Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars movie, for which Ryan Gosling is reportedly in talks, may be hitting the big screen sooner than many are anticipating, based on new comments from writer of the movie Jonathan Tropper. There are a number of upcoming Star Wars movies, some much more clearly defined than others. The Mandalorian and Grogu is currently the only upcoming movie with a confirmed release date—May 22, 2026, in this case—and many were expecting Rey’s upcoming Star Wars movie, rumored to be тιтled Star Wars: New Jedi Order, to be next.

In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley, however, writer of Shawn Levy’s Star Wars movie Jonathan Tropper has hinted that the movie may be coming quicker than we think. Per Tropper:

“I’m really not going to be able to talk about this. So yeah, you know, we’re still working on it. Yeah, it’s our fourth project together. It’s the first one since The Adam Project.'”

“I am [excited] too,” Tropper said after ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley expressed excitement about the project’s development. “I hope it’s on the way sooner than you think.”

While Tropper couldn’t confirm the movie’s timeline (or even officially confirm it will be coming soon), his comments are a major hint about the movie’s progress, which is particularly telling given recent comments from Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.

There Have Been Rumors Development Will Begin On Shawn Levy’s Star Wars Movie Soon

Kennedy’s Comments About Levy’s Movie Came As A Major Surprise

The details of Shawn Levy’s Star Wars movie remain sparse, but there have been a few hints that the movie may be making some progress much earlier than originally expected, even before these comments. In fact, Shawn Levy’s movie was arguably among the upcoming Star Wars projects that felt a bit more like a question mark than a sure thing. However, rumors have been growing that production will begin this year, and although I found that difficult to believe, Kathleen Kennedy’s comments have convinced me.

Kathleen Kennedy’s many Star Wars reveals earlier this year provided some key updates for Star Wars movies and TV shows moving forward, Shawn Levy’s movie among them. Shockingly, Kennedy seemed to describe Shawn Levy’s movie as the next after The Mandalorian and Grogu, saying:

“I’m producing the Mandalorian movie right now, and I’m also producing Shawn Levy’s movie, which is after that.”

If Shawn Levy’s movie is indeed after The Mandalorian and Grogu, which comes out next year, it’s much more believable that production will begin as early as this year.

Our Take On Shawn Levy’s Mysterious Star Wars Movie

I’m Genuinely Hoping Ryan Gosling Really Is Involved… As Controversial As That May Prove To Be

New projects are unfortunately always going to face some degree of backlash and criticism in this franchise, and I’m sure that will be true of Levy’s movie as well. It’s perhaps even more likely to attract this type of response if Gosling is cast, but I am actually hopeful Gosling will be cast in Shawn Levy’s Star Wars movie. I think Gosling is a much more impressive actor than he’s often given credit for, not only with very well-known projects like La La Land, but also with movies like The Place Beyond the Pines.

He would bring something new and exciting to Star Wars and has the acting chops to pull it off. I’m also simply excited to see what Levy does with the movie, as it really is almost entirely shrouded in mystery at this point. Several Star Wars movies have seemed to be in limbo for years, but Shawn Levy’s Star Wars movie feels like one to get excited about—and it may be here sooner than anyone anticipated.