Shawn Levy Preps Star Wars: Starfighter for 2027

Levy describes the project as a deliberate departure from the franchise's recent history, focusing on a story that honors the past while introducing a fresh adventure. The film centers on Kade Auberon, a cynical pilot portrayed by Ryan Gosling, who finds himself protecting a young boy played by newcomer Flynn Gray. Levy noted that the chemistry between the two leads was a deciding factor in shaping the film’s tone, which he describes as warm-hearted yet grounded in the reality of a galaxy without a central governing body.

Production has leaned into a working-class aesthetic, with Levy citing Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders as a tonal touchstone for the marginalized characters inhabiting the wrong side of the galaxy. Beyond his directorial duties, Levy emphasizes his commitment to family-friendly storytelling, a hallmark of his previous work on films like Night at the Museum. Gosling serves as a producer alongside former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, contributing to the creative process from lighting choices to set design. As the project moves toward its 2027 debut, it remains one of the most anticipated attempts to define the future of the Star Wars timeline.