Ryan Gosling is reportedly in talks to star in Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars movie, and the possibilities are endless. Having Ryan Gosling officially join the Star Wars universe would be a huge boon for the franchise. It’s also a mᴀssive deviation from the norm – generally speaking, Star Wars has refrained from casting major A-list Hollywood talent in its movies and TV shows, opting instead to keep casting more grounded with less well-known character actors and exciting newcomers.

Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time Gosling has been rumored to be joining the Star Wars galaxy – before casting was confirmed for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Gosling was reportedly considered for the role of Kylo Ren, which went to Adam Driver instead. We’ll never know what Gosling would have brought to the role of the temperamental Knights of Ren leader, but who’s to say he can’t claim another Sith-related role now? Ryan Gosling could play any established character – from the good to the bad and those caught somewhere in between.

10

Agent Kallus

First appearance: Star Wars Rebels

Obviously, if Ryan Gosling is cast in Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars movie, he’ll have a major role to play. Star Wars Rebels’ Agent Kallus probably isn’t the first character you’d think of as a major character, but if we’re doing this based on looks alone, Gosling has this role in the bag – especially The Fall Guy era Gosling.

Who’s to say Kallus couldn’t play a major part in Star Wars’ future, anyway? He began as one of the Empire’s most loyal agents, fighting a losing battle against the Ghost Crew’s rebel cell on Lothal. In the end, he defected to the Rebellion after a near-fatal night spent alone with the Ghost Crew’s Garazeb Orrelios, whose people Kallus had (nearly) managed to destroy. We don’t really know what happened to Kallus after Star Wars Rebels‘s epilogue – he may have become a major force for good in the Rebellion.

9

Tak Rennod

First mentioned: Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

The idea of Tak Rennod as a character may have only just been introduced in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, but there is so much potential there, and Gosling would excel at playing one of the most fearsome pirates the galaxy has ever seen. If Shawn Levy’s Star Wars film is indeed a standalone, as reported, one entirely removed from the Skywalker saga, the story of a pirate legend and his bounty could be perfect for a self-contained Star Wars story.

Pirates are having a moment in Star Wars, after all; not just in Skeleton Crew, but in the publishing initiative Star Wars: The High Republic, too. I’d love to see more pirates in Star Wars. Why not this one? Gosling could make the character entirely his own while expanding Star Wars’ pirate lore.

8

Ren

First appearance: Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren

Gosling may not have been chosen to play Kylo Ren, but maybe he could still play the Knights of Ren’s previous leader, known simply by the alias Ren. Introduced in the comic series Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren, this version of Ren encountered and battled Ben Solo and Luke Skywalker on Elphrona, sensing Ben’s strength and taunting him about following the path of the dark side.

Later, following Ben’s ill-fated confrontation with his uncle and the fall of Luke’s new Jedi Academy, Ben contacted Ren and demanded to join the Knights of Ren. In the end, Kylo defeated and killed Ren, taking over the leadership of the Knights. There’s plenty of ground the film could cover that takes place before Solo’s takeover, though, including Ren’s work with Crimson Dawn, his duel with Darth Vader, and more.

7

Stellan Gios

First appearance: Star Wars: The High Republic (Light of the Jedi)

There are two High Republic-era Jedi I think Gosling would be perfect to play, and Jedi Master Stellan Gios is one of them. Stellan is an even-tempered, kind, wise, and thoughtful Jedi, who grew up in the Order alongside fellow Jedi powerhouse Avar Kriss and their close friend, Elzar Mann. I’d love to see how these three became closer and subsequently grew apart. There’s so much character work possible there.

The trio’s dynamic alone would make it worthwhile to focus on Stellan in a standalone High Republic movie. But Stellan was also Vernestra Rwoh’s master, a Jedi prodigy knighted at the tender age of 15. While an older, live-action version of Vernestra was seen on screen in Star Wars: The Acolyte, her relationship with Stellan is undeniably compelling. Honestly, I just want to see more of the High Republic on screen. Is that too much to ask?

6

Darth Revan

First appearance: Legends (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)

I don’t think a single Star Wars (Legends) fan doesn’t want to see Darth Revan brought into Star Wars canon, especially since the game remake of Knights of the Old Republic seems to be on hold indefinitely. One of the most beloved and complex Sith in the entire franchise, Revan had pivotal roles to play in both the Mandalorian Wars and the Jedi Civil War. So much compelling and pivotal Star Wars history is intrinsically tied to this character. It would be a shame never to bring this tale to the big screen.

