Ryan Gosling in Talks to Join Shawn Levy’s Star Wars Movie

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Ryan Gosling, the three-time Oscar nominee, is in negotiations to join director Shawn Levy‘s upcoming Star Wars feature film, according to sources close to the project. The film, which Levy has been developing since 2022, is expected to be a standalone story unconnected to the Skywalker Saga.

Levy, known for directing hits like Deadpool & Wolverine, is collaborating with writer Jonathan Tropper, with whom he previously worked on The Adam Project and This Is Where I Leave You. The project is being produced under Levy’s 21 Laps banner, alongside Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.

Details about the film remain tightly guarded, but sources confirm it will not center on the Skywalker family or the core canon of Episodes I-IX. Instead, it will explore new territory in the Star Wars universe. Production could begin as early as this fall, with the film potentially becoming the next Star Wars movie to enter production after The Mandalorian and Grogu, which wrapped filming in December 2024 and is set for release on May 22, 2026.

Gosling’s involvement marks a significant shift in the Star Wars franchise, which has historically relied on up-and-coming actors or established British talent. The original trilogy launched the careers of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher, while the prequels introduced a new generation of stars. The Disney era has continued this trend, with J.J. Abrams casting rising talents like Daisy Ridley and John Boyega.

If finalized, Gosling’s role would be his first in the Star Wars universe, though rumors of his potential involvement date back to 2013, when he was reportedly considered for a part in J.J. Abrams’ The Force Awakens. Gosling, who recently starred in Universal’s The Fall Guy and wrapped production on the space-themed Project Hail Mary, is represented by CAA and Sloane Offer.

The untitled Star Wars movie is tentatively scheduled for release on December 17, 2027. Fans may learn more about the project at this year’s Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo.

Lucasfilm has not commented on the negotiations or the film’s details. However, Gosling’s star power could bring a significant boost to the franchise, following his success in Barbie, which grossed $1.44 billion worldwide and earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

This project represents a bold move for Lucasfilm, which has largely focused on streaming series like Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Book of Boba Fett since the underwhelming box office performance of Solo: A Star Wars Story in 2018. A Gosling-led Star Wars film could reignite interest in the franchise’s theatrical offerings, blending fresh storytelling with the appeal of a proven A-list star.