Tom Cruise Makes Surprise Appearance on the Set of Star Wars: Starfighter, Films a Lightsaber Duel
Tom Cruise has stunned the Star Wars fan community with a surprise appearance on the set of Star Wars: Starfighter, where he personally operated the camera to film a lightsaber duel scene—revealing a number of intriguing details about the standalone Star Wars project directed by Shawn Levy.
The Mission: Impossible legend sent shockwaves through the fandom after unexpectedly visiting the Star Wars: Starfighter set and directly taking part in filming a lightsaber battle. This fascinating behind-the-scenes story was recently shared by director Shawn Levy, offering new clues about the brand-new Star Wars film.
Tom Cruise Arrives on the Star Wars Set by Helicopter
In an interview, Shawn Levy—best known for the success of Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)—revealed that Tom Cruise arrived at the Star Wars: Starfighter set via his private helicopter.
Levy humorously recalled: “Last week Steven Spielberg was here. And now Tom Cruise is holding a camera, getting his very nice shoes dirty.”
To welcome the special guest, the crew even blasted the Mission: Impossible theme through large speakers as Cruise touched down.
From “Just Visiting” to Filming a Lightsaber Duel
Initially, Tom Cruise said he only wanted to observe the filming process. However, Shawn Levy half-jokingly suggested that Cruise try stepping behind the camera.
To everyone’s surprise, Cruise took the suggestion seriously. He rolled up his sleeves, stepped into a muddy pond on set, and began filming a lightsaber duel involving several characters whose identities have yet to be revealed.
According to Levy, audiences will eventually see footage in the final film that was shot by Tom Cruise himself.
Lightsabers Spark Surprise Among Star Wars Fans
The inclusion of a lightsaber duel in Star Wars: Starfighter has caught many fans off guard. Previously, the project was described as a standalone story, not directly tied to Jedi conflicts or the familiar Skywalker timeline.
While lightsabers are an iconic symbol of Star Wars, their appearance in Starfighter raised eyebrows, as the film has been portrayed as more grounded and intimate compared to the franchise’s usual galaxy-spanning wars.
Starfighter Storyline: A New Adventure Off the Beaten Path
For now, the plot of Star Wars: Starfighter remains tightly under wraps. What is known is that the film centers on a drifter-like character played by Ryan Gosling, alongside his young nephew.
Behind-the-scenes images show the two characters standing beside a speeder and appearing on a sci-fi raft-like structure, creating a distinctly different atmosphere from the epic space conflicts traditionally seen in Star Wars.
Matt Smith and Mia Goth: Sith, Jedi, or Something Else?
In addition to Ryan Gosling, the project also stars Matt Smith and Mia Goth. Their mysterious roles have fueled speculation among fans, including theories that both actors may portray Sith characters.
Will they face off against each other, or join forces against Jedi in the film? And will Tom Cruise leave any further mark on the project? For now, all remains a mystery.
A Standalone Star Wars Film Exploring Uncharted Territory
At Star Wars Celebration 2025 in April, Shawn Levy emphasized: “This is a standalone film. It’s not a prequel, and it’s not a sequel. It’s a completely new adventure set in a period that Star Wars has never explored before.”
According to current plans, Star Wars: Starfighter is scheduled to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.
