By George & Josh Bate
Star Wars Celebration Japan began in momentous fashion with the announcement of Star Wars; Starfighter.
At the beginning of The Mandalorian and Grogu panel at Celebration, Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni welcomed out Shawn Levy to discuss his upcoming Star Wars movie.
Levy and Kennedy revealed that discussions have been going on for a while about Levy helming a Star Wars movie, but that things really came together in August 2022. “Kathy and I talked for a while about a movie we could work together for a while,” Levy said. “We started developing a movie. It was wide open as to what it could be.”
Levy confirmed that the film will begin production this Fall.
The film was described as a “stand-alone adventure” that takes place a few years after The Rise of Skywalker. It will feature entirely new characters.
Levy then discussed how there have been many rumors circulating about who will star in the film. The most prominent rumor was that Ryan Gosling would star in the movie, something that Levy confirmed in resounding fashion by welcoming Gosling to the Celebration Stage.
Gosling came on the Celebration Stage to a rousing reception. The crowd went wild as the Academy Award nominated actor confirmed his involvement in Star Wars. “This script is so good,” Gosling commented. “It has such a good story with original characters. It’s filled with so much heart and adventure.”
In line with the discussion of Gosling’s longstanding fandom for Star Wars, Gosling’s mother sent in a picture of Gosling’s old The Empire Strikes Back bedsheets as a kid. “This is a picture my mom sent of my bedsheets,” Gosling said. “Yes, she still has them. Naturally, she thought this was something the fans would appreciate.” Gosling humorously added, “Although, I think she just wants to justify years of hoarding.”
Gosling and Levy then announced the title of the movie – Star Wars: Starfighter.
As the logo came on the screen, an epic soundtrack played and concluded with the unmistakable hum of a lightsaber. Does this confirm a Force user will be in the movie?