Star Wars: Starfighter director Shawn Levy reveals the most important inspiration from the unique trilogy, and it may come as a shock. Starring Ryan Gosling, the upcoming Star Wars film was introduced in April 2025, with plot particulars remaining below wraps.
Throughout a current look on the On Movie…with Kevin McCarthy podcast, Levy is cautious to not reveal too many specifics, however he does reveal that Starfighter is most just like Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983):
“Let me let you know one thing. Folks – I’ve not stated this out loud as a result of everybody’s like ‘Which Star Wars film is Starfighter probably the most like? Which is probably the most impressed by?’ If I’m being trustworthy – I do know the cool reply could be Empire, and form of the inarguable reply could be A New Hope – however it’s kinda Jedi.”
As for why Return of the Jedi was such a touchpoint, the director explains that the movie, to him, simply struck an ideal tonal steadiness. Try Levy’s rationalization beneath:
“It’s Jedi due to the mix of theme, levity, journey, coronary heart, spectacle. In some way that film simply obtained it proper for me. And I noticed that film so many occasions in a theater, extra occasions in a theater than New Hope and Empire, and it caught with me. I’ll let you know…there’s moments the place I’m on set, and I really feel like that child is with me, within the director’s chair. Like I’m there making his dream come true.”
Return of the Jedi was met with a typically optimistic reception, however it is normally ranked behind A New Hope (1977) and Empire Strikes Again (1980). When taking a look at Levy’s filmography, although, it turns into much less stunning that it is Episode VI that resonated so drastically with him.
Levy is the director behind films like Night time on the Museum (2006), Actual Metal (2011), Free Man (2021), The Adam Mission (2022), and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), all of which have that blend of journey, humor, and coronary heart he references. Levy has additionally directed various episodes of Stranger Issues, a present he is additionally a producer on, and that sequence incorporates a related mixture.
Although Starfighter could take after Return of the Jedi in some ways, it is also set to be a departure from that movie. Notably, Levy’s movie is neither a sequel nor a prequel. It takes place about 5 years after Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019), however its story is disconnected from Rey (Daisy Ridley) and the occasions of Disney’s sequel trilogy.
The Star Wars: Starfighter forged can be set to usher various new faces into the franchise. Along with Gosling, the movie stars Mia Goth, Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Aaron Pierre, Flynn Grey, Daniel Ings, and Simon Chook, amongst others. Levy additionally simply confirmed that composer Thomas Newman will rating the movie.
With a launch date nonetheless about 18 months away, it should nonetheless be fairly a while earlier than an official trailer is launched, however extra data concerning the plot of the movie ought to begin to emerge subsequent yr. 2026 is already poised to be an enormous yr for the franchise, with Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu set to launch on Might 22.
Star Wars: Starfighter is scheduled to race into film theaters on Might 28, 2027.
- Launch Date
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Might 28, 2027
- Director
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Shawn Levy