Star Wars May Have Revealed Its Han Solo Replacement (And It Could Be Controversial for Hardcore Fans)

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Star Wars is heading into a new and exciting phase. It’s been six years since a Star Wars film was released, but fans won’t have to wait much longer. Production has begun on two major projects: *The Mandalorian & Grogu* movie, scheduled for May 2026, and *Star Wars: Starfighter*, directed by Shawn Levy (known for *Deadpool & Wolverine*) and starring Ryan Gosling. Both films will explore relatively uncharted areas of the Star Wars timeline, but *Starfighter* might be bringing something the franchise has been missing for a long time.

Details about the new *Star Wars* movie, *Starfighter*, are still limited. We know Ryan Gosling will star alongside Matt Smith, Amy Adams, and Aaron Pierre, and the story takes place a few years after *The Rise of Skywalker*. This week, director Levy shared a new set photo showing Gosling and his co-star Flynn Gray floating on water, leading fans to speculate whether Gosling’s character could be a successor to Han Solo.

Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars Character Could Bring Something the Franchise Is Missing

Let’s be clear: Ryan Gosling isn’t playing Han Solo, and it’s not likely he’s a clone of him either. However, the glimpses we’ve gotten of his character, combined with what we know about Gosling as an actor, suggest he might share a similar personality and style with the iconic Han Solo.

Only two photos of Ryan Gosling from the set of *Star Wars: Starfighter* have been made public. One shows him casually seated on a speeder with a jacket over his shoulder, and the other depicts him bruised and seemingly lost at sea, suggesting a recent fight. While these photos don’t reveal much about his role, combined with his past work, they might give fans a hint of what to expect from his character in the movie.

Ryan Gosling is known for playing both intense, serious roles, like those in *The Place Beyond the Pines* and *Blade Runner 2049*, and charming, somewhat goofy characters. He truly shines when he gets to be a lovable, brave, but also silly, hero – as seen in his Oscar-nominated performance as Ken in *Barbie*, and even earlier as Holland March in *The Nice Guys*. That particular blend of qualities makes him a perfect fit to play a character like Han Solo, the iconic smuggler from *Star Wars*.

Star Wars Has Been Missing a Character Like Han Solo

Let’s say the rumors are true. Ryan Gosling might play a charming but reckless starfighter pilot – someone who constantly gets into trouble and always *thinks* he has a clever escape plan, even if it usually falls apart, forcing him to think on his feet and appear more resourceful than he is. He’d be a charismatic character, familiar with the galactic underworld. This combination could make him the new Han Solo the franchise needs, and fill a significant gap in the Star Wars universe.

Harrison Ford reprised his role as the charming smuggler Han Solo in 2015’s *Star Wars: The Force Awakens*, but the character had evolved with time. While fans didn’t expect him to be exactly as they remembered him from the original films, the changes-and his death in *The Force Awakens*-meant that no other character truly filled his role in the subsequent movies and shows.

Early on, Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron seemed like he might follow in the footsteps of Han Solo, but his character evolved beyond that. Similarly, while Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin initially felt like a potential Han Solo replacement, he ultimately developed his own distinct identity. Even Alden Ehrenreich’s portrayal of Han Solo in *Solo: A Star Wars Movie* didn’t fully capture the original character, though it was the closest fans had gotten to seeing that classic persona since 1983.

Han Solo Can Never Be Replaced, But He Can Be Replicated

It’s easy to focus on how cool Han Solo seems in Star Wars, but it’s important to remember he’s often in over his head. He’s capable of impressive feats – like shooting Greedo and paying for damages with a flourish – but he also has moments of panic, like screaming while running from stormtroopers. He manages to sneak onto the Death Star, but then awkwardly reassures Imperial forces that everything is okay. Han is a mix of confidence and clumsiness.

Han Solo is a complex character, and Ryan Gosling has demonstrated he can handle that kind of depth – that’s why he’s a strong candidate to take on a similar role. Throughout his career, Gosling has proven he can portray both serious and tough characters, while also being funny, charismatic, and a bit of a goofball. While no one could ever truly replace Han Solo, Gosling’s performance in *Star Wars: Starfighter* suggests he could be the next best option.

Here’s a final interesting detail that backs up this point. When Ryan Gosling was confirmed to be in a new *Star Wars* film at Star Wars Celebration, he was wearing a hat with a quote from Han Solo embroidered on it: “Never tell me the odds.”

Before filming began, Gosling explained that the quote felt like perfect guidance for the project. He said it would serve as a key reminder of their goals throughout the process.

Star Wars: Starfighter will be released in theaters on May 28, 2027.

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2025-09-20 16:13