The galaxy far, far away is gearing up for a thrilling new chapter, as Star Wars: Starfighter officially introduces two of the most intriguing villains the franchise has seen since the days of George Lucas. Set five years after the sequel trilogy, this 2027 film will feature Ryan Gosling in the lead, potentially as a Force-sensitive pilot. But it’s the new villains who are stealing early headlines.
Matt Smith, known for Doctor Who and House of the Dragon, is confirmed to take on a major antagonist role. Though he was previously attached to The Rise of Skywalker before being cut due to script changes, his return has sparked fresh speculation. At the time, rumours swirled that he was cast as a rejuvenated Emperor Palpatine, powered by Rey and Ben Solo’s Force dyad. That arc never materialised, but with Starfighter set so close to those events, fans wonder whether his new character might be a retooled version of that scrapped concept—or something entirely different.
Equally exciting is the casting of Mia Goth, the breakout star of modern horror films like Pearl and X. Her haunting screen presence and genre versatility make her an inspired choice for a Star Wars villain. Goth is also set to appear in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, but Starfighter might be her biggest leap into the mainstream yet.
Together, Smith and Goth promise a villainous duo unlike anything Star Wars has attempted before. With Gosling’s character reportedly trying to protect his nephew from shadowy pursuers, fans are already speculating that these two will form the core of the film’s dark threat. Crucially, their inclusion signals a bold shift for the franchise: fresh, unpredictable antagonists who don’t rely on lightsabres or nostalgia.
Star Wars: Starfighter releases May 28, 2027.
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