Tom Cruise Lands Helicopter on Star Wars: Starfighter Set — Ryan Gosling Misses It

Alright, buckle up, because the next Star Wars movie is shaping up to be a bit of an odd duck, even by a galaxy far, far away’s standards. Let's break down what we know about Star Wars: Starfighter, mostly because the behind-the-scenes antics are nearly as wild as anything you'd actually see on screen.

Ryan Gosling Joins the Star Wars Universe… Finally

If you thought Ryan Gosling was going to keep dodging massive blockbuster franchises forever, well, surprise. Starfighter isn’t just the first post–"Rise of Skywalker" film (that’s after the whole Battle of Exegol, if you’re tracking the timeline). It’s also Gosling’s first time setting foot in this kind of tentpole chaos. Is he playing a dashing rogue, a gloomy Jedi, or just himself but with a laser sword? Details on his character are still under lock and key, but it’s safe to say that Disney’s giving him a galactic spotlight.

Wait, Tom Cruise… Star Wars Cameraman?

Here’s where things get especially weird: Tom Cruise, who is not in the movie, suddenly decided to make his presence felt. While the movie was in production last November, Cruise literally landed his helicopter smack in the middle of the set. He wasn’t scheduled to act or direct; the rumor is he just wanted to check out the shoot. (Because regular people drop by the Star Wars set all the time, right?)

The story goes that director Shawn Levy joked Cruise should help out instead of just watching from the sidelines. So Cruise – never one to pass up adrenaline or attention – picks up a camera and actually films a lightsaber fight between newcomer Flynn Gray and… well, some mud (apparently, they were doing a big fight scene in what Levy described as a 'muddy pond'). The kicker: Gosling, the supposed star of the movie, missed all of this. Not in the scene, not on set. According to people on site, he was reportedly 'devastated' to have missed Cruise's mini Star Wars cameo from behind the lens.

'He was devastated to have missed it.' – Official crew take on Gosling's reaction.

The Basic Facts (So Far)

• Star Wars: Starfighter is set sometime after the events of 'The Rise of Skywalker' – exact timeline still fuzzy.
• Ryan Gosling stars, marking his debut in the Star Wars sandbox (and blockbuster franchise movies in general).
• Tom Cruise – not a cast member or director – briefly took over as camera operator for an action sequence, after dropping in via helicopter and being put to work by Shawn Levy.
• Key cast addition: Flynn Gray, who got to duel with a lightsaber in mud (and in front of Cruise, lucky him).
• Gosling missed the Cruise/Levy chaos entirely, and was apparently pretty heartbroken about it.

What Happens Next?

Details on the actual plot, other cast members, or even a trailer: still locked up tighter than the Death Star trash compactor. We’re just going to have to see whether Cruise’s unplanned director-of-photography stunt makes it into the final movie, or if Gosling ever gets a rematch for all the fun he missed. Stay tuned, because if anything, this production doesn’t seem to be slowing down on the weird stories.