Star Wars: Starfighter is scheduled to reach cinemas on May 28, 2027, but most of its story and characters remain tightly sealed — a reminder that Lucasfilm is pacing its return to the big screen. With Ryan Gosling attached and production already wrapped, the film has become one of the most anticipated and mysterious entries in the franchise’s next wave.
- Release date: May 28, 2027 (confirmed at Star Wars Celebration 2025)
- Director: Shawn Levy
- Lead: Ryan Gosling
- Production status: Principal photography finished in December; post-production underway
- Trailer: Footage shown to Celebration attendees, but no public trailer yet
- Setting: Reportedly set five years after The Rise of Skywalker
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Where the project stands now
Lucasfilm confirmed the theatrical date at Star Wars Celebration 2025; filming had concluded the previous December, according to company updates. Studio insiders expect the film to move through a lengthy post-production phase — heavy visual effects work is standard for Star Wars — but there is no public indication that the release will slip.
Attendees at Celebration saw a private preview, yet that material has not been released online. Observers now expect a public teaser or trailer to appear later in 2026, possibly at major fan events, though the studio has not announced a schedule.
Who’s in the cast — and what we know about their roles
The credited ensemble mixes established names and newer faces. Character details are mostly withheld, so their narrative functions are still speculative.
- Ryan Gosling — confirmed as the lead (character name not yet revealed)
- Flynn Gray — co-star; appears in behind-the-scenes images alongside Gosling
- Matt Smith — reported to play the film’s antagonist (Deadline)
- Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, Amy Adams — all listed as part of the cast
Shawn Levy, who directed family-oriented blockbusters and recent sci-fi, is leading the production. Sources indicate Lucasfilm encouraged Levy to bring his signature tone — a mix of humor and adventure — to the property.
Plot threads and verified details
Official plot information is scarce, but a few concrete points have emerged. The story is said to take place roughly five years after Episode IX, positioning it in a galaxy rebuilding after the First Order’s fall. Lucasfilm and Levy, however, have described the film as a standalone adventure — not a direct sequel or prequel.
Writers and insiders have indicated that classic franchise elements remain central. According to interviews and reports:
- the **Force** figures in the story,
- **lightsabers** will appear and play a role in at least one combat sequence,
- and a high-profile choreographer reportedly contributed to at least one duel (reported by The New York Times).
That mix suggests the film will blend familiar mythic components with a fresh cast and timeline. Whether legacy characters — for example, Rey — will turn up has not been confirmed and remains a topic of fan speculation.
What Starfighter could mean for Lucasfilm’s roadmap
At present, Starfighter is presented as a self-contained story rather than a clear bridge to other projects. Still, its placement after Episode IX leaves open the possibility of loose links to future films or Disney+ series, depending on how Lucasfilm’s leadership chooses to connect new projects.
Recent executive changes at Lucasfilm have added uncertainty to the studio’s wider strategy. With new leadership and multiple Star Wars projects at various stages of development, the extent to which Starfighter will seed future stories is unclear.
Why this matters now
Starfighter is one of the first major Star Wars theatrical releases slated under Lucasfilm’s changing slate and leadership, and it arrives at a moment when the studio is reassessing how films and streaming series interlock. For fans and industry watchers, the movie will be an early indicator of the creative and commercial direction Lucasfilm will take over the next few years.
In the shorter term, the lack of a public trailer and the deliberately limited plot details mean the film will remain a talking point through 2026. Expect more official information — teasers, cast interviews, and possibly a full trailer — to emerge as post-production advances and marketing ramps up toward the 2027 release.
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.