‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ Enlists Matt Smith in Villain Role

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Matt Smith is finally getting his turn in the Star Wars galaxy.

The House of the Dragon star, who at one point was eyed to appear in 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, has been tapped to join Shawn Levy’s Star War: Starfighter, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Lucasfilm could not be reached for comment.

This is one of multiple villain roles, according to sources, with Levy still looking to cast a female antagonist that at one point had Mikey Madison eyed for the part. Ryan Gosling stars in Starfighter, which has a release date of May 28, 2027.

In 2018, Smith was reported to be joining the ninth Star Wars movie, but that role did not come to fruition. Journalist Josh Horowitz asked Smith on the Happy Sad Confused podcast about rumors the role was for young Palpatine, with Smith declining to comment. (Original actor Ian McDiarmid ended up returning as Palpatine.)

“But it was a pretty groovy thing, it was a really groovy part and concept. It was a big thing, it was a big story detail, a transformative Star Wars story detail, and it never got quite over the line,” Smith said.

Smith, known for Doctor Who, is repped by UTA, B-Side Management and Maison Two.

Deadline first reported the news.

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