Ryan Gosling’s name has long been linked to blockbuster franchises, yet he’s largely sidestepped the usual big-canvas roles—until now. Could this be the moment he finally lands a star-making, galaxy-spanning gig? The answer, depending on who you ask, might hinge on timing, fit, and creative nerve.
Enter Star Wars: Starfighter, set to arrive in 2027 as the first post-Rise of Skywalker chapter in a new era. The project is spearheaded by Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool and the Wolverine films, and features Gosling in a mentor-like role to a younger character portrayed by Flynn Gray. Early whispers describe it as a standalone tale, not tightly tethered to the broader Star Wars saga. If it resonates, though, that independence could be loosened to allow future installments.
Details about the plot remain sparse, with rumors swirling as production gears up. Meanwhile, Gosling is also poised for another space adventure this spring: Project Hail Mary, in which he plays Ryland Grace, a science-minded teacher on an unforeseen mission to save Earth. In a recent chat with io9 about Hail Mary, we slipped in a Star Wars question to gauge why he’s stepping into such a colossal universe after a career of more selective roles.
Asked why he decided to embrace Star Wars: Starfighter after avoiding large-scale franchises, Gosling cited two main drivers: Shawn Levy’s passion and the film’s script. He explained that he’d waited for something that felt right and worth the risk, comparing the awaiting project to a meaningful book that deserves time and attention. For him, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity rather than a routine assignment.
As with his recent work in Barbie and Blade Runner 2049, plus his upcoming Hail Mary, the lingering question is whether Star Wars: Starfighter will stand alone or open doors to follow-ups featuring Gosling’s character. At this stage, only time will tell, but if the movie delivers even a fraction of the excitement audiences hope for, the possibility of future appearances certainly isn’t out of the question.
Project Hail Mary lands in theaters on March 20, followed by Star Wars: Starfighter premiering on May 28, 2027.
If you’d like more updates on io9’s coverage—whether it’s Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, or Doctor Who—stick around for release-date announcements, casting news, and the next big happenings in spacefaring cinema.
