Ryan Gosling ventures into the galaxy in Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter.

      Shawn Levy is set to revitalize the Star Wars universe with his newly announced film, Starfighter. The announcement was made at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Japan by Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm, and Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni, introducing a fresh perspective on the franchise featuring Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling.

      This project has been the subject of speculation for some time, and the confirmation was finally revealed to attendees at this year’s significant Star Wars event. Production will commence this fall, targeting a release date in May 2027.

      Details about Starfighter remain sparse at this moment. However, the press release describes it as “a standalone adventure set approximately five years after the events of 2019’s Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.” Levy's initial entry into the franchise is characterized as “an entirely new adventure with brand-new characters in an era that hasn't been depicted on screen before.”

      Shawn Levy is widely recognized for his work as a director and producer in both film and television, with notable projects including Deadpool & Wolverine, Free Guy, and Stranger Things. Ryan Gosling is acclaimed for his roles in films like The Notebook and La La Land, the latter of which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

      With Gosling joining the franchise, he is once again engaging in IP-based filmmaking, having previously appeared in Blade Runner: 2049 and Barbie. Much of his career has revolved around playing charming love interests or leading roles in prestigious films, so his infrequent involvement in sequels, spin-offs, or adaptations stands out. Aside from Blade Runner 2049, he hasn't participated in many hard genre pieces which makes his involvement in Star Wars potentially refreshing for both the franchise and himself.

      It will also be intriguing to see what tone the film adopts. Considering Gosling’s comedic talent evident in films like Crazy, Stupid, Love, along with Levy’s direction of the comedic hits Deadpool & Wolverine, we can anticipate a blend of humor and grand set pieces.

      Next year will mark Star Wars' return to the big screen with The Mandalorian & Grogu, which showcased its first look at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Will the franchise regain its former glory, or has the Disney era strayed too far from its roots? We’ll know soon.

      Star Wars: Starfighter is set to premiere exclusively in theaters on May 28, 2027.