New Casting Brings Old Hopes to Life
Matt Smith will play a villain in Star Wars: Starfighter, the film that Shawn Levy directs and that stars Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth. Smith first caught the public eye in shows such as Doctor Who and House of the Dragon. Now he finally joins the Star Wars line up after years of near misses. Deadline.com first reported the news and called him the next big threat in the saga.
A Role Once Lost, Now Found
Smith’s path to this role reads like a second chance. He once was set to appear in The Rise of Skywalker as a younger Emperor Palpatine but lost that spot before filming started. He told fans in a 2021 podcast that his part “just never happened” and that the idea no longer fit the story. His scrapped role would have changed key events for the main heroes and villains. Now he can play a new threat with fresh stakes.
Working with Familiar Faces
Ryan Gosling and Smith will work together again after Lost River, a film Gosling directed in 2014. That past bond may help them play their new roles with strong energy on set. Mia Goth will also join as a villain and reports say her character will team up with Smith’s as they chase Gosling’s hero. Early chatter says they form a tense pair that fans will talk about once the movie hits theaters.
Story Set After The Rise of Skywalker
Starfighter takes place five years after the last Skywalker film. It tells a new story with new faces but keeps the sense of scale that makes Star Wars feel big. Levy calls it a self contained adventure full of fresh sights and battles across many worlds. The team plans to start filming in England this fall. The release date is May 28, 2027, and it will follow the Mandalorian & Grogu movie that lands in May 2026.
Why Smith Fits the Role
Smith has a strong track record as a foe on screen. He gave tense scenes in House of the Dragon and played cold killers in Morbius and Terminator Genisys. He shows he can hold his own against a hero and make the fight feel real. His look and skill match what a Star Wars villain needs to drive its own story without leaning on past heroes.
Analysis
Fans will see if Smith can match the legacy of villains like Darth Vader. His turn could steer the plot in a new line from the Skywalker saga. By playing an original foe in a story that stands by itself, he can earn his own place in the star wars saga. If this film shines, it may open paths for more films with new teams that keep the franchise fresh. The key lies in the energy on set, the fights on screen, and how the story frames this new threat.
Sources: cnn.com
