In a recent exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Daniel Ings, the breakout star of The Gentlemen and HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, opened up about his experience filming the highly anticipated 2027 film, Star Wars: Starfighter. While Lucasfilm has kept the plot of the Shawn Levy-directed project under tight wraps, Ings is providing the first real glimpse into the aesthetic and energy of this new era.
A “Punk” Aesthetic for a New Generation
One of the most striking takeaways from the Daniel Ings Star Wars movie update is his description of the film’s unique tone. Ings described the production as having a distinct “punk feel,” suggesting a departure from the polished, high-tech look of the sequel trilogy.
“There were days when I was walking around, and there’s droids rolling around and animatronic heads and just hundreds of people in these amazing costumes, but with a sort of punk feel to it,” Ings told Screen Rant.
This “punk” energy aligns with director Shawn Levy’s previous comments about wanting to keep the story “rooted in character” while delivering the massive spectacle fans expect. For fans of the franchise, this suggests a return to the “lived-in” universe aesthetic that made the original 1977 film so iconic, gritty, tactile, and perhaps a bit more dangerous.
Working with Ryan Gosling
While Ings’ specific character remains undisclosed, he did confirm a major detail regarding the cast: he spent the majority of his time on set with lead actor Ryan Gosling.
The chemistry between the two seems to have been a highlight of the production. Ings praised Gosling’s “playful” approach to the material, noting that despite the massive scale of a Star Wars production, the environment felt as creatively intimate as an indie project.
“I was able to go in and be like, ‘Yeah, this is huge, but it still feels as creative as being on Lovesick or The Gentlemen,'” Ings remarked.
A “Tremendous” Ending and Creative Overhaul
There has been much discussion regarding the creative direction of Star Wars: Starfighter, particularly after reports of a third-act overhaul. However, Ings was quick to reassure fans that the final product is something special. When asked about the film’s conclusion, he stated he felt “tremendous” about it and “f***ing loved it.”
According to Ings, the movie is “Star Wars through and through,” despite its standalone nature. Set roughly five years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, the film explores uncharted territory in the Star Wars timeline, allowing Levy and writer Jonathan Tropper to build a fresh narrative away from the Skywalker Saga.
As production on Star Wars: Starfighter continues to move toward its 2027 release date, the enthusiasm from Daniel Ings and the rest of the cast suggests that Lucasfilm has something truly unique on its hands. For fans looking for a fresh entry point into the universe, this Daniel Ings Star Wars movie might be exactly what the doctor ordered.
