In jokes that are years old, we got breaking news that's Kenough for us. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ryan Gosling is in talks to star in Shawn Levy's standalone Star Wars movie.
We don't know much about the film from the Deadpool and Wolverine creator, but the movie has been quietly in development for about two years now. He previously shared some details about how he joined the project and met with Kathleen Kennedy, saying:
"When Kathy Kennedy brought me on board to make a “Star Wars” movie, her central mandate to me was “I want a Shawn Levy movie. I want a story and a tone that reflects you and your taste and what you bring to your movies — with a ‘Star Wars’ story."Shawn Levy, via Variety
This wasn't some small task for Levy, who also described joining a galaxy far, far away as a privilege, saying:
"Getting that call was a great day. I was in the edit room on All the Light We Cannot See, and I look at my phone, and it’s [Lucasfilm president] Kathy Kennedy. Thus began a conversation that led to her inviting me in to develop and make my Star Wars movie. I’m putting everything I have into it, because I love that world, and it is a privilege to get to join that galaxy"Shawn Levy, via Total Film Magazine
As we prepare for the next Star Wars film being The Mandalorian and Grogu, which has completed primary filming according to some sources, it's no surprise that the next Star Wars movie would be primed to get going. If Ryan Gosling is cast, this would be a signal to kick the production into motion.
Gosling is such a fun actor. While I don't think we'll be getting our first Star Wars musical (though with the director of Deadpool and Wolverine, I don't think anything is off the table), I'm happy to see that this next film could be in great hands with such a talented individual. Gosling is a huge name to put in a Star Wars, and that would add to the "Star Wars Event" feeling the franchise is primed to return to.
We also don't know anything about Levy's standalone movie, other than it's not going to be another Skywalker numbered film. This will be Levy's vision in his own way. Personally, I love this. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is my favorite movie in the franchise, because it is it's own thing. Yes, it leads right into A New Hope, but these standalone movies help build the bones for future projects. Withour Rogue One, we wouldn't have the wonderful show that is Andor.
Levy's film is currently on the calendar for December 17, 2027.