Fran Ruiz

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

Screenshot from the Marvel T.V. show Loki. Here we see several character walking around his head in an abstract design.

Everything we know about Loki season 2: release date, plot, cast & more

By Fran Ruiz last updated

Get ready for more mischief! Here’s what we know about Loki season 2 so far.

Space Movies & Shows
Still from the Star Wars T.V. series Ahsoka, season 1, episode 4. Baylan Skoll awaits his opponent.

'Ahsoka' season 1 episode 4 review: Fateful encounters and a return

By Fran Ruiz published

The fourth episode of Ahsoka is an excellent midpoint chapter packed with gorgeous duels and leads into an unpredictable second half of the season.

Space Movies & Shows
XCOM Enemy Unknown - Best alien invasion games

Best alien invasion games of all time

By Fran Ruiz published

Do we stand a better chance against alien invaders in the realm of video games? These are the best alien invasion games of all time.

Space Games & Toys
Still from the Star Wars T.V. series Ahsoka, season 1, episode 3.

Ahsoka season 1 episode 3 review: Democratizing the Force

By Fran Ruiz published

The third episode of Ahsoka reminds us of George Lucas' stance on the Jedi Order and the Force without sacrificing the sense of adventure and wonder.

Space Movies & Shows
Artwork for the Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora video game. Here we see a Na'vi (tall, slender, blue humanoid) with dark hair in a braid, green cat-like eyes, and a white smudge across their forehead. They are riding on winged green, reptilian creature.

Everything we know about Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

By Fran Ruiz published

While we wait for Avatar 3 to arrive in 2025, James Cameron and Ubisoft plan to keep us busy with the open-world video game Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.

Space Movies & Shows
The Marvels all standing together. From left to right: Ms. Marvel (teen, long dark hair, glowing fist raised in attack position), Captain Marvel (long blonde hair, looking directly ahead with a steely gaze) and Monica Rambeau (Dark tightly curled hair, hand held up palm forwards with fingers outstretched).

Everything we know about The Marvels: Release date, plot, & more

By Fran Ruiz last updated

The Marvels marks the return of Carol Danvers to the MCU's forefront alongside Kamala Khan and Monica Rambeau. Here's what you need to know.

Space Movies & Shows
Image showing the Jedi/the light side on right left in blue and the Sith/the dark side on the right in red.

Star Wars timeline: From the dawn of the Jedi to the New Jedi Order

By Fran Ruiz published

Star Wars is going far and wide in the coming years across all forms of media with an updated Star Wars timeline that includes new eras. Here's our summary.

Space Movies & Shows
Still from the Star Wars T.V. Show Star Wars The Mandalorian. Here we see Sabine Wren with dark purple short hair and brown eyes. She is wearing special Mandalorian armor and is holding her helmet in the crook of her arm.

Who is Sabine Wren?

By Fran Ruiz published

There's a new Mandalorian warrior in town and her name is Sabine Wren. Learn more about her role in Star Wars Rebels, the Ahsoka series, and more.

Space Movies & Shows
Hera Syndulla is a green-skinned Twi'lek with two head tails (known as lekku) protruding from the top left and right of her head. She is wearing a brown leather cap, goggles, and a brown leather aviator jacket with a fluffy collar. Here she is piloting a spaceship.

Who is Hera Syndulla?

By Fran Ruiz published

Among the many familiar faces from Star Wars Rebels returning in the Ahsoka series, there's a famous Twi'lek captain. Meet Hera Syndulla.

Space Movies & Shows
Ahsoka Episode 1 + 2. Ahsoka meets with an old friend.

Ahsoka season 1 episodes 1 & 2 review: A continuation, but also an expansion of the Star Wars canvas

By Fran Ruiz published

The two-episode series premiere of Ahsoka brings back the Force to the small screen and behaves like a Star Wars Rebels sequel, but it's got its own voice too.

Space Movies & Shows
Grand Admiral Thrawn, a humanoid with striking blue skin, short dark hair and red eyes, looks extremely menacing as he sits in his chair flanked by two guards.

Who is Grand Admiral Thrawn?

By Fran Ruiz published

Grand Admiral Thrawn is being set up as the big bad in the Ahsoka series. Who is he and what does he want? Here’s a quick rundown of his story so far.

Space Movies & Shows
Still from the Star Wars T.V. show Ahsoka. Here we see Ahsoka (orange face with white markings and blue and white stripped head tails) holding her lightsaber out in front of her, with her pointer and middle finger angled upwards as she uses the Force.

Who is Ahsoka Tano?

By Fran Ruiz published

The journey of Ahsoka, Anakin Skywalker’s former apprentice continues this summer on Disney Plus. Need to catch up? Here’s a quick rundown of her story so far.

Space Movies & Shows
Star Trek Online - best Star Trek games

Best Star Trek games of all time

By Fran Ruiz published

Boldly go where no one has gone before with our in-depth, ranked list of the best Star Trek games of all time.

