Production has officially started on Star Wars: Starfighter, and if you thought you knew what to expect from a Star Wars film, think again.
This isn’t a Skywalker sequel, prequel, or spin-off... t’s a brand-new standalone adventure set in a corner of the galaxy we’ve never seen.
Director Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool and Wolverine, is at the helm, promising high-energy action and a fresh take on the Star Wars universe.
“From the day Kathy Kennedy called me, inviting me to develop an original adventure in this incredible galaxy, it’s been a dream come true,” Levy said. And judging by the start-of-production photos on Instagram, he’s clearly having the time of his life.
One image shows Ryan Gosling on set alongside a younger co-star, both sporting serious expressions - and probably a little awe at finally being in a galaxy far, far away. Levy captioned it: “Day 1: A whole new adventure begins #Starfighter.”
The cast is wild. A star-studded who’s who. We already knew Gosling, Matt Smith, and Mia Goth were involved, but now Lucasfilm has revealed a slew of additions, including Amy Adams, actor of the moment, Aaron Pierre, Flynn Gray, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, and Daniel Ings.
Roles are mostly under wraps, though Smith and Goth will play two of the film’s villains. Adams’ involvement alone guarantees that someone will be stealing scenes.
Starfighter’s story takes place roughly five years after The Rise of Skywalker but doesn’t intersect with the Skywalker Saga.
Levy promises it’s a standalone adventure, which means no baggage from previous films, and the freedom to throw in new planets, epic space battles, and characters we haven’t met before.
Gosling, who is also executive producing, has described the script as “just so good,” with “great and original characters.”
Fans got an early taste of the excitement at Star Wars Celebration in April, where Levy and Gosling teased the project live.
Levy emphasised that Starfighter is its own adventure, while Gosling beamed about the story and the characters. Clearly, both are as giddy as fans counting down the days to a new lightsabre duel.
The movie is penned by Jonathan Tropper and produced by Levy and Kathleen Kennedy, with Gosling, Dan Levine, Mary McLaglen, and Josh McLaglen also serving as executive producers.
With this team behind the cameras, it’s shaping up to be visually spectacular and packed with the humour, thrills, and chaos Star Wars fans live for.
Mark your calendars: Star Wars: Starfighter is set to hit theatres on May 28, 2027.
