Ryan Gosling Reveals Reasons for Star Wars Starfighter Role

Ryan Gosling, the Oscar-nominated actor known for roles in films like Barbie and Blade Runner 2049, has revealed his reasons for joining the Star Wars franchise with the upcoming film Star Wars Starfighter, marking his first venture into a major ongoing series. Directed by Shawn Levy and set for theatrical release on May 28, 2027, the movie represents a significant expansion for the sci-fi saga, which has seen limited big-screen output since 2019's The Rise of Skywalker.

In an interview with io9, Gosling explained his long-standing reluctance to commit to franchise projects. "It was Shawn's enthusiasm and his vision and the script," he said. "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." At 45, Gosling has built a career playing distinct characters without reprising any, from the titular role in Barbie to the replicant hunter in Blade Runner 2049. Star Wars Starfighter, penned by Jonathan Tropper, offers him a chance to break that pattern in a story set five years after The Rise of Skywalker. Described as a standalone...