‘Star Wars: Starfigher’ Director Shawn Levy Talks Father-Son Dynamic in New Film

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Shawn Levy, who’s directing the new Star Wars film, Starfighter, has talked about a key theme from the original movies that he’s revisiting. While details about the film have been mostly secret, Levy shared that Starfighter will explore a relationship dynamic established in the original trilogy and present throughout the Star Wars saga. If you’re looking for a hint, think about the reveal Darth Vader makes to Luke Skywalker at the end of The Empire Strikes Back.

I recently read an interview with Shawn Levy in The New York Times about his experience directing a Star Wars film. Apparently, Lucasfilm and Disney chose him from a lot of hopeful directors for Starfighter, and even with all his success, he admitted feeling the weight of the project. He actually told his father it was the most stressful and challenging thing he’d ever done! But that’s just how he works, he says – he feels like his 10-year-old self is right there on set with him every day, and that’s what drives his filmmaking.

Director Levy was careful not to reveal too much about the plot of Star Wars: Starfighter. However, he hinted that the movie centers around a father-son relationship, much like the original Star Wars trilogy focused on Luke and Anakin Skywalker. While he didn’t confirm whether Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray play father and son, it’s definitely sparked speculation among fans.

Why Shawn Levy Is the Right Director To Revive ‘Star Wars’

The announcement that Shawn Levy would direct a new Star Wars film received a varied response from fans, as often happens with any news about the franchise. Some questioned whether he could successfully revitalize the series after the last set of films. However, Levy has proven his ability to deliver popular and engaging content with projects like Deadpool & Wolverine and Stranger Things, suggesting he’s capable if given the right story.

Levy explained that working on large film series helped him realize his potential as a director, showing him he was capable of much more than just family comedies like Cheaper by the Dozen. He’s moved beyond that genre with films such as Arrival, The Boogeyman, and Never Let Go. While he’s proven himself as a producer on various projects, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy felt his background in family comedies made him an ideal choice to elevate the Star Wars franchise.

He was known for making family comedies, but people mistakenly saw that as meaning his work wasn’t serious. Actually, that kind of filmmaking is incredibly difficult. I really admire directors who can pull it off, but they’re very rare to find.

The new game, Star Wars: Starfighter, will be released on May 28, 2027, marking the 50th anniversary of the original Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas.

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2026-01-13 20:47