Anticipation is mounting for the next chapter in the Star Wars saga, as director Shawn Levy has released the first behind-the-scenes photograph from the forthcoming film, Star Wars: Starfighter. The image, featuring lead actor Ryan Gosling, has ignited fresh discussion among fans about both the future of the franchise and the psychological depth of its most iconic characters.
First Look at ‘Starfighter’ Ignites Fan Interest
On Thursday, 18 September, director Shawn Levy shared a stoic photograph on his Instagram account, offering the first glimpse of the new production. The image shows Ryan Gosling and his co-star, Flynn Gray, aboard a vessel on the water, with the simple caption, “Somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. #Starfighter.” The post was geotagged in Sardinia, Italy, confirming the filming location.
The reveal sparked a flurry of reactions on social media from fans and fellow actors alike. The online response was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their high hopes for the project. Several users referenced a classic scene from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, posting a gif of Anakin Skywalker’s famous line, “This is where the fun begins.” Inevitably, humorous nods were also made to Gosling’s recent role in the 2023 blockbuster, Barbie, with one user quipping, “Somebody make sure Ken is okay. He can’t beach in the middle of the sea!”
What We Know About the New Film
While the creators have remained tight-lipped since the project’s announcement in April, Disney has confirmed that Star Wars: Starfighter is a standalone adventure set five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. The film will introduce a cast of entirely new characters and explore a period in the galaxy’s timeline that has not yet been depicted on screen.
The film boasts a star-studded cast, with Gosling joined by Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings and Amy Adams. Star Wars: Starfighter is currently scheduled for release on 28 May 2027.
A Villain Forged from Self-Loathing
The buzz surrounding ‘Starfighter’ underscores the franchise’s enduring appeal and the deep connection fans have with its complex characters. This ongoing fascination often leads to new interpretations of pivotal moments in the saga, including a chilling, and frequently misunderstood, line delivered by Darth Vader in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
The series, which detailed Vader’s activities midway through the Dark Times, culminated in a dramatic confrontation where the Sith Lord uttered the horrifying words: “You didn’t kill Anakin Skywalker. I did.” While terrifying on the surface, this declaration reveals a devastating truth about the character’s psyche. The notion of a dark side user “killing” their former, lighter self is a recurring theme, seen also with Anakin’s grandson, Ben Solo, who believed he had to destroy his “weak” past. However, Vader’s statement stems not from a desire for power, but from profound self-hatred.
The Conflict Within Anakin Skywalker
Anakin’s character was always emotionally volatile. The prequel trilogy chronicled his struggles with attachment and his violent outbursts, which culminated in his complete fall to the dark side. Yet, unlike a straightforward villain such as Emperor Palpatine, Anakin never seemed content with the monstrous choices he made. His actions in Revenge of the Sith left him devastated.
Therefore, Vader’s declaration in Obi-Wan Kenobi was not a boast. It was a psychological defence mechanism. By claiming to have “killed” Anakin, he was attempting to distance himself from the unbearable guilt and truth of his own actions. It was an admission of a man so broken by self-loathing that he had to mentally execute his former identity to continue living.