Fans of the Star Wars franchise who have been eagerly awaiting news beyond the beloved series of The Mandalorian and the adorable Grogu finally received a thrilling update during the recent Star Wars Celebration Japan. Lucasfilm, the creative force behind the epic saga, unveiled that the next feature film in the iconic series will be titled Star Wars: Starfighter, marking a significant addition to the universe.

This highly anticipated film, directed by the acclaimed Shawn Levy, is set to star Ryan Gosling in a leading role. Shooting for Starfighter is scheduled to commence this fall, with a projected theatrical release date of May 28, 2027, promising fans a fresh chapter in the Star Wars narrative.

Star Wars: Starfighter is described as a standalone adventure that unfolds a few years after the thrilling events of Episode 9. Ryan Gosling, who expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stated, This script is so good. Its filled with so much heart and adventure. There is not a more perfect filmmaker for this kind of story than Shawn. His excitement underscores the film's potential to resonate with both new and long-time fans.

Director Shawn Levy elaborated on the films narrative, emphasizing that it is not a prequel, not a sequel, but a new adventure that will introduce audiences to a collection of all-new characters. This fresh approach aims to expand the Star Wars universe while maintaining the core elements that fans cherish.

During the announcement, both Levy and Gosling made surprise appearances, generating palpable excitement among attendees. In a heartwarming moment, Goslings mother shared a nostalgic image from his childhood, showcasing his bedsheets featuring characters from The Empire Strikes Back, highlighting the filmmaker's longstanding connection to the franchise.

Shawn Levy's journey into the Star Wars universe began in 2022 while he was still engrossed in the creation of what would later become the billion-dollar hit, Deadpool & Wolverine. After a period of relative silence surrounding the project while Levy completed his Marvel commitments, Jonathan Tropperwho previously collaborated with Levy on The Adam Projectbegan crafting the script for Star Wars: Starfighter. Earlier this year, Ryan Gosling was officially attached to the project, and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy hinted that it would be the next film to grace theaters following the success of The Mandalorian and the charming Grogu.

Despite the excitement, it's important to note that the path for in-development Star Wars films can be fraught with uncertainty. As history has shown, plans can change dramatically before production begins. Nonetheless, the current trajectory appears promising, and fans are hopeful that all elements will align for this exciting new film.