Shawn Levy, the director behind massive hits like Deadpool & Wolverine and executive producer/director on Stranger Things, recently opened up about how his experience on the Netflix phenomenon is shaping his approach to his highly anticipated Star Wars film, Starfighter (set for May 28, 2027 release).
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Levy explained that working on Stranger Things taught him a crucial lesson for handling big franchises: don’t get overwhelmed by scale – stay focused on characters and relationships.
Levy’s Key Quote on the Comparison
“If I’ve learned anything on Stranger Things, it’s that you can get intimidated by the scale of franchise expectation. But you will lose your way if that’s your focus. I’ve learned the need to stay rooted in character, and themes and relationships on screen.
Yes, there’s spectacle and scale, just like Stranger Things. And of course, Star Wars and Starfighter has spectacle and scale and adventure at a level I’ve never done in my whole career. But like Stranger Things, it’s also very much anchored in a human-scale, character-sized story.”
Levy aims to balance the “epic and the intimate” – massive space battles and galactic stakes, but grounded in emotional, relatable character journeys, much like how Stranger Things mixes monster horror with heartfelt friendships and family bonds.
What We Know About Star Wars: Starfighter
- Standalone adventure set roughly five years after The Rise of Skywalker.
- Focuses on new characters in a fresh story – not directly tied to existing trilogies.
- Cast highlights: Ryan Gosling in the lead, Flynn Gray as a central young character, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Amy Adams.
- Filming wrapped in late 2025 – post-production underway for that 2027 release.
Levy’s vision promises a Star Wars film with heart at its core, avoiding the pitfalls of franchise pressure by drawing from what made Stranger Things a cultural phenomenon.
Fans are thrilled with this approach – many hope it brings back the emotional depth of classic Star Wars while delivering fresh excitement.
What do you think – will Levy’s Stranger Things lessons make Starfighter a standout? Drop your thoughts below!
