Star Wars fans have waited a long time for a truly original, standalone theatrical adventure, and that wait is finally coming to an end. Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and led by Ryan Gosling, is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about sci-fi releases of 2027. Here at Ultimate Fandom, we’ve pulled together everything currently known about the movie so you don’t have to dig through a dozen sources yourself.
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When Is Star Wars Starfighter Releasing
Star Wars: Starfighter is set to premiere on May 28, 2027, a little more than a year after The Mandalorian & Grogu’s release in May 2026. May release dates have traditionally been the norm for Star Wars movies, with only a handful of exceptions in the franchise’s history. Interestingly, while the U.S. release lands on May 28, French audiences will get to see it slightly earlier, on May 26, 2027.
At Ultimate Fandom, we always remind readers that release dates in the Star Wars universe can occasionally shift, but this one appears firmly locked in following its official confirmation at Star Wars Celebration.
The Story A New Era of the Galaxy Far, Far Away
One of the most exciting aspects of this project is that it isn’t tied to any existing trilogy or era we’ve already explored on screen. Unlike previous entries in the franchise, Star Wars: Starfighter is an original standalone story set in an era never before explored on-screen.
The film takes place approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, following an entirely new adventure featuring original characters. That places it in genuinely uncharted canon territory, further along the timeline than any live-action Star Wars film has gone before.
Plot details remain closely guarded, but some early reports have offered a glimpse of the setup. The story is rumored to follow a pilot tasked with transporting a teenager on a perilous journey, set roughly a decade before the New Jedi Order era. That timeframe is significant for longtime fans, since it bridges a period of the timeline that hasn’t been dramatized in live-action before.
Director Shawn Levy has also gone out of his way to clarify what the movie isn’t. He has explained that the film is neither a prequel nor a sequel to any existing saga entry, reinforcing that this is meant to be a fresh jumping-on point rather than a continuation of the Skywalker story.
Who’s Starring in Star Wars Starfighter
The cast list has generated plenty of buzz, and for good reason it’s stacked with recognizable talent. Ryan Gosling leads the ensemble, joined by Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams.
A few specifics have trickled out about individual roles. Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray are expected to portray the film’s lead characters. Meanwhile, Matt Smith, best known for his time on Doctor Who, has reportedly been cast as the movie’s villain, which fans have called a fitting full-circle moment given his history playing morally complex characters. Mia Goth’s role, on the other hand, is still unspecified, though Levy has confirmed she’ll be playing one of the new characters introduced in the film.
The team here at Ultimate Fandom will keep updating this section as more casting and character details are confirmed closer to release.
Behind the Camera
Shawn Levy takes the director’s chair for this project, bringing a résumé that includes some of the more crowd-pleasing blockbusters of the last decade. Levy is known for directing Deadpool & Wolverine, Free Guy, and Night at the Museum, and Lucasfilm has been vocal about wanting his signature blend of humor, heart, and spectacle for this new chapter of Star Wars.
Production reportedly kicked off around August 2025, with initial filming taking place near the coasts of Sardinia, Italy a location choice that has fans speculating about lush, unconventional planetary backdrops rather than the desert and forest aesthetics audiences are used to. Principal photography had wrapped by last December, putting the film solidly on track for its 2027 release, though some reshoots or pickup shots wouldn’t be surprising.
Is There a Trailer Yet
Not publicly, no. An exclusive sneak peek was shown to attendees at Star Wars Celebration 2025, but that footage has not been released online. Some fans got a taste of the film’s identity in a different way an animated sequence showcasing the title was shown to build anticipation, even though no full trailer has dropped yet.
Industry watchers speculate a teaser could surface around San Diego Comic-Con 2026, though nothing is confirmed. Until then, Ultimate Fandom recommends staying cautious about unofficial “leaked trailer” clips circulating online, since none have been verified as authentic footage.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Star Wars Movies
It’s still unclear exactly how Star Wars: Starfighter will impact the broader direction of future Star Wars films, but its standalone, original nature suggests Lucasfilm is testing the waters for stories that don’t lean on legacy characters. If successful, it could open the door for more theatrical Star Wars films set in unexplored corners of the timeline, rather than only prequels or sequels tied to the Skywalker saga.
For now, all eyes are on May 2027, when audiences will finally get to see whether this fresh approach pays off.
FAQs
- When does Star Wars Starfighter release?
The film is scheduled to hit U.S. theaters on May 28, 2027, with a slightly earlier release in France on May 26, 2027. - Who stars in Star Wars Starfighter?
Ryan Gosling leads the cast, joined by Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams. - Is Star Wars Starfighter a sequel or prequel?
No. Director Shawn Levy has clarified it’s neither it’s a standalone story set in a new, unexplored period of the timeline, roughly five years after The Rise of Skywalker. - Who is directing Star Wars Starfighter?
Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool & Wolverine and Free Guy, is directing the film. - Has a trailer been released?
Not yet publicly. A sneak peek was shown at Star Wars Celebration 2025, but no official trailer has been released online as of now.
