Outline:
The Return of Star Wars to the Big Screen
When Disney acquired Lucasfilm, it set off a wave of excitement for the Star Wars franchise. Between 2015 and 2019, five movies were released, nearly doubling the total number of Star Wars films since the original trilogy began in 1977. However, since 2019, there has been a noticeable gap in new content on the big screen. This is about to change, as starting with the 2026 movie schedule, at least two new Star Wars films are definitely in the works. Not only that, but some of Hollywood’s most iconic figures, like Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg, have shown an interest in the project.
A Star-Studded Cast and Unexpected Guests
Shawn Levy, the director of Star Wars: Starfighter, shared some exciting details with The New York Times. He revealed that the film features A-list stars such as Ryan Gosling, and even notable filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise have been visiting the set. Cruise, known for his dedication to his craft, took the opportunity to get involved in the filming process. According to Levy:
“Last week, Steven Spielberg was here. And now Tom Cruise is wielding a camera, ruining his very nice shoes.”
Spielberg has a long history with George Lucas, so it’s no surprise he stopped by to see how the new film would continue the legacy of the franchise he helped launch almost 50 years ago. It’s easy to imagine the conversations between Spielberg and Levy about the past and future of Star Wars.
Tom Cruise Joins the Fun
One day, Tom Cruise arrived on a helicopter. Levy mentioned that he jokingly suggested Cruise pick up a camera and start filming, but Cruise took the idea seriously. As a result, he ended up “up to his ankles in mud and pond water” while filming a lightsaber battle. For someone like Cruise, who is known for performing his own stunts, this kind of involvement seems entirely fitting.
According to the story, Cruise was only in town for a visit and ended up behind the camera for fun. While we shouldn’t expect to see him in Star Wars: Starfighter, the film has seen its fair share of celebrity cameos in the past, so anything is possible. Still, when fans watch the movie in 2027 and see the big lightsaber fight, they’ll know that part of it was shot by Tom Cruise.
Levy added:
“Now, when you see the movie, you’ll know that part of it was shot by Tom. I mean, how cool is that?”
An Exciting Time for Star Wars Fans
The anticipation for Star Wars: Starfighter is already high, and while the movie is over a year away, fans don’t have to wait too long for more Star Wars content. The release of The Mandalorian and Grogu will mark the franchise’s official return to theaters. This is shaping up to be an exciting time for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
As the Star Wars universe continues to expand, with new films, TV series, and other media, the galaxy far, far away is more alive than ever. With big names like Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg involved, the next chapter of Star Wars is sure to be one for the history books.