Club Benefits
Seven years. That’s how long it’s been since Star Wars last released a movie in theaters. Seven long years since 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker,” and I still don’t know how to erase that misfire from my brain. The franchise flew too close to the sun after “The Force Awakens” and “Rogue One.” “The Last Jedi” was profitable but polarizing, “Solo” was dead on arrival, and “The Rise of Skywalker” quite literally forced Disney to pause future movies and go back to the drawing board.
Instead of movies, Lucasfilm pivoted to television, and their most successful effort was “The Mandalorian.” Jon Favreau’s space Western follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), the titular Mandalorian working as a bounty hunter after the fall of the Empire. In the first episode, the bounty that Din retrieves is a tiny green creature named Grogu, or “Baby Yoda,” depending on what you prefer. The two form an unlikely bond as Din becomes a father figure to Grogu as they embark on riveting adventures throughout the galaxy.
With Lucasfilm in desperate need of a “Star Wars” movie, the powers that be decided its most popular television property should move to the big screen. The result is “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which opened May 22. Am I happy “Star Wars” is back in theaters? Yes. Would I have liked another story to take center stage instead of a TV show? Absolutely.
My excitement for “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is lukewarm at best. I’m already looking past Mando and preparing for May 2027, when Mr. “Project Hail Mary” himself, Ryan Gosling, enters the galaxy far, far away in “Star Wars: Starfighter.”
I like, but do not love, ‘The Mandalorian’
The first two seasons of “The Mandalorian” recaptured the magic and wonder of “Star Wars.” The show perfectly balanced the “adventure of the week” model with the show’s overarching mission to reunite Grogu with his family. That model is television at its finest. Anyone can hop into a random episode and still enjoy the journeys of a cool bounty hunter and his cute sidekick. If you didn’t get emotional for Din and Grogu in the season 2 finale, then you don’t have a heart.
I’m a firm believer in the idea that too much of a good thing can be bad. Lucasfilm got over its skis by launching the spinoff “The Book of Boba Fett." Instead of making an awesome show about Boba Fett, Disney shoehorned their cash cows — Mando and Grogu — into the final three episodes. For better or worse, “The Book of Boba Fett” became “The Mandalorian” season 2.5.
There were still enjoyable moments in “The Mandalorian” season 3. However, the third season became more about connecting to the other characters and stories within the Star Wars universe instead of embracing its standalone roots from the first two seasons.
The ironic part is that “The Mandalorian and Grogu” has been cited as a standalone adventure, which doesn’t excite me. The initial reviews have been mixed. On the positive, it’s a perfect summer movie with entertaining characters and an easy-to-digest story. On the negative side, the movie does not feel special. Rather, it plays like a few episodes of “The Mandalorian” squashed together.
I like “The Mandalorian” franchise, but I don’t love it anymore. Star Wars movies should create extraordinary theatrical experiences. A movie as a stand-in for “The Mandalorian” season 4 feels like a letdown and a missed opportunity.
Bring on ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’
I cherish going to the theaters to experience something new. That’s why we cinephiles lace ‘em up, or for this analogy, that’s why we buy our tickets. I’ve seen countless adventures featuring the Skywalkers, Darth Vader, and Palpatine. I know for a fact that I’m not the only Star Wars fan who wants something different.
The answer to my prayers will (hopefully) come in the form of "Star Wars: Starfighter.” The upcoming space opera hails from Shawn Levy, who will direct from a script by Jonathan Tropper. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say Levy is one of the five most bankable directors in Hollywood. His three “Night at the Museum” movies grossed a combined $1.3 billion. “Free Guy,” an action comedy released during the early days of post-pandemic box office in the summer of 2021, earned an impressive $331 million. Levy’s crown jewel is “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the highest-grossing rated-R film ever at $1.3 billion.
I respect what Levy does. It’s a skill to make a crowd-pleasing blockbuster that will generate hundreds of millions for a studio. Levy delivers films on time and doesn’t go over budget, so I could see why Disney. I haven’t even mentioned Netflix, where Levy helped guide “Stranger Things” to become its most important show and “The Adam Project” to No. 5 on the list of its most popular English-language films.
My mileage definitely varies on Levy’s movies. He injects a surprising amount of emotion into all of his movies, which serves as a welcome reprieve from an endless supply of action scenes. I can only take so much of the humor designed for teenage boys — I get it, Deadpool curses a lot. This comedy is not my cup of tea, but I understand why he does it. At the very least, I’m entertained.
My interest in “Starfighter” can be attributed to Gosling, one of my favorite actors working in Hollywood. Gosling is in his blockbuster era, as he headlines popular movies for four-quadrant audiences. After the disappointment of “The Gray Man," Gosling pivoted strongly with “Barbie,” “The Fall Guy” and “Project Hail Mary.” All three movies utilize the best of what Gosling has to offer: innate charisma, impeccable comedic timing, and dashing looks. He is a capital-M movie star.
In typical Lucasfilm fashion, the plot details for “Star Wars: Starfighter” are scarce. It supposedly takes place five years after “The Rise of Skywalker.” Gosling is the lead and star opposite Flynn Gray. Levy has said there will be a father-son dynamic between Gosling and Gray. Matt Smith and Mia Goth will appear in villainous roles, while Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams also star.
Nothing about a father-son story is unique. However, a “Star Wars” father-son tale between two characters outside of the Skywalker universe feels brand-new. I’m taking Levy for his word when he describes “Starfighter” as “an all-new non-sequel, non-prequel adventure.” Try saying that five times fast.
“Star Wars” needs something fresh. “Starfighter” might be the hero I need.
“Star Wars: Starfighter” opens in theaters on May 28, 2027.
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