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Director Shawn Levy delighting fans with his first trip to a galaxy far, far away. The “Deadpool & Wolverine” filmmaker has traded Marvel for another Disney property: Star Wars. After the warm reception to “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” released earlier this year, Levy is building hype for “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which is scheduled for a May 2027 theatrical release.
Shawn Levy Jokes He’s Working on a ‘Niche Niche Art Film’
Fans are excited for “Starfighter,” the first movie set after the events of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” Little is known about the galaxy at this time, as it takes place after the death of Kylo Ren/Ben Solo (Adam Driver) and the fall of the First Order.
While he is talking to PEOPLE Magazine at the NYC A Sense of Home Gala, Levy joked, “I’m working on this little art film called Star warsand that will be out next May.”
When asked for more information about how he plans to approach the film, Levy admitted that he didn’t think he could “do something that I don’t love.”
“When I make a Marvel movie, I love Marvel making that movie. When I make Star warsI love making that movie,” he said.
Shawn Levy praises Ryan Gosling as ‘Great Muse’
Although little is known about the project so far, fans know that it will follow the story of a cynical pilot named Kade Auberon, played by the “Project Hail Mary” star. Ryan Gosling. He will be on a mission to protect a young boy, played by Flynn Gray. Rumors have long suggested that Gray’s character is force-sensitive, possibly attraction Daisy Ridleyand Rey into the project, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Levy had nothing but praise for working with Gosling. “Some actors are great ideas, right? Some actors are just amazing on screen, and you’re inspired by telling that story. The thing about Gosling is that he’s a great idea, and he’s inspiring, but he’s also a great partner,” he told PEOPLE magazine in August.
“He thinks like a full spectrum creative,” Levy continued. “He’s an artist. He’s a wonderful actor, but he also thinks about the light, the clothes on the wall. He notices everything.”
Gosling will also serve as a producer on the film, along with the former president of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedywho retired in January.
Shawn Levy likes to make family friendly movies
Although fans praised the darker approach that the Emmy Award-winning series “Andor” brought to a galaxy far, far away, Levy told the publication that he really likes to make movies that the whole family can enjoy together.
“I came up making movies that were family movies, right?” he said, citing his previous work on “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “Night at the Museum.”
“I love making stories about and for families. I love creating entertainment that brings people together and brings families together,” he said. Levy and his wife, Serena, have four daughters.
Shawn Levy revealed how the project came together
While speaking with Fandango in August, Levy revealed that Lucasfilm initially asked him to create a movie set after the events of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker,” which was not well received by fans.
“When I was invited by Kathleen Kennedy and the people at Lucasfilm, they said ‘We want now Star wars in the future – so let’s come up with it [a film that honors what came before] but it’s new, with new characters and a new adventure,'” he recalled. “And so I started creating this story and [the character of protagonist Kade Auberon]but it came together well and became very exciting once Ryan Gosling [got involved].”
“Is Flynn Gray, who’s never been in a movie … this amazing young actor [who] did he have that nature. The camera loves it, [and] As the film is both heartwarming and funny, it was difficult to find a younger actor who could do both – the range of emotions and tones that Star “I knew it when I met Flynn, but I really knew it when I had Flynn and Ryan in the room together because the chemistry was so effortless.”
‘Starfighter’ Explores ‘Wrong Side of the Galaxy’ Characters
In the same interview, Levy revealed that he had to “play around and explore” what the galaxy was like after the Battle of Exegol, when Emperor Palpatine and the First Order were finally defeated. It seems the galaxy far, far away is still recovering, with no single governing body in charge.
“It’s a moment that has never been on screen in any Star wars story, so to create that, it was really fun to play around and explore what the future holds for the galaxy,” said Levy. Star they are on the wrong side of the galaxy. It’s about these kind of marginalized people who find each other and try to find bravery through their connections.”
“It was just something very blue-collar, working-class, established and textured and true to him [Francis Ford Copolla’s The Outsiders] which we tried to bring Star wars” he continued, noting that the characters are simply “doing the best they can in a chaotic, unexplored galaxy.”
“Star Wars: Starfighter” is scheduled to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.
