The Force is about to get a whole lot more handsome. Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Gosling is officially joining the Star Wars universe as the lead in “Star Wars: Starfighter,” a brand-new standalone film that’s already sending shockwaves through the galaxy-and the internet!
A New Era Begins After “The Rise of Skywalker”
“Star Wars: Starfighter” will blast off five years after the events of “The Rise of Skywalker” (which wrapped up the Skywalker saga in 35 ABY). That means we’re heading into uncharted territory in the Star Wars timeline, with fresh stories, new heroes, and a whole galaxy of possibilities. Insiders are already hinting that this era-possibly dubbed the “New Jedi Order”-will see Rey rebuilding the Jedi and introduce fans to never-before-seen planets, cultures, and Force philosophies.
Shawn Levy Takes the Helm
The film will be directed by none other than Shawn Levy, the creative genius behind “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Stranger Things.” Levy has been developing “Starfighter” since 2022, teaming up with screenwriter Jonathan Tropper to deliver what he promises will be a “new adventure”-not a prequel, not a sequel, but something entirely original. Levy wowed fans at the Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, appearing alongside Gosling to make the big announcement.
Levy isn’t interested in rehashing old ground. “I don’t want to do a Star Wars movie that is redundant to others, nor am I interested in doing one that has to serve another movie,” he declared. Instead, he’s focused on crafting a story that’s true to his own vision, packed with the Force, epic stakes, and the kind of character-driven drama that Star Wars fans crave.
Mark Your Calendars: May 28, 2027
Disney and Lucasfilm are aiming for the stars with a release date of May 28, 2027-landing right in the middle of the 50th anniversary celebrations for “A New Hope.” This marks a return to Star Wars’ classic May release window, breaking from the recent December tradition. And with “Starfighter” dropping just a year after “The Mandalorian & Grogu” (May 22, 2026), Disney is doubling down on big-screen Star Wars adventures.
The timing couldn’t be better: “Starfighter” currently faces no direct box office rivals on its release date, though it’ll hit theaters just weeks after Marvel’s “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Can you say blockbuster season?
Production Timeline
Filming is set to kick off in fall 2025, giving Levy and his team about 18 months to bring this ambitious project to life. With Gosling at the helm and a visionary director in the cockpit, “Star Wars: Starfighter” is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated movies of the decade.
Ready for hyperspace? Let us know what you think about Ryan Gosling joining the Star Wars universe in the comments below!
