Ryan Gosling is officially entering the galaxy far, far away. The Oscar-nominated actor confirmed his role in the upcoming Star Wars film Star Wars: Starfighter during a surprise appearance at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo on Thursday, April 17. The movie, directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine, Free Guy), will be a standalone story—marking the first new Star Wars theatrical release since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
Levy, who took the stage to announce the project, shared his excitement about working with Gosling. “At some point, I heard a rumor that Ryan Gosling might be in my Star Wars movie, and let me tell you, that was a dream come true for me,” the director told the crowd. “So today, I just wanted to tell you here, in this room, that the rumor is 100% true.” He then brought Gosling onstage to reveal the film’s title and release date: Star Wars: Starfighter is set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.
Gosling, a self-proclaimed lifelong Star Wars fan, brought a heartfelt touch to the announcement. He showed the audience a Star Wars postcard his mother gave him when he was just five years old, joking that she still has a collection of memorabilia. “Obviously, she still has them all,” he said with a laugh. “Naturally, she thought you fans might appreciate this, but I suspect she just wants to justify years of hoarding.”
The actor spoke passionately about how the franchise shaped his love for cinema. “I was probably dreaming about Star Wars before I even saw my first movie,” Gosling shared. “It defined for me what movies could be.”
Details about Starfighter remain scarce, but Levy emphasized that the film won’t be a prequel or sequel to existing Star Wars stories. Instead, it will offer a fresh adventure while staying true to the essence of the saga. “It gives us the DNA of Star Wars that we love, but with brand-new adventures,” the director explained.
Gosling’s casting marks another high-profile addition to the Star Wars universe, following recent projects like The Mandalorian & Grogu and Daisy Ridley’s upcoming Rey-centric film. With Levy at the helm and Gosling leading the charge, Starfighter could bring a bold new direction to the beloved franchise.
Fans will have to wait until 2027 to see Gosling’s Star Wars debut, but the announcement has already sparked excitement across the galaxy.
