Devotion and Sleight director J.D. Dillard has confirmed his Star Wars movie is "unfortunately no longer a thing."

Speaking to TheWrap, Dillard opened up about the Star Wars film that was reportedly in the works in 2020 with Luke Cage writer Matt Owens. That news arrived after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Lucasfilm's decision to have movies from that galaxy far, far away go on a "bit of a hiatus."

While Dillard wasn't ready to fully discuss what the film would have been about, he did confirm that the project was "unfortunately no longer a thing," While he admitted "it was not for lack of trying," the fact of the matter remains that getting a movie on the big screen, especially a Star Wars movie, is no easy feat. He still loves the idea of making a space movie, but now "it will be an original idea."

Dillard did share that the PC game Star Wars: TIE Fighter was his first introduction into Star Wars and it forever changed his life.

"My dad being an aviator, we had a bunch of flight simulators,” Dillard said. “I’m playing this [Star Wars: TIE Fighter] for months. And my dad’s flying it with me. And I’m like, ‘Man, this game is just so cool.’ And he’s like, ‘Well, you know, this game comes from a series of movies.’ And I was like, ‘You’re kidding me.’ That is where I watched ‘Star Wars’ for the first time and realized the full scope of what it meant to world build because I’d been playing this pseudo-16-bit game.”

Moving on from Star Wars, Dillard also said he isn't attached to Disney's The Return of the Rocketeer, a project he's been linked to since 2020.

"I am not on that movie,” Dillard said. “But, you know, it’s tricky. I love, love, love ‘The Rocketeer.’ What I have a slightly hard time wrapping my head around now is going back to pre-1970 aviation. You know, I’m not saying never. But I think I need a breather from period aviation.

“I’m definitely trying to, as hopefully you can tell between ‘Sleight,’ ‘Sweetheart’ and ‘Devotion,’ not to make the same movie twice. I’m going to keep it steady on that.”

As to that period aviation comment, Dillard was speaking of Devotion, his upcoming film starring Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell that tells the true story of two elite U.S. fighter pilots during the Korean War. Devotion will be released in theaters on November 23, 2022.

Lastly, Dillard discussed the reports that he was loosely attached to J.J. Abrams' Black Superman project. Despite getting his start by working with Abrams on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Dillard says this project was "something I have never spoken about."

"J.J. is a hero of mine, a mentor and someone very dear to me. He totally has my email and phone number if that is ever to be a conversation,” Dillard said. “But that is not something I have been introduced to.”

This news follows the report that Stranger Things and Deadpool 3 director Shawn Levy is in talks to direct a Star Wars movie. That project joins other confirmed and reported Star Wars projects from Damon Lindelof and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Taika Waititi, Patty Jenkins, and Rian Johnson.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Devotion and Sleight director J.D. Dillard has confirmed his Star Wars movie is "unfortunately no longer a thing."

Speaking to TheWrap, Dillard opened up about the Star Wars film that was reportedly in the works in 2020 with Luke Cage writer Matt Owens. That news arrived after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Lucasfilm's decision to have movies from that galaxy far, far away go on a "bit of a hiatus."

While Dillard wasn't ready to fully discuss what the film would have been about, he did confirm that the project was "unfortunately no longer a thing," While he admitted "it was not for lack of trying," the fact of the matter remains that getting a movie on the big screen, especially a Star Wars movie, is no easy feat. He still loves the idea of making a space movie, but now "it will be an original idea."

Dillard did share that the PC game Star Wars: TIE Fighter was his first introduction into Star Wars and it forever changed his life.

"My dad being an aviator, we had a bunch of flight simulators,” Dillard said. “I’m playing this [Star Wars: TIE Fighter] for months. And my dad’s flying it with me. And I’m like, ‘Man, this game is just so cool.’ And he’s like, ‘Well, you know, this game comes from a series of movies.’ And I was like, ‘You’re kidding me.’ That is where I watched ‘Star Wars’ for the first time and realized the full scope of what it meant to world build because I’d been playing this pseudo-16-bit game.”

Moving on from Star Wars, Dillard also said he isn't attached to Disney's The Return of the Rocketeer, a project he's been linked to since 2020.

"I am not on that movie,” Dillard said. “But, you know, it’s tricky. I love, love, love ‘The Rocketeer.’ What I have a slightly hard time wrapping my head around now is going back to pre-1970 aviation. You know, I’m not saying never. But I think I need a breather from period aviation.

“I’m definitely trying to, as hopefully you can tell between ‘Sleight,’ ‘Sweetheart’ and ‘Devotion,’ not to make the same movie twice. I’m going to keep it steady on that.”

As to that period aviation comment, Dillard was speaking of Devotion, his upcoming film starring Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell that tells the true story of two elite U.S. fighter pilots during the Korean War. Devotion will be released in theaters on November 23, 2022.

