Shawn Levy shares a surprising 'Stranger Things' connection to his new 'Star Wars' film: 'Yes, there's...'
'Star Wars' fans have genuine cause to rejoice. After all, it isn't every day that Lucasfilm turns its attention to cinematically explore an era in space film's saga that had been hitherto unknown. The events of the upcoming film 'Star Wars: Starfighter' take place about five years after 'The Rise of Skywalker' and are thematically linked to the sequel trilogy. Directed by Shawn Levy, the film is slated to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, and is being referred to as a fresh and standalone story. Levy, bringing his 'Stranger Things' experience to the table, has been insistent on adapting a few of the lessons that he learned during his time on the Netflix show.
The 'Deadpool & Wolverine' director recently sat down for an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, during the course of which he spoke extensively about the responsibilities that are automatically accrued when one steps up to helm a beloved franchise. "If I've learned anything on Stranger Things, it's that you can get intimidated by the scale of franchise expectation. But you will lose your way if that's your focus. I've learned the need to stay rooted in character, themes, and relationships on screen. Yes, there's spectacle and scale, just like Stranger Things," Levy remarked.
Levy has been associated with the Duffer Brothers show since its early development in 2016 and was even seen as a morgue attendant in a season 1 cameo, according to ScreenRant. Over the years, he has directed several pivotal episodes of the show, particularly those that depicted the Upside Down in its full flavor. His directorial effort was seen in the episode 'Escape From Camazotz' on the Netflix show's final season.
Levy further added, "And of course, Star Wars and Starfighter has spectacle and scale and adventure at a level I've never done in my whole career. But like Stranger Things, it's also very much anchored in a human-scale character-sized story. I think that if I can balance the epic and the intimate the way the Duffers have with Stranger Things, I'll make a movie and an original and new Star Wars adventure that can be really satisfying to fans and audiences."
Although 'Star Wars: Starfighter' is set for a 2027 release date, Levy took to his X handle in December 2024 to share that filming for the upcoming film had already concluded. Plot details surrounding the forthcoming film are being tightly kept under wraps. As of this point, it is only known that the cast includes Flynn Gray, Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth, Matt Smith, Simon Bird, Aaron Pierre, Daniel Ings, Jamael Westman, and Amy Adams. Levy had previously expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work within the 'Star Wars' franchise in a statement released by Lucasfilm, saying, "This experience has been a dream come true, creatively and personally. 'Star Wars' shaped my sense of what story can do, how characters and cinematic moments can live with us forever. To join this storytelling galaxy with such brilliant collaborators onscreen and off is the thrill of a lifetime."
