At a vibrant “Star Wars” event in Chiba, Japan, Lucasfilm announced the release of the next installment in the iconic franchise, set to premiere in May 2027, featuring Ryan Gosling. The announcement took place at the Makuhari Messe center, where an enthusiastic crowd gathered, waving lightsabers. Gosling shared a personal anecdote about his childhood fascination with “Star Wars,” displaying a photo of his bedsheets adorned with illustrations from the series.
Director Shawn Levy, known for his work on “The Pink Panther” and “Stranger Things,” revealed that the upcoming film, titled “Star Wars: Starfighter,” will be a standalone adventure set several years after “Episode Nine.” Filming is scheduled to begin later this year, although Levy was tight-lipped about the details, adhering to the franchise’s secrecy rules. The title alone, displayed on a large screen, was enough to elicit cheers from the audience.
The event, Star Wars Celebration, continues through Sunday and features a variety of themed merchandise, including T-shirts, toys, books, manga comics, and more. Highlights include a Lego booth showcasing a Darth Vader costume made from Legos and a limited edition of Darth Vader-themed lacquerware earphones priced at 990,000 yen ($7,000). More accessible merchandise, such as Darth Vader T-shirts, are sold at 8,000 yen ($56).
Among the attendees was Yoshiki Takahashi, a 26-year-old fan holding a remote-controlled R2-D2 miniature robot. Takahashi expressed his admiration for the directing, sound effects, and compelling storytelling of “Star Wars.” Another fan, known only as Hiro, attended dressed as the Mandalorian, showcasing a detailed costume he crafted himself.
The event attracted international fans as well, including Raul Herrera from Chile, who expressed his appreciation for the commitment of the characters throughout the series. “Star Wars,” since its debut in 1977 with Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, has become one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time. The saga’s themes, reminiscent of Japan’s samurai legends and Akira Kurosawa films, resonate deeply with Japanese audiences.