Shawn Levy Landed Ryan Gosling As The Next Big ‘Star Wars’ Movie Lead — So How Come Everyone Else Is Turning Him Down?

New York Post - Apr 25th, 2025

Director Shawn Levy, known for working with top Hollywood stars, faces unexpected rejections from several buzzy actors for roles in his upcoming Star Wars film, 'Starfighter,' slated for a summer 2027 release. While Ryan Gosling has signed on, notable names like Mikey Madison and Jodie Comer reportedly declined, highlighting a shift in how actors perceive the value of joining such major franchises. This development raises eyebrows given Levy's track record of attracting A-list talent, indicating a potential change in the allure of big-name franchise projects.

The broader context suggests that while Star Wars has historically cast lesser-known actors in significant roles, its expansion under Disney has seen many familiar faces joining its spinoffs and TV series. Levy's involvement with 'Starfighter' aligns with a recent trend of hiring directors known for lighter, less distinctive fare, which might contribute to the perceived devaluation of the brand. This situation underscores a potential shift in Hollywood dynamics, where actors are more discerning about the projects they choose, possibly influencing future casting and production strategies within major franchises like Star Wars.

Star Wars Mikey Madison Hollywood Casting Ryan Gosling Shawn Levy Franchise Films Jodie Comer

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides an engaging narrative about Shawn Levy's involvement in the upcoming *Star Wars: Starfighter* project, highlighting potential actor rejections and broader industry trends. However, its reliance on speculative claims without direct sources or evidence affects its accuracy and credibility. While the story is timely and of public interest, particularly for fans of the franchise, the lack of balanced perspectives and transparency in sourcing diminishes its overall impact. The writing is clear and accessible, but a clearer distinction between fact and opinion would enhance comprehension. Overall, the article offers an interesting perspective but requires more substantiated information to fully inform its audience.

Accuracy

The story presents several claims that require verification, particularly the assertion that multiple actors, including Mikey Madison and Jodie Comer, declined roles in *Star Wars: Starfighter*. The article suggests Madison's rejection is confirmed, yet lacks direct evidence or sourcing to substantiate this. Additionally, the narrative about Levy's directorial style and its alleged impact on actor decisions is presented more as opinion than fact, with no corroborating details provided. While the involvement of Ryan Gosling and Shawn Levy is accurate, the speculative nature of actor rejections and the lack of direct quotes or sources for these claims impact the story's overall accuracy.

Balance

The article provides a critical perspective on Shawn Levy's directorial style and its perceived impact on the *Star Wars* franchise. However, it predominantly offers a negative view of Levy's work, describing his films as 'smooth and featureless as a FunkoPop.' While this critique is valid as an opinion, the article lacks a balanced representation of alternative perspectives, such as positive reviews or successes of Levy's past projects. The narrative could benefit from a more nuanced exploration of why some actors might choose to work with Levy, beyond the implied negative reasons.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, effectively conveying its main points about Shawn Levy's involvement in the *Star Wars* franchise and the potential implications for actor participation. The narrative flows logically from discussing Levy's directorial history to the specifics of the *Starfighter* project. However, the tone occasionally shifts into subjective opinion without clear demarcation, which might confuse readers about the distinction between fact and opinion. Overall, the article is readable, but clearer differentiation between verified facts and speculative commentary would improve clarity.

Source quality

The article does not provide specific sources for its claims, particularly regarding the actors who allegedly turned down roles in *Starfighter*. The narrative relies on speculative statements and unnamed sources, which diminishes the credibility and reliability of the information presented. The lack of direct attributions or quotes from involved parties, such as the actors or their representatives, further weakens the source quality. While the writer's background is mentioned, the absence of concrete sources to support key claims affects the overall trustworthiness of the article.

Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the basis for its claims about actor rejections or the perceived decline in the *Star Wars* franchise's prestige. There is a lack of transparency regarding the methodology used to gather this information, and the speculative nature of many claims is not adequately highlighted. While the author's credentials are mentioned, providing more context about the sources and potential biases in the reporting would enhance transparency. The article could benefit from clearer disclosures about the speculative nature of some claims and any potential conflicts of interest.