The galaxy just got a little more dangerous. Mia Goth has officially joined the cast of Star Wars: Starfighter, the highly anticipated stand-alone Star Wars film directed by Shawn Levy. She will star opposite Ryan Gosling in what promises to be a thrilling new chapter in the franchise’s ever-expanding universe.
A New Chapter in the Star Wars Universe
Unlike previous Star Wars entries tied to the iconic Skywalker lineage, Starfighter is a completely stand-alone story. Director Shawn Levy emphasized this at Star Wars Celebration in Japan earlier this year, stating, “This is a stand-alone. It’s not a prequel, not a sequel. It’s a new adventure. It’s set in a period of time that we haven’t seen explored yet.”
Set approximately five years after the events of 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Starfighter will chart new territory in the galaxy far, far away—focusing on fresh characters and new conflicts, untethered from the central Skywalker saga.
Gosling Takes the Lead as a Protector
Ryan Gosling, who is leading the project, will reportedly play a character tasked with protecting a young charge—rumored to be his nephew—from dangerous adversaries. Though Lucasfilm has kept details under wraps, this central storyline hints at a deeply personal, action-driven narrative with the potential for rich emotional stakes.
Mia Goth Steps Into the Dark Side
Mia Goth will portray one of the film’s main villains—one of the evil pursuers hunting Gosling’s character and his ward. This marks a thrilling change of pace for Goth, who rose to fame for her performances in Ti West’s horror trilogy X, Pearl, and MaXXXine. Her casting adds a chilling edge to the film, and fans can expect a magnetic and unsettling presence from her in this villainous role.
Interestingly, the role Goth landed was initially being considered for actress Mikey Madison, whose deal ultimately fell through due to contract issues, reportedly tied to compensation. Goth stepped into the opportunity, and her casting was first reported by the InSneider newsletter.
Production Timeline and Release Date
Starfighter is scheduled to begin filming in England later this fall. The film is expected to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, making it one of the next major Star Wars films following the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu in 2026.
What About the Star Wars Timeline?
Though separate from other ongoing stories like Daisy Ridley’s upcoming return as Rey in a sequel set 15 years post-Rise of Skywalker, Starfighter carves out its own timeline slot just five years after that film’s events. It arrives in a narrative gap where the state of the galaxy remains largely unknown following the defeat of Emperor Palpatine at the Battle of Exegol.
While fans may recall the early-2000s video games Star Wars: Starfighter and Jedi Starfighter, Levy’s film is not expected to draw any direct inspiration from them beyond the shared title.
What’s Next for Mia Goth?
Goth’s involvement in Starfighter continues her upward trajectory in Hollywood. After earning a cult following for her layered, unsettling roles in horror, she’s expanding her range. She’s slated to appear in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein alongside Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, and she also has a mystery role in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
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