Aaron Pierre and Jamael Westman are officially heading to a galaxy far, far away. The actors have joined Ryan Gosling in Lucasfilm’s upcoming film Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy.
Jonathan Tropper penned the script for the feature, which began production in the United Kingdom this week and is slated to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.
Unveiled earlier this year at Star Wars Celebration Tokyo, Starfighter takes place five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. While it follows the established timeline, it stands apart from the Skywalker Saga—meaning no returning characters like Luke or Anakin, but an entirely new story set within the iconic galaxy.
Alongside Gosling, Pierre, and Westman, the cast includes Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Simon Bird, Daniel Ings, and newcomer Flynn Gray. Goth and Smith are set to portray villains in the film, while Adams’ role remains under wraps.
Lucasfilm unveiled the full cast lineup as cameras rolled, further signaling Disney’s pivot toward appealing to a younger, Gen Z audience—especially young men ages 13–28. According to reports, the studio is leaning on fresh original storytelling rather than heavily mining existing Star Wars IP.
While plot details are still being kept under tight wraps, Starfighter promises to carve its own path within the franchise. Positioned as a standalone adventure, the film marks a strategic attempt to refresh the brand following the mixed reception of the sequel trilogy.
Pierre, whose recent credits include Brother and DC’s upcoming Lanterns series, and Westman, best known for originating the role of Alexander Hamilton in London’s Hamilton, bring fresh energy and range to a universe that continues to expand.