Star Wars: Starfighter Now Filming as House of the Dragon Star Matt Smith Prepares to Join

Matt Smith is adding another giant IP to his collection, and this time it has hyperspace. He just confirmed he is joining a new Star Wars movie called 'Star Wars: Starfighter' — but here is the twist: the film is already rolling cameras, and he does not start until December.

What Smith actually said

During a chat with A Rabbit's Foot, Smith talked through his very actor-y process of figuring out a character by figuring out the clothes. He kept it broad, but he did let one useful thing slip before clamping down.

'We're going through the process of trying to find a costume, and sometimes you don't know if you love a costume until you've worn it for a couple of days.'

'I'm about to do Star Wars in December, and we're sort of trying to develop the look for that.'

After that, the interviewer tried to pry out more, and Smith did what everyone involved with anything Lucasfilm does: he shut the vault. Fair enough.

So what is 'Star Wars: Starfighter'?

The project is pitched as a fresh detour for the franchise. It stars Ryan Gosling, lands five years after 'The Rise of Skywalker', and, based on the title alone, you can probably assume pilots will be involved. Beyond that, story details are on lockdown.

Shawn Levy — fresh off 'Deadpool & Wolverine' — is directing. The movie is already in production and is aiming to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.

• Title: 'Star Wars: Starfighter'
• Director: Shawn Levy
• Starring: Ryan Gosling (with Matt Smith joining the shoot in December)
• When it takes place: About five years after 'The Rise of Skywalker'
• Status: In production
• Release date: May 28, 2027

Smith, meet another mega-franchise

Smith has been on a run of universe-hopping for years now: Time Lord in 'Doctor Who', a stop in the 'Terminator' world, and currently chewing scenery in 'House of the Dragon'. He even brushed Marvel-adjacent territory with 'Morbius' — yes, that one.

The most interesting nugget here is the costume talk. It is a little peek behind the curtain that the look is still being dialed in while the movie itself is already underway, which says Smith's role is significant enough to merit that kind of build-out, but late enough in the schedule that he can start in December without slowing the train.

Bottom line: Smith is suiting up for Star Wars, Gosling is in the cockpit, Shawn Levy is calling the shots, and the galaxy far, far away has a date with theaters in May 2027. More when Lucasfilm lets anyone say anything else out loud.