New STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER Image Gives Off Major WATERWORLD Vibes
Director Shawn Levy just gave fans their a new look upcoming Lucasfilm project Star Wars: Starfighter, and it’s already sparking some fun comparisons.
The filmmaker shared a behind-the-scenes photo on Instagram featuring Ryan Gosling and newcomer Flynn Gray on set, filming somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. The shot has such a wild, oceanic aesthetic that it’s hard not to get Waterworld vibes from it.
“Somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea #Starfigher,” the Deadpool & Wolverine filmmaker wrote on his Instagram.
Details about the story are still being kept under wraps. What we do know is that this is “an all-new standalone adventure” and “an entirely original story set in a period of time never before explored in Star Wars.”
That’s already an exciting prospect for fans who’ve been waiting for Lucasfilm to expand beyond the Skywalker timeline.
Even so, reports suggest that the movie will take place five years after Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker. Gosling is said to play a Jedi training his nephew as a Padawan, and since their bond will be central to the film, their relationship is expected to drive much of the story.
Alongside Gosling, Starfighter has put together a seriously impressive cast that includes Matt Smith (House of the Dragon), Mia Goth (Infinity Pool), Aaron Pierre (Lanterns), Simon Bird (The Inbetweeners), Jamael Westman (Hedda), Daniel Ings (Lovesick), and Amy Adams (Man of Steel).
The script comes from Jonathan Tropper, and while it doesn’t connect to the main Skywalker saga, it’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing Star Wars projects in years.
Star Wars: Starfighter is set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027. Levy is producing alongside Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, with Gosling also serving as an executive producer along with Dan Levine, Mary McLaglen, and Josh McLaglen.
Before Starfighter arrives, fans will be treated to The Mandalorian & Grogu, which is scheduled for release on May 22, 2026. That means back-to-back Memorial Day weekends packed with Star Wars on the big screen.
