Just when we thought Ryan Gosling had peaked as the perfectly bleached, beach-loving Ken in Barbie, he’s headed for a whole new universe—literally.
Gosling is trading his rollerblades for a lightsaber as he officially joins the Star Wars franchise in a brand-new movie titled Star Wars: Starfighter, which is set to hit theaters in May 2027.
Lucasfilm dropped the big news at the Star Wars Celebration event in Japan this week, and fans went wild when Gosling himself made a surprise appearance.
A New Chapter in the Star Wars Saga
According to Lucasfilm, Star Wars: Starfighter will pick up about five years after the events of 2019’s Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.
But don’t expect to see any of the familiar Jedi just yet—this film is launching an entirely fresh storyline with brand-new characters, set in a part of the Star Wars timeline that hasn’t been explored on screen before.
Shawn Levy, known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine and Stranger Things, will be directing the film.
This will mark a major leap for Levy, as he takes the reins of one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises of all time.
Gosling’s Message to the Fans
At the event in Japan, Gosling wore a cap that read “Never Tell Me The Odds”—a nod to Han Solo’s iconic quote—and leaned into the spirit of the galaxy-spanning adventure ahead.
“I think it’s just exactly the advice that we need as we embark on this journey,” Gosling joked.
Then, in a more heartfelt moment, he added, “The Force is a mysterious thing. But I think as I’m here, I feel like the Force is the fans. All we can hope for is that—may the fans be with us.”
Director Shawn Levy Embraces the Pressure
Shawn Levy didn’t shy away from acknowledging how massive this moment is.
Standing beside Gosling, he admitted that stepping into the Star Wars world comes with high expectations.
“You take on Star Wars, you take on something that’s this beloved—it’s intimidating,” Levy said.
“You’re scared, you’re nervous, you want to get it right.” But he’s optimistic that their collaboration will deliver something truly special.
What’s Coming Up in the Star Wars Universe
Star Wars: Starfighter is just one of several projects currently in the works.
Before Gosling’s film lands in 2027, fans will get The Mandalorian & Grogu in 2026—a spin-off of the wildly popular Disney+ series starring Pedro Pascal.
There’s also buzz around other upcoming projects, including new films by directors Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) and James Mangold (A Complete Unknown), plus a trilogy being developed by Simon Kinberg and another film by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Gosling’s Star Power Keeps Rising
At 44, Ryan Gosling is no stranger to big roles. He’s earned three Oscar nominations—best supporting actor for Barbie, and best actor nods for La La Land and Half Nelson.
And now, he’s diving headfirst into one of the biggest sci-fi franchises of all time.
With his charisma, talent, and a galaxy full of new characters to meet, it’s safe to say fans are already counting down the days.