Shawn Levy’s tenure on Stranger Things and his collaboration with the Duffer brothers have profoundly shaped his cinematic vision for the galaxy far, far away.
In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Shawn Levy, the director of the upcoming film Star Wars: Starfighter, shared how the creative philosophy behind Stranger Things served as a primary inspiration. Having served as an executive producer and director on the hit Netflix series, Levy plans to carry those lessons into his work with Lucasfilm.
According to the filmmaker, his central objective is to harmonize “the epic with the intimate,” bridging high-octane spectacle with poignant emotional depth. He believes this delicate equilibrium—focusing on character relationships amidst a massive scale—is what made Stranger Things such a cultural phenomenon.
Levy noted that his experience on the show taught him to navigate the immense pressure of fan expectations by prioritizing character-driven storytelling. He emphasized that Starfighter will anchor its grand adventure in a “human” core, ensuring the narrative remains cohesive and accessible to a broad global audience.
“I believe that if I can balance the epic and the intimate in the way the Duffer brothers did on Stranger Things, I can create an original Star Wars adventure that truly resonates with both lifelong fans and general audiences.”
Star Wars: Starfighter is currently slated for a theatrical release on May 28, 2027. Back in December, Levy confirmed that principal photography had wrapped, and the project has officially transitioned into post-production. While specific plot points remain a closely guarded secret, it has been established that the film will tell a self-contained story within the Star Wars universe rather than serving as a direct extension of the recent sequel trilogy.
The lead roles are set to be portrayed by Ryan Gosling and rising star Flynn Gray. This pairing reflects the multi-generational appeal found in Stranger Things, a project known for bridging the gap between veteran talent and young performers. Joining them is an impressive ensemble cast including Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams.
Source: iXBT.games