Ryan Gosling: From Barbie to Star Wars Starfighter - The Ultimate Leading Man's Next Move

Ryan Gosling BioSnap a weekly updated Biography. Over the past few days, Ryan Gosling has been everywhere—well, at least in spirit, as the Barbie juggernaut continues to spin. The film is airing on French network TF1 this weekend, triggering a fresh wave of nostalgia and appreciation for his show-stopping, irony-laden turn as Ken—not just the sidekick, but a character whose existential musings on masculinity and neon-drenched karaoke interludes stole the show nearly two years ago. According to Numero, the broadcast has sparked renewed chatter about Gosling’s musical chops, especially as a holiday version of “I’m Just Ken” drops with a new, flamboyant video—proof that the man can bring both gravitas and goofball to a role (not to mention a little rock-star adrenaline). But let’s not forget Margot Robbie’s Barbie, who set the gold standard for toy-based drama, though it’s Gosling’s Ken—part plastic heartthrob, part melancholic philosopher—that’s proving to have real shelf life. Now, for the real headlines: At the recent Star Wars Celebration 2025, it was officially announced that Ryan Gosling will star in Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars epic, now officially titled Star Wars: Starfighter and slated for May 28, 2027, as reported by IMDb and coverage from Collider. This is more than just a casting coup—it’s part of a major strategic play by Lucasfilm to move beyond the Skywalker saga, both in time (post-sequel trilogy) and in tone, with Levy describing it as an “original Star Wars tale” set in a previously unexplored era. The announcement marks the end of a long courtship, with earlier reports by The Hollywood Reporter and Aol.com noting Gosling was “in negotiations” and that his interest might reshuffle Levy’s slate, potentially sidelining a planned boy-band movie with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Details about his character remain under wraps, but given that the film is already in production—and as Collider notes, is welcoming aboard several new A-list names—this is likely to be a major late-career franchise anchor for Gosling, cementing his status as a versatile leading man who can flip from indie drama to popcorn sci-fi with apparent ease. Meanwhile, Gosling’s next immediate project, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s adaptation of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary, is on deck for March 2026, with the author himself, per interviews at San Diego Comic-Con, expressing genuine enthusiasm for Gosling’s take on the astronaut protagonist. The Star Wars and Hail Mary one-two punch is a clear signal that Gosling—who famously took a multi-year hiatus to step back from “dark” roles—is now riding a career wave: choosing projects that play to his range, his wit, and, increasingly, his family-first philosophy. He’s spoken openly about making career choices with longtime partner Eva Mendes and their two daughters at the center of his decision-making—something he reiterated in a candid WSJ Magazine profile earlier this year. As for social buzz, there’s been n This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.