Ryan Gosling in Talks for Star Wars Film from Directors of Deadpool, Wolverine

Shawn Levy, director of Deadpool and Wolverine, is reportedly in talks to helm a new Star Wars film, with Ryan Gosling potentially starring. The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that negotiations are underway to secure Gosling for the lead role. Levy has been developing this project since 2022, with a script finalized last year. He's again collaborating with Jonathan Tropper, screenwriter for This Is Where I Leave You and The Adam Project.

Plot details remain tightly under wraps, with no confirmation on Gosling's character or the film's timeframe within the Star Wars timeline. However, it's confirmed to be separate from the Skywalker Saga and intended as a standalone film, ruling out a trilogy.

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Gosling's potential involvement has accelerated the project's timeline. While Levy was previously attached to direct a boy band film starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, THR suggests that Gosling's casting would prioritize the Star Wars movie, pushing its production start to the fall.

Star Wars is currently undergoing a transition. Following the cancellation of The Acolyte, Disney+ recently concluded its Skeleton Crew series. On the film front, Dave Filoni's Mandalorian and Grogu movie completed filming in December, targeting a May 22, 2026 release. A new trilogy centered on Daisy Ridley's Rey is also in the works.

A release date for Levy's Star Wars film remains unannounced, pending its progress this year. For a comprehensive look at the Star Wars universe's upcoming projects, see our 2025 preview.