Ryan Gosling is finally getting his own adventure in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars: Starfighter brings the Oscar-nominated actor into the franchise for the first time, with Shawn Levy directing an original story that moves beyond the Skywalker Saga.

The project is especially intriguing because it is not built around an existing Star Wars character or a familiar chapter of the franchise. Instead, Levy and Gosling are stepping into unexplored territory, with Lucasfilm keeping much of the story under wraps as production moves forward.

With D23 taking place on August 14, there is now growing anticipation that the wait for the first footage could soon be over. But before that possible first look arrives, here is everything to know about Starfighter.

Starfighter is an all-new standalone adventure set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Lucasfilm has confirmed that the story takes place during a period of the galaxy that has never previously been explored on screen, meaning the film is not another continuation of the Skywalker family story.

Very few plot details have been officially revealed, but the decision to create an entirely original story gives Levy considerable freedom to introduce new characters, worlds and conflicts. The director has described the project as a dream come true after Kathleen Kennedy invited him to develop an original Star Wars adventure.

The biggest immediate question is whether audiences will finally get to see that new world. A rumor claims that the first trailer for Starfighter will be shown at D23 on August 14, with the footage reportedly remaining exclusive to the event before an online release in December. The claim originated from a report circulating on X, and neither Disney nor Lucasfilm has officially confirmed the trailer’s D23 debut. If accurate, however, it would give fans their first substantial look at Levy's vision for the movie.

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But before that possible first look can reveal what Levy has been building, there is already plenty to know about the faces bringing this new chapter of Star Wars to life.

Ryan Gosling leads the film as a brand-new character, marking his first appearance in the Star Wars franchise. He is joined by Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings and Amy Adams. Lucasfilm announced the full ensemble when production officially began in August 2025.

Shawn Levy directs from a screenplay by Jonathan Tropper, with Levy and Kathleen Kennedy producing. Gosling, Dan Levine, Mary McLaglen and Josh McLaglen serve as executive producers.

There is already some intriguing early confidence behind the project. IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond, who said he had visited the set, compared the movie to the “Harrison Ford kind of Star Wars,” suggesting that Levy could be chasing the adventurous spirit of the original films while building something entirely new.

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And with that cast assembled, the next question is when audiences will finally get to see Starfighter take flight.

Star Wars: Starfighter is scheduled to arrive exclusively in theaters on May 28, 2027. Production began in the U.K. in 2025, and Lucasfilm has already released an official image of Gosling alongside co-star Flynn Gray.

That gives Lucasfilm plenty of time to build anticipation around what could become one of the franchise's biggest new theatrical stories. For Gosling, the project carries an even more personal significance: a lifelong love of Star Wars has now turned into the opportunity to lead an entirely new chapter of it.

For now, the wait continues until May 2027, when Starfighter finally brings Gosling into the galaxy he grew up loving. But if Levy can deliver the mix of heart, humor, adventure and spectacle he has promised, the film could do something even more important: capture that old Star Wars magic while taking the franchise somewhere completely new.  

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Could Starfighter be the Star Wars comeback fans have been waiting for? The rumored D23 first look could finally give us an answer. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!