Academy Award-nominated actress Amy Adams has confirmed her involvement in the upcoming film Star Wars: Starfighter, describing her role as a brief but memorable experience. Speaking on the SmartLess podcast, Adams addressed her participation in the project, which is being directed by Shawn Levy, while noting that she was initially overwhelmed by the experience of joining the iconic science-fiction franchise.
Adams, known for her roles in Man of Steel and Arrival, holds second billing in the production behind lead actor Ryan Gosling. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the actress shared her enthusiasm for the production’s practical effects, specifically mentioning multiple visits to the film’s creature shop. Her comments provide a rare, albeit guarded, look into a production that has been positioned as a standalone story set following the events of the sequel trilogy.
The Experience of Joining the Star Wars Universe
For Adams, the transition from a lifelong fan of the franchise to a working actor on a Star Wars set proved challenging. During her conversation on the SmartLess podcast, she admitted that her nerves were significant enough to temporarily impact her performance on the first day of filming. She described the difficulty of balancing her personal appreciation for the series with the professional requirements of the shoot.
“I had a very small part,” Adams stated during the podcast interview. “I’m on a Star Wars set, and I, like, grew up on this. I have to now get out of my dorky fangirl place and go into my professional actress mode, and combining the two was really hard.” She further noted that director Shawn Levy checked in on her during the process, questioning if she was doing alright as she navigated the high-pressure environment of a major studio production.
The actress also expressed a strong affinity for the physical elements of the film. “I loved getting to see all of the props, and I went to the creature shop twice – yeah, it’s so cool!” she remarked. While she remained cautious about revealing plot details due to confidentiality agreements, she did offer praise for her co-star, Flynn Gray, stating, “I can say Flynn is so great.”
Production Context and Cast
Star Wars: Starfighter represents a new direction for the franchise, distinguishing itself from projects like The Mandalorian & Grogu, which functioned as direct continuations of existing television narratives. The film is currently slated for a theatrical release in May, according to industry reports. The project features an ensemble cast that includes Matt Smith and Mia Goth, both of whom are reportedly cast in villainous roles.
The supporting cast for the film also includes Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, and Daniel Ings. While plot specifics have not been officially confirmed by Lucasfilm, reports have suggested the narrative may focus on a character—potentially the mother of the role played by Flynn Gray—who sends her son to seek out his uncle, played by Gosling, to facilitate his entry into the New Jedi Academy. The status of the film’s development was recently touched upon by Matt Smith, who indicated that an early, “extremely rough” cut of the movie exists.
What to Expect Next
As the project moves toward its scheduled release next May, fans and industry observers are awaiting further official announcements regarding the film’s narrative scope and character details. Because the production is being treated as a standalone entity within the broader Star Wars timeline, it remains to be seen how the story will integrate with the established lore following the sequel trilogy.
With the film currently in post-production, future updates are expected to come directly from Lucasfilm or through official promotional events as the release date approaches. Readers interested in the latest developments regarding Star Wars: Starfighter are encouraged to monitor official studio statements and industry trade publications for confirmed casting news and trailer reveals. Do you have thoughts on the direction of this new standalone entry? Share your perspective in the comments below.