If you were expecting Kathleen Kennedy to announce her retirement in front of Star Wars fans in Japan, think again.
In a major announcement at the Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, Lucasfilm revealed that acclaimed actor Ryan Gosling will headline a new standalone film titled Star Wars: Starfighter. Directed by Shawn Levy, known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine and Stranger Things, the film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.
Set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, Starfighter promises to introduce audiences to an entirely new cast of characters and explore a previously uncharted timeline within the Star Wars universe. Levy emphasized that the film is “a standalone. It’s not a prequel, not a sequel. It’s a new adventure”.
Shawn Levy announces his #StarWars movie will go into production this Fall at #StarWarsCelebrationJapan. The film will release May 2027 pic.twitter.com/2bvvCbqNH4
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 18, 2025
Gosling, expressing his enthusiasm for the project, shared a personal anecdote during the event, revealing a childhood photo of his Star Wars-themed bedsheets. I guess I was probably dreaming about Star Wars before I even saw the film,” he remarked, highlighting his longstanding connection to the franchise.
The change in mood for the development of this film is stark. The announcement played into nostalgia, long-time love of the franchise George Lucas built, featured no allusions to girl boss tropes, and had Kathleen Kennedy appear only in a passive, backdrop fashion on the stage.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 23: Kathleen Kennedy, President, Lucasfilm attends the launch event for Lucasfilm’s new Star Wars series The Acolyte at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
The screenplay for Starfighter is penned by Jonathan Tropper, with production set to commence in the fall of 2025 . This film joins a lineup of upcoming Star Wars projects, including The Mandalorian & Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau and slated for release in May 2026. If production takes place in the United Kingdom, it will open it up to financial scrutiny due to the UK requiring theatrical production costs be made public. This is what has allowed Disney+ shows such as The Acolyte to face such tremendous criticism for insane budgets. Meanwhile, The Mandalorian & Grogu is being made in California, shielding it from journalistic intrigue. With Star Wars in such steep decline, hiding the costs might be worth it, even in spite of tax credits achievable in the UK (an oft-favored production location for Lucasfilm in the past).
With Gosling’s involvement and a fresh narrative direction, Star Wars: Starfighter aims to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike, expanding the beloved galaxy far, far away. Whether it can and whether it’s too late under Kathleen Kennedy are both very difficult questions for Disney.
