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
![The Xenomorph Queen in Alien vs. Predator (2004).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R46H3KbaojngkxiwcdH9Va-320-80.jpg)
Alien: The Xenomorph life cycle explained
By Fran Ruiz published
Ahead of Alien: Romulus, we explore every stage of the Xenomorphs' gruesome life cycle and its evolution across the entire Alien saga.
![A young woman wearing a hooded robe looks back, off into the distance.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eDgqLKZLEe6b8u8nhgVbCK-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: The Acolyte' episode 8: How open-ended is the conclusion?
By Fran Ruiz published
"The Acolyte" sticks the landing with a strong season 1 finale that gives closure to the main plot while offering a look at the series' future.
![Two spaceships, one larger with maroon colored wings in the foreground chasing down a smaller ship in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9wh9YQCFSuZdpEUPbiM5VV-320-80.jpg)
The spaceships of the 'Star Wars' High Republic era
By Fran Ruiz published
The Acolyte is the High Republic's live-action debut, but this new Star Wars era has been expanding for a while and contains some memorable ship designs.
![Alien from A Quiet Place standing on long grass with a hand on something metal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KeWKQvkn7JoAi4VejpAPeK-320-80.jpg)
'A Quiet Place's' alien monsters explained
By Fran Ruiz published
If you've just watched 'A Quiet Place: Day One' and have been wondering about the nature of the aliens and their origin, here's all we know.
![Close up of a female Jedi wearing brown robes, looking forwardly determinedly as she prepares for battle. In the background you can see another Jedi who appears to be on their knees.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t6mRxwRBgHQmBLm3ThXVMZ-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: The Acolyte' episode 7: What's a vergence in the Force?
By Fran Ruiz published
"The Acolyte" seventh episode 'Choice' reveals the truth about what happened on Brendok and cuts even deeper into Star Wars lore.
![Close up of a man's face. He is standing on a beach, his chin-length hair sweeping in the breeze. He has a serious expression on his face.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ytdFaeEmkKAbBr2xiTxe2P-320-80.png)
'Star Wars: The Acolyte' episode 6: Who's the Stranger's old master?
By Fran Ruiz published
"The Acolyte" slows down a bit in its sixth episode, but gets deeper into the remaining characters' thoughts and feelings.
![A masked villain is pointing a red lightsaber in a threatening manner.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VseXQAEKgwhSa6quGe9xkU-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: The Acolyte' episode 5: Who's the masked Sith villain?
By Fran Ruiz published
While it doesn't fix all the issues, episode 5 of "The Acolyte" is full of thrills and among the best live-action Star Wars TV so far.
![a shirtless person in a white mask clutches a spiked club while standing in a ruined building](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qWtkPqsoHYBfs8gvChzq6Y-320-80.jpg)
Borderlands games ranked, worst to best
By Fran Ruiz published
The Borderlands movie is right around the corner, and we can't think of a better time to jump into the legendary sci-fi FPS video game franchise.
![portraits of characters in robes and futuristic armor on an alien desert planet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/frMtK7ULSjpUVHi2bzWb2m-320-80.jpg)
New 'Star Wars Outlaws' gameplay trailer dives into the galactic underworld (video)
By Fran Ruiz published
Star Wars Outlaws, the first true open-world Star Wars video game, is now right around the corner, and the new gameplay showcase is everything we were hoping for.
![A young woman Jedi looking up at another Jedi (all we can see is their cloak).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CCozUpemEnosxCBfqA6spf-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: The Acolyte' episode 4: What's the goal of Mae's test?
By Fran Ruiz published
In its fourth episode, "The Acolyte" has a bigger sense of urgency, delivers a surprising Star Wars prequels cameo, and twists the plot once again.
![characters in robes look at one another in a dingy cave-like structure](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6fM9cV9hridXiQDszHc8oB-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: The Acolyte' episode 3: How do the Brendok witches use the Force?
By Fran Ruiz published
The third episode of "The Acolyte" is a long flashback that adds more layers to both the story being told and the Star Wars universe as a whole.
![a stone obelisk rises from an alien planet beneath strange stars and purple auroras](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C76JswZduwNLSqNMfXvi5b-320-80.jpg)
'Starfield' unveils 1st look at 'Shattered Space' expansion (video)
By Fran Ruiz published
Starfield might have disappointed some at launch, but in typical Bethesda fashion, it's continuing to expand and giving more power to the players.
