According to hollywoodreporter.com in their article titled, “‘Star Wars’ Shocker: Ryan Gosling in Talks to Star in Shawn Levy’s Movie (Exclusive)”, which was written by Boris Kit and Pamela McClintock and published on Jan. 21, 2025, as well as by several other sources, Ryan Gosling is in talks to become the next mainstream actor to appear in the “Star Wars” universe. The  project, although not confirmed, is speculated to be led by filmmaker Shawn Levy.

According to the article, there is much up in the air in regards to what the project that Gosling is attaching himself to will revolve around, as well as when it will be in development.  There is speculation  that whatever it may be, it will be a standalone project to the main Skywalker saga, which has yet to see a film be added to its timeline since “The Rise of Skywalker”, which was released in 2019. Although this is likely going to bring along a cult following to “Star Wars” who have seen Gosling’s works in recent years, with the most notable including “Barbie” (2023), “Bladerunner 2049” (2018) and “First Man” (2018) just being a few of the many listed on imdb.com, this does raise the question: Is this something that is good for “Star Wars?” 

For those who have been following the IP, or Intellectual Property, as of late, it is no secret that there has been quite a bit of backlash from the audience as a whole on what they have received. One of the most noted critics of the product happens to be the most subscribed “Star Wars” youtuber in the world. 

A Canadian youtuber by the name of Niatoos Dadbeh, according to his name reveal video that he posted on his main channel on June 5, 2021, or better known to his audience as “Star Wars Theory,” began his journey on the platform on July 31, 2016 when he posted his first video. Since that time, he has accumulated 3.3 million subscribers on his main channel and in the years following his arrival has been able to start his own lightsaber brand known as “Theory Sabers,” personally funded a fan-film and is in the midst of finishing another one, and has collaborated with other notable “Star Wars” content creators such as “The Stupendous Wave.” 

The youtuber has been vocal on countless videos on what he sees as Disney failing to produce quality content for “Star Wars” on a consistent basis, including Disney+ shows, such as “Star Wars: Obi-wan Kenobi,” “Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett” and “Star Wars: The Acolyte.” The latter has been an especially controversial topic for “Star Wars Theory” as he has been quite outspoken on his YouTube channel and social media pages regarding anything having to do with the show, such as them changing portions of the canon, the excessive budget, and statements by the actors and actresses who have defended the show with the notion that a large chunk of the audience who did not enjoy the series have an issue with homosexual themes that were prevalent in multiple episodes.

All of this, as well as much more that was not touched on, is to say that “Star Wars” has been mired in quite a bit of controversy for a few years now, and although Gosling attaching his name to the product is seemingly not a philosophical issue like the themes of “Star Wars: The Acolyte” are, it has brought out more outspoken “Star Wars” fans who are upset that the IP is leaning more and more on notable and established names rather than up and coming actors and actresses to grow the credibility of their product.

In all honesty, it does not stop with Gosling. In another article published on Jan. 9, 2025 by Kit from “The Hollywood Reporter,” Rory McCann has also attached his name to “Star Wars” and will star as Baylan Skoll in season two of “Star Wars: Ahsoka.” This is in lieu of the original actor and another well-known name in Hollywood, Roy Stevenson, who passed away from an illness in May of 2023. McCann, who is regarded as one of the standouts in his role as Sandor Clegane or “The Hound” on HBO’s series “Game of Thrones” has continued to grow his name in the acting industry, recently appearing in “Gladiator II.”

Again, despite the fact that such popular and well-regarded actors being a part of “Star Wars” will seemingly only bring more attention and fans to the product, I, as well as what I see as many like minded fans just have a hard time having this be the course that “Star Wars” takes. When I think of “Star Wars,” as great as the performances have been from almost every actor and actress involved, I do not look at the Mark Hamill’s or “Hayden Christensen’s” as what stood out to me, but the iconic characters such as Luke Skywalker and Anakin Skywalker that George Lucas has helped create and have extended far beyond what the actors could.

For me, that is what “Star Wars” should be; characters that, as great as the actors and actresses are, are simply a vessel for the character to shape  for that specific film or series and for said character to continue to forge his or her own stories in the novels, comics, animated series, video games and possible future appearances on the big and small screen. I just fear that as great as I am sure Gosling, McCann and other big name actors will be, casual fans and even diehard “Star Wars” fans will begin looking towards the actors who take on the character for one project, rather than the characters who will go on to be used and expanded upon for more and more projects to come.