First Look Teased from Star Wars: Starfighter

The Star Wars galaxy is preparing to chart a new course with Star Wars: Starfighter, a standalone film directed by Shawn Levy and slated for release on May 28, 2027. A recently shared production image offered fans their first hint at the film’s unique setting: Ryan Gosling and newcomer Flynn Gray adrift on a rugged vessel somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. Filming in Sardinia marks a visual shift for the franchise, which has traditionally leaned on desert worlds and barren landscapes.

Although the central narrative is being kept under wraps, Lucasfilm has confirmed that the story unfolds roughly five years after the conclusion of The Rise of Skywalker. That timeline opens the door to an unexplored era, where the Resistance’s victory has already reshaped the galaxy but new challenges are sure to arise. Gosling’s presence brings familiar star power, while Gray’s casting signals an emphasis on fresh characters to carry the adventure forward.

The ensemble supporting cast is equally intriguing, featuring Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, and Daniel Ings. Screenwriter Jonathan Tropper, who previously collaborated with Levy, is penning the script. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy joins Levy on the producing side, continuing the studio’s push to expand Star Wars storytelling beyond the Skywalker saga.

For Levy, stepping into the director’s chair represents both a creative challenge and a personal milestone. He has spoken about Star Wars as a formative influence on his sense of story and spectacle, and described the opportunity to build an original chapter as nothing short of a dream come true.

Arriving one year after The Mandalorian & Grogu debuts in theaters, Starfighter will signal the franchise’s bold move into unfamiliar waters—both literally and narratively.