Starfighter

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If you thought Kathleen Kennedy might announce her retirement amidst Star Wars fans in Japan, you’re mistaken.

At Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, Lucasfilm made a significant announcement: Ryan Gosling will lead a new standalone movie titled “Star Wars: Starfighter.” Famed director Shawn Levy, recognized for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine and Stranger Things, is at the helm of this production. The film is set to premiere in theaters on May 28, 2027.

Approximately five years following the events in “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker,” the upcoming movie titled “Starfighter” invites viewers to meet an entirely fresh set of characters and delve into an unexplored era within the Star Wars universe. Levy underscores that this film is self-contained, distinct from both prequels and sequels, offering a captivating new adventure instead.

At Star Wars Celebration Japan, Shawn Levy officially shared that the production of his upcoming Star Wars movie will commence this Fall. The movie is expected to hit theaters in May 2027.

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 18, 2025

During the gathering, Gosling passionately discussed the project and reminisced about his past by sharing a story. He unveiled an old photograph of his bedsheets adorned with a Star Wars theme, suggesting that he had been fantasizing about Star Wars even before he actually watched the movie, emphasizing his deep-rooted attachment to the series.

The shift in tone for this movie’s progression is quite dramatic. The unveiling evoked feelings of nostalgia and deep affection for the series George Lucas created, avoiding any references to stereotypical female power symbols. Kathleen Kennedy was present merely as a subtle background element during the presentation on stage.

The screenplay for the movie “Starfighter” is written by Jonathan Tropper, and filming is scheduled to start in autumn 2025. This film is among the upcoming Star Wars projects, including “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” directed by Jon Favreau, which will be released in May 2026. If shooting happens in the UK, it could invite financial scrutiny because the UK requires production costs for theatrical releases to be disclosed publicly. This is why Disney+ shows like “The Acolyte” have faced heavy criticism due to their high budgets. On the other hand, “The Mandalorian & Grogu” is being produced in California, avoiding journalistic interest. Given the current downturn of Star Wars, keeping costs under wraps might be justified, even with the tax incentives available in the UK (a popular production location for Lucasfilm in the past).

Involving Gosling and adopting a new storyline, Star Wars: Starfighter aspires to enthrall both long-term enthusiasts and novices, while broadening the popular universe beyond the stars. However, it remains challenging for Disney to determine if this endeavor will succeed and whether it’s not already too late under Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership.

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2025-04-18 17:55