Ryan Gosling is embarking on a journey to the vast, distant reaches of the galaxy. The three-time Academy Award nominee is currently in negotiations to headline an exhilarating "Star Wars" feature, helmed by Shawn Levy, the visionary director behind "Deadpool" and "Wolverine." Acquiring details about any "Star Wars" endeavor is akin to uncovering the blueprints for an orbital planet-destroying weapon, and this mystery project is no exception.
Levy has been meticulously cultivating his "Star Wars" feature since 2022. Jonathan Tropper, who has previously collaborated with Levy on films like "This Is Where I Leave You" and "The Adam Project," has been laboring over the script for more than a year. Levy is producing the feature under his 21 Laps banner, alongside "Star Wars" custodians Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm.
The timeline for Levy's project remains shrouded in mystery. "Star Wars" narratives have spanned centuries, charting the evolution of a galactic republic into a dictatorship and ultimately a rebellion. It is uncertain whether this story will revolve around Jedis and their archnemeses, the Sith. However, it is confirmed to stand independently from the cherished Skywalker Saga, which revolves around iconic characters such as Luke Skywalker and his father, Anakin.
According to sources who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, this film is intended to be a self-contained adventure. Lucasfilm declined to comment on the impending deal or the specifics of the project.
Sources reveal that Gosling's involvement in the project came as a last-minute addition to Levy's film schedule. The filmmaker was initially set to direct a boy band movie at Paramount, which would have reunited him with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. However, Gosling's sudden interest and commitment catapulted the "Star Wars" project into lightspeed. If a deal is sealed, the production would soar like the Millennium Falcon, potentially becoming Levy's next film and the next "Star Wars" movie to enter production, with cameras possibly rolling this fall. Meanwhile, "The Mandalorian and Grogu" wrapped up in mid-December and is scheduled for release on May 22, 2026.
Gosling's boarding marks a rare instance where a "Star Wars" feature has welcomed a bonafide A-list star. The original trilogy featured up-and-coming actors and British veterans, turning Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher into global superstars. The prequels adhered to a similar model, albeit with Liam Neeson joining the ranks post-Oscar nomination for "Schindler's List" in "The Phantom Menace." The Disney era saw J.J. Abrams introduce a host of budding talents, while also bringing back the original cast.
Interestingly, Gosling was rumored to be in contention for a "Star Wars" role back in 2013, when whispers spread online that Abrams was considering him and Zac Efron for a familial part that ultimately evolved into Kylo Ren.
Last seen starring in Universal's "Fall Guy," Gosling is represented by CAA and Sloane Offer. He has recently wrapped up "Project Hail Mary," another space-themed movie from Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
