4 Minutes
Filming Wraps, Post-Production Begins
Shawn Levy has confirmed what Star Wars fans have been buzzing about: principal photography on Star Wars: Starfighter has finished, and the film has moved into post-production. Shot after cameras rolled in August, the Lucasfilm-produced feature is slated for a May 28, 2027 release in the United States. While plot details remain tightly under wraps, the movie is set after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and promises a largely new roster of characters rather than an extended reunion of the sequel trilogy.
Cast and creative lineup
The cast brings a mix of established stars and rising talent. Ryan Gosling headlines the project, joined by Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Miya Gath, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamal Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams. That combination suggests Lucasfilm is aiming for both marquee draw and ensemble chemistry — a balance similar to what we saw in other recent Star Wars projects that blend new faces with familiar talent.
Levy on creative freedom
Levy has repeatedly emphasized the trust Lucasfilm has given him. He told audiences on the podcast The Business that executives encouraged him to do something new rather than rely on legacy characters. According to Levy, there was no heavy-handed interference, only a steady nudge to innovate. That kind of latitude mirrors Levy's experience on original studio films such as Free Guy and The Adam Project, where inventive premises and a director-led tone defined the final product.
What that means for Star Wars
This approach is notable because Lucasfilm has swung between legacy-heavy, director-driven, and franchise-building strategies across multiple Star Wars eras. Starfighter's permission to introduce mostly fresh characters signals a deliberate move to expand the universe while avoiding fatigue from retreading familiar arcs. It also lines up with broader industry trends where blockbuster franchises aim to keep long-term fans engaged while lowering the barrier for new viewers.
Comparisons and context
If you enjoyed the fresh, comedic energy Levy brought to Free Guy, expect a confident directorial voice rather than a purely nostalgia-driven product. Compare this to The Mandalorian and Grogu film, directed by Jon Favreau and due in May 2026: Favreau's work leans into serialized, character-focused storytelling, whereas Levy appears positioned to deliver a standalone cinematic spectacle with a modern blockbuster rhythm.
Behind the scenes and fan reaction
On social media, fans have exchanged theories about Gosling's role — pilot, rogue ace, or something in between — and speculated about how familiar lore might be reinterpreted. Trivia-minded viewers have picked up on the eclectic casting as a hint that Starfighter could mix drama, dry humor, and kinetic space action. Production sources confirm that post-production will be extensive, which fits the film's heavy VFX needs and the studio's careful rollout strategy.
"Starfighter feels like Lucasfilm's attempt to both refresh the cinematic slate and reclaim the big-screen spectacle for Star Wars," says cinema historian Elena Márquez. "Given Levy's knack for shaping crowd-pleasing originals, this film could be a blueprint for future standalone entries."
Timeline and what to watch for
With Starfighter scheduled for May 28, 2027, and The Mandalorian and Grogu arriving a year earlier, Lucasfilm is clearly staggering theatrical entries to rebuild momentum in the franchise. Expect teaser trailers, character reveals, and behind-the-scenes features to roll out across the coming year as the studio builds hype.
Levy's promise of creative freedom and a cast that mixes veteran talent with new faces makes Star Wars: Starfighter one of the more intriguing studio-era experiments — one that could influence how Lucasfilm balances legacy and originality going forward.
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