Star Wars: Ryan Gosling in the casting of the next film in the saga?

What if, after building his career between independent films and blockbusters, Ryan Gosling joined a galaxy far, far away? This may be what will happen as the three-time Oscar nominated actor is currently in discussions to lead the upcoming Star Wars film directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine).

Shawn Levy's Star Wars takes a new step

According to our colleagues at The Hollywood Reporterthis Shawn Levy film in development since 2022 would be an independent project which should not be connected to the Skywalker saga.

We obviously don't know more about the storyline of the film, the details on the future Star Wars projects being as well protected as the plans of the Death Star.

Regardless, screenwriter Jonathan Tropper, with whom Levy previously collaborated on The Adam Projecthas been working on the writing of this new Star Wars for more than a year, and it now seems that the possible participation of Gosling could take the project to higher (light) speed.

As indicated THRif an agreement materializes, this feature film will become the next Star Wars film to enter production, with filming which could begin as early as fall 2025. It would therefore be the second film in the franchise to be released in theaters after the arrival of The Mandalorian & Grogu in cinemas on May 20, 2026.

It's not often that the Star Wars franchise turns to actors of Gosling's caliber. Since its beginnings, the George Lucas saga has more often called on rising Hollywood stars or budding British talents than box office stars.

The original trilogy made stars of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, and Episode VII, The Force Awakenshad also introduced new actors into this universe. Certainly, big names in cinema have spent a head in Star Wars, but few of them were at the center of the films or had the background of the actor seen in Drive, The Big Short, Lalaland, Blade Runner 2049, barbie or even The Fall Guy (apart from, for example, Liam Neeson).

It is therefore no surprise that Gosling's possible participation in this film places him in pole position for Lucasfilm's next productions, ahead of Star Wars: New Jedi Order, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's film about Rey (Daisy Ridley) or even Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi of James Mangold.

It therefore seems that Star Wars is turning (no pun intended) towards a star to give more momentum to a franchise which has been stagnating for several years and does not seem capable of launching in a direction other than that set up in THE Disney+ Star Wars series.

Between a popular director (Deadpool & Wolverine having been the second highest-grossing film of 2024) and a very popular actor, Star Wars may be banking on a new recipe to ensure its future.

While waiting to learn more about the future of the saga, all of the Star Wars films can be (re)watched on the streaming platform Disney+.