Who is Matt Smith playing in Star Wars: Starfighter?

He’s playing the film’s central villain, though specific character details haven’t been revealed.

Is Starfighter part of the main Star Wars saga?

No. It’s a standalone film set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, with all-new characters and storyline.

When is Starfighter coming out?

Star Wars: Starfighter is scheduled to release in theaters on May 28, 2027.

What is Ryan Gosling’s role in the film?

Gosling plays the lead—a protector of a younger charge in a new galactic threat scenario. Details are being kept under wraps.

Who is directing Starfighter?

Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool & Wolverine and Stranger Things, is directing the film with a script by Jonathan Tropper.

Matt Smith Joins Star Wars: Starfighter as Lead Villain Opposite Ryan Gosling

Matt Smith is finally going to the dark side of the galaxy—officially. The Doctor Who and House of the Dragon actor has landed a major villain role in Star Wars: Starfighter, a brand-new feature film from Lucasfilm starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy.

With a 2027 release on the hyperspace horizon, this one’s already shaping up to be the most buzzed-about project in the post-Skywalker cinematic era of Star Wars movies. And yes, it’s completely original—no recycled Jedi, no Palpatine clones, and not a single Skywalker in sight.

What Is Star Wars: Starfighter?

Let’s start with what it’s not:
It’s not a sequel to The Rise of Skywalker, not a Rogue Squadron reboot, and definitely not a Disney+ spin-off turned feature film. Instead, Starfighter is a standalone theatrical release, set five years after Episode IX, and focused on a brand-new set of characters navigating a freshly unsettled galaxy.

Ryan Gosling leads the film as a mysterious protector-type character—think reluctant hero with a past—tasked with safeguarding a young charge in the face of rising threats. Enter Matt Smith, reportedly stepping into the boots (and probably some armor) of a brand-new villain who is anything but background noise.

Oh, and yes—Mia Goth is in this too. She’s playing another antagonist, rumored to be working alongside or against Smith’s character depending on who you ask.

Matt Smith: From Targaryen to Terror of the Galaxy

If you’ve watched Smith as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon, you know the man can menace without even raising his voice. Now imagine that intensity channeled into a Star Wars villain—possibly wielding Force powers, military command, or some cryptic post-Empire ideology.

While Smith has been this close to Star Wars before (he was almost in The Rise of Skywalker before his role got cut), this marks his official entrance into the galaxy far, far away. And according to Deadline, it’s not a one-scene deal. He’s said to be the central antagonist—a “next great villain” in the franchise’s expanding cinematic canon.

Smith’s casting is already getting fan traction. Reddit threads and Twitter timelines are filled with people calling it “perfect,” “about time,” and “the kind of casting Star Wars used to be known for.”

Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars Debut: Yes, It’s Actually Happening

Gosling, long-rumored for sci-fi roles but often elusive, is taking his first spin in a galaxy full of aliens, smugglers, and space wizards. He’s reportedly playing a grizzled yet compassionate pilot (or warrior? mercenary? no one’s talking specifics), tasked with protecting a younger character in a story that blends classic Star Wars adventure with modern cinematic edge.

Director Shawn Levy (of Stranger Things and Deadpool & Wolverine fame) has said Gosling brings a “cool energy” to the galaxy—whatever that means, we’re into it.

Why Starfighter Actually Matters in the Star Wars Timeline

Here’s the interesting bit: Starfighter is part of Lucasfilm’s push to move beyond legacy characters. This isn’t about Anakin’s ghost or gambling away screen time in a Canto Bight casino. This is about new heroes, new villains, and new rules in a galaxy still healing from the chaos of the sequel trilogy.

By placing the story five years after The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm is carving out a flexible narrative space—far enough from the Skywalker saga to breathe, but close enough that easter eggs and galactic consequences still feel connected.

What We Know So Far

Let’s break it down:

Title: Star Wars: Starfighter
Director: Shawn Levy
Writers: Jonathan Tropper (The Adam Project)
Cast: Ryan Gosling (lead), Matt Smith (villain), Mia Goth (antagonist role)
Timeline: 5 years post-The Rise of Skywalker
Production: Begins late 2025
Release Date: May 28, 2027

That gives Lucasfilm nearly two years to stir the hype engines—and judging by how the internet reacted to Matt Smith’s casting, it’s already working.

Will This Be the Star Wars Redemption Arc?

Let’s be honest—Star Wars movies have had a rocky run at the box office since The Rise of Skywalker. Disney+ has done a lot of heavy lifting (Andor, The Mandalorian), but the cinematic future? Still a gamble. And speaking of gambling, betting on original storytelling with high-caliber actors might finally pay off.

This could be the moment where Star Wars pivots from nostalgia-fueled epics to fresh, character-driven cinema that still carries that signature Lucasfilm DNA—blasters, lightspeed, ethical gray zones, and the occasional droid with too much sass.

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