‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ Debuts First-Look Footage Early, After ‘Mando’ Film Bombs

Deadline reports that footage from Star Wars: Starfighter (2027) has been shown at CineEurope, offering industry attendees an early look at Lucasfilm’s next major theatrical release.

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Star Wars: Starfighter

Directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine), Star Wars: Starfighter stars Ryan Gosling in the lead role alongside Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams.

Set five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), which closed the sequel trilogy, the project is described by StarWars.com as “an entirely original story set in a period of time never before explored” within the franchise timeline. As such, it marks one of the studio’s most significant and highly anticipated standalone cinematic projects in years.

That anticipation stands in stark contrast to the reception of The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), which marked another disappointing chapter for the franchise.

Despite strong brand recognition and a familiar lead in Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and Grogu, the film underperformed at the box office and failed to land with critics, continuing a trend of uneven reception for recent Star Wars releases across both film and television.

Now, Star Wars: Starfighter is set to introduce fresh characters and an untapped era.

The footage shown at CineEurope, however, didn’t include publicly released material, though it is expected that Lucasfilm will unveil a more substantial first look during Disney’s D23 event in Anaheim, California (August 14–16).

A full trailer reveal is widely anticipated during the presentation window.

Starfighter was first teased at Star Wars Celebration Japan, where Lucasfilm confirmed its May 28, 2027 release date and showcased an early promotional preview:

Star Wars: Starfighter comes to theaters on May 28, 2027. #StarWarsCelebrationpic.twitter.com/dsbVb3VdBY

— Star Wars (@starwars) April 18, 2025

Despite ongoing fluctuations in the wider Star Wars franchise performance across film and streaming, Starfighter is being positioned as a fresh entry point.

Star Wars: Starfighter lands in theaters on May 28th, 2027, which includes IMAX screenings.

Are you excited about Star Wars: Starfighter? Let us know in the comments!