After much speculation, the film Star Wars: Starfighter was officially announced at the Star Wars Celebration Japan, with a surprise appearance by director Shawn Levy and lead star Ryan Gosling.
The celebration was also attended by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and creative director Dave Filoni.
Star Wars: Starfighter is one of several film projects being developed by Lucasfilm, alongside films by directors Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold, Taika Waititi, and Simon Kinberg’s new trilogy.
For months, rumors circulated that Ryan Gosling would star in the new Star Wars film, although this was considered unusual. Historically, the Star Wars franchise has favored lesser-known actors, fearing that big names would overshadow the film itself.
“I heard that my movie would star Ryan Gosling. Believe me, for me, that would be a dream come true,” director Shawn Levy joked to the audience at the Star Wars Celebration Japan. “So today, I just want to tell you all here that the rumor is 100% true.”
Gosling himself has always dreamed of a Star Wars movie. He’s a longtime fan of the classic franchise. At the celebration, he even proved it by showing off a picture of his Star Wars-themed bedsheets from when he was five years old.
“My mom probably still has them,” the Oscar-nominated actor told the crowd. “Of course, she thinks that might be something fans would appreciate. But I suspect she’s just justifying her hoarding habits over the years.”
“The Force is a mystery, but, while I’m here, the Force is the fans. All we can hope for is: We hope the fans will be with us,” Gosling said, borrowing the famous Star Wars line, “The Force is with you.”
“The Force is a mystery, but, while I’m here, the Force is the fans. All we can hope for is: We hope the fans will be with us,” Gosling said, borrowing the famous Star Wars line, “The Force is with you.”
With Levy as the director behind exciting blockbusters like Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) and Free Guy (2021), it’s predictable that the new Star Wars film will take a very different, highly entertaining direction.
Fresh but true to its roots
The Star Wars: Starfighter script is written by Jonathan Tropper, the writer of the highly acclaimed series Your Friends & Neighbors (2025). Tropper previously collaborated with director Levy on The Adam Project (2022) and This Is Where I Leave You (2014).
While no details about the film’s plot have been revealed yet, in February, creative director Kathleen Kennedy confirmed that Levy’s film will be a standalone movie, unrelated to the previous installments. The setting “could be 5 or 6 years” after the events of Star Wars 9: The Rise of Skywalker – the film that concluded the “Skywalker saga” that spanned nine original films.
Therefore, audiences can look forward to a completely new adventure with new characters! This was further confirmed by Levy at the Star Wars Celebration Japan.
“This isn’t a prequel, nor is it a sequel. It simply brings back the Star Wars DNA we love, but with a completely new adventure,” Levy explained. “It’s a world we’ve never seen on screen before.”
Leaving the original series didn’t worry Levy. “There are many ways to tell a Star Wars story with all the compelling action and excitement that’s Star Wars, done in fresh and unique ways,” he continued.
At the celebration, Levy also confirmed the new film “takes place after the Battle of Exegol in Part 9.”
The Battle of Exegol was the climactic confrontation between the Resistance and the ruthless First Order, culminating in the complete annihilation of the Sith – those who wield the dark side of the Force in their pursuit of power and dominance.
The battle took place on the planet Exegol. After the Sith fleet was destroyed, the galactic people revolted against the First Order, setting the stage for Star Wars: Starfighter.
Gosling described the script for the new film as “very good.” “It’s a great story with great and unique characters,” Gosling said. “It’s full of emotion and adventure, and there really isn’t a filmmaker more perfect for this kind of story than Shawn Levy.”
According to Levy, Star Wars: Starfighter is currently in pre-production. Filming is expected to begin this fall. The film is scheduled for release on May 28, 2027.
While waiting for Star Wars: Starfighter, fans can preview other related films. At the celebration, Lucasfilm showed new footage from The Mandalorian and Grogu – also part of the Star Wars universe, scheduled for release in May 2026.