Space Games & Toys
Still from the video game Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. A giant white mech robot down on one knee in the ruins of a building. They are holding a giant gun.

Everything we know about Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon — Release date, plot, gameplay

By Fran Ruiz published

FromSoftware are letting dark fantasy video games rest for a bit and have turned their sights to sci-fi and mechas again with the sixth main Armored Core.

Space Games & Toys
Still from a Transformers video game.

Best Transformers games of all time

By Fran Ruiz published

Transformers have found lots of success on the big screen and T.V. over the years, but their never-ending war made it to video games too. These are the finest ones.

Space Games & Toys
Scene from the Marvel TV show Secret Invasion. Here we see a still from Secret Invasion season 1 episode 6 - Nick Fury sees a friendly face.

Secret Invasion season 1 episode 6 review: The conspiracy ends with a whimper

By Fran Ruiz published

The final episode of Marvel's Secret Invasion fails to embellish the overall package and surprisingly leaves many doors open.

Space Movies & Shows
Still from the movie series The Chronicles of Riddick. Here we see Riddick crouching down. He’s a bald man wearing dark goggles and armor.

It's the perfect time for Riddick to make a comeback

By Fran Ruiz published

They say most of your brain shuts down in cryo-sleep. But Riddick is still awake and on his way to Furya and we can’t wait for his return.

Space Movies & Shows
Scene from the Marvel TV show Secret Invasion. Here we see a still from Secret Invasion season 1 episode 5 - G'iah and Varra meet.

Secret Invasion season 1 episode 5 review: Pain and Fury

By Fran Ruiz published

Ahead of its finale, Marvel's Secret Invasion puts some pressure on its villains and gives Nick Fury and the other heroes a fighting chance.

Space Movies & Shows
Scene from the Marvel TV show Secret Invasion. Here we see a still from Secret Invasion season 1 episode 4 - Nick Fury and Talos look up.

Secret Invasion season 1 episode 4 review: Lighting the fuse and taking masks off

By Fran Ruiz published

In its fourth episode Marvel's Secret Invasion makes some big moves and doesn't pull its punches, even if almost nothing comes as a surprise.

Space Movies & Shows
Scene from the Marvel TV show Secret Invasion. Here we see a still from Secret Invasion season 1 episode 3 - Nick Fury sitting in a chair leaning forward.

Secret Invasion season 1 episode 3 review: Nick Fury and Talos go on the offensive

By Fran Ruiz published

Episode 3 of Marvel's Secret Invasion doesn't pack a lot of character work, focusing instead on ramping up the plot and delivering shocking twists.

Space Movies & Shows
Nick Fury listening to James Rhodes. - Secret Invasion season 1 episode 2 review.

Secret Invasion season 1 episode 2 review: Nick Fury exposes his humanity and tensions rise

By Fran Ruiz published

In episode 2 of Marvel's Secret Invasion, we learn about Nick Fury and the Skrulls' shared past as well as the former's weaknesses.

Space Movies & Shows
Still from the movie Blue Beetle (2023). Blue Beetle holding large buster-style sword.

Everything we know about Blue Beetle: Release date, plot, cast & more

By Fran Ruiz published

After The Flash, one of DC Comics’ most overlooked characters is making his big-screen debut as well. Here’s everything we know about the Blue Beetle movie.

Space Movies & Shows
Scene from the Marvel TV show Secret Invasion. Here we see Secret Invasion season 1 episode 1-Nick Fury sitting on a couch.

Secret Invasion season 1 episode 1 review: Marvel finds the right spy thriller tone, but the pulse isn’t there

By Fran Ruiz published

Marvel returns to Disney Plus with their new spy thriller. In episode 1, Samuel L. Jackson leads an all-star cast that wrestles with a mundane set-up.

Space Movies & Shows
This is the main art for the space role playing game Starfield. At the bottom center is a glowing golden city with a tall skyscraper in the middle. Light extends upwards to the top of the image. On the left is a close up of two astronauts faces. On the right the head of a blonde woman with shoulder length hair who is looking off to the top right. Below her there is a bulky humanoid-shaped robot. To the right of this there is the world Starfrield in capital letters with a circle around it.

Everything we know about Starfield: Release date, platforms, gameplay, trailers

By Cian Maher last updated

Bethesda Game Studios’ long-anticipated space RPG is finally around the corner, and here’s everything we know about it so far. Put your helmet on!

Space Games & Toys
Still from the Star Wars T.V. show Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022). Here we see Obi-Wan Kenobi fighting Anakin Skywalker. They are both crouched, holding a blue lightsaber each.

How do lightsabers work?

By Fran Ruiz published

Lightsabers are the most iconic Star Wars weapons, but their mechanics and complete history aren’t crystal clear. Here’s everything you need to know about them.

Space Games & Toys
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