Summary (tl;dr)

Ryan Gosling is starring in a new standalone Star Wars film, Star Wars: Starfighter, set to release in May 2027, which is currently generating significant buzz after its trailer was previewed at Disney's D23 Expo.

Essential Background

Star Wars: Starfighter is the title of a 2001 action video game, but the trending keywords refer to an upcoming live-action film, not a remake of the game. The Star Wars franchise, created by George Lucas, began in 1977 with Star Wars: A New Hope and has since expanded into a vast universe of movies, television series, and other media. For decades, most Star Wars stories have been connected to the Skywalker Saga, following the lineage of Luke Skywalker and his family. However, recent films have had mixed box office results, prompting Lucasfilm to explore new, disconnected narratives.

The Full Story

Ryan Gosling is set to star as Kade Auberon in the new Star Wars: Starfighter film, directed by Shawn Levy, with a theatrical release scheduled for May 28, 2027. The movie is trending due to increasing anticipation, particularly after its first trailer was showcased at Disney's D23 Expo in August 2026. The film is noteworthy as it will be the first Star Wars movie to be completely separated from the Skywalker Saga, taking place five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Gosling's character is a pilot tasked with protecting a mysterious young boy, played by Flynn Gray, across a lawless galaxy. Filming for the movie concluded in December 2025, with principal photography taking place in the United Kingdom and Sardinia, Italy. The trailer itself made history by revealing Gosling's character's ship, a decommissioned G17 Imperial Reaper, is the "fastest starfighter ever built," a statement that has garnered considerable attention.

Why It Matters

This trend is significant because Star Wars: Starfighter represents a major shift in the Star Wars franchise's direction, moving away from its long-standing reliance on the Skywalker Saga. Lucasfilm is reportedly hoping this standalone story, starring an established A-list actor like Ryan Gosling, will revitalize interest and avoid "Star Wars fatigue" after some recent projects have underperformed. The film's success could pave the way for more independent narratives within the Star Wars universe, offering fresh perspectives and expanding the lore beyond familiar characters and storylines. With its release marking the 50th anniversary of the franchise, Star Wars: Starfighter is positioned as a pivotal movie that could define the future of the galaxy far, far away. The excitement around Gosling's involvement and the fresh approach to storytelling is generating considerable discussion among fans and the entertainment industry alike.

Geographic Location

• United Kingdom (filming of Star Wars: Starfighter)
• Sardinia, Italy (filming of Star Wars: Starfighter)
• Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Orange County, California, United States (D23 Expo, where the Star Wars: Starfighter trailer was previewed)