What Can We Expect To See From Ryan Gosling's 'Star Wars: Starfighter' Project?
Image Source: Selectasabers
It’s official, Ryan Gosling is starring in a standalone Star Wars movie, titled Star Wars: Starfighter, which is set to release in theatres on May 28th, 2027. This announcement alone sends ripples through the galaxy, marking a significant new era for the blockbuster franchise. With the last theatrical Star Wars movie being 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and with The Mandalorian and Grogu slated to arrive first in May 2026, Starfighter is positioned as a pivotal next step for the saga on the big screen.
While the cinematic side of the Star Wars franchise has allowed its fans a breather, the so-called ‘Star Wars fatigue’ remains a conversation, fuelled by the vast number of television properties that have hit Disney+ in recent years. This makes the Starfighter project, and its seemingly self-contained narrative, feel particularly vital. It is an opportunity to inject fresh energy into the cinematic universe without relying on decades of lore and what some may consider homework.
RELATED:
Image Source: The Direct
The new film will be directed by Shawn Levy, written by Jonathan Tropper, and, of course, starring leading man Ryan Gosling. Most importantly, it will be set five years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This timeline is one of the most exciting details. While the Disney+ shows have extensively explored the period between Return of the Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, the period immediately following the end of the Skywalker Saga remains largely untouched in major live-action projects.
Star Wars: Starfighter is the first film to truly step into this future, giving the narrative a chance to define the post-First Order galaxy. What does this New Republic look like? And what new threats have emerged? Levy’s choice promises a completely original and standalone story, which feels incredibly refreshing in a media landscape often saturated with spin-offs, prequels, remakes, and sequels. The very title suggests a focus on the action and drama of the starfighters, a somewhat unexplored area in the franchise.
Image Source: Techwiser
The full cast, announced in August 2025, has generated a significant amount of buzz. Beyond Gosling, the ensemble includes rising star(fighter) Flynn Gray, alongside established talents like Amy Adams, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, and Daniel Ings. Though full character details are sparse, we know Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray will be the central protagonists.
Interestingly, the film has also secured a strong duo for its antagonists: Matt Smith and Mia Goth. Smith, who was originally cast in a non-disclosed role for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker that was ultimately cut, is now set to play a villain, providing a full circle moment for his involvement in the franchise. Goth takes on the role of the female antagonist, a part rumoured to have been offered to Oscar-winning Mikey Madison, who passed on the project. While the reason for Madison’s departure is unconfirmed, Goth and Smith’s casting brings a powerful presence that hints at the intensity of the conflict the protagonists will face.
Image Source: Vogue
The casting of newcomer Flynn Gray is another key point of interest. Gray, whose credits include projects like Wednesday and Sherlock & Daughter, is poised for his biggest role to date as the young lead opposite Gosling. The established star and newcomer pairing is a classic Star Wars trope, suggesting a mentorship dynamic that will be central to the story. Ironically, Gosling himself started as a child actor at the age of only thirteen on Disney Channel’s The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, drawing a parallel between the two leads and their Disney journey. Gray is reportedly playing the nephew of Gosling’s character, giving the film a personal, familial core. Amy Adams' rumoured casting as Gray’s mother further anchors this family dynamic, suggesting the franchise return to family values.
Director Shawn Levy is another reason for cautious optimism. Levy has a strong track record of blending heartfelt character work with blockbuster spectacle in films like The Adam Project and, of course, Disney’s own Deadpool & Wolverine, which hit theatres in 2024. This was a huge success as Deadpool & Wolverine became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, solidifying Levy as a trusted filmmaker for the studio.
Image Source: CultureSlate
Levy’s attachment to Star Wars: Starfighter was first announced back in November 2022, though the project was delayed by the 2023 Writers Strike, which led to writer Jonathan Tropper being officially attached in 2024. Levy has spoken of his passion for the franchise and his desire to make a film with a personal tone within the massive scope of a galaxy far, far away. Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer, Dave Filoni, publicly announced the film and Gosling’s involvement in April, following months of speculation, signalling confidence in the project from the highest levels of Lucasfilm.
While no trailers are available yet, the initial official image released, a photo of Gosling and Gray posing with a landspeeder in the Mediterranean Sea during filming in Sardinia, Italy. This image suggests a much-needed move away from the grand space battles of the main saga and more toward the scruffy, lived-in feel of a standalone caper.
Image Source: Space
In a franchise often burdened by legacy, Star Wars: Starfighter and its star-studded, yet original, approach feels like a calculated, yet much-needed risk. By giving Levy and Gosling the mandate to explore a completely new future with new characters, Lucasfilm is placing its biggest cinematic bet on a story that can truly stand alone. Fans are eagerly awaiting May 2027 to see if Gosling and Levy can pilot this new vision to success.
READ NEXT:
Latest News
Featured
