Star Wars: Starfighter — The Spark of Something New

On August 28, 2025, Lucasfilm officially announced the full cast and creative team behind Star Wars: Starfighter, marking the beginning of production on what promises to be one of the most original entries in the saga. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Shawn Levy, the film has been confirmed as a standalone adventure, not tied to the Skywalker Saga, and set in a time period never before explored in Star Wars. The project represents a bold leap forward in expanding the galaxy with new characters, settings, and mythologies.

The casting reveals a strikingly diverse and talented ensemble. Ryan Gosling, whose involvement had been previously announced, is joined by Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams. This eclectic group of performers hints at a sweeping story that will blend star power with fresh faces, potentially charting unexplored corners of the galaxy while also grounding the film in powerful performances.

Theatrical release is scheduled for May 28, 2027, placing Starfighter as the centerpiece of Disney and Lucasfilm’s long-term cinematic slate. For Shawn Levy, the opportunity carries deep personal meaning. In his announcement statement, Levy expressed both humility and exhilaration, citing Star Wars as one of the formative forces in his understanding of storytelling and cinema. He described being invited by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy to craft an entirely new chapter as a “dream come true” and emphasized his gratitude for the creative collaborators joining him in the endeavor.

Behind the camera, the project carries an impressive roster of producers and executives. Levy shares producing duties with Kathleen Kennedy, while Ryan Gosling takes on a dual role as star and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Dan Levine, Mary McLaglen, and Josh McLaglen, ensuring a mix of Hollywood veterans with proven track records. The script is penned by Jonathan Tropper, whose experience in character-driven drama and adventure positions him to bring new dimensions to the galaxy far, far away.

With Star Wars: Starfighter, Lucasfilm signals its continued commitment to broadening the saga’s horizons. Positioned as an original, standalone spectacle with no dependence on prior continuity, it aims to capture the thrill of discovery that has defined Star Wars for nearly fifty years—while igniting a spark of something entirely new.