Takeaways:
- Shawn Levy credits Stranger Things for teaching him secrecy.
- Ryan Gosling confirmed as lead in Star Wars: Starfighter.
- The film is a standalone story set five years after The Rise of Skywalker.
- Release date set for May 28, 2027.
- Focus on fresh characters and new storytelling in the Star Wars universe.
Shawn Levy’s Masterclass in Keeping Secrets
Keeping casting news under wraps is no easy task in Hollywood, especially when it involves a major franchise like Star Wars. Director Shawn Levy recently shared his pride in maintaining secrecy about Ryan Gosling’s role in the upcoming film, Star Wars: Starfighter. In an interview with Variety, Levy credited his experience on Netflix’s Stranger Things for helping him stay tight-lipped.
“Stranger Things taught me to keep my mouth shut. I’m grateful for that because I kept the Ryan Gosling news, the title, and the release date pretty damn quiet for a long time.” – Shawn Levy
Levy, an executive producer on Stranger Things since Season 1, directed multiple fan-favorite episodes across Seasons 3 and 4. His experience dealing with high-stakes spoilers on the beloved sci-fi series clearly paid off as he navigated the secrecy surrounding his Star Wars debut.
Star Wars: Starfighter – What We Know So Far
Levy has been working with Lucasfilm since 2022 to bring Star Wars: Starfighter to life. Set five years after The Rise of Skywalker (2019), the standalone film promises a fresh chapter in the Star Wars saga, steering clear of established timelines and characters.
While plot details remain tightly guarded, Levy emphasized during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he is determined to carve out a new path.
“I don’t want to do a Star Wars movie that’s redundant to others, nor am I interested in doing one that has to serve another movie.“
Teaming up with Jonathan Tropper, his co-writer from The Adam Project, Levy aims to prioritize character depth and thematic richness over franchise connections.
A Dream Collaboration: Ryan Gosling and Shawn Levy
Fans were thrilled when Levy officially announced Ryan Gosling’s involvement during a Star Wars Celebration event in Tokyo earlier this month. Rumors had swirled, but Levy confirmed them enthusiastically:
“I had heard that my movie was going to star Ryan Gosling and, believe me, that would be a dream come true for me. So today, I just wanted to tell you here in this room that that rumour is 100 per cent true.“
Levy’s excitement is understandable. Gosling, known for his standout performances in films like La La Land and Blade Runner 2049, brings star power and nuanced acting to the table. Levy previously told PEOPLE magazine:
“If you can have Ryan Gosling in anything you make, do that, because that’s going to make the thing so much better and cooler.“
With Gosling’s magnetic presence and Levy’s vision for a character-driven Star Wars story, expectations are sky-high for Star Wars: Starfighter.
Breaking Away from the Timeline
One of Levy’s key goals is to introduce new ideas rather than revisiting old ones. He wants to emphasize classic Star Wars themes like connection, the Force, and personal empowerment — but through fresh characters and a self-contained narrative.
“The Force and a connection to something bigger than ourselves, combined with visual delight and wish fulfillment — that’s Star Wars to me.” – Shawn Levy
This approach signals a bold move for the franchise, offering fans an opportunity to experience the Star Wars universe from a brand-new perspective.
Why This Matters for Entertainment Professionals
For actors, filmmakers, and industry insiders, the announcement of Star Wars: Starfighter and Gosling’s casting represent exciting opportunities. New standalone Star Wars projects often open doors for fresh talent — from supporting roles to groundbreaking behind-the-scenes work. Plus, with Levy’s focus on original storytelling, there’s a higher chance for unique creative contributions across the board.
Stay tuned — as the 2027 release date approaches, casting calls, crew opportunities, and fresh news updates are sure to start rolling out.