Lastly, Dillard discussed the reports that he was loosely attached to J.J. Abrams' Black Superman project. Despite getting his start by working with Abrams on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Dillard says this project was "something I have never spoken about."

"J.J. is a hero of mine, a mentor and someone very dear to me. He totally has my email and phone number if that is ever to be a conversation,” Dillard said. “But that is not something I have been introduced to.”

This news follows the report that Stranger Things and Deadpool 3 director Shawn Levy is in talks to direct a Star Wars movie. That project joins other confirmed and reported Star Wars projects from Damon Lindelof and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Taika Waititi, Patty Jenkins, and Rian Johnson.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

As Halo Infinite's Winter Update arrives, 343 Industries has taken the time to thank its fans for their patience and support alongside promising shorter seasons, more consistent content drops, and "bigger things to come" in the future.

343 shared the message on Halo Waypoint, saying it knows the journey from Halo Infinite's launch "hasn't been the smoothest or quickest ride." It also said that the Winter Update - which adds match and performance-based XP, the Forge Mode beta, the official launch of online campaign co-op and campaign replay, two new maps, a new battle pass, the Covert One Flag game mode, and more - is a big moment for the studio.

"The Winter Update marks a major step forward for our game and studio, but this is just the first step of that evolution," 343 wrote. "The team is actively working on key player experience priorities across the game to address areas of feedback, and we are targeting another game update before the end of this year.

"Your support is greatly appreciated, and we can’t wait to turn this corner with you all in 2023 as we look to shorter seasons, a more regular stream of content, and bigger things to come."

One of the biggest complaints players have had in regard to Halo Infinite besides the initial controversial multiplayer progression was the lack of a steady stream of new content. In April, 343 said it understands the "community is simply out of patience." It said it needed some time to get the ship back on track, and it appears to be in a good place now to do so.

For more on Halo Infinite, check out how match and performance-based XP will work, and let us know how you are feeling about the future of Halo.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

As Halo Infinite's Winter Update arrives, 343 Industries has taken the time to thank its fans for their patience and support alongside promising shorter seasons, more consistent content drops, and "bigger things to come" in the future.

343 shared the message on Halo Waypoint, saying it knows the journey from Halo Infinite's launch "hasn't been the smoothest or quickest ride." It also said that the Winter Update - which adds match and performance-based XP, the Forge Mode beta, the official launch of online campaign co-op and campaign replay, two new maps, a new battle pass, the Covert One Flag game mode, and more - is a big moment for the studio.

"The Winter Update marks a major step forward for our game and studio, but this is just the first step of that evolution," 343 wrote. "The team is actively working on key player experience priorities across the game to address areas of feedback, and we are targeting another game update before the end of this year.

"Your support is greatly appreciated, and we can’t wait to turn this corner with you all in 2023 as we look to shorter seasons, a more regular stream of content, and bigger things to come."

One of the biggest complaints players have had in regard to Halo Infinite besides the initial controversial multiplayer progression was the lack of a steady stream of new content. In April, 343 said it understands the "community is simply out of patience." It said it needed some time to get the ship back on track, and it appears to be in a good place now to do so.

For more on Halo Infinite, check out how match and performance-based XP will work, and let us know how you are feeling about the future of Halo.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Street Fighter 6 will be getting a new Dynamic Controls option that is meant to "help button masher excel."

As reported by Game Informer, we already knew Street Fighter 6 would be getting a Modern control option that simplifies certain attacks into a single button press, but this third option - Dynamic Controls - looks to accomplish something more for a different type of player.

Game Informer's Brian Shea was able to see Dynamic Controls in action, and he saw producer Shuhei Matsumoto tap face buttons one at a time to use all kinds of different attacks. As Shea puts it, "It quickly becomes apparent that Dynamic Controls aren't meant to test your skills as a Street Fighter player but rather to ensure every player is included in the fun."

This could be a wonderful option for those who may play with a younger fighter and is another example of Street Fighter 6 attempting to be one of the most accessible entries in the franchise.

"In a normal fighting game, when they [mash buttons], they just do a lot of whiffs," Street Fighter 6 director Takayuki Nakayama says. "We wanted something important and something that makes a difference happen by randomly pressing buttons."

While you may not know what attack will come when you press a button, there is still some strategy involved in Dynamic Controls if you wish to engage with it. For example, the type of attack your character performs will be partially determined by your current position and situation. This means you may throw a projectile if you are further away and you may do a more close-range combo if you are in your opponent's face.

Classic controls and the Modern control option are available across all game modes, but this new Dynamic Controls option will only be available in local play as it's meant to be more of an "easy mode."

