Latest news with #Starfighter


Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Star Wars casts Matt Smith and Mia Goth as chilling new villains in 2027's Starfighter
The galaxy far, far away is gearing up for a thrilling new chapter, as Star Wars: Starfighter officially introduces two of the most intriguing villains the franchise has seen since the days of George Lucas. Set five years after the sequel trilogy, this 2027 film will feature Ryan Gosling in the lead, potentially as a Force-sensitive pilot. But it's the new villains who are stealing early headlines. Matt Smith, known for Doctor Who and House of the Dragon, is confirmed to take on a major antagonist role. Though he was previously attached to The Rise of Skywalker before being cut due to script changes, his return has sparked fresh speculation. At the time, rumours swirled that he was cast as a rejuvenated Emperor Palpatine, powered by Rey and Ben Solo's Force dyad. That arc never materialised, but with Starfighter set so close to those events, fans wonder whether his new character might be a retooled version of that scrapped concept—or something entirely different. Equally exciting is the casting of Mia Goth, the breakout star of modern horror films like Pearl and X. Her haunting screen presence and genre versatility make her an inspired choice for a Star Wars villain. Goth is also set to appear in Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, but Starfighter might be her biggest leap into the mainstream yet. Together, Smith and Goth promise a villainous duo unlike anything Star Wars has attempted before. With Gosling's character reportedly trying to protect his nephew from shadowy pursuers, fans are already speculating that these two will form the core of the film's dark threat. Crucially, their inclusion signals a bold shift for the franchise: fresh, unpredictable antagonists who don't rely on lightsabres or nostalgia. Star Wars: Starfighter releases May 28, 2027.


CNA
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
English actor Matt Smith lands villain role in Star Wars: Starfighter
Matt Smith will play the villain in Star Wars: Starfighter. The House Of The Dragon star has signed up to appear alongside Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth in the upcoming film after director Shawn Levy met with a number of actors about the key role in the movie, and executives opted for the former Doctor Who lead, Deadline reports. Exact details on Smith's role in the film are being kept vague, but sources told the outlet it will be one of the villains. Star Wars: Starfighter – which will begin shooting later this year ahead of a May 2027 release – will act as a standalone movie within the space opera franchise and will be set five years after 2019's The Rise Of Skywalker. Director Levy recently teased the film will be a whole "new adventure" for fans. He said: 'There are many rumours, some true, some not. … This is not a prequel, this is not a sequel. It's a new adventure.' Gosling gushed: 'There is not a more perfect filmmaker for this particular story than Shawn." The script comes from Jonathan Tropper, who has spent the past two years working on it. Levy has been working on the movie with Lucasfilm since 2022 and last year, he said he was not planning to connect his work to any other films or TV shows in the long-running series. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he said: "I'll say that the experience of crafting this story has forced me to think about that question. Because there's only so many times that Star Wars movies can revisit the same section of the timeline, and so it's really forced me, because I don't want to do a Star Wars movie that is redundant to others, nor am I interested in doing one that has to serve another movie." The filmmaker – who has teamed up with his The Adam Project co-writer Tropper on the project – added he was making the flick with "tone and characters" at the forefront. He said: "I really wanted to craft something that felt organic to me, both in tone and characters, so I think that there is certainly the Force and a connection to something bigger than our individual selves.


