Stellar Transformation: Ryan Gosling Trades Barbieland for Star Wars Glamour
Darlings, the fashion galaxy has been set abuzz with celestial news that transcends the mere mortal realm of runway collections. Our ultimate silver screen chameleon, the man who gave us everything from the brooding romance of Noah Calhoun to the neon-drenched swagger of Ken, is now poised to conquer the stars themselves.
Ryan Gosling—yes, that Ryan Gosling—is officially donning his cosmic credentials to lead Lucasfilm’s newest standalone venture, “Star Wars: Starfighter.” The announcement, made with suitable dramatic flair at Star Wars Celebration 2025 outside Tokyo, has sent shockwaves through both cinematic and sartorial circles alike.
Director Shawn Levy, fresh from his blockbuster success with “Deadpool & Wolverine,” delivered the news with delicious theatrical timing to the assembled devotees at the Makuhari Messe convention center. “One of those rumors I heard that I do need to dispel, is, I had heard at one point that my movie was going to star Ryan Gosling and believe me, that would be a dream come true for me,” Levy teased the crowd before the pivotal reveal. “So today, I just wanted to tell you here in this room that that rumor is 100% true.”
In a moment of sublime sentimentality that would make even the most jaded fashion editor reach for their vintage silk handkerchief, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy shared a utterly charming artifact: a photograph of young Gosling’s Star Wars-themed bedsheets. “This is a picture that my mom sent of my bedsheets when I was 5. Yes, she still has them, obviously,” Gosling explained with that trademark blend of self-deprecation and boyish charm we’ve all fallen for. “Naturally, she thought that it might be something that the fans would appreciate but I suspect that she just sort of wants to justify years of hoarding.”
The project itself is shrouded in the kind of exclusivity that would make a front-row fashion week seat seem positively pedestrian. What we do know is that “Starfighter” will be set five years after “The Rise of Skywalker,” offering Gosling a pristine canvas on which to paint his interstellar destiny. “It’s new characters. It takes place in a new period of time after the Battle of Exegol, after Episode 9,” Levy revealed, with the tantalizing restraint of a designer showing just enough of their upcoming collection to drive us wild with anticipation.
Gosling, whose ability to oscillate between high fashion icon and rugged everyman has made him the darling of designers worldwide, spoke of the project with the reverence of someone discussing couture. “As you can see from the picture, you know, I guess I was probably dreaming about Star Wars before I even saw the film, and it’s probably framed my idea of what a movie even was,” he reflected, before adding, “But all of that aside, I think the reality is that this script is just so good. It has such a great story with great and original characters. It’s filled with so much heart and adventure.”
With filming slated to commence this fall and a 2027 release in view, the fashion world now faces the delicious anticipation of how Gosling’s iconic style might influence or be influenced by his journey to a galaxy far, far away. Will we see lightsaber-inspired accents on runways? Jedi-minimalist collections at Fashion Week? The style possibilities, like the Force itself, are infinite.
