Ryan Gosling has shattered his long-standing rule against franchise roles, making an exception for what he calls a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity: joining the Star Wars universe in Shawn Levy's upcoming film Star Wars: Starfighter.
Despite starring in blockbusters like Barbie and Blade Runner 2049, Gosling has always avoided recurring character commitments—until the pull of Star Wars proved too strong to ignore.
"I avoided these projects because they never felt right—and I'm glad I did," Gosling said, comparing his new role to his upcoming film Project Hail Mary as "worth waiting for." He added, "It's like a once-in-a-lifetime chance."
Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray on the set of 'Star Wars: Starfighter'. Shawn Levy/Instagram
Details about the plot remain under wraps, but director Shawn Levy has teased it as a standalone story set in an uncharted era of the Star Wars universe, likely exploring father-son dynamics—a theme Levy is known for.
Set apart from the Skywalker saga and five years after The Rise of Skywalker, the film's potential cameos are unknown. Gosling praised it as a "great story" full of "heart and adventure."
Levy echoed the enthusiasm, calling the filmmaking process "hard as hell" but immensely rewarding. "It's surreal and awesome every day on set, creating a fresh Star Wars tale that's not a sequel or prequel," Levy said. "Working with Gosling and writer Jonathan Tropper is dream-come-true material."
Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray on the set of 'Star Wars: Starfighter'. Lucasfilm
Starfighter is scheduled for release on May 28, 2027. Before then, Gosling will star in Project Hail Mary, adapting Andy Weir's sci-fi novel about a teacher-turned-astronaut on a mission to save humanity, set to hit theaters on March 20, 2026.
This marks a significant shift for Gosling, who has built a career on selective roles, making his entry into the Star Wars franchise a major event for fans and Hollywood alike.
