Whew! 2026 is in the house, readers! That means new entertainment is available for all to find – if they can keep up with the brisk pace of release, of course. Making sure not to be swamped by the seeming avalanche of films, kickstarters, games, and more will become its usual problem as the year progresses. After all, not everyone is going to have time to surf that wave of entertainment news!
Thankfully, you have Upstream Reviews, where we keep tabs on all the interesting new material. As a case in point, we have this film starring none other than Hugh Jackman. He will be playing the title role in The Death of Robin Hood!
The Death of Robin Hood | Official Trailer HD | A24
So far, there is no release date available for this movie. The film is taking a decidedly darker look at Robin Hood’s lore, and let’s face it, he was a robber. A less idealized view of him and his profession is warranted no matter how much the later legends surrounding him appeal to one’s romantic preferences. Most robbers are not heroes, never set out to become heroes, and generally do not come to good ends. Robin’s more heroic versions deserve their place and respect but it could be good to have the general reminder that robbing people – whether they are corrupt or not – is not a virtue. Especially since robbing a mark who is actually corrupt is a hit or miss bargain; no one is a hundred percent accurate all the time, and Robin would be no exception. This is a movie to keep tabs on!
Now, on to the kickstarters. We start with Cirsova’s latest project, which is for their second Mighty Sons of Hercules volume:
Link here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cirsova/the-mighty-sons-of-hercules-volume-2
This collection will include poetry by Matthew Pungitore and it promises to be as action-packed as the first volume. Cirsova is seeking $6 grand to fund this project and they are already within sight of that goal, with roughly ten days left before the fundraiser closes. If you want to help boost this anthology either by sharing the link or by backing the project, now would be a great time to do it!
While you are at it, do not forget to visit Cirsova’s website and check out their merch, as well as their published backlog. The company is going strong, which means new readers have some catching up to do. Why not get started on that project today?
All right, now we must return to Hollywood. Who else has seen The Masters of the Universe teaser trailer? Given how Tinseltown has mishandled fan favorite properties lately, color Upstream cautiously optimistic that this one may actually be good. Mattel reportedly took fan complaints (though which fans is the question) about the initial synopsis seriously and made adjustments. This would explain why the trailer is so exciting:
Masters of the Universe Official Trailer (2026) He-Man
It could possibly be a good popcorn film. We shall have to wait and see, but maybe this will be another sleeper movie along the lines of Transformers One. That film was not perfect yet it still delivered solid entertainment and did well by the characters. Maybe we will get lucky and have a summer blockbuster to enjoy!
Speaking of good fortune, LegendFiction has some upgrades that they wish to show off:
That is right, LegendFiction has writing challenges, upgraded anthology submissions, new AI tools that are free – they have been busy! It is a New Year, so it is also a re-energized LegendFiction. This is definitely something aspiring or established authors should check out, as should those seeking to help such artists. LegendFiction has something for everyone!
Returning to the halls of cinema, this time for the small screen, we see that Darth Maul is receiving his own Star Wars series. Sam Witwer has returned to voice the discarded Sith apprentice in Maul – Shadow Lord, a story that will presumably show the Zabrak’s life between the end of Clone Wars and his final demise in Rebels:
Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord - Official Teaser Trailer (2026) Sam Witwer
Witwer’s skill is unquestioned but whether the story will be worth anyone’s time is up to those who decide to give it a try. At the very least, it may appeal to Maul fans. We really have no idea where he was or what he was doing, post-Clone Wars, so for the curious this might be something to watch!
Okay, now to welcome a fellow publication: The Everyman Commentary. The Everyman is a conservative outlet with thought-provoking articles on current events, art, and even writing that everyone may enjoy. They have a store for merchandise with The Everyman logo, with a page where they promote works by their authors. One Upstream author even made the cut there!
Link here: https://everymancommentary.substack.com/p/storefront
You can learn more about The Everyman Commentary and their mission here, visit their site here, and listen to their podcast here. If you are looking for a gift, you should definitely check out their store. If you are interested in their thoughtful commentary, then visit their site and follow them for more!
Going back to the world of movies, has anyone here played the independent video game Iron Lung? If so, you may want to watch the independent film based upon it that came out this past Friday:
Iron Lung | Official Trailer (2026)
Iron Lung is already in theaters, having been released January 30th. There is a lot of blood in this sci-fi/horror picture, so the kids may not want to see it (nor the missus, either), but you may want to give it a chance. The YouTuber who brought this movie to the silver screen deserves to receive some appreciation for all his hard work getting the film to theaters!
We also have another kickstarter in the final days of its campaign. This is Ghostmaya’s Alvearium manga, for which she is seeking funds to create issues #1-3 of her series. What happens when you leave a psychic soldier to die, only for the alien collective she is fighting to absorb her and turn her into a drone? She returns to seek revenge:
Link here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostmaya/alvearium-manga-issue-1-3/
The artwork is truly fantastic and the story appealing. Ghostmaya is looking for just over $2K but has not yet reached that goal. If you like what you see of her art and storyboarding, consider backing Alvearium today. This is a manga that deserves to be in print!
Finally, who wants a new computer game? South Korean company Pearl Abyss has a new property coming out this year: Crimson Desert. It looks like it will be a lot of fun!
Crimson Desert | Release Date Reveal Trailer
Crimson Desert is an open world game and already available for pre-purchase on Stream! If you are a gamer, or if you like watching a game over the player’s shoulder, this may be just what you are looking for. Check it out today!
There you have it, readers! The first wave of entertainment to look forward to in this New Year of 2026! Since we are celebrating a big anniversary for the United States this year, one can hope that all these tales add to the festivities in one way or another. So click through and see which ones appeal to you most, then make ready to watch, play, or back them. Let’s make the future bright by swimming Upstream!
Did we miss anything in this round up? Let us know in the comments and we will do our best to include those items in our next list of Links from Around the Interwebs. After all, you are why we collect this information – tell us what you think, what you are looking forward to, and what entertainment you see on the horizon. We would love to hear about it!
In the oldest tales of Robin Hood,
The news that Robin is coming causes everyone in Nottingham to flee for their lives. Even old women hobble away on their crutches.
The king tries to seize Sir Richard at the Lea's lands. He is told that no one will take the lands as long as Robin Hood lives.
Little John and Much the Miller's Son murder a page boy because he could bring news of what they planned.
The cleanest stories of Robin Hood draw him as if he were from the TV series, Leverage. I.e. taking back what is stolen.
No matter what he got up to on the high seas, Vizzini's outrage that tMiB was trying to kidnap what he'd already stolen, holds no moral weight.
That said... It's a Boys Own version and for an adventure story, an aspirational one: the way to go. A historical retelling of a civil war legend is another matter. I can't think of many studios that would do it justice: Angel? Mel Gibson's (he'd get the Church right, which is half the battle)...IDK.
Pity. It'd make a killer anime.