Ryan Gosling is stepping into a galaxy far, far away. The popular actor has officially been announced as the lead in Star Wars: Starfighter, a brand-new adventure in the Star Wars universe. The film will be directed by Shawn Levy and takes place five years after The Rise of Skywalker, which was released in 2019. Gosling appeared on stage alongside Levy at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Japan, where they shared exciting details about the project.
Gosling described Star Wars: Starfighter as "a great story with original characters, full of heart and adventure." He also added, "There’s no better director for this than Shawn." This new film is not a sequel or prequel—it’s a fresh, stand-alone story set outside the main Luke Skywalker storyline.
Ryan Gosling’s involvement has already brought huge excitement to fans worldwide. He praised the film’s script, written by Jonathan Tropper, who has been working on it for the past two years. Star Wars: Starfighter will begin filming in autumn 2025 and is set to release in cinemas on May 28, 2027.
Earlier, in November 2024, a new Star Wars film trilogy was officially announced, with Rebels co-creator Simon Kinberg on board to write and co-produce the titles. As reported by foreign media, the next Star Wars film trilogy, written by Kinberg, is currently in the early stages of development at Walt Disney Co.’s Lucasfilm, revealed a source close to the development.
At the Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 event, Gosling shared a photo of his childhood bedsheets, which were plastered with illustrations from the space epic created by George Lucas. "I guess I was dreaming about Star Wars even before I saw the film," he said. Levy, who also directed Deadpool & Wolverine, told the crowd that the new movie will not be a prequel or a sequel in the famous franchise but a new standalone adventure with new characters set several years after 2019's Star Wars: Episode IX -- The Rise of Skywalker. Filming starts later this year, he said.
Gosling expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I think it's just exactly the advice that we need as we embark on this journey." The event, called Star Wars Celebration, runs through Sunday, April 20, 2025, and is filled with Star Wars-themed merchandise, including T-shirts, toys, books, and more.
As one of the most beloved franchises ever created, Star Wars continues to captivate audiences around the globe. Gosling's star power, especially following his scene-stealing performance in the hit film Barbie, has fans eager to see how he will contribute to this new chapter.
While details about Gosling's character remain under wraps, the film is expected to feature cameos from characters seen in the sequel trilogy. The anticipation surrounding Star Wars: Starfighter is palpable, with fans buzzing about what this new adventure will entail.
In addition to Gosling, other Star Wars films are also in the works, including one featuring Daisy Ridley and another directed by James Mangold. Gosling’s Starfighter is moving ahead quickly and is one of Disney’s top priorities, ensuring that the franchise remains vibrant and relevant.
With offshoot stories spanning generations and literally the cosmos, Star Wars is one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time since its 1977 debut. The franchise has brought in more than $5.1 billion at global box offices, and the excitement for new content continues to grow.
As fans await the release of Star Wars: Starfighter, they are reminded of the enduring legacy of the franchise and the new directions it continues to explore. Ryan Gosling's entry into the Star Wars universe marks a significant moment in both his career and the franchise's future.
With the film set to begin production in the fall of 2025 and a release date firmly scheduled for May 28, 2027, the journey into this new chapter of Star Wars is just beginning. As anticipation builds, fans are left wondering what adventures await in this beloved galaxy.
