Star Wars is gearing up for its boldest move yet, breaking free from the Skywalker Saga and redefining what the franchise looks like on the big screen. After six years away from theaters, Lucasfilm is finally bringing the saga back into cinemas—this time with a focus on brand-new characters and unexplored eras.
The revival begins with Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, Star Wars’ first film since J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Though Lucasfilm has not disclosed whether the project functions as a continuation of the Disney+ series or a cinematic finale, it’s widely seen as the conclusion of Din Djarin and Grogu’s arc. Dave Filoni’s planned crossover may still extend their story, along with appearances from Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law), and Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison).
Yet, all eyes quickly shifted to Lucasfilm’s newly announced feature: Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter. Unveiled at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, the project stars Ryan Gosling and will arrive in theaters on May 28, 2027.
StarWars.com outlined the story’s setup: “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 announcement continued: “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.”
Levy’s film is shaping up to feature a packed cast. Alongside Mia Goth (Pearl) and Matt Smith (Doctor Who) as villains, new additions include Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams. Flynn Gray has also been cast, seemingly confirming earlier speculation that Starfighter would feature a Jedi and Padawan at its core.
Instead of Rey Skywalker leading the story, Starfighter shifts the focus to new faces in a galaxy recovering from Emperor Palpatine and the First Order’s collapse. Disney’s press release highlighted the fresh approach: “The film, which has begun production, is an entirely original story set in a period of time never before explored,” calling it “an all-new standalone adventure.”
Levy expressed his enthusiasm: “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.”
Reports had long pointed toward the Jedi-Padawan dynamic. Daniel Richtman described the premise on Patreon (via The Direct): “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,” he revealed. “The Padawan’s mother also plays an important role in the story, and there’s another major female character as well.”
He later followed up with casting updates: “The news of Star Wars: Starfighter‘s latest casting comes from entertainment insider Daniel Richtman’s Patreon, which revealed that the lead of Shawn Levy’s film has been found and that they are a ‘young child actor,'” The Direct reported. “The young star will appear alongside Ryan Gosling.”
This effectively confirms earlier leaks while distancing the film from initial assumptions that Daisy Ridley’s Rey would anchor the next Jedi storyline. Though Lucasfilm hasn’t officially verified the Jedi-Padawan detail, Levy’s track record with ensemble stories like Stranger Things, The Adam Project, and Deadpool & Wolverine indicates he’ll likely weave personal drama with large-scale adventure.
Other Star Wars projects remain in the pipeline. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s New Jedi Order movie, starring Daisy Ridley, is still alive but delayed. James Mangold is developing Dawn of the Jedi, Taika Waititi’s project is on hold, and Dave Filoni’s Mando-Verse crossover is moving forward. Simon Kinberg’s planned trilogy, rumored as Episodes X through XII, would also push the story past the Skywalker family.
Levy’s involvement dates back to late 2023. He told IndieWire at the time: “There’s a Star Wars movie that I’m developing. You never know what’s going to become undeniable and get made next.” The Hollywood Reporter described his film as a departure from tradition: “It is, however, to be unconnected to the so-called Skywalker Saga, the stories centered on well-established and beloved characters Luke Skywalker and his father, Anakin.”
THR added: “It is meant to be a stand-alone movie, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter. Lucasfilm had no comment on any impending deal or the project’s details.”
The outlet later revealed Gosling’s casting: “Ryan Gosling is headed to the great galaxy far, far away. The three-time Oscar nominee is in negotiations to topline the Star Wars feature project that will be directed by Deadpool & Wolverine filmmaker Shawn Levy.”
Daniel Richtman (via Comic Book Movie) indicated filming could begin soon: “it may start shooting as early as this Fall in the UK.” THR supported this, stating: “If a deal makes, the project would continue to fly like the Millennium Falcon, becoming not only Levy’s next movie but also the next Star Wars movie to go into production, with cameras potentially rolling this fall.”
Kathleen Kennedy clarified the studio’s current approach in an interview with Deadline: “Shawn’s is a standalone Star Wars story that’ll take place post-nine, maybe five or six years out. And Mandalorian really stands on its own because there, we’re dealing with a whole other era in the New Republic,” she said.
Kennedy also stressed the new direction: “We have other development going on in that space as well. So that’s the space that we’re pretty much focused on right at the moment because, obviously, with Mandalorian, we have a pretty good sense of where that’s going. And with this, it’s all pretty much new characters. We may bring some of the characters back from the sequel saga, but pretty much new characters.”
Lucasfilm’s packed slate, combined with Disney CEO Bob Iger’s push for fewer but bigger theatrical releases, underscores a clear shift. With The Mandalorian and Grogu hitting theaters in 2026 and Starfighter following in 2027, the studio is betting that a cinematic reset will reignite audience excitement for the saga’s future.
How do you feel about Lucasfilm prioritizing a new era of Star Wars storytelling? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