Time Business News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
Movies Every Gamer Should Watch at Least Once
At Gamcore, we believe that gaming isn't just about what happens on screen—it's also about the stories that inspire us, the worlds that shape us, and the characters who stick with us long after we've set down the controller. These ten films capture the spirit of play, explore the thrill of competition, and celebrate the deep connection between players and virtual worlds. Whether you're a retro arcade aficionado, an indie dev hopeful, or an e-sports pro, these movies offer insight, nostalgia, and pure entertainment. A pioneering blend of live-action and early computer graphics, Tron follows programmer Kevin Flynn as he's digitized into a neon-lit mainframe. Inside, he must navigate deadly games of lightcycle combat and disc duels to escape. Its depiction of 'inside the machine' remains iconic, influencing countless game worlds and inspiring generations of developers. When teenager David Lightman hacks into what he believes is a computer game, he almost triggers World War III. WarGames captures the fear and fascination of early home computing, reminding gamers of the stakes behind lines of code. The film's portrayal of AI systems, cybersecurity, and the ethics of hacking still resonates in today's online world. A teenage arcade champ discovers that the interstellar war he's been training for in the cabinet of Starfighter is real. Recruited by an alien defense force, Alex Rogan must pilot a starship to save a galaxy. This film taps into every kid's dream: that high-score in the neighborhood arcade could be a ticket to the stars. David Cronenberg's surreal psychological thriller dives into bio-engineered game pods and 'game reality' so immersive it's hard to tell where the simulation ends. As designers Allegra and Ted test their new virtual reality title, the boundaries between gamer and game blur. eXistenZ raises provocative questions about identity, addiction, and the seductive power of escapism. Based on Ernest Cline's bestselling novel, Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One is a love letter to pop-culture and gaming lore. Set in the dystopian year 2045, the film follows Wade Watts as he hunts for an Easter egg within the vast virtual world of the OASIS. Packed with nods to classic arcade games, '80s movies, and cult franchises, it celebrates gaming's ability to unite players across time and space. Disney's heartfelt animated feature brings arcade cabinets to life after hours, imagining what happens when the quarter-fed action ends. Ralph and Vanellope's friendship unfolds against a backdrop of Turbo's sinister betrayal and a cross-game highway chase. By featuring characters from vintage titles alongside fictional hits, Wreck-It Ralph bridges generations of gamers. Billed as 'The Game Is Not Over,' this Edgar Wright–directed film adapts Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novel into an on-screen video-game fantasy. Scott Pilgrim must defeat seven evil exes in video-game–style battles to win Ramona Flowers' heart. The movie's split-screen effects, 8-bit sound effects, and combo meters pay homage to side-scrolling fighters and platformers. A documentary rather than fiction, this film follows the intense development journeys of indie hits Super Meat Boy , Fez , and Braid . Watching designers struggle with creative vision, burnout, and financial uncertainty offers a raw, unfiltered look at what it takes to bring a game from concept to release. Every aspiring developer will find inspiration—and cautionary lessons—here. Though not explicitly about gaming, The Matrix shares the hacker ethos and 'reality-versus-simulation' themes that resonate with gamers. Neo's journey from code-reading newbie to legendary system-breaker mirrors the leveling-up progression players love. Its 'bullet time' sequences influenced action games for decades, blurring the line between cinematic spectacle and interactive thrill. Watching movies and TV shows online has become a part of everyday life. While there are many paid streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime, not everyone wants to pay monthly fees. That's where free sites like TinyZone TV come in. TinyZone allows users to stream HD movies and shows without creating an account. But what makes it so popular, and is it safe to use? This article breaks down everything you need to know. Each of these films reflects a facet of gaming culture—whether it's the rush of competition, the lure of alternate realities, or the triumphs and trials of creation. Watching them will deepen your appreciation for the medium and remind you why you fell in love with that flashing screen in the first place. Pop some popcorn, load up the projector, and press play—these movies are questlines no gamer should skip. TIME BUSINESS NEWS


Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
'Star Wars: Starfighter' casting news: 'House of the Dragon' star is officially teaming up with Ryan Gosling
