Gosling in 'Star Wars' Surprised Me — But Matt Smith as the Bad Guy? That’s the Move

Following new Star Wars projects is always a bit of a gamble. Some excite, some confuse, and some leave you wondering who asked for them. When Star Wars: Starfighter was announced with Ryan Gosling in the lead, it landed firmly in the 'unexpected' camp. A fun twist — but hard to picture.

And then came the real hook. Matt Smith has officially joined the cast — not just in any role, but as one of the villains. That, somehow, makes it all click. While Gosling raised eyebrows, Smith might actually pull the whole thing together.

From Doctor Who to House of the Dragon, Smith has a kind of quiet intensity that draws focus. He’s especially compelling when playing characters with a darker edge. There’s something of the trickster in him — which feels like a perfect fit for a Star Wars antagonist.

Interestingly, this isn’t his first brush with the franchise. He was once rumoured for The Rise of Skywalker, possibly as a young Palpatine. That version never happened, but Smith later confirmed it was "a big, transformative story detail" that didn’t make it past development.

This time, it seems the Force is more aligned. Directed by Shawn Levy, Starfighter is set to hit cinemas on 28 May 2027. The film will feature multiple villain roles — one still uncast, reportedly eyed for Mikey Madison.

The mix of Levy, Gosling, and Smith may sound chaotic on paper. But somehow, it’s starting to feel just right. A blockbuster with a bit of unpredictability — and that’s often where Star Wars shines.