Ryan Gosling has revealed that the driving reason he accepted a role in Star Wars: Starfighter was the vision and enthusiasm of director Shawn Levy. Despite avoiding large franchise projects for much of his career, Gosling found Levy’s approach and the script compelling enough to join the Star Wars universe for the first time.
Speaking with io9 while promoting his sci-fi film Project Hail Mary, Gosling said,
It was Shawn’s enthusiasm and his vision and the script.
He added that in the past, he had deliberately steered clear of blockbuster films because they did not resonate with him naturally.
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,
Gosling explained.
Details on the Upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter Film
Scheduled for release on May 28, 2027, Star Wars: Starfighter is notable for being the first Star Wars feature to take place after the storyline of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. It is designed as a standalone story, expanding the saga while exploring new characters and themes.
While plot specifics are still under wraps, Ryan Gosling is expected to play a mentor figure who interacts closely with a character named Flynn Gray. The cast also includes notable names like Mia Goth, Matt Smith, and Amy Adams, contributing to the film’s high-profile ensemble.
Director Shawn Levy, known for his work on Deadpool and Wolverine, confirmed that filming wrapped up in December 2025. He marked the occasion on Instagram with the message,
That’s a wrap! Headed into #Starfighter post-production like…
Anticipation and Future Impact of Starfighter
Although Lucasfilm has kept further story elements under tight control, Star Wars: Starfighter has already drawn significant attention from fans and industry observers. Gosling’s involvement, combined with Levy’s direction and the film’s unique placement within the Star Wars timeline, suggests that this project could offer a fresh perspective for the franchise moving forward.
The combination of a strong ensemble and a compelling script indicates that Starfighter will likely have a notable impact once it premieres, potentially opening new narrative pathways within the Star Wars universe.