Street Fighter 6 is set to be released in 2023 and we recently said it may have just had one of the best fighting game betas we've ever played.

For more, check out Street Fighter 6's full launch roster and our hands-on preview from TGS 2022.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Twitter has confirmed it is now adding an "official" non-paid grey verification checkmark alongside the $8/month blue checkmark that anyone can soon get with Twitter Blue.

The news was shared by Twitter's Esther Crawford, who confirmed this "official" label will launch alongside the paid blue checkmark that used to indicate an account was official or of public interest.

A lot of folks have asked about how you'll be able to distinguish between @TwitterBlue subscribers with blue checkmarks and accounts that are verified as official, which is why we’re introducing the “Official" label to select accounts when we launch. pic.twitter.com/0p2Ae5nWpO

— Esther Crawford ✨ (@esthercrawford) November 8, 2022

However, it appears not all accounts that are currently verified with a blue checkmark will get the "official" label. Furthermore, this new label appears to accomplish what the blue checkmark currently does before it soon becomes a paid feature everyone can get.

Accounts that will receive this new "official" label include "government accounts, commercial companies, business partners, major media outlets, publishers, and some public figures." Those that aren't deemed "official" by Twitter will still be able to pay $8/month to subscribe to Twitter Blue without ID verification to gain a "blue checkmark and access to select features."

Twitter Blue and the "official" label are set to launch on or after November 9 as it didn't want to cause any confusion during the U.S.' midterm elections.

Following Elon Musk's $44 billion deal to takeover Twitter was completed, reports came out that the company was set to charge $20/month for verification. Musk took to Twitter to defend the fee, then confirmed it would end up being $8/month.

"Twitter’s current lords & peasants system for who has or doesn’t have a blue checkmark is bullshit," Musk wrote. "Power to the people! Blue for $8/month."

Those who subscribe to Twitter Blue for the blue checkmark will also get priority in replies, mentions, and search, the ability to poster longer audio and video, and half as many ads.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Horizon is reportedly getting its very own MMO from Sony and NCSoft.

According to MTN (via VGC), the Horizon franchise, which includes Horizon: Zero Dawn and Horizon: Forbidden West, is heading online with an MMO from the makers of Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2.

NCSoft is said to be currently recruiting for the project, which is referred to as “Project H” in the company’s job adverts.

However, NCSoft has refused to confirm the existence of the game, stating: “It is difficult to confirm information about unpublished projects that are currently under development.”

Horizon Zero Dawn launched in 2017 and begins to tell the story of Aloy – a young woman finding her feet in a post-apocalyptic, tribal world which is overrun by robotic creatures.

The game was met with critical acclaim – IGN’s own review gave it 9.3/10 and said: “Across a vast and beautiful open world, Horizon Zero Dawn juggles many moving parts with polish and finesse. Its main activity - combat - is extremely satisfying thanks to the varied design and behaviors of machine-creatures that roam its lands, each of which needs to be taken down with careful consideration. Though side questing could have been more imaginative, its missions are compelling thanks to a central mystery that led me down a deep rabbit hole to a genuinely surprising - and moving - conclusion.”

Zero Dawn was followed by Horizon Forbidden West which was released on PS5 earlier this year.

According to VGC, developer Guerrilla Games has long planned to develop multiplayer in the Horizon franchise, with co-op initially planned for the very first game. However, this feature was scrapped to allow the team to focus on “other areas”.

Sony was reportedly keen to include co-op in Forbidden West, but Guerrilla Games shelved this in favor of including multiplayer in a future project – either a sequel or an online spin-off.

However, this push towards an MMO comes after Sony announced earlier this year that it plans to launch 10 live service games by March 31, 2026, via its partnership with Bungie.

“Through close collaboration with Bungie and the PlayStation Studios, we aim to launch more than 10 live service games by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026,” said Sony CFO Hiroki Totok.

Clearly, Sony is keen to develop this further with Horizon.

Want to read more about Horizon? Check out who will star as the main character in the upcoming Horizon TV series as well as Aloy’s biggest moments in Horizon Forbidden West.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Keanu Reeves will reportedly return for Ballerina – the upcoming John Wick spin-off.

According to Collider, the legendary assassin is already in Prague to film Ballerina, appearing alongside Ana de Armas as he reprises the iconic role.

The news comes shortly after it was announced that Ian McShane is back as Winston – the fan favorite manager of The Continental Hotel who will star opposite de Armas.

It’s currently unclear whether Reeves’ appearance is a mere cameo or a larger role.

John Wick was last seen in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum after Winston seemingly double-crossed the assassin after some tricky dealings with the High Table.

It’s currently unknown whether Winston pulled his shot to save John… but we’ll likely find out in the upcoming John Wick: Chapter 4, which is due to be released on March 23, 2023.