![Main image shows characters from the video game: Destiny 2 in foreground with a red to blue (left to right) colour scheme](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NiXSMxTpQ6SUyZ5KegsJsA-320-80.jpg)
Everything we know about 'Destiny 2: The Final Shape'
By Fran Ruiz published
The Light and Darkness saga of Destiny 2, which contains the first ten years of Destiny, is ending with The Final Shape. This is everything we know about it.
![people in long dull-colored robes swing laser swords of various colors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HQFcT37AQuaXeR233LjSnm-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: The Acolyte' episodes 1 & 2: Who's really behind the Jedi murder mystery?
By Fran Ruiz published
The first two episodes of "The Acolyte" are refreshing Star Wars and open up plenty of possibilities, but the visual presentation and pacing are irregular.
![a crab-like alien latches on to a person's face](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mdTD5tDqvFwxNGw4uSSMsF-320-80.jpg)
Terrifying new 'Alien: Romulus' trailer unleashes the facehuggers (video)
By Fran Ruiz published
Roughly two months before its theatrical release, "Alien: Romulus" is giving us a better look at its plot, characters, and scares.
![a humanoid creature covered in a thick black goo-like substance with a mouth full of long, sharp teeth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QBGkgZ4ERnAdbhVasBbkNE-320-80.jpg)
'Venom: The Last Dance' gets 1st trailer full of alien symbiote mischief and mayhem (video)
By Fran Ruiz published
The third and (supposedly) final Venom movie is coming in 2024, and its first trailer is an intriguing one. Here's your first look at 'Venom: The Last Dance.'
![a person in a dark robe stares at a sunrise in the distance over the ocean](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vNN9i2whLhXqbvdHsZMkF5-320-80.jpg)
Everything we know about 'The Acolyte': Release date, plot, cast & more
By Fran Ruiz last updated
The upcoming Star Wars series "The Acolyte" will bring the High Republic era to live-action and explore the dark side of the Force. This is what we know so far.
![characters in robes stare ominously at one another](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BBzjXzb96PUzG3kXAJmuoZ-320-80.jpg)
Is 'Star Wars: The Acolyte' already canceled? Breaking down the rumors
By Fran Ruiz published
There have been some rumblings of the next Star Wars series, The Acolyte, getting the axe before its first season even premieres, but all is not what it seems.
![from the left, a strom trooper in dirty white armor with blue accents stands holding a hip cannon, in the center a green and purple jedi kit clad person holding a cartoon blaster, and on the right a black hooded figure yielding a red lightsaber. They stand in a futuristic alleyway with illegible alien neon signs in the distance.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/om58mZmNi634qkxUMNVCBL-320-80.jpg)
Watch 1st 'Star Wars: Hunters' gameplay trailer ahead of June 4 launch (video)
By Fran Ruiz published
We’ll soon be playing 'Star Wars: Hunters' on Nintendo Switch and mobile phones, and the latest gameplay trailer has a fun look at game modes and more.
![A shocked woman covering her mouth with her hands and a worried-looking man standing on a New York street as flaming meteors rain down.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dfUNJ9YtKsegzUCUTkZFqd-320-80.jpg)
Everything we know about 'A Quiet Place: Day One'
By Fran Ruiz published
A Quiet Place is expanding its universe with an ambitious prequel.
![An image showing a wastelander in front of the California Republic flag, with the Nuka Cola pin-up girl displayed on the left.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8cfhYEUJELLQt28R3HjzSZ-320-80.jpg)
'Fallout' season 2 is going to New Vegas. How might outer space tie in?
By Fran Ruiz published
The Fallout T.V. show has been a huge hit for Bethesda and Prime Video, with season 2 already confirmed. With New Vegas now on the horizon, can we expect some space connections?
![a character in a dark robe walks away from a fire holding a laser sword](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WWqtEvvnG7v73CKFfn4Q7k-320-80.jpg)
'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire' review: A gorgeous but ultimately uneven set of stories
By Fran Ruiz published
Lucasfilm Animation's second Star Wars anthology series often wows, but neither the tales chosen nor the structure feel like a good fit for the format.
![Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g79q5vKUFpKNcZTLQhQL6k-320-80.jpg)
Star Wars makes Darth Jar Jar official in 'Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy' mini-series (video)
By Fran Ruiz published
One of the Star Wars fandom's most infamous memes is joining the Star Wars canon (kind of) in this Lego Star Wars special mini-series.
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