Star Wars: Starfighter has not yet hit theaters, but it is already making headlines for financial reasons. The next film in the saga, starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy, has recorded a production investment that exceeds that of Star Wars: The Force Awakens at an equivalent stage of development, according to an investigation published by Forbes.
The data is particularly striking because, for months, various reports suggested that Starfighter was being developed with a more modest budget than the franchise's previous major installments. The financial documents now known suggest just the opposite.
An investment approaching $226.5 million
According to financial records from the British production company in charge of filming, Disney and Lucasfilm had allocated 164.9 million pounds to the film until shortly after filming concluded at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom. That figure is equivalent to approximately $226.5 million.
To put the spending into perspective, it is worth comparing it with other installments in the saga. The Force Awakens, released in 2015, accumulated 147.6 million pounds from the incorporation of its production company until twelve days after filming ended. The Last Jedi, for its part, reached 162.3 million pounds in a similar period.
In other words, Starfighter has already surpassed the expenditure recorded by the film that brought Star Wars back to theaters after Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm.
The nuance of tax incentives
Not all reported spending necessarily corresponds to the net cost assumed by Disney. Thanks to tax breaks available for audiovisual productions filmed in the United Kingdom, Star Wars: Starfighter would have obtained a tax benefit of nearly $51.5 million.
By subtracting that amount, the estimated net expenditure is around $175 million up to the analyzed period. Even so, this figure is not final: the documents correspond to a pre-release phase and expenses for post-production, visual effects, and other pending work could still be added.
Ryan Gosling leads a completely new story
Beyond the numbers, the big draw of Starfighter is its plot proposal. The story is set about five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but instead of continuing the story of the sequel trilogy's protagonists, it opts for new characters and a standalone adventure.
Gosling plays a cynical character from the humblest sectors of the galaxy, who gets caught up in a dangerous odyssey alongside a teenager played by Flynn Gray. According to known plot teasers, both will end up traveling aboard a decommissioned enemy starfighter, exploring a corner of the Star Wars timeline still little developed in film.
A high-flying cast and the director of Deadpool & Wolverine
Alongside Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray, the cast includes Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Amy Adams, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, and Daniel Ings.
Behind the camera is Shawn Levy, responsible for Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), one of Marvel Studios' recent major commercial successes. His hiring represents an interesting bet for Lucasfilm: Levy has demonstrated a handle on popular characters and large productions, although he now faces the challenge of winning over the public with completely new figures, without the pull of names already known to fans.
The filmmaker himself has noted in previous statements that joining Star Wars represented fulfilling a personal and creative dream.
What Disney is risking with this bet
The real challenge for Star Wars: Starfighter is not limited to justifying its high investment. The underlying question is whether the franchise can still massively mobilize theater audiences with a story starring unknown characters.
The commercial trajectory of Star Wars has changed notably since the release of The Force Awakens, which became a global phenomenon. Subsequent installments failed to replicate that economic performance with the same forcefulness.
The box office performance of The Mandalorian & Grogu adds another reason to watch this release closely: not even having characters already loved by fans automatically guarantees a great commercial result.
Starfighter seeks to offer a different formula: an original story, a Hollywood star as the lead, and a director with experience in large-scale blockbusters.
The first images of the film were presented during D23 2026, although the teaser had not yet been officially and publicly released when the production figures leaked.
Star Wars: Starfighter release date
According to official information from Lucasfilm, Star Wars: Starfighter will hit theaters on May 28, 2027.
There is still time to see if such an investment translates into a result that meets the generated expectations. What is clear from this data is that Disney is not treating this project as a minor bet within the saga.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much has Star Wars: Starfighter cost so far?
According to financial documents revealed by Forbes, the production accumulated 164.9 million pounds, equivalent to about $226.5 million, until shortly after filming finished.
Is it more expensive than The Force Awakens?
Yes. At a comparable stage of development, The Force Awakens recorded 147.6 million pounds, a lower figure than that reported for Starfighter.
How much money does Disney recover through tax incentives?
The production obtained an estimated tax break of $51.5 million for filming in the United Kingdom, which reduces the approximate net expenditure to about $175 million.
Who stars in Star Wars: Starfighter?
Ryan Gosling leads the cast alongside Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Amy Adams, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, and Daniel Ings.
Who is directing the film?
Shawn Levy, director of Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), is at the helm of the project.
When is Star Wars: Starfighter released?
Lucasfilm has set its theatrical release for May 28, 2027.
What is the story about?
The plot takes place about five years after The Rise of Skywalker and follows new characters, unrelated to the sequel trilogy, involved in an adventure with a decommissioned enemy starfighter.
