Lucasfilm confirms Shawn Levy-directed standalone adventure will begin filming this fall, marking a fresh chapter in the Star Wars galaxy with new characters and untold timelines
Tokyo, April 18:
Lucasfilm has officially announced its next cinematic chapter in the Star Wars saga. Titled “Star Wars: Starfighter,” the upcoming film will hit theaters exclusively on May 28, 2027, as revealed by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Japan.
Directed by Shawn Levy (Free Guy, The Adam Project) and starring Ryan Gosling in the lead role, Starfighter will be a standalone adventure set approximately five years after the events of Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. The film is not a prequel or a sequel, but instead explores uncharted territory in the Star Wars timeline with entirely new characters.
“There are many rumors—some true, some not,” said Levy at the fan event. “This is not a prequel, this is not a sequel. It’s a new adventure. This is no longer a Star Wars movie in development. This is a Star Wars movie we’re making this fall!”
Gosling, who appeared alongside Levy, shared his excitement about joining the galaxy far, far away:
“This script is so good. It’s filled with heart and adventure, and there just really is not a more perfect filmmaker for this particular story than Shawn.”
The script is penned by Jonathan Tropper, best known for writing The Adam Project and the family drama This Is Where I Leave You, both of which involved Levy as director or producer.
While plot details remain tightly under wraps, the project has been in development since 2022 and is expected to begin production this fall. The film’s setting and characters mark a significant pivot for the Star Wars franchise as it moves away from the Skywalker saga and legacy characters.
This announcement comes as Lucasfilm continues to broaden the Star Wars universe through Disney+ series like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, while also revitalizing its cinematic slate.
Fans can expect more updates as filming commences later this year, but for now, the countdown to Star Wars: Starfighter—and an all-new galaxy-spanning adventure—has officially begun.