Star Wars movies have been questionable for years. The franchise itself works fine. Andor season 2 continues delivering grounded storytelling, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor proved video games can handle the material competently, and Marvel’s comics remain solid. But the films? The last decent theatrical release was either Rogue One (2016) or The Last Jedi (2017), depending on your tolerance for Rian Johnson’s decisions. The Rise of Skywalker closed out 2019 as a disaster, and nothing has followed since.
Five years without any Star Wars films represents a stunning drought for the franchise that created modern blockbuster cinema. But Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter might finally break this streak. The full cast announcement suggests Lucasfilm is taking this project seriously, assembling talent that extends far beyond the usual franchise player recycling.
Ryan Gosling anchors the cast, which already generated interest when his involvement was announced. The supporting roster includes Flynn Gray from Baltimore, Matt Smith from Doctor Who, Mia Goth from Ti West’s X horror films, Aaron Pierre from Rebel Ridge, Simon Bird from The Inbetweeners, Jamael Westman from Good Grief, Daniel Ings from The Crown, and six-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams. This represents genuine star power combined with proven character actors who can handle complex material.
Levy brings demonstrated skill from Stranger Things and Deadpool & Wolverine, while screenwriter Jonathan Tropper has credits on Warrior and Banshee. The creative team suggests ambition beyond the safe, corporate-approved mediocrity that has plagued recent Star Wars theatrical releases.
The project has been developing since 2022, when reports first surfaced about Levy potentially directing a Star Wars film after Deadpool 3. Gosling’s casting became official in 2025, but the full cast announcement provides the first concrete evidence that Starfighter might deliver something worthwhile.
Levy’s enthusiasm reads as genuine rather than manufactured publicity speak. He told StarWars.com: “I feel a profound sense of excitement and honor as we begin production on Star Wars: Starfighter. From the day Kennedy called me up, inviting me to develop an original adventure in this incredible Star Wars galaxy, this experience has been a dream come true, creatively and personally. Star Wars shaped my sense of what story can do, how characters and cinematic moments can live with us forever.”
The Mandalorian and Grogu will reach theaters first, but that represents more of the same safe Disney+ content stretched to feature length. Starfighter appears positioned to take risks that the franchise has avoided since Disney’s acquisition. The cast quality alone suggests Lucasfilm is willing to invest in talent capable of elevating the material beyond nostalgia bait and fan service.
Star Wars movies used to be good because they told complete stories with compelling characters facing meaningful stakes. Starfighter’s creative team and cast suggest a return to that basic formula. The franchise desperately needs a theatrical win, and this project finally looks capable of delivering one.