New details about Matt Smith‘s character in Star Wars: Starfighter have potentially been revealed. Multiple outlets reported earlier this week that Smith has joined the cast of the Lucasfilm project as a villain. The movie also features Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth in the cast, with Deadpool & Wolverine helmer Shawn Levy directing.
Matt Smith’s role possibly revealed in Star Wars: Starfighter
According to Jeff Sneider, Matt Smith is portraying a military general in Star Wars: Starfighter, which takes place five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker. Sneider made this claim in his recent newsletter before discussing it on a new episode of The Hot Mic with John Rocha.
During the podcast, Rocha brought up Smith’s casting, mentioned “rumors” about the Doctor Who actor portraying an antagonistic role, and noted that this character would appear alongside a female villain. Notably, back in May 2025, it was reported that Goth had boarded the project to play an antagonist opposite Gosling.
When asked about his thoughts on the subject, Sneider stated that he wasn’t a fan of Smith before claiming neither Smith nor Goth’s outing as a villain in Starfighter will be “iconic.” He added that Smith’s character “doesn’t have Force powers.”
Sneider continued, “He’s like a military general.” The journalist also mentioned that he doesn’t know much about Goth’s character. He also declined to comment on whether Gosling’s character is a Force-sensitive individual in the movie.
Sneider further stated that Smith wasn’t the first choice to play the role in Starfighter and that “a lot of people have been passing on this movie.” Deadline reported that Levy has met several individuals for this role and cited sources to report that the studio executives decided to cast the House of the Dragon star.
Rocha and Sneider also talked about speculations that Smith was being eyed to play Young Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker at one point and whether that had any impact on his casting in Starfighter.
Levy will direct Star Wars: Starfighter from a script by Jonathan Tropper. Production begins this fall. The movie comes out in US theaters on May 28, 2027.
Originally reported by Tamal Kundu on SuperHeroHype.