I’m convinced Gosling could play anyone in the Star Wars universe. Why not a character as universally revered as Darth Revan? It would be a great use of his star power and a fantastic chance for Star Wars to start re-building its canon history.

5

Kyle Katarn

First appearance: Legends (Star Wars: Dark Forces)

If Luke Skywalker is building a new Jedi Order, then there’s no reason why Kyle Katarn can’t make his cinematic debut, too. Katarn started as a Force-sensitive Rebel operative, and following diligent study and dangerous exploratory missions, eventually became a Jedi Master. He even took on a Jedi Padawan, fan-favorite Legends character Mara Jade, and soon became a leader of the new Jedi High Council.

Obviously, the canonical New Republic timeline is very different from the one in Legends, and not all of Kyle’s story beats can be included; but he’d certainly be a fun and intriguing addition to the Star Wars canon. I can see Gosling as Katarn, can’t you? There’s so much this character could do and become!

4

Marchion Ro

First appearance: Star Wars: The High Republic (Light of the Jedi)

Marchion Ro is arguably one of Star Wars’ greatest villains, and that’s saying something, considering he isn’t even a Sith. The leader of a band of vicious marauders known as the Nihil, Marchion Ro has almost single-handedly outwitted the Republic and the Jedi during the High Republic era, driving them closer together and setting the stage for their eventual defeat centuries later. He was responsible for the Great Hyperspace Disaster, the destruction of Starlight Beacon, and the annexation of a huge swathe of Republic space, plunging hundreds of worlds into chaos and suffering.

Marchion Ro is an incredibly compelling character and would give Gosling a lot to chew on. Plus, I think it would be fun for Gosling to play a character that isn’t human but rather another species entirely (Evereni). It would take the focus away from “Wow, that’s Ryan Gosling,” to “Wow, that’s Marchion Ro!” If any recent Star Wars villain deserves to make a big-screen debut, it’s Marchion Ro.

3

Ajunta Pall

First appearance: Legends (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)

Star Wars: The Acolyte made a valiant attempt to understand the lore of the Sith, but its premature cancelation stopped that exploration in its tracks. So, why not cast Gosling as the first-ever Sith lord? Ajunta Pall was a Jedi Knight who went rogue and created a faction of Dark Jedi, leading them to exile from the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic. Following the Hundred-Year Darkness, Ajunta and his followers became stranded on Korriban, where he became the first “Dark Lord of the Sith.”

Later, as told in Knights of the Old Republic, Darth Revan encounters the spirit of Ajunta Pall, and the latter spoke of his regret for leading his fellow Jedi astray. Revan eventually convinces Pall to revert to the Light, and the former rogue Jedi becomes one with the Force. This would be such a great story to bring into Star Wars canon, finally giving audiences answers about the Sith religion and an examination of what it means for a Jedi to turn to the dark side.

2

Tarre Vizsla

First mentioned: Star Wars Rebels

Just like pirates, Mandalorians are having a moment in Star Wars, too, so why not give Ryan Gosling the ultimate Mandalorian role? Originally mentioned in Star Wars Rebels, Tarre Vizsla was the first (but no longer the only) Mandalorian Jedi. He created the legendary Darksaber roughly 1,000 years before the Skywalker saga and eventually became the Mand’alor, the sole leader of the people of Mandalore.

Given the prominence of Mandalorian culture in Star Wars, their history is still woefully underexplored in canon (Legends is a different story). Star Wars has been carefully attempting to explore more of the Star Wars timeline, so a story centered on Tarre Vizsla and the history of Mandalore would be a great way to dig deeper into Star Wars and Mandalorian lore. This is another role Gosling could make entirely his own without relying on previous interpretations.

1

Elzar Mann

First appearance: Star Wars: The High Republic (Light of the Jedi)

Elzar Mann is the second High Republic-era Jedi I would love to see Gosling play (and my favorite choice). Elzar is one of the most emotionally complex Jedi Star Wars has ever introduced. He struggles with his morality, his mortality, his need for love and companionship, his power, and above all, his guilt. His relationships with Avar Kriss and Stellan Gios are pivotal to his character and his development, too. It’s a meaty role; one Gosling would undoubtedly be perfectly suited for.

It’s about time the High Republic was brought to the big screen, in my opinion. Casting Gosling as Elzar would make this pivotal Star Wars era more intriguing for High Republic newcomers and avid readers alike. Honestly, I see no downside. Come on, Lucasfilm, what are you waiting for? Whatever role Ryan Gosling potentially ends up playing in Star Wars, we can’t wait to find out.