Filming has officially begun on Star Wars: Starfighter, the latest project from Lucasfilm, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling. Production is underway in the United Kingdom, with the cast expanding to include Amy Adams, Aaron Pierre, Flynn Gray, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, and Daniel Ings joining previously announced actors Matt Smith and Mia Goth. The screenplay is written by Jonathan Tropper, while Levy is producing alongside Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.
First Look at the Film Reveals a Classic Vehicle and New Characters
Lucasfilm released the first official image featuring Gosling and Flynn Gray standing before a landspeeder closely resembling the iconic vehicle driven by Luke Skywalker in the original 1977 film, Star Wars: A New Hope. Although plot details remain under wraps, Lucasfilm emphasized that Starfighter will offer
“an entirely original story set in a period of time never before explored in ‘Star Wars.’”
The prominence of Gray in the photo suggests his character will have an important role alongside Gosling’s.
Director Shawn Levy Expresses Enthusiasm for the Project
Shawn Levy shared his excitement about working on the film, stating,
“I feel a profound sense of excitement and honor as we begin production on ‘Star Wars: Starfighter,’”
and added,
“From the day Kathy Kennedy called me up, inviting me to develop an original adventure in this incredible Star Wars galaxy, this experience has been a dream come true, creatively and personally. Star Wars shaped my sense of what story can do, how characters and cinematic moments can live with us forever. To join this storytelling galaxy with such brilliant collaborators onscreen and off, is the thrill of a lifetime.”
Upcoming Release Dates and Production Roles
Starfighter is slated for release on May 28, 2027, following the May 2026 debut of The Mandalorian and Grogu, which will be the first Star Wars movie to premiere since 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Alongside Gosling, executive producers on the film include Dan Levine, Mary McLaglen, and Josh McLaglen, further shaping this ambitious new chapter in the galaxy far, far away.
