Kade Auberon Takes Flight: Ryan Gosling Teases High-Octane Action for Star Wars: Starfighter at D23
Disney’s D23 Expo erupted into thunderous applause as Lucasfilm unveiled the first exclusive look at Star Wars: Starfighter, introduced on stage by Ryan Gosling.
Disney’s D23 Expo erupted into thunderous applause as Lucasfilm unveiled the first exclusive look at Star Wars: Starfighter. Taking the stage alongside director Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine), star Ryan Gosling surprised the audience to reveal new plot details, his character’s official name, and exclusive footage from the high-octane standalone film.
Set for release on May 28, 2027—timing it near the 50th anniversary of the original 1977 Star Wars—the film takes place roughly five years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. Levy emphasized that the movie is a completely original standalone story introducing an entirely new era of characters, droids, and worlds to the galaxy far, far away.
Introducing Kade Auberon
Gosling, donning a sleek flight-jacket reminiscent of his onscreen wardrobe, officially announced his character’s name: Kade Auberon.
Auberon is a seasoned, scoundrel-adjacent pilot navigating the post-First Order galaxy. His life is upended when he finds himself protecting a young protege, Flynn (played by newcomer Flynn Gray), while on the run from ruthless forces.
“Being here and seeing all of you reminds us how much these movies mean to everyone,” Gosling told the crowd. “We’re building a story that leans heavily into the thrill of space combat and speed, but at its heart, it’s about unexpected bonds forged under fire.”
What the D23 Teaser Revealed
While the 60-second teaser was screened exclusively for D23 attendees, fans inside the room provided vivid details of what was shown on screen:
The Fastest Ship in the Galaxy: The teaser opens in a dusty hangar where young Flynn pulls a tarp off a hidden starfighter. Gosling’s character, Kade, catches him and warns him not to touch it, revealing the craft is a decommissioned G-17 Imperial ship—the fastest starfighter ever constructed.
High-Speed Action: Fast-paced cuts showcase speeders skimming over oceanic alien worlds, racing through skyscraper-sized geysers, and dodging blaster fire as a specialized pilot droid helps Kade execute a perilous takeoff.
A New Threat: The footage offered fleeting glimpses of the film’s central antagonists, portrayed by Mia Goth and Matt Smith, hinting at a relentless chase across uncharted sectors.
A Classic Space Opera Aesthetic
Director Shawn Levy shared his vision for the movie, explaining that the production opted for sweeping, wide-lens cinematography (handled by Claudio Miranda) and practical oceanic shooting locations, including Sardinia, Italy, to ground the galaxy’s visuals.
“We are inventing everything in this movie—new ship designs, new alien cultures, and new threats,” Levy stated. “It’s not relying on legacy Skywalker characters, but it breathes the exact same air of wonder and adventure that made us fall in love with Star Wars in the first place.”
With a score being penned by legendary composer Thomas Newman, Star Wars: Starfighter is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated cinematic events of 2027.
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