Welcome to Barely Related, a conversational Friday column that presents the non-gaming news stories that we, the Joystiq staff, have been talking about over the past week. And no, we're not stopping our focus on industry and gaming news. Think of this as your casual weekly recap of interesting (and mostly geeky) news, presented just in time to fill your brain with things to discuss at all of those weekend shindigs.
Grab a fresh drink, lean back in your armchair, and get ready to talk nerdy with us.
Doctor Who series 8 airs on August 23
Man, what we wouldn't give to have a time machine right now.
The premiere of Doctor Who series 8 airs on BBC One in the UK on Saturday, August 23, and on BBC America in the US on the same day (at 8PM ET). It's a "feature-length" episode called "Deep Breath," starring the new Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi, and his current quirky companion, Clara, played by Jenna Coleman.
If the (too) short teaser is anything to judge by, Capaldi's Doctor might start life on a dark note.
Hulu breaks up with Community season 6
Community season 6 probably isn't going to production with Hulu at the helm, TVLine reports. Sony Pictures Television was negotiating with Hulu to pick up Community for a sixth season, but those talks have shut down, the site says. NBC canceled Community earlier this year.
The cast's contracts are up on June 30, and until then, Sony says it will keep trying to find a new home for the show. #sixseasonsandamovie
Sailor Moon Crystal trailer with English subs
No, not sub sandwiches – what would English subs even look like? Mutton-filled? Pastrami? Anyway –Sailor Moon Crystal now has an extended trailer with handy English subtitles. The show premieres on Neon Alley and Hulu on July 5 at 6AM ET, the same time as the Japanese debut. New episodes after that will air on the first and third Saturday of each month.
The new Hunger Games trailer is pretty slick
In an understated, icky way, that is. The first trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 takes the form of a creepy PSA from The Capitol, the ruling body of Katniss' universe. It should be noted that anyone who can rock an all-white suit deserves at least a little respect.
The new Mad Max looks a lot like Tom Hardy
Probably because that is Tom Hardy in the new Mad Max film, alongside Charlize Theron. This is the first official photo from the film since it started production three years ago, and we must say, it looks suitably rugged and brown.
Fox Mulder has another crazy theory – The X-Files isn't over
X-Files star David Duchovny tells Rolling Stone that he would gladly do more of the show or another movie, but getting his co-star, Gillian Anderson, and creator Chris Carter together for a reunion would be tricky, since they're all fairly busy.
"It's just a matter of interest from Fox and scheduling," Duchovny said. "Chris has got a new show. Gillian's working. I'm working. It's not impossible, but it's not easy. And I never think it's done. I'd say, it's never done until one of us dies – until one of us three is gone."
Don't say it unless you mean it, Duchovny.
Two Game of Thrones fan trailers you simply must see
1: The 80s-style, VHS intro trailer
2: The Pugs of Westeros
Pacific Rim 2: Jaeger-er
A sequel to Pacific Rim is due out in April 2017, director Guillermo del Toro says in a filmed message to fans. Del Toro is currently finishing up 2015's Crimson Peak, but between now and 2017, he'll be working on a new animated series in the Pacific Rim universe, continue the comic series and get going on the full sequel.
We have just one request for the sequel: More monsters, more giant battles, more neon, less dialogue. Or none, even. None is fine.
Japan's robots are getting too real
Uncanny valley, anyone? This week, Japanese robot expert Hiroshi Ishiguro revealed a pair of lifelike female robots that can read, recite tongue-twisters, blink, wiggle around and ask why they were created. The lady cyborgs will reside at the National Museum of Merging Science and Innovation, where they will interact with (and maybe suck the souls out of) visitors.
Twitter is making retweets easier
Yes, this is a real problem – Twitter is experimenting with a new method that allows users to add their own words to a retweet. "Retweet with Comment" shows the original tweet as an image, letting users add almost 140 characters worth of their own thoughts to the message. So far, it seems the feature is only on mobile and mostly for Twitter insiders – for testing, we're sure, and not to make us non-Twitter-employees jealous or anything.