Ryan Gosling Eyed For Lead Role in New 'Star Wars' Movie

Shawn Levy, director of Deadpool and Wolverine, is reportedly poised to embark on a journey to a galaxy far, far away, bringing Ryan Gosling along for the ride.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Levy's Star Wars film is in negotiations with Gosling to take the lead role. Levy has been developing this project since 2022, with a script in progress since last year. He's once again collaborating with Jonathan Tropper, the screenwriter behind This Is Where I Leave You and The Adam Project, both Levy-directed films.

Plot details remain shrouded in secrecy. No information has been released regarding Gosling's character or the film's historical placement within the Star Wars timeline. The only confirmed detail is that the story is unconnected to the Skywalker Saga.

The Hollywood Reporter also indicates the film is intended as a standalone movie, ruling out a potential trilogy.

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Gosling's potential involvement has accelerated the film's progress. While Levy was initially slated to direct a boy band movie starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, THR suggests that Gosling's confirmation would prioritize the Star Wars project, making it Levy's next directorial venture with production commencing this fall.

Star Wars is currently undergoing a transitional phase. Following the cancellation of The Acolyte, Disney+ premiered its latest series, Skeleton Crew, which recently concluded. On the film front, Dave Filoni's Mandalorian and Grogu movie completed production in December, targeting a May 22, 2026 release. A new trilogy focusing on Daisy Ridley's Rey from the sequel trilogy is also in the works.

A release date for Levy's Star Wars film remains unannounced, pending its confirmation for a 2024 production start. For a comprehensive overview of upcoming Star Wars content, consult our 2025 preview.