Ryan Gosling is set to return to the sci-fi genre with the upcoming film Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Despite a lengthy career avoiding large franchises, Gosling has now committed to a major new chapter by taking the lead role in the 2027 Star Wars installment, Star Wars: Starfighter. His decision marks a notable shift as he embraces the Ryan Gosling Star Wars Role after years of steering clear of cinematic universes.
Ryan Gosling’s Transition to Franchise Films
Throughout his career, Ryan Gosling has earned acclaim for performances in films like Half Nelson, Blue Valentine, Drive, and La La Land. Though he has appeared in prominent projects such as Blade Runner 2049 and Barbie, those works were directed by visionary filmmakers Denis Villeneuve and Greta Gerwig and were not part of franchise worlds. His leap into the Star Wars universe represents the first time he will lead a film within a vast cinematic saga.
Gosling’s attraction to Star Wars: Starfighter came down to the involvement of director Shawn Levy, known for his work on Deadpool and Wolverine, rather than the franchise’s massive reputation. In an interview with Gizmodo, Gosling remarked,
“It was Shawn’s enthusiasm and his vision and the script. And I just avoided these things because they never felt right. And I’m glad I did because I feel like, [similar to] a book like this, [it was] worth waiting for. And it is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
?Ryan Gosling, Actor
Past Opportunities in Major Franchises
Over the years, Gosling has been considered for several high-profile roles within major franchises. In 2014, both Marvel Studios and DC Films reportedly targeted him for superhero roles slated for 2016 releases. He was shortlisted for the role of Doctor Strange before Benedict Cumberbatch was cast. Warner Bros. also offered Gosling the chance to portray the Joker in Suicide Squad, a role that eventually went to Jared Leto. Additionally, Gosling expressed interest in playing Ghost Rider in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, potentially as an homage to his wife Eva Mendes, who acted in the 2007 Ghost Rider movie.
Details of Star Wars: Starfighter
Specific plot information for Star Wars: Starfighter remains limited. The story is set five years after The Rise of Skywalker and will break new ground by exploring the era following the sequel trilogy. Gosling’s character is a mentor to a young boy, possibly his nephew, played by Flynn Gray. The cast also includes well-known actors such as Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Amy Adams, Jamael Westman, Simon Bird, and Daniel Igns.
Anticipation and Future Potential for Starfighter
Star Wars: Starfighter is scheduled to hit theaters on May 27, 2027. Although some Disney insiders have expressed concern about the box office returns for projects like The Mandalorian and Grogu, reports indicate positive internal reception toward Starfighter. According to sources familiar with the film, director Shawn Levy has successfully recaptured the franchise’s original spirit through this new project, with one report stating Levy has
recaptured the franchise’s spirit of fun.
Despite Starfighter being designed as a standalone film, the expansiveness of the Star Wars universe leaves open the possibility that Gosling could return to the role in future installments. If the movie performs well, this would mark Gosling’s first time reprising a character, potentially establishing him as a recurring figure within the franchise’s ever-growing galaxy.
