Now that Star Wars: Starfighter is deep into post-production, director Shawn Levy appears to be moving on from Lucasfilm. Variety reports that Levy has lined up his next project at Netflix, Somewhere Out There, an original science fiction film based on a spec script by Max Taxe. The film is reportedly an emotional story about a grieving father who receives a message from the stars.
Levy’s quick pivot away from Star Wars, however, may signal a broader shift under Lucasfilm’s new leadership when it comes to managing fan expectations around future projects.
Shawn Levy’s Star Wars Future Remains Unclear
Former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy brought Shawn Levy on to direct Starfighter. In interviews, Levy said Kennedy encouraged him to avoid familiar legacy Star Wars characters. “Every time I’ve asked, ‘Should I use this character that was maybe in that movie?’ Every time it’s, ‘You know what? People have seen that. Do something new,’” he said.
Kathleen Kennedy (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Disney)
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The film stars Ryan Gosling and takes place five years after The Rise of Skywalker. Despite rumors that Daisy Ridley’s Rey may appear, the film is reportedly a standalone Star Wars adventure. Filming wrapped last December after three months of production, reportedly with some help from Tom Cruise.
With Gosling’s growing popularity after Project Hail Mary and Levy’s success with Deadpool & Wolverine, many fans may expect Starfighter to launch a new trilogy. That could still happen. Yet Shawn Levy is not currently tied to Lucasfilm beyond this film.
Lucasfilm’s Long History Of Announced Projects That Went Nowhere
In 2017, before the release of The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm announced that Rian Johnson would lead his own Star Wars trilogy. After years without updates, Johnson finally confirmed the trilogy was no longer in development. At the time, some observers noted it fit a familiar pattern under Kennedy’s leadership. Star Wars projects from major directors would be announced, then quietly disappear.
Rian Johnson via Wikimedia Commons
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Other examples include Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron, Taika Waititi’s untitled film, the New Jedi Order Rey movie, and James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi. Some critics argued those announcements often arrived around investor presentations or major events like Star Wars Celebration. The goal, they suggested, was to generate excitement and reassure investors that Star Wars still had momentum. Yet eventually, it became impossible to ignore that none of those projects entered production.
Shawn Levy taking another project outside Lucasfilm is not unusual by itself. What stands out is that production on Starfighter wrapped without immediate promises of more Star Wars films from him.
A Different Approach Under Lucasfilm’s New Leadership
In January, Kathleen Kennedy officially stepped down from Lucasfilm. The studio is now co-led by Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. With Starfighter not scheduled to release until May 28, 2027, the new leadership may be taking a more cautious approach before announcing additional films or directors.
Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray in Star Wars: Starfighter – Disney, Lucasfilm
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Ultimately, there is no indication that Shawn Levy has cut ties with Lucasfilm. If Starfighter succeeds, he could return for a sequel. However, Lucasfilm is not making those promises right now. After years of divisive announcements and canceled projects, that silence may help rebuild trust with fans. For now, the studio’s wait-and-see approach could signal a new strategy for Lucasfilm moving into its post-Kathleen Kennedy era.
Do you think Shawn Levy will return to Lucasfilm? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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