Shawn Levy Makes Statement After His ‘Star Wars’ Movie Reportedly Changed
The Star Wars saga is entering a bold new era. Nearly five decades after George Lucas first transported audiences to a galaxy far, far away, Lucasfilm is preparing to launch the franchise beyond the Skywalker family and into uncharted territory.
Next year marks Star Wars’ long-awaited return to theaters—the first since J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019). After focusing heavily on Disney+ series in recent years, the franchise is heading back to the big screen, beginning with Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, which reunites fans with Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his ward, Grogu.
But Lucasfilm’s future plans extend far beyond that. During Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling joined Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni to officially unveil Star Wars: Starfighter, set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.
According to StarWars.com, “Set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Gosling will play a brand-new character teased by the actor’s appearance on stage.” The site also confirmed: “One of several theatrical projects still in development from Lucasfilm, including films by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold, Taika Waititi, and a new trilogy by Simon Kinberg, Levy’s film–Star Wars: Starfighter–will star Gosling and go into production starting this fall.”
Mia Goth (Frankenstein) and Matt Smith (Doctor Who) were already confirmed as antagonists, but new cast members include Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams. The addition of Flynn Gray in a co-lead role has sparked theories about a Jedi-Padawan storyline.
Starfighter steps away from Rey Skywalker and the Skywalker legacy, exploring a galaxy rebuilding after the First Order. Disney described it as “an entirely original story set in a period of time never before explored” and “an all-new standalone adventure.”
Director Shawn Levy shared his excitement: “From the day Kathy Kennedy called me up, inviting me to develop an original adventure in this incredible Star Wars galaxy, this experience has been a dream come true,” said the Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) filmmaker.
Rumors, however, suggest Starfighter might not remain a standalone. According to social media scooper @MyTimeToShineH (via SFFGazette), a key cameo could link the film to future projects, potentially involving Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker. Reports describe a story following a Force-sensitive boy protected by his mother (believed to be Amy Adams’ character) that may connect to Obaid-Chinoy’s delayed New Jedi Order film.
Speaking to Collider, Levy addressed the speculation: “Well, for one thing, it is different in that it is an all-new non-sequel, non-prequel adventure. It’s new characters, it’s a new timeline. It inherits legacy themes, but it’s really trying to give Star Wars [fans]–and just movie audiences–something fresh, something new,” he said. “And with a spirit of play and big-hearted adventure with moments of real levity that, frankly, A New Hope had in a revolutionary way.”
Levy praised his team, including DP Claudio Miranda and Ryan Gosling, adding, “It’s certainly been a dream come true. My 10-year-old self is on set with me every day… Lucasfilm has been so encouraging of me doing something new.”
Entertainment insider Daniel Richtman previously revealed plot details suggesting “A Jedi (played by Ryan Gosling) trains his 15-year-old nephew as his Padawan. They’re on a mission while being pursued by two villains–one male, one female.” Richtman later added via The Direct: “The young star will appear alongside Ryan Gosling.”
With Levy’s trademark balance of spectacle and emotion, Starfighter aims to carve a fresh path for the franchise—one that embraces the spirit of discovery while stepping beyond legacy storytelling.
How do you feel about this confirmed status for the Starfighter movie? Let us know in the comments down below!
