Making a Star Wars movie brings a unique and immense pressure, distinct from other large franchises, with daily and global expectations from a fervent fandom. Director Shawn Levy, at the Gotham Television Awards, expressed immense relief and gratitude for finding a creative partner in Ryan Gosling for his upcoming film, Starfighter. Gosling has transcended his role as the movie's lead, evolving into a true creative collaborator throughout script development, pre-production, shooting, and even post-production.

Levy lauded Gosling as a "generational talent," admiring his on-screen performances across various genres for years. As a collaborator, Gosling provides a crucial "touchstone" that helps Levy navigate the immense pressure of a Star Wars production, allowing him to focus on the intricate details of each shot and scene. This partnership is expected to make Starfighter better, especially given the weight the film carries following mixed reactions to previous Star Wars entries like The Rise of Skywalker and The Mandalorian and Grogu.

The confirmed cast for Star Wars: Starfighter includes Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray, alongside Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams.

Levy specifically highlighted Flynn Gray, who will star opposite Gosling. He commended Gray's remarkable poise and "inner, solid sense of self," essential qualities for an actor stepping into the large-scale and high-pressure environment of a Star Wars film. Levy drew parallels between Gray's composure and that of the young actors he worked with on Stranger Things, such as Gaten Materazzo, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, and Millie Bobby Brown, noting Gray's preparation and grace despite being new to feature films.

Star Wars: Starfighter is currently scheduled for release on May 28, 2027.