Lucasfilm is treating “Star Wars” fans to a major cinematic experience. Two films from the galaxy far, far away are getting the coveted IMAX 70mm treatment next year. Moviegoers can see the 50th anniversary re-release of “A New Hope” and “Star Wars: Starfighter” in the stunning large format.
“Star Wars” Debuts in IMAX
On Feb. 19, “A New Hope” will blast onto IMAX screens. For the first time, moviegoers can see the beloved film in IMAX 70mm or digital.
“Starfighter” will make its IMAX 70mm and digital debut later in the year, on May 28.
IMAX 70mm screenings are skyrocketing in popularity, largely due to Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” Despite being available in only a handful of theaters worldwide, IMAX 70mm locations have delivered a record $78 million in global box office this year, averaging $1.9 million per-screen.
Ryan Gosling Is Kade Auberon
After the release of “The Mandalorian and Grogu” earlier this year, “Star Wars” is returning to the big screen with its next original film, “Starfighter.”
Directed by Shawn Levy, the film stars Ryan Gosling as pilot Kade Auberon. Amy Adams, Aaron Pierre, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and Flynn Gray also star in the film alongside Gosling.
Levy and Gosling attended D23 recently to offer an exclusive first-look of the film to fans.
When Gosling stepped on stage, he was wearing a “Mickey Mouse Club” jacket, in a nod to his Disney roots. By the end of the panel, Gosling sported a new look: a “Star Wars: Starfighter” bomber jacket that featured Auberon’s symbol on the back.
Alongside revealing the name of Gosling’s character for the first time, Levy and Gosling teased fans about Auberon’s origins.
“Kade is a guy from the wrong side of the galaxy, whose fate is intertwined with the fastest starfighter ever built,” Gosling shared.
“Star Wars: Starfighter” Is a Standalone
Unlike previous “Star Wars” films, “Starfighter” is a standalone movie, separate from the Skywalker Saga. The film takes place five or six years after the events of “The Rise of Skywalker.”
“It’s not a sequel, it’s not a prequel, it’s not legacy characters. And it’s not in a period of time in the galaxy that’s ever been explored,” Levy said in an interview. “What this means is that we are inventing everything in the movie. And the desire to make design choices, character choices, planet choices, costume choices, droid choices, alien choices, all of it needs to feel Star Wars-y.”
The film will make its way to theaters on May 28, in celebration of the 50-year anniversary of “A New Hope.”
“This ‘Star Wars’ story is firmly rooted in character, brought to life by these amazing actors,” Levy added during his D23 appearance, “and all within an adventure that’s filled with humor, danger, spectacle and the joyous spirit that has been the beating heart of this 50 year legacy that we all love so much.”
