"Star Wars: Starfighter" Adds Matt Smith to Cast

Matt Smith is the latest addition to the star-studded cast of Shawn Levy’s “Star Wars: Starfighter” for Lucasfilm.

He will appear in a villain role, opposite previously announced cast members Ryan Gosling, and Mia Goth.

This isn’t Smith’s first brush with the “Star Wars” franchise. The “House of the Dragon” star was previously cast in “The Rise of Skywalker,” but ultimately didn’t appear in the film.

“We were close to being in it, but it never quite happened. I think the thing they were thinking of before. Eventually, the part became obsolete and they didn’t need it. So, I never got to be in ‘Star Wars,'” rhe “Doctor Who” alum told the Happy Sad Confused podcast in 2021. 

While Smith refrained from elaborating on the role he would have played, many suspected he would portray the son of Emperor Palpatine.

“It was a really groovy part and concept. It was a big thing, a big story detail. A transformative ‘Star Wars’ story detail. But it never quite got over the line. It was a big shift in the history of the franchise," he added.

Smith’s additional credits include “Last Night in Soho,” “Morbius” and his Emmy-nominated turn as Prince Philip on “The Crown.” 

He will soon appear in Darren Aronofsky’s “Caught Stealing” alongside Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz.

“Star Wars: Starfighter” shoots this fall and premieres in theaters on May 28, 2027. 

Jonathan Tropper wrote the script. He has written prior features for Levy (“The Adam Project,” “This Is Where I Leave You”) and is the creator of the Apple TV+ series “Your Friends & Neighbors.”

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and chief creative officer Dave Filoni officially unveiled plans for “Starfighter” at the annual Star Wars Celebration event in Tokyo in April.

The standalone, which focuses on new characters in the “Star Wars” universe, is set roughly five years after the events of “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker,” which concluded the Skywalker saga and stands as the final feature chronologically on the “Star Wars” timeline.

“Star Wars: Starfighter” marks Levy’s directorial follow-up to Marvel Studios’ hit “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which grossed $1.3 billion at the global box office after releasing in July 2024 and stands as the highest-grossing R-rated feature of all time.