Lucasfilm has officially confirmed that a new standalone Star Wars film starring Ryan Gosling is in development. The announcement was made during the Star Wars Celebration event held in Tokyo, where Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and chief creative officer Dave Filoni shared key details of the upcoming project.
Titled Star Wars: Starfighter, the film is scheduled for release in May 2027. This standalone feature will be directed by Shawn Levy, known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine, which broke box office records upon its release in 2024. The screenplay is being written by Jonathan Tropper, who is best known for Your Friends & Neighbors.
Gosling, who made a surprise appearance at the event, addressed the crowd with enthusiasm. “Being here and seeing all of you [makes it] more inspiring to do it,” he said, as reported by Variety. “It’s such a great reminder of how much movies can mean to us, specifically how much these movies mean to us … All we can hope for is: ‘May the fans be with us.’”
Director Shawn Levy also shared his excitement for the project, highlighting the emotional connection between the filmmakers and the franchise’s loyal fan base. “We’re fans, too,” Levy said. “There’s obviously a relationship between these stories and the audience, but we’ve spent our lives in that audience. We know how meaningful it is.”
Kathleen Kennedy had previously spoken about Levy’s project in an interview with Deadline in February, hinting that the new film would be set approximately “five or six years” after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. That film marked the conclusion of the original nine-part Skywalker Saga, leaving space for new stories and characters to emerge in the Star Wars universe.
While the involvement of Ryan Gosling had been rumoured for several months, the official confirmation marks a notable shift for the franchise, which traditionally casts lesser-known actors in leading roles to prevent overshadowing the narrative. Gosling, a multiple award-winning actor with a wide-ranging filmography, brings significant star power to the project.
Oscar-winning actress Mikey Madison, recently recognised for her role in Anora, was reportedly approached for a co-starring role but declined the offer.
Alongside the Starfighter announcement, Lucasfilm also provided updates on other upcoming Star Wars projects. Attendees at the Tokyo event were shown new footage from The Mandalorian and Grogu, a feature film continuation of the popular Disney+ series. That film is due to be released in May 2026.
Additionally, Lucasfilm revealed a new animated series titled Maul: Shadow Lord, centred around the fan-favourite villain Darth Maul, first introduced in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The series is set to premiere on Disney+ in 2026 and is expected to explore Maul’s dark journey following his appearance in the earlier films and animated spin-offs.
These announcements mark a renewed push by Lucasfilm to expand the Star Wars universe beyond the Skywalker storyline, with a mix of big-screen releases and streaming series aimed at both long-time fans and new audiences.
With Starfighter leading the charge, Ryan Gosling’s entry into the galaxy far, far away is set to bring a fresh dynamic to the franchise. As production gears up and anticipation builds, all eyes will be on Lucasfilm to deliver the next phase of the beloved sci-fi saga.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.