Tom Cruise’s Unexpected Role in Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars Film

Star Wars: Starfighter is shaping up to be a fresh start for the franchise, with Ryan Gosling taking the lead in a story set half a decade after The Rise of Skywalker. Directed by Shawn Levy, the production has already stirred up plenty of chatter, not just among die-hard fans but also with some of the industry’s biggest names. Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise have both dropped by the set, adding to the buzz.

Tom Cruise, who’s usually not one for big franchise gigs, got right amongst it during his visit. According to Levy, Cruise didn’t just stand around for a photo op—he actually picked up a camera and shot a scene featuring a lightsaber duel in the water. Levy couldn’t help but share his excitement:

Last week Steven Spielberg was here. And now Tom Cruise is wielding a camera, ruining his very nice shoes. Now when you see the film, you’ll know that part of it was shot by Tom. I mean, how cool is that?

This little tidbit confirms that lightsaber action is on the cards, though it’s still a mystery whether any Jedi will show up. Given Cruise’s reputation for action, punters can expect something memorable from that sequence.

Back to Basics: Emotional Threads from the Original Trilogy

While Starfighter is set to break new ground, there’s talk that it might also bring back some of the emotional depth that made the original trilogy a classic. The heart of those early films was always in the relationships—think the complicated bond between Darth Vader and Luke, or the found family vibe that ran through the story.

Details about the plot are still under wraps, but Levy has hinted that this emotional core could be front and centre. He’s spoken about his own experience reconnecting with his father at 13, and how that’s shaped the stories he’s drawn to:

I have never, ever connected it before… But I could never figure out why I kept coming back to these stories of a 13-year-old boy being saved by a man. There was something defining about that moment for me. And with ‘Star Wars,’ I’m doing so again.

It’s not clear yet if the characters played by Gosling and Flynn Grey are related or just thrown together by circumstance. Either way, the hope is that the film will deliver on both spectacle and substance.

Anticipation Builds for Starfighter’s Release

With all the hype and a few surprises already out in the open, locals are keen to see how Starfighter will stack up. The film is set to hit cinemas on 28 May 2027, and expectations are running high. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just in it for the action, there’s plenty to look forward to.

Are you keen for Starfighter? Drop your thoughts below.

Star Wars: Starfighter is due for release on 28 May 2027.