
![A Sith woman with a red lightsaber battling a green alien bounty hunter in Star Wars: Hunters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UsRujYx2MTi7vRUPRnXkDZ-320-80.jpg)
Star Wars: Hunters is coming to PC in early 2025
By Fran Ruiz published
After making waves on Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch, the online action game Star Wars: Hunters is coming to PC.
![Still from the movie Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023). Here we see 5 Transformers standing together. From left to right, there is Optimus Prime (large blue and red robot that can turn into a truck), Optimus Primal (a robot gorilla with piercing green lights for eyes), and then the yellow Transformer Bumblebee. To the left there appear 2 other Transformers (a mechncialy bird in the sky and a blue blocky robot in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dPo92zYeAz7Joxh7HWooJ3-320-80.jpg)
Transformers movies in order: chronological & release order
By Fran Ruiz last updated
With Transformers One on the horizon, now is a prime time to put the existing Transformers movies in order, both chronological and by release date.
![Scene from Alien Covenant showing Xenomorph (Credit: 20th Century Fox)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bEbjFwo5Xsf2jbbQGF3sBW-320-80.jpeg)
Alien movies in order: chronological and release
By Fran Ruiz last updated
Watch all Alien movies in order with our comprehensive list, from the 1979 original to Romulus, and including the Alien vs. Predator crossovers.
![A mech suit stood against the backdrop of a sunset.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ASd5UfmAxu2zbrbCxw2cE8-320-80.jpg)
Best mech games of all time
By Fran Ruiz published
Giant robots and piloted machines have been popular in science fiction for decades. If you want to be a mech jock yourself, these are the best mech games.
![Dune: Prophecy](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VLfXHynYCsivR4kWDhTira-320-80.jpg)
What is Tiran-Arafel in Dune: Prophecy?
By Fran Ruiz published
HBO's Dune prequel series has kicked things off with plenty of intriguing questions, but chief among them is who, or what, is Tiran-Arafel?
![Image from the sci-fi movie Dune. Paul Atreides is holding a sword in the air as he is standing high above a crowd of thousands of people.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4QygvbK37NWbr3HNMmZmyQ-320-80.jpg)
Everything we know about Dune: Messiah
By Fran Ruiz last updated
Denis Villeneuve isn't finished with Arrakis and Paul Atreides yet. Keep your stillsuit on and get ready for Dune: Messiah.
![A bald man in armor carrying his helmet, walking beside a woman in black carrying a gun.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rjxw5TKnmpP7u3zjdTFtp-320-80.jpg)
'The Book of Boba Fett' was disappointing, but we still want a 2nd season
By Fran Ruiz published
Despite some bold ideas, The Book of Boba Fett season 1 was a bit of a mess, but that doesn’t mean a second season wouldn’t work.
![Image from the game Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. Concept art depicting a person in black clothing with a red lightsaber fighting a person in white clothing with a blue lightsaber. In the foreground there is a heavily scared person (with one red eye and one normal eye) holding a red lightsaber, ready to strike.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vGQaSib6kdD8PnNVmthgHC-320-80.jpg)
'Knights of the Old Republic II' at 20: The key to Star Wars' future is found in its past
By Fran Ruiz published
We revisit the Star Wars RPG sequel that subverted the expectations of fans and gained a cult following, despite a troubled development.
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