Will Star Wars: Starfighter use John Williams’ classic themes?

No. Shawn Levy confirmed the film will not reuse or remix Williams’ iconic cues.

Why isn’t Starfighter using the original Star Wars music?

Levy wants a fresh musical identity for the new film instead of relying on nostalgia-driven themes.

Will the new score still feel like Star Wars?

Yes — Levy said the new composer embraces bold, emotional themes similar in spirit to Williams.

Does this mean Lucasfilm is moving away from traditional Star Wars sounds?

Not entirely, but they are encouraging new creative directions for standalone films.

Is this decision risky?

It’s a bold choice, but it gives Starfighter the opportunity to introduce a new iconic Star Wars theme for a new era.

Shawn Levy Confirms STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER Won’t Use John Williams’ Themes

Shawn Levy is charting a new musical course for Star Wars: Starfighter.
The director has confirmed that the upcoming film will not feature remixes, re-orchestrations, or direct lifts of John Williams’ legendary themes. No Imperial March. No Force Theme. No Williams cues repurposed for nostalgia hits.

According to Levy, the goal isn’t to erase the legacy — it’s to avoid leaning on it.

“It’s not going to be remixes of Williams’ cues. It may be inspired by some of that, but I needed a bighearted score from a composer who, like John Williams, doesn’t shy away from themes.”

This is a creative swing — and maybe exactly the kind of swing Star Wars needs right now.

A Massive Win: Thomas Newman Is Scoring a Star Wars Movie

This is huge news. Thomas Newman is one of the greatest film composers alive — and now he’s doing a Star Wars movie. The man behind the music of The Shawshank Redemption, The Lost Boys, American Beauty, The Green Mile, Finding Nemo, 1917, Skyfall, Road to Perdition, and WALL-E is stepping into the galaxy far, far away. That’s an insane level of talent joining the franchise. Newman’s ability to blend emotional intimacy with sweeping, cinematic scale could give Starfighter one of the most unique musical identities in the saga. 🔥

A New Sound for a New Era

Starfighter is positioned as a fresh, standalone story — not a remake, not a nostalgia echo, and not a Skywalker continuation. Using John Williams’ classic motifs would instantly tether the film to familiar emotional beats. Levy wants Starfighter to stand on its own feet, with its own musical language and emotional rhythms.

A new cast.
A new story.
And now — a brand-new sonic identity.

This Isn’t Anti-Williams — It’s Pro-Starfighter

Let’s be clear: nobody is “replacing” John Williams.
His music is the foundation of the franchise. The Skywalker saga simply sounds like John Williams because that’s the musical DNA of the entire mythos.

But that’s exactly why Levy is stepping away from it.
Rather than diluting classic tracks or relying on nostalgia-driven crescendos, Levy wants a score that earns its emotional power organically.

It’s not about copying the master.
It’s about hiring a master in his own right.

Why This Fits Lucasfilm’s Current Strategy

Lucasfilm has been pushing directors toward new tonal and creative spaces — new corners of the galaxy, new stories, new aesthetics. Music is part of that evolution.

Recent examples say it all:

The Mandalorian introduced a hybrid electronic-western sound
Andor leaned into spy-thriller tension
Rogue One crafted a Williams-inspired but original score
The Acolyte experimented with atmospheric, modern textures

Starfighter continuing this trend isn’t surprising — but choosing Thomas Newman elevates the ambition dramatically.

The Risk — and the Opportunity

Some fans will absolutely miss the familiar Williams moments. That’s inevitable.
But the opportunity here is huge: Starfighter could introduce the first truly iconic post-Williams theme — something memorable, hummable, emotionally charged, and uniquely its own.

Star Wars hasn’t had a brand-new musical motif with cultural staying power in decades. Newman might be the one to break that streak.

Final Thoughts

John Williams’ legacy defines Star Wars.
But the future of the franchise can’t be built on looping the past — it needs bold choices, confident storytelling, and yes, daring musical risks.

By refusing to remix Williams’ greatest hits and choosing Thomas Newman to craft something original, Shawn Levy is making a statement:

Starfighter isn’t borrowing the magic — it’s creating its own.

If Newman delivers the emotional depth he’s known for, Starfighter could mark the beginning of a new musical era for the galaxy far, far away.ands proudly beside Williams… instead of beneath him.

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