The galaxy far, far away may soon have a new star at its center, and it’s none other than Ryan Gosling. Reports suggest the acclaimed actor is in discussions to headline Shawn Levy’s upcoming standalone ‘Star Wars‘ film.
If true, this marks a significant departure from George Lucas‘ traditional approach to casting and a bold step toward reshaping the franchise’s future.
Ryan Gosling’s Inclusion Would Be A Bold Departure From The Traditional ‘Star Wars’ Franchise
According to THR, Shawn Levy riding high after the success of ‘Deadpool And Wolverine‘, is planning on introducing Ryan Gosling to the Star Wars’ universe. While little is known about the film’s plot, Levy has hinted that it will explore uncharted territory in the Star Wars timeline, unshackled from existing stories.
However, it’s Gosling’s potential involvement that has ignited speculations. His potential casting is nothing short of revolutionary for Star Wars. Since the news, notable insiders, including Jeff Sneider, Variety, etc. have backed the report. Historically, the franchise has leaned toward casting lesser-known actors.
This was done to allow the characters and stories to take precedence over celebrity status. George Lucas, in particular, avoided established stars when crafting the original trilogy, partly due to budget constraints but primarily to focus on fresh faces that could embody his vision without distraction. Moreover, This tradition has defined Star Wars for decades.
Even in the prequel trilogy, where Lucas had more resources, the cast was a mix of rising talents like Ewan McGregor and relative unknowns like Hayden Christensen. Exceptions like Liam Neeson and Samuel L. Jackson were carefully selected for their specific roles, not their star power. So, casting Ryan Gosling would be a huge departure from Lucas’s approach.
Director Shawn Levy’s Vision For His ‘Star Wars’ Film
Shawn Levy’s film, described as a standalone story separate from the main Star Wars timeline, offers the perfect canvas for experimentation. Levy himself has expressed a desire to avoid redundancy. “There’s only so many times that Star Wars movies can revisit the same section of the timeline,” he stated.
In case you missed it: Director Shawn Levy Talks About His Vision For Mysterious ‘Star Wars’ Movie
His focus on originality aligns well with the idea of Gosling headlining a fresh narrative. This approach could signal a broader strategy for Lucasfilm: moving beyond the Skywalker saga and exploring untapped corners of the galaxy. Gosling’s involvement might even earn the franchise some casual viewers.
