Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray’s gritty first look from Star Wars: Starfighter stuns fans

The galaxy far, far away suddenly feels a lot closer, with Shawn Levy sharing a striking new glimpse of Star Wars: Starfighter — and it’s already sparking fevered fan speculation.

The director, who recently began production on his first foray into the Star Wars universe, took to Instagram from Sardinia, Italy, to unveil a fresh behind-the-scenes image of his stars Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray. Unlike the moody black-and-white still revealed last month, this latest shot is in full colour, giving the fandom its sharpest taste yet of what’s to come.

The photo finds Gosling and Gray adrift at sea, in costume and exuding a battered, battle-worn energy. Gosling’s look stands out immediately: a bruised cheek and leather-heavy attire that recalls Ralph McQuarrie’s original Han Solo concept art. It’s a visual cue that suggests his character may lean more toward the roguish scoundrel archetype than the traditional Skywalker-style hero.

Beside him, Flynn Gray sports a holster and a readiness that hints at his own journey into the saga’s ever-expanding pantheon of heroes. Together, the two project the kind of grit and unpredictability that fans have long associated with the franchise’s most enduring characters.

Levy, clearly relishing the project, described the opportunity to make Starfighter as “the thrill of a lifetime.” Though details of the plot remain tightly under wraps, it is confirmed the film will be set after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, placing it firmly in uncharted narrative territory. That alone has ignited enthusiasm, with many eager to see where the post-Skywalker galaxy might go.

This new image also reinforces one element that fans have been longing for: genuine location shooting. With the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea off Sardinia, the production looks determined to move beyond the usual mix of desert planets, jungle outposts, and computer-generated environments. For viewers weary of recycled settings, the promise of fresh horizons could prove irresistible.

The cast surrounding Gosling and Gray adds further intrigue. Levy has assembled an eclectic line-up that includes Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Amy Adams, West End actor Jamael Westman, and Simon Bird, best known as Will from The Inbetweeners. Their roles remain shrouded in secrecy, but the mix of gravitas, eccentricity, and star power suggests a broad spectrum of characters woven into the interstellar story.

Behind the script is writer Jonathan Tropper, collaborating with Levy to shape what is billed as a standalone caper rather than a direct continuation of the Skywalker saga. The ambition is to carve out new mythologies while honouring the spirit that has carried the franchise for nearly five decades.

While the veil of mystery is far from lifted, the bruised and weary look of Gosling in particular has struck a chord. The choice to reveal him not in a pristine heroic pose, but battered and adrift, signals that Starfighter may lean into darker, more complicated storytelling threads than some recent entries.

Fans won’t have to wait too long for a fix of Star Wars content — The Mandalorian & Grogu is due in 2026 — but all eyes are already on Levy’s cinematic debut. With Star Wars: Starfighter slated for release on 28 May 2027, anticipation is only going to grow.For now, a single snapshot from the Mediterranean is enough to reignite excitement. Gosling and Gray, bruised and stranded, are already reshaping what audiences imagine the future of Star Wars might look like