Lucasfilm’s next theatrical entry, Star Wars: Starfighter (2027), is shaping up to mark a major shift in the franchise’s focus, potentially ushering in a new iconic duo for the faraway galaxy.
Will Din Djarin and Grogu Be Replaced?
Directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine), the upcoming film stars Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary) alongside Flynn Gray in what has been described as “a standalone story” set five years after The Rise of Skywalker (2019). While Lucasfilm has kept official plot details mostly under wraps, the film is expected to feature a pilot-and-Force-sensitive pairing at its center.
That dynamic has drawn comparisons to the “lone wolf and cub” structure popularized by The Mandalorian (2019), which paired Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu into one of the most successful modern Star Wars duos.
With Starfighter now positioned as a major theatrical release for 2027, speculation has emerged around whether this new pairing could become the franchise’s next flagship duo.
The Mandalorian era itself has seen mixed fortunes in recent years, with spin-offs such as The Book of Boba Fett (2021), Ahsoka (2023), and Skeleton Crew (2024) expanding the so-called “Mando-Verse” but failing to consistently replicate the breakout success of the original series.
The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026) further expanded the characters to the big screen, though its underwhelming critical and commercial performance has stirred debate about the long-term future of the pair.
Star Wars: Starfighter, however, appears poised to take the franchise in a new direction, introducing brand-new characters rather than continuing legacy storylines.
Early footage of the film was recently shown at CineEurope (per Deadline). While plot and the character specifics remain slim, unverified reports detailing Gosling and Gray's new leads have begun to emerge following that footage.
Star Wars: Starfighter releases in theaters on May 28, 2027.
The film also stars Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams.
Do you think it's time Din Djarin and Grogu disappeared for a while? And are you excited about Starfighter? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
