Why Ryan Gosling Broke His Franchise Rule for Star Wars (and It Paid Off)

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Ryan Gosling is known for appearing in big, genre films like Barbie and Blade Runner 2049, and he’s starring in next year’s highly anticipated sci-fi movie, Project Hail Mary. While he’s always been open to these kinds of roles, he’s generally avoided joining major Hollywood franchises. Though he’s been considered for many superhero parts, he hasn’t appeared in a large cinematic universe – until now. Gosling will be in next summer’s Star Wars: Starfighter, and he recently explained why he decided to make an exception to his long-held preference against franchises.

Ryan Gosling explained to Gizmodo why he decided to star in Starfighter, highlighting director Shawn Levy’s passion and the strength of the script. He admitted he’d previously turned down similar projects because they didn’t feel like a good fit, but he’s happy he waited. He believes Starfighter was a special project worth waiting for and a rare opportunity.

Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars Decision Might Have Paid Off

Ryan Gosling’s careful approach to choosing roles could be a smart move, as early reactions to the upcoming Starfighter film are very positive. A recent Variety article about Disney’s future, and Josh D’Amaro taking over as CEO, highlighted praise for Gosling’s performance and director Shawn Levy’s ability to bring back the fun, adventurous feel of the original Star Wars. Some believe Starfighter might actually generate more excitement among Star Wars fans than The Mandalorian and Grogu this May.

The upcoming Starfighter movie is particularly exciting because it signals a fresh direction for Star Wars. While there’s speculation about Jedi or a possible appearance by Rey, current reports suggest it will be a completely original story, separate from previous films and without any familiar characters. This represents Lucasfilm taking a risk on something new, which could be very successful. Although trilogies will likely always be a part of Star Wars—with a new one currently being developed by Simon Kinberg—standalone films that explore different eras could be the future of the franchise. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has expressed a desire to encourage filmmakers to create their own unique Star Wars stories, rather than forcing everything to connect.

Ryan Gosling seems to have given another excellent performance in Starfighter, following the acclaim he’s receiving for Project Hail Mary. Even more promising is the positive early reaction to Starfighter, which is still over a year from being released. After focusing on streaming shows for Disney+ for several years, Lucasfilm appears to be returning to making movies for theaters. Both The Mandalorian and Grogu and Starfighter need to be hits to get fans excited about Star Wars movies again. If director Shawn Levy has created a fun, classic adventure with Starfighter, it’s a good sign for the film’s success and the future of the Star Wars franchise.

Ryan Gosling’s decision to star in Starfighter was an early indication that the movie might be really good. He doesn’t usually do films like this, so it’s clear he was impressed with the director’s vision and the script. While not every movie he’s been in has been a hit, Gosling generally makes smart choices that audiences appreciate – and his upcoming role in Project Hail Mary will likely strengthen that trust. He’s successful enough that he doesn’t need a big franchise like Star Wars or Marvel, which suggests Starfighter truly lives up to the positive buzz it’s already receiving.

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2026-02-27 23:10