Ryan Gosling in Star Wars starfighter
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The gist
Ryan Gosling's Star Wars: Starfighter debuted first footage at D23. Lucasfilm bets on the film to revive theatrical Star Wars after recent misses.
Background
Star Wars: Starfighter is an upcoming standalone film set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, starring Ryan Gosling as Kade Auberon, a new character from the wrong side of the galaxy. The film is directed by Shawn Levy and is scheduled for release on May 28, 2027. Lucasfilm is counting on it to get Star Wars back on track in theaters after The Mandalorian & Grogu fell short of box office expectations.
How it unfolded
- Aug 30, 2026Rumored spoilers from MakingStarWars describe a fight scene involving the Force and Kade, adding to early buzz.
- Sep 1, 2026Director Shawn Levy explains why Ryan Gosling is the right lead, citing his range and screen presence.
- Sep 3, 2026First footage of Starfighter is shown at D23, making history as the first Star Wars movie to debut footage ahead of release in this manner.
- Sep 4, 2026Reports note Gosling's momentum from Starfighter and other projects, and a possible trailer release in December is hinted by an insider.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Lucasfilm and Disney are positioning Starfighter as a major theatrical event, with Gosling as the lead.
- Analysts
- Industry observers see the film as a critical test for Star Wars' box office viability after recent underperformances.
- Public
- Fans are excited by the first footage and Gosling's casting, with some noting the cool factor and new character design.
Still unverified
Rumored spoilers from MakingStarWars about a fight scene involving the Force and Kade are unconfirmed. Insider reports suggest a trailer might release in December, but this is not official.