Ryan Gosling is opening up about why he finally decided to enter the Star Wars galaxy after years of steering clear of major franchises.
Speaking with io9, Gosling explained what convinced him to sign on for Star Wars: Starfighter, a new theatrical feature set after The Rise of Skywalker.
Ryan Gosling Explains Why He Joined Star Wars: Starfighter
For much of his career, Gosling has avoided long-running blockbuster franchises. So what changed?
“It was Shawn’s enthusiasm and his vision and the script,” Gosling said. “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 [Project Hail Mary], [it was] worth waiting for. And it is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Gosling is referring to director Shawn Levy, who is helming Starfighter. Levy’s pitch, combined with the screenplay, apparently gave Gosling the confidence that this wasn’t just another franchise installment, but something distinct enough to justify stepping into the Star Wars universe.
The project marks Gosling’s first major franchise commitment on this scale.
Set After The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars: Starfighter is set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, placing it in largely unexplored territory on the big screen.
Rather than playing an established legacy character, Gosling will portray a brand-new figure in the galaxy far, far away. He’s expected to serve as a mentor-type character opposite Flynn Gray, signaling a potential passing-of-the-torch dynamic as Lucasfilm continues building the post-Skywalker era.
By positioning the story after The Rise of Skywalker, Starfighter moves beyond the Skywalker Saga timeline and into fresh narrative ground, something that may have also appealed to Gosling’s desire for something that “felt right.”
Gosling won’t be alone in the galaxy. The cast also includes Daniel Ings, Mia Goth, Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Aaron Pierre, and Simon Bird.
Release Date
Star Wars: Starfighter hits theaters Memorial Day weekend on May 28, 2027.
