Ryan Gosling’s ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ Revealed at D23 with Character Name Announcement
Disney’s D23 event has become a significant platform for showcasing the studio’s most anticipated franchise projects, and this year, Lucasfilm brought one of its best-kept secrets into the limelight. Fans have eagerly awaited a real look at Shawn Levy’s upcoming ‘Star Wars’ film since it was first announced as a standalone story outside the Skywalker saga over a year ago.
The excitement intensified following the disappointing box office performance of ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ this summer, leading many to question if the franchise needed a true reset. All eyes were on Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy to see if their film could offer something new and refreshing.
The anticipation officially came to an end at D23, where Lucasfilm and Disney unveiled the first-ever footage from ‘Star Wars: Starfighter‘ during the Disney Entertainment Showcase at Anaheim’s Honda Center. The exclusive teaser was shown only to the live audience, creating a genuine “you had to be there” moment that has not yet made its way online.
Along with the footage, Levy confirmed that Gosling’s character officially has a name: Kade Auberon, described as a “guy from the wrong side of the galaxy whose fate is intertwined with the fastest starfighter ever built.” This revelation followed months of speculation after similar names had leaked online.
Levy also took the opportunity to connect the film to ‘Star Wars’ history, noting its release coincides with a particularly significant date. “We’re releasing our film on the same exact weekend as the original ‘Star Wars’ fifty years earlier,” Levy shared from the stage, emphasizing that the timing was unplanned but felt like a dream come true.
Gosling reflected on his history with Disney before the footage was shown, recalling his early days on the network’s Mickey Mouse Club decades ago. “I owe a lot to Disney,” Gosling told the D23 audience. “Had they not looked far and wide and come to my hometown, I would not be here today.”
According to those who witnessed the footage, the teaser begins with newcomer Flynn Gray’s character sneaking into a rusty spaceship garage and discovering a hidden ship. Gosling’s Kade catches him in the act, delivering a line infused with the same swagger fans adored in his ‘Drive’ performance, before unveiling the vessel as a decommissioned G17, touted as the fastest starfighter ever built.
The footage reportedly emphasized practical ‘Star Wars’ elements, featuring speeder bikes racing across swampy landscapes and a brief homage to the iconic bridge from the original trilogy. This all unfolds against the backdrop of a sea-covered planet, consistent with earlier images showing Gosling filming near the Mediterranean.
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ features a stellar supporting cast, including Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams, with a screenplay written by Jonathan Tropper. The story is set at the furthest point yet explored in the ‘Star Wars’ timeline, intentionally avoiding any Skywalker family narratives.
Fan reactions across social media following the reveal have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the practical, grounded tone of the footage and Gosling’s captivating screen presence. Given the modest box office results of Lucasfilm’s recent theatrical release, there is considerable hope resting on Levy and Gosling to restore momentum for the franchise.
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ is set to hit theaters and IMAX on May 28, 2027, coinciding with the same Memorial Day weekend that the original ‘Star Wars’ film premiered fifty years ago.
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