Ryan Gosling has personally shared the reasons behind his long-standing reluctance to accept recurring franchise roles, despite his participation in large productions like Blade Runner 2049. He stated that he has consciously avoided reprising the same character more than once, which affected his willingness to join franchises. However, Gosling finally made an exception for the upcoming Star Wars film, Starfighter, stating that the project was simply too compelling to turn down.
The Appeal of Star Wars: Starfighter
Speaking to io9, Gosling attributed his decision to the enthusiasm and vision of director Shawn Levy, along with the quality of the script. He said,
“It was Shawn’s enthusiasm and his vision and the script. And I just avoided these things because they never felt right. And I’m glad I did because I feel like, [similar to] a book like this, [it was] worth waiting for. And it is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The film, which is slated for release next year, also features actors Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, and Amy Adams. Jonathan Tropper, known for his work on Banshee and Warrior, wrote the screenplay, while Levy, recognized for directing Deadpool and Wolverine, leads the project.
Distinctive Setting and Themes of Starfighter
Levy described Starfighter as a standalone story set in an unexplored era of the Star Wars universe, noting it investigates a
“period of time that we haven’t seen explored yet.”
He also hinted at a father-son relationship that plays a significant role in the narrative, continuing a theme present in some of Levy’s previous films. Importantly, Starfighter takes place five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX—The Rise of Skywalker and exists outside the central Skywalker saga timeline.
Gosling’s View on Starfighter’s Story and Characters
Gosling praised the project for its originality, describing it as
“such a great story with great and original characters”
filled with “so much heart and adventure.” His enthusiasm for the film highlights how this unique opportunity aligned with his standards for meaningful roles, contrasting with his previous hesitations toward franchise commitments.
Ryan Gosling’s Current Projects and Upcoming Releases
Alongside the anticipation for Starfighter, Ryan Gosling is promoting Project Hail Mary, an upcoming sci-fi adventure based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name. In this film, Gosling stars as Ryland Grace, a science teacher-turned-astronaut tasked with a critical mission in space to prevent an apocalyptic event threatening Earth. The movie includes performances from Sandra Hüller, Ken Leung, and Lionel Boyce and is scheduled to premiere in cinemas on March 20.
The Impact of Gosling’s Shift Toward Franchise Roles
Gosling’s choice to finally embrace a franchise role signals a significant turning point in his career, reflecting a willingness to engage with large-scale cinematic universes when the project’s creative elements and personal appeal are strong enough. This decision may influence his future role selections and broaden his presence within major film franchises, offering fans new dimensions of his acting range against the backdrop of well-known storytelling universes like Star Wars.
