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Get ready to see Ryan Gosling swap his Kenergy for a lightsaber. The "Barbie" heartthrob is officially heading to a galaxy far away, and we can't think of a better addition to the "Star Wars" universe.
During a major announcement at the Star Wars Celebration in Japan, it was revealed that Gosling will star in "Star Wars: Starfighter," a brand-new standalone film directed by Shawn Levy ("Deadpool & Wolverine"). The movie is set to blast into theaters in May 2027.
A fresh adventure with no Skywalkers in sight
"Star Wars: Starfighter" is not part of the Skywalker saga, so no Luke, Leia, or Rey cameos here. Instead, this one is flying solo. Lucasfilm says the movie is "an entirely new adventure featuring all-new characters set in a period of time that has not been explored on screen."
It takes place about five years after "The Rise of Skywalker" (2019), but don't expect it to connect with that story. This is something completely different, and that's kind of what makes it exciting. There's room for bold, weird, and wildly original storytelling, and that's where Ryan Gosling and Levy come in.
Gosling's childhood dream come true
On stage in Japan, Gosling was visibly geeking out. He shared a hilarious photo of his old Star Wars bedsheets from when he was a kid, proving his fandom runs deep. "I was dreaming about Star Wars before I ever saw it," Gosling told the crowd. "It's always been there. It's sort of in the DNA of the culture."
He went on to say that the story for Starfighter has "so much adventure, so much heart and original character." According to him, it's a chance to "shine the light into a side of the universe that we may not have seen."
Shawn Levy promises fun and originality
Levy, who's no stranger to handling beloved franchises, says he's feeling the pressure in a good way. "You take on Star Wars, you take on something this beloved… it's intimidating," he admitted. "But we have a feeling that with this story, with this collaboration, we can get it right."
He promised the movie would have "all the fun of Star Wars," just told, "in ways that are new and original." That's a pretty big promise, but considering his track record and Gosling's ability to bring quirky, layered characters to life, we're optimistic.
The Star Wars galaxy keeps expanding
"Star Wars" has been on a roll since Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012. We've had a new trilogy ("The Force Awakens," "The Last Jedi," "The Rise of Skywalker"), epic standalone like "Rogue One," and Disney+ hits, including "The Mandalorian," "Andor," and "Obi-Wan Kenobi."
And the lightspeed train isn't slowing down. Before Starfighter lands in 2027, we'll get "The Mandalorian & Grogu" in May 2026, directed by Jon Favreau. But if that feels too far away, we get it, "Star Wars" fans aren't exactly known for their patience.
Whether Gosling ends up piloting a rogue ship, leading a rebel faction, or just being his broody, charming self with a blaster, we're so here for it. And if this turns out to be the "La La Land in space" moment we never knew we needed? Even better.