Matt Smith Reportedly Cast as Villain Role in 'Star Wars: Starfighter'

Summary

• Matt Smith will play a villain in the new film Star Wars: Starfighter
• He stars alongside Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth, also cast in a villainous role
• The film is a standalone adventure set after The Rise of Skywalker

Lucasfilm is assembling a truly all-star cast for its upcoming feature, Star Wars: Starfighter, with the latest news reporting that Matt Smith is set to join the galaxy far, far away in a villainous role. The highly anticipated film, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth, is scheduled for a May 28, 2027 theatrical release.

This casting is a monumental development for the film, which is set to be a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. Matt Smith, beloved for his transformative roles in Doctor Who and, more recently, House of the Dragon, has long been rumored for a Star Wars project. He was originally cast in a significant role for The Rise of Skywalker that was ultimately cut, making his official entry into the franchise a long-awaited moment for fans.

Smith will reportedly be starring alongside Mia Goth, who has also been confirmed as a villain. The pairing of these two actors—both celebrated for their ability to portray complex, twisted, and charismatic characters—promises a formidable antagonistic force for the film’s lead, Ryan Gosling, who is rumored to play the titular starfighter pilot.

The film, with a script by Jonathan Tropper, is slated to begin production in the U.K. in September, hinting that more casting news may be on the horizon. With an all-star cast and a unique narrative set in an unexplored period of the Star Wars timeline, Starfighter is poised to be a major cultural event. Shooting for the film begins this fall.