Matt Smith is officially stepping into a galaxy far, far away. The Doctor Who and House of the Dragon star has joined the cast of Star Wars: Starfighter, playing a central villain opposite Ryan Gosling’s lead character. This standalone Star Wars film, directed by Shawn Levy, is set to explore fresh territory with all-new characters.
The movie takes place five years after The Rise of Skywalker, setting a new timeline in the Star Wars universe. It will focus on Gosling’s protagonist, who is rumored to be protecting his young nephew. Smith’s villainous role is described as a “key” one, though full details remain under wraps. Importantly, this role adds another major nerdy franchise to Smith’s growing resume.
Interestingly, Smith’s casting follows closely on the heels of Mia Goth being announced as the lead antagonist. Her character reportedly commands a crew of space outlaws hunting Gosling’s nephew. It’s unknown if Smith is part of this crew or a different threat entirely. Either way, his involvement adds major star power to an already exciting cast.
The script comes from Jonathan Tropper, known for his work on The Adam Project. Tropper’s experience with emotional, fast-paced sci-fi gives hope for a character-driven action adventure. Filming for Starfighter is expected to begin in England later this year. The movie has been slated for release on 28 May 2027, giving fans a year to recover after The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters in May 2026.
Smith’s villain could mark a return to the grounded, gritty antagonists of early Star Wars films. His ability to play layered and intense characters, proven in Morbius and Terminator Genisys, will likely shine. This casting also deepens Lucasfilm’s commitment to creating new Star Wars stories beyond the Skywalker Saga.
Moreover, this film is one of several new projects revitalizing the Star Wars franchise. With James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi, Taika Waititi’s untitled project, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s New Jedi Order also in development, Star Wars fans have plenty to look forward to.
Matt Smith’s entry into Star Wars: Starfighter makes this project even more promising. With Gosling as the hero and Goth as the villain, Smith’s arrival adds more depth and danger to the galaxy.
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