The highly anticipated Star Wars: Starfighter, the latest addition to the iconic franchise, has officially begun production in the United Kingdom as of Thursday. Lucasfilm celebrated this significant milestone by unveiling the film's complete cast lineup. Joining the Star Wars universe are newcomers Flynn Gray, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams, all of whom will play pivotal roles in this exciting new installment.
Directed by the talented Shawn Levy, Star Wars: Starfighter stars renowned actor Ryan Gosling in a lead role. The cast also includes previously announced actors Mia Goth and Matt Smith, who will portray the film's villains. Expressing his enthusiasm, Levy stated, “I feel a profound sense of excitement and honor as we begin production on Star Wars: Starfighter. From the day Kathy 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.”
Unlike many of its predecessors, Star Wars: Starfighter is a standalone film that doesn't connect to previous movies or characters from the famed Skywalker Saga. Instead, it takes place approximately five years after the events of the 2019 blockbuster, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This new narrative aims to explore fresh stories within the expansive Star Wars timeline, appealing to both seasoned fans and newcomers alike.
Among the new faces, Flynn Gray stands out as a promising talent, marking a significant breakthrough by landing a role alongside Gosling in this prestigious franchise. The script, crafted by Jonathan Tropper, is being kept under wraps, but it hints at an engaging plot where Gosling’s character is tasked with protecting a young charge from malevolent forces in a thrilling, galaxy-spanning adventure. Gray, who has previously appeared in an episode of Wednesday and the Irish crime show Borderline, has certainly caught the attention of casting directors.
The search for the perfect actress to portray Gray's mother has led to the casting of Amy Adams, who has previously collaborated with director Shawn Levy on his 2009 film Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian and starred in the Levy-produced sci-fi drama Arrival. The supporting cast is predominantly British, with Simon Bird known for his roles in The Inbetweeners series and films, while Jamael Westman gained recognition for his performance alongside Claire Danes in the period mini-series The Essex Serpent. Daniel Ings is known for his part in Guy Ritchie’s crime series The Gentlemen, and Aaron Pierre has made waves in the industry with his role in the upcoming DC Studios show Lanterns and the Netflix hit Rebel Ridge.
Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy, along with Shawn Levy, is producing Star Wars: Starfighter, with executive producers including Ryan Gosling, Dan Levine, Mary McLaglen, and Josh McLaglen. Fans can anticipate the theatrical release of this exciting new chapter in the Star Wars saga on May 28, 2027. As production progresses, more details about the plot and character dynamics are sure to emerge, fueling the excitement of the Star Wars community.
