Ryan Gosling has been cast in the next Star Wars film, it has been announced.

The academy award-nominated actor will portray a new – as yet unnamed – character in the film, which is set five years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

The 44-year-old Canadian will star in Star Wars: Starfighter, which is due to open in theatres on May 28 2027 and will be directed by Shawn Levy.

“The reality is that this script is just so good. It has such a great story with great and original characters,” Gosling told an audience at a celebration of the franchise in Tokyo.

“It’s filled with so much heart and adventure, and there just really is not a more perfect filmmaker for this particular story than Shawn.”

The star illustrated his love for the Star Wars franchise by sharing a picture of his childhood bedspread, sent in by his mother, which was displayed on a big screen during the announcement.