The good news keeps coming for "Star Wars" fans — after the exciting announcement that superstar Ryan Gosling would be leading the beloved franchise's upcoming standalone film, "Star Wars: Starfighter," the cast has just gotten an equally exciting, and fiery, addition: "House of the Dragon" star Matt Smith. The British actor already knows his way around a major genre franchise, from his role as the 11th Doctor in the BBC sci-fi classic "Doctor Who" and Daemon Targaryen in HBO's fantasy drama "House of the Dragon." Now, he'll be joining the "Star Wars" universe, according to a Deadline exclusive, though details on the villain that Smith will reportedly play are scant. It's a bit of a full-circle moment for Matt Smith, who was originally cast in 2019's "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," though the part didn't make it onscreen. "Starfighter" will take place approximately five years after the events of that 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,'' he told the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast in 2021. Though he played coy on exactly who he was meant to play in "The Rise of Skywalker,' Smith added, '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.' Looks like he'll get another chance to make a mark on the fan-favorite franchise along with Gosling and previously announced cast member Mia Goth in "Star Wars: Starfighter," which will be helmed by Canadian filmmaker Shawn Levy ("Deadpool & Wolverine", "Free Guy"). With a screenplay written by Jonathan Tropper ("Warrior," "Your Friends & Neighbors", "Starfighter" will reportedly not be connected to the nine films that make up the franchise's ongoing Skywalker Saga, and will serve as a standalone film. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "It's not a prequel, not a sequel," Levy announced in April at a Star Wars Celebration panel in Tokyo, per The Hollywood Reporter. "It's a new adventure. It's set in a period of time that we haven't seen explored yet." Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ryan Gosling's Star Wars Movie Just Cast A House Of The Dragon Star, And They Have A Great Tie To Starfighter's Lead Actor
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. For fans of that galaxy far, far away, it's never too early to get excited about a an upcoming Star Wars movie. We're definitely seeing that with director Shawn Levy's developing entry into the canon, the Ryan Gosling-fronted Star Wars: Starfighter, as it's not set to debut until May 2027. Blame it on the charismatic lead jumping into an X-Wing and blow stuff up, as he's got quite the following. And just when you thought the hype couldn't get any hotter, leave it to a House of the Dragon star and sci-fi alum to be tapped to play the role of this film's main villain. That's right, folks, get ready for Matt Smith to finally be a part of the Star Wars galaxy, per reporting out of Deadline. Apparently the Deadpool & Wolverine helmer has been seeing candidates for some time now, with the exact role being kept under wraps. However, the grapevine has suggested that executives have selected Smith to become 'the next great villain in the Star Wars universe.' What makes this even more interesting is the fact that Ryan Gosling has worked with the Caught Stealing star before. In fact, Project Hail Mary's lead actually cast him in his (so far) only writing/directoring effort - 2014's Lost River. So on top of being fantastic casting, this is a reunion that could yield some pretty spectacular on-screen conflicts. Of course, right about now is the time when Matt Smith fans like myself remember two huge casting decisions that positioned the Doctor Who alum for what seemed like sci-fi greatness - only for fate to break the other way. On one hand, I'm flashing back to how Smith's Terminator: Genisys casting as the physical embodiment of Skynet. That was the test case that inspired me to label such examples as 'important later on in the trilogy,' as those other movies were never made. Disney Plus + Hulu Bundle: From $10.99 A MonthUnfortunately Matt Smith's Doctor Who era isn't on the Disney+/Hulu Bundle. However, for as little as $10.99 a month ($19.99 a month, ad-free), you can revel in the most recent seasons of that sci-fi series. Plus, you can bone up on your Star Wars lore well in advance of Starfighter's 2028 release date. And yes, you could even revisit The Rise of Skywalker, if you so wish. (No judgement here, friend.)View Deal One-upping even that scenario was the time that he was almost cast in another sci-fi saga, perhaps you've heard of it… Star Wars? Matt Smith confirmed he was indeed cast in what eventually became The Rise of Skywalker, in a role people are still debating over to this day. And by 'debating,' I mean a lot of folks are convinced he was going to be a Palpatine clone, which became 'obsolete' when Ian McDiarmid's big bad Emperor returned in J.J. Abrams' Sequel Trilogy capper. Though considering Star Wars: Starfighter is set five years after that picture' s events, perhaps that concept hasn't totally been ditched after all. Regardless of what the past may have held, the future's looking pretty bright for Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith and Mia Goth's similarly villainous role - as all are looking to make up the marquee core of this Star Wars entry. Prepare to wait for the jump to hyperspace, as Star Wars: Starfighter is set to enter theaters in our galaxy, on May 28, 2027. Meanwhile, Mr. Smith will be appearing in Caught Stealing, which opens in theaters on August 29th.