Ryan Gosling has publicly discussed his decision to accept a leading role in the forthcoming Star Wars movie titled Star Wars: Starfighter. This project represents the acclaimed actor's inaugural venture into extended franchise filmmaking, a significant milestone in his career.
Gosling's Motivation for Starfighter Role
The 45-year-old actor, one of the most prominent names ever to headline a Star Wars film, explained his choice during an interview with io9. Gosling attributed his agreement to director Shawn Levy's enthusiasm, compelling vision, and the quality of the script.
"It was Shawn's enthusiasm and his vision and the script," Gosling stated. "And I just avoided these things because they never felt right. And I'm glad I did because I feel like, [similar to] a book like this, [it was] worth waiting for. And it is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Starfighter's Place in the Star Wars Universe
Starfighter is poised to become only the second Star Wars film released since the critically panned Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. The other is this year's The Mandalorian & Grogu, which adapts the popular Disney+ series The Mandalorian and features Pedro Pascal as the masked bounty hunter Din Djarin.
Little is currently known about the specific storyline of Starfighter, which is being directed by Shawn Levy, known for his work on Free Guy. The film is scheduled for release in May 2027.
Gosling's Current Project: Project Hail Mary
Meanwhile, Ryan Gosling can next be seen in the science fiction film Project Hail Mary, where he portrays a schoolteacher tasked with a space mission to save the world. The movie is adapted from Andy Weir's bestselling novel and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller of The Lego Movie fame.
The supporting cast includes Sandra Hüller from Anatomy of a Fall, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub. Project Hail Mary is set to premiere in cinemas starting 20 March.
Early Critical Acclaim for Project Hail Mary
Initial reactions to Project Hail Mary have been overwhelmingly positive. Critic Matt Neglia praised the film on social media, describing it as "a miracle of a movie" that combines "the technical awe of Gravity, the problem-solving exhilaration and humour of The Martian, and the sweeping emotion of Interstellar into one film with its own unique style and charm."
Neglia further highlighted Gosling's performance, noting "Ryan Gosling delivers one of his finest performances in years, commanding what is essentially a one-man show that will have you laughing one moment and crying the next."
Another early review from Eric Cohn commended the film as "a faithful adaptation of the book and as such, incredibly charming and imaginative." Cohn added that it "continues Weir's uncanny ability to transform hard science into palatable mass market entertainment."
This dual focus on both Starfighter and Project Hail Mary underscores Gosling's expanding repertoire in the science fiction genre, balancing franchise commitments with standalone cinematic projects.
