Starfighter Sets New Record for the Star Wars Franchise

Though Star Wars: Starfighter isn’t set to release until May 27, it’s already generating buzz in the gaming community. The upcoming sci-fi film has reportedly amassed a staggering budget of $226.5 million by the time filming concluded.

Typically, Star Wars productions, including TV shows, come with hefty price tags, but Starfighter appears to be taking it to the next level. Its budget surpasses that of the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was later revealed to be the most expensive movie ever made until it was dethroned by Colin Trevorrow’s 2022 Jurassic World Dominion.

However, the final cost of Starfighter could escalate even further depending on the extent of post-production work. This phase is crucial for visual effects (VFX), which are expected to be extensive given the film’s focus on alien worlds, starfighter battles, and breathtaking planetscapes.

Considering the lackluster visual appeal of Disney’s recent release, The Mandalorian and Grogu, it’s likely that Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) will go all out to ensure Starfighter dazzles audiences. This means that post-production could become a significant financial investment.

The Mandalorian and Grogu struggled at the box office, recording the worst opening weekend of any Star Wars film and earning just $345.6 million, the lowest total for any Disney Star Wