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Star Wars: Starfighter – Complete Overview, Cast, Trailer & Release Date
Apr
What happens when one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic stars joins the galaxy far, far away?
That’s the question fans everywhere are asking after the massive announcement at Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025. With Ryan Gosling officially leading the next big-screen Star Wars adventure—Star Wars: Starfighter—anticipation is rocketing to hyperspace levels.
Set in a never-before-seen era and promising new characters, this isn’t just another chapter in the Skywalker saga. It’s a fresh start. A clean slate. A standalone Star Wars experience unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Let’s dive into everything we know about this ambitious cinematic mission—from confirmed cast and release dates to rumors, behind-the-scenes details, and early industry reactions.
⭐ Star Wars: Starfighter at a Glance
Star Wars: Starfighter is the next theatrical Star Wars film and is set to release on May 28, 2027. This makes it the second Star Wars film hitting theaters in the post-Skywalker era, following The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 2026).
The announcement was made during Star Wars Celebration Japan on April 17–18, 2025, where Ryan Gosling, director Shawn Levy, Kathleen Kennedy, and Dave Filoni surprised fans with a teaser and concept artwork.
“The movie is a new adventure. It’s new characters. It takes place in a new period of time after the battle of Exegol, after Episode IX.”
— Shawn Levy, director
🎬 Latest Production Details
- Director: Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine, Stranger Things)
- Writer: Jonathan Tropper (The Adam Project, This Is Where I Leave You)
- Producer: Lucasfilm
- Production Start Date: Fall 2025
- Theatrical Release Date: May 28, 2027
The movie will be a self-contained narrative. It won’t rely on previous films or series. That’s a breath of fresh air after years of interconnected timelines.
🪐 Timeline and Story Details
Starfighter takes place five years after Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019). This places it further down the timeline than any movie or show currently in canon.
The setting? Uncharted territory.
The characters? Brand new.
The tone? A mix of heartfelt storytelling and thrilling space opera.
Shawn Levy described the script as “filled with so much heart and adventure,” hinting at something both grounded and epic. Though it shares a name with the 2001 video game Star Wars: Starfighter, this film is not an adaptation of the game.
Instead, the movie introduces a new chapter—with subtle links to Jedi mythology and visual hints like the ‘light of the Jedi’ symbol in the teaser.
🌠 Cast: Ryan Gosling Takes the Lead
The only officially confirmed cast member so far is Ryan Gosling, and fans are already speculating on the kind of character he’ll play.
At the Celebration event, Gosling revealed his lifelong love of Star Wars by sharing a childhood photo of himself with Star Wars-themed bedsheets. Talk about destiny.
“This script is just so good. It has such a great story with great and original characters.”
— Ryan Gosling
Other rumored names:
- Jesse Plemons is reportedly in talks to play a major villain.
- Mikey Madison was reportedly offered a role but declined.
As of now, Gosling’s role is a brand-new character, not linked to the Skywalker saga or known Jedi lore. That hasn’t stopped the internet from speculating, though.
🎥 The Creative Force Behind the Film
This isn’t just any Star Wars project—it’s powered by a team with serious credentials.
- Shawn Levy, fresh off Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), brings both blockbuster polish and character-driven storytelling.
- Jonathan Tropper, who previously worked with Levy on The Adam Project, brings emotional depth and a proven knack for ensemble stories.
These two aren’t just collaborators—they’re friends. Their creative synergy could give Starfighter the grounded magic Star Wars needs in this new era.
🕰 Where Starfighter Fits in the Timeline
After Episode IX, but before any confirmed new Jedi Order films.
This puts Starfighter in a unique narrative space. It’s post-Sith, post-Skywalker, and post-war, opening up possibilities for politics, exploration, or even Force mysticism we haven’t seen before.
Potential Connections:
- The teaser logo’s symbol suggests ties to the ancient Jedi.
- Rumors hint that Force-sensitive characters could feature.
- There’s speculation Daisy Ridley might cameo as Rey Skywalker, setting up her own future film.
🔥 Trailer and Marketing Breakdown
A 20-second teaser dropped at Celebration Japan:
- Title reveal
- Star Wars theme with a new musical variation
- The words: “A New Force Will Rise – May 28, 2027”
That’s it for now—no character shots or plot footage. But with production beginning in fall 2025, we can expect a full trailer by mid to late 2026.
⚔️ Connection to Star Wars: Starfighter (Game)
Many fans were quick to ask:
“Is this based on the 2001 video game?”
The short answer? No.
While the title is the same, the game took place before The Phantom Menace, following starfighter pilot Rhys Dallows in the Naboo conflict. The film, by contrast, is set post-Episode IX and features a brand-new narrative.
Still, the title may be a nod to the game—possibly to evoke nostalgia or show reverence to lesser-known Star Wars lore.
📣 Fan and Industry Reactions
Star Wars fans, cautiously optimistic after the mixed reception of the sequel trilogy, are welcoming Starfighter with open arms.
“Sometimes Star Wars gets crushed under the weight of its existing lore… It’s nice to know this will be a self-contained adventure.”
— Jimmy “Mac” McInerney, Rebel Force Radio
Online forums and Reddit threads have exploded with speculation, casting theories, and plot predictions. The general mood? Hopeful.
🎯 Future of Star Wars Films
Starfighter is part of a new wave of Star Wars theatrical storytelling.
Upcoming Star Wars Films:
- The Mandalorian & Grogu – May 2026 (Jon Favreau)
- New Jedi Order – TBD (Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy)
- Dawn of the Jedi Origins – TBD (James Mangold)
- MandoVerse Finale – TBD (Dave Filoni)
- New Trilogy – In development (Simon Kinberg)
Each project explores different corners of the galaxy—but Starfighter stands out as the first fresh, character-led adventure since Rogue One.
📺 Where to Watch Star Wars: Starfighter
The film will premiere in theaters worldwide on May 28, 2027.
After that, it’s expected to hit Disney+—most likely 45 to 90 days post-release, depending on box office performance.
Bookmark the official Star Wars news page for future updates.
🧠 A Fresh Chapter Begins
Star Wars: Starfighter isn’t just another spin-off. It’s a galactic reset button—a new story in a new time, with new characters, and a director and star who understand both spectacle and soul.
Ryan Gosling’s star power, combined with the creative vision of Shawn Levy and Jonathan Tropper, might just deliver what Star Wars needs most:
Wonder. Mystery. Adventure.
This isn’t the Star Wars you’ve known—it’s the Star Wars you’ve been waiting for.
