1 week Ago By Kathleen O'Boyle
When Shawn Levy was tapped to direct an upcoming Star Wars movie titled Starfighter, he knew he wanted to do something different. Now, with Ryan Gosling officially onboard to star, Levy says he is thrilled about the pairing and he is not hiding it. Speaking to People, Levy admitted he’s still processing the excitement of working with Gosling, a fellow Canadian and longtime Star Wars fan.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” Levy said. Gosling’s appearance earlier this month at Star Wars Celebration was met with heavy enthusiasm from fans and the press. During a panel with Levy, the actor teased the new project, which will be set five years after The Rise of Skywalker.
Despite the timeline, the film is expected to be an original story without direct ties to the sequel trilogy. Levy, who has sprinkled Star Wars Easter eggs throughout some of his earlier films, made it clear how much Gosling’s casting means to him. “I haven’t seen that pairing, and that gets me really excited,” he said, emphasizing how fresh the collaboration feels for the storied franchise.
Ryan Gosling’s past roles show why Lucasfilm wanted him on board. From his intense performances in Drive and The Place Beyond the Pines to lighter turns in Barbie , Gosling brings a mix of charisma, vulnerability, and unpredictability that Levy believes will elevate the new film. DON'T MISS: Eva Mendes tells Ryan Gosling 'come home' after Oscars date with another woman [LATEST] Eva Mendes shares anti-aging tip as she celebrates milestone birthday [INSIGHT] Ryan Gosling's shout out to 'girl of my dreams' Eva Mendes after major honor [TRIBUTE] Adding to the personal connection, Gosling grew up a fan of Star Wars, and his mother even kept his old Empire Strikes Back bedsheets as a childhood keepsake.
Levy seems confident that Gosling will bring the right balance of seriousness and energy to Starfighter, a film Levy says aims to carve out a unique tone and scope within the galaxy far, far away. With filming set to ramp up soon, Levy said: “I haven’t seen that pairing, and that gets me really excited.".
