Ryan Gosling has opened up about what ultimately led him to join the Star Wars universe with Star Wars: Starfighter. After largely avoiding major franchise roles throughout his career, the actor revealed the key factor that convinced him to sign up for the upcoming project.
Ryan Gosling credits Starfighter director Shawn Levy for his Star Wars debut
Ryan Gosling has revealed that it was director Shawn Levy who ultimately convinced him to join the Star Wars universe for the first time. After years of largely steering clear of franchise filmmaking, Gosling said the opportunity felt different because of Levy’s approach and the material presented to him.
Speaking to io9 while promoting his upcoming sci-fi feature Project Hail Mary, Gosling said, “It was Shawn’s enthusiasm and his vision and the script.” The actor explained that he had previously passed on large-scale studio projects because they did not feel like a natural fit.
“And I just avoided these things because they never felt right. And I’m glad I did because I feel like, [similar to] a book like this, [it was] worth waiting for. And it is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.
Set for release on May 28, 2027, Star Wars: Starfighter will be the first feature in the franchise to take place after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The film is being presented as a standalone story within the broader timeline. hile specific plot details remain under wraps, Gosling is expected to portray a mentor figure opposite Flynn Gray.
The film features a high-profile ensemble that includes Mia Goth, Matt Smith, and Amy Adams. Levy, whose previous credits include Deadpool & Wolverine, confirmed in December 2025 that principal photography had concluded. Sharing on Instagram, he wrote, “That’s a wrap! Headed into #Starfighter post-production like…”
Although Lucasfilm has yet to reveal further story specifics, Starfighter has already generated considerable interest.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on SuperHeroHype.