“We’re thrilled to have Ian McShane joining us for a pivotal role in Ballerina,” said John Wick producer Basil Iwanyk. “He’s been such an integral part of the franchise since the original John Wick. It’s been fun to have him on this journey as the Wick universe expands.”

Although production on Ballerina is currently underway, little is known about the John Wick spin-off, except that it will focus on the titular Ballerina – a young female assassin who is motivated to seek out the people responsible for killing her family and bring them to justice.

The Ballerina has already appeared in the John Wick franchise once before – glimpsed in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum while she was training to become an assassin. The character was played by American ballet dancer Unity Phelan.

Of course, John Wick will return for his own sequel in John Wick: Chapter 4, which will continue the story of the world’s greatest assassin.

Additionally, the John Wick universe will be expanding even further with The Continental – a TV spin-off show heading to Peacock which focuses on a young Winston, played by Colin Woodell.

Ballerina is being directed by Len Wiseman, based on a screenplay by Shay Hatten. Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Chad Stahelski are on board as producers.

Want to read more about John Wick? Check out what we know about Lionsgate’s potential John Wick video game and find out which action movies you should watch if you love John Wick.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Keanu Reeves will reportedly return for Ballerina – the upcoming John Wick spin-off.

According to Collider, the legendary assassin is already in Prague to film Ballerina, appearing alongside Ana de Armas as he reprises the iconic role.

The news comes shortly after it was announced that Ian McShane is back as Winston – the fan favorite manager of The Continental Hotel who will star opposite de Armas.

It’s currently unclear whether Reeves’ appearance is a mere cameo or a larger role.

John Wick was last seen in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum after Winston seemingly double-crossed the assassin after some tricky dealings with the High Table.

It’s currently unknown whether Winston pulled his shot to save John… but we’ll likely find out in the upcoming John Wick: Chapter 4, which is due to be released on March 23, 2023.

“We’re thrilled to have Ian McShane joining us for a pivotal role in Ballerina,” said John Wick producer Basil Iwanyk. “He’s been such an integral part of the franchise since the original John Wick. It’s been fun to have him on this journey as the Wick universe expands.”

Although production on Ballerina is currently underway, little is known about the John Wick spin-off, except that it will focus on the titular Ballerina – a young female assassin who is motivated to seek out the people responsible for killing her family and bring them to justice.

The Ballerina has already appeared in the John Wick franchise once before – glimpsed in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum while she was training to become an assassin. The character was played by American ballet dancer Unity Phelan.

Of course, John Wick will return for his own sequel in John Wick: Chapter 4, which will continue the story of the world’s greatest assassin.

Additionally, the John Wick universe will be expanding even further with The Continental – a TV spin-off show heading to Peacock which focuses on a young Winston, played by Colin Woodell.

Ballerina is being directed by Len Wiseman, based on a screenplay by Shay Hatten. Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Chad Stahelski are on board as producers.

Want to read more about John Wick? Check out what we know about Lionsgate’s potential John Wick video game and find out which action movies you should watch if you love John Wick.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Season 4 of True Detective is underway with Jodie Foster and Kali Reis.

The upcoming HBO series known as True Detective: Night Country has begun production in Iceland, three years after True Detective Season 3 premiered.

“When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace,” reads the show’s official synopsis. “To solve the case, detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) must confront their pasts and the dark truths lying underneath the Arctic ice.”

True Detective debuted back in 2014 with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson suiting up as two detectives working a homicide cold case in Louisiana.

The show became renowned for its star-studded pairing which continued into Season 2 with Colin Farrel, Vince Vaughn, and Rachel McAdams investigating the murder of a corrupt city official whose body was found at the side of a road.

Season 3 teamed Mahershala Ali with Stephen Dorff as the pair investigated the disappearance of two children.

Of course, True Detective has continued the A-list casting into its fourth season, with Jodie Foster set to star as Detective Liz Danvers alongside Kali Reis and Christopher Eccleston.

They’re joined by Fiona Shaw, Finn Bennett, Anna Lambe, Aka Niviâna, Isabella Star Lablanc, and Joel D. Montgrand.

Aside from the show’s cast and synopsis, little else is known about Night Country.

Issa Lopez and Alan Page are confirmed to co-write the show’s scripts, with Lopez also directing the show and acting as showrunner. Cary Joji Fukunaga and True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto are on board as executive producers, alongside Foster, Page, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak, Mari Jo Winkler, Chris Mundy, Steve Golin, Richard Brown, Matthew McConaughey, and Woody Harrelson.

Want to read more about True Detective? Check out how True Detective Season 3 links back to the first season as well as where the show sits among our 50 best TV opening credits.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Jodie Foster Blogroll credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin, Getty Images