Star Wars News: Ryan Gosling Takes Flight in Shawn Levy's 'Starfighter'
The full cast has been revealed for Shawn Levy's upcoming 2027 film 'Starfighter,' with Ryan Gosling leading the charge in a post-Rise of Skywalker galaxy.
"Look at the size of that thing!" When we first heard whispers of Shawn Levy's mysterious Star Wars project, we didn't quite know what to expect. Would it be a gritty ground-level story like Andor, or a massive space opera throwback to the Original Trilogy? Now we know, and the Force is definitely strong with this one.
Lucasfilm just dropped a massive hyperdrive ring's worth of news on us: the official title is Star Wars: Starfighter, it's set just five years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, and Ryan Gosling is officially leading the cast. Yes, you read that right. The man who gave us Ken is now stepping into a galaxy far, far away.
We’ve known for a bit that Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine, Stranger Things) was teaming up with writer Jonathan Tropper to build a new corner of the franchise, but the veil of secrecy has finally been lifted. The movie officially wrapped production in late 2025, and Disney has planted its flag for a theatrical release on May 28, 2027. While we’re all eagerly counting down the days to The Mandalorian & Grogu in 2026, it’s thrilling to see the cinematic slate taking solid shape again.
What Does "Five Years Later" Mean?
Setting the film five years after the Sequel Trilogy is a fascinating choice. We're in uncharted territory here. When the Death Star II blew up in Return of the Jedi, we had The Mandalorian and Ahsoka to fill in the gaps before The Force Awakens. But post-Exegol? The galaxy is wide open. The First Order is gone, the New Republic is presumably trying to rebuild (again), and Rey's new Jedi Order is just starting to take its first steps.
Focusing on a "Starfighter" story gives me heavy Rogue Squadron vibes—bringing us back to the dogfighting roots that made the assault on the first Death Star so iconic. Whether Gosling is playing a hotshot New Republic pilot, a scoundrel with a heart of gold, or maybe even an Imperial remnant loyalist trying to find his way in a changed galaxy, this setting allows for incredible freedom. It feels like the perfect balance of acknowledging the sequel era while giving a fresh cast room to breathe, much like how Rebels carved out its own essential identity between the Prequels and the OT.
The Shawn Levy Factor
Levy knows how to blend heart, humor, and massive action. Teaming him with Ryan Gosling—who can shift from intense drama (Blade Runner 2049) to sheer charisma at lightspeed—feels like a match made in the World Between Worlds. It’s the kind of unexpected but brilliant casting that reminds me of when we first heard Liam Neeson or Ewan McGregor were joining the Prequels.
With Starfighter locked in for 2027, the future of Star Wars on the big screen has never looked brighter. We have a clear flight path, and I couldn't be more excited. May the Force be with us!
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