Something to look forward to: Lucasfilm just gave Star Wars fans a huge reason to celebrate with the announcement of a new installment in the blockbuster franchise. Provisionally titled Star Wars: Starfighter, the film is set to begin production this fall, with a major theatrical release planned for Memorial Day 2027.

The film will star Oscar-nominated actor Ryan Gosling, known for roles in the 2023 fantasy comedy Barbie and the 2004 romantic drama The Notebook. It will be directed by Shawn Levy, who helmed Marvel’s 2024 blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine. Jonathan Tropper will serve as one of the lead writers.

Starfighter will take place five years after Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, though it won’t serve as a direct sequel to the 2019 film. Instead, it will be a standalone story featuring “an entirely new adventure” with a cast of all-new characters.

It remains unclear what role Gosling will play, as neither Lucasfilm nor the actor has revealed any character details. However, speaking at a fan event in Japan, Gosling expressed excitement about the project, saying it has “so much adventure, so much heart and original character.” He also claimed that the movie will offer an opportunity to showcase “a side of the universe that we may not have seen.”

Speaking about his personal connection to the “galaxy far, far away,” Gosling shared that he used to dream about Star Wars even before seeing any of the movies. He even showed an image of his childhood Star Wars-branded bedding, saying it helped shape his early understanding of what movies could be.

Director Shawn Levy added that the new film will blend the “fun” and spirit of Star Wars with a fresh, original storyline. He admitted to feeling “scared, nervous, and intimidated” by the responsibility of working within such a beloved universe, but expressed confidence that the story and cast would strike the right chord with die-hard fans.

Before Starfighter arrives in theaters, Disney is set to release another film in the expanded Star Wars franchise next year. Titled The Mandalorian & Grogu, it will continue the story from the hit 2019 series The Mandalorian and will be directed by Jon Favreau.

Disney is also developing additional Star Wars films, including one featuring Daisy Ridley reprising her role as Rey Skywalker in a follow-up to The Rise of Skywalker. However, since its announcement in 2023, the project has faced multiple delays, with rumors suggesting it may have been quietly shelved. Lucasfilm maintains that the film is still in development, though no official updates have been shared in years.