SAG-AFTRA isn’t happy with AI Darth Vader, new Fortnite Mandalorian customizable skin, synopsis for Master of Evil revealed, and everything else that happened between the week of May 17 – May 23, 2025.
SAG-AFTRA Strikes Back
Last week, an AI-powered Darth Vader NPC was introduced to Fortnite. Players could speak directly to it, and Vader would respond to everything with the iconic voice we all know and love.
Since James Earl Jones gave permission for this before his passing, and then his family continued to support this, it didn’t seem like there would be a problem.
However, according to Hollywood Reporter, SAG-AFTRA claims that they weren’t notified about this.
Since they are a union of labor, they have filed an unfair labor practice charge against Llama Productions, the company behind Fortnite’s production. This happens in the middle of the ongoing strike that is trying to protect actors against the use of AI.
These matters take time, so I doubt we’ll hear more about it anytime soon, but hopefully, both will reach an agreement that respects Jones’ decision while also protecting actors whose jobs are currently at risk.
Customizable Mandalorian skin and more Fortnite updates
Fortnite continues to add more Star Wars stuff to the season. For this week, we got recruitable Mandalorian NPCs, Mandalorian Jetpacks, the Amban Sniper Rifle, and the Westar-34 blaster pistols available in the map. In addition, Jar Jar Binks and a Mandalorian skin arrived at the shop.
The Mandalorian skin is very customizable and a good option for everyone who doesn’t have Din Djarin’s, aka The Mandalorian. That is, if you don’t mind spending 2500 V-Bucks on it.
Vote for Andor at the National Television Awards
Andor is nominated at the United Kingdom’s National Television Awards (NTAs) for Returning Drama and Drama Performance. For the second category, both Diego Luna and Genevieve O’Reilly are nominated. Voting is open until May 30th. You can vote here.
The NTAs will take place on September 10th, live from the O2 London Arena.
The High Republic: Fear of the Jedi #4 (Marvel Comics)
Keeve Trennis and her team have to face the Nameless in a way she’s never done before. This is the ultimate challenge for any Jedi. Release date: May 21, 2025.
The High Republic Adventures: Phase III: Vol. III
This volume is a compilation of the third arc of the High Republic Adventures Phase III. The heroes of Eriadu are just starting to celebrate their last victory when a new mission is already waiting. The target is deep within the Occlusion Zone, meaning that no reinforcements will help in case things go wrong. Release date: May 20, 2025.
Legacy of Vader #4
Kylo Ren continues his journey exploring the past of his grandfather. This time, Ren heads to Naboo searching for answers regarding Padmé and Anakin. Release date: May 21, 2025.
Master of Evil Synopsis
Announced last month, Master of Evil is a Darth Vader novel by Adam Christopher that’s coming out in November 15, 2025. This week, Adam Christopher posted the synopsis on his Twitter account. This contains light spoilers about the book. If you prefer to go in completely blind, this is the moment to stop (also, this is the last news update we have for this week).
After Revenge of the Sith, a newly forged Darth Vader hunts for the secrets of life and death under the watchful eye of Emperor Palpatine.
In the wake of Emperor Palpatine’s rise to power, the true nature of his most sinister enforcer remains a mystery. Darth Vader is a dominant yet illusive figure: the shadow cast by a malignant Imperial regime, unknowable to even its top officials. But even as his humanity gives way to myth, Vader remains haunted by the promises of the dark side, seeking the ultimate power that h is master has hinted at but withheld – the power to conquer death itself.
On the volcanic world of Mustafar, Vader undertakes a dark ritual, bleeding a kyber crystal to forge his lightsaber. This act unleashes a power far greater than he anticipated, giving him a glimpse into the limitless potential of the Force.
Vader is determined to follow this vision, even if it means defying his master’s orders. Yet he finds the Emperor suspiciously supportive of his mission, even sending Vader to the Diso system to investigate rumors of a Force-wielding shaman able to raise the dead. At his side are a cadre of the Emperor’s scarlet-robed Royal Guard, led by Colonel Halland Goth – a decorated soldier with a very personal interest in Vader’s mission.
Even as the Emperor’s true motivaations reveal themselves, Vader falls deeper into obsession. His journey takes him far across the galaxy, chasing rumors and phantoms. But no matter how far he travels, he cannot escape the shadows within his own soul. Haunted by the echoes of his past, Vader circles the true resolution to his quest: only once all weakness is purged can he become a master of evil.”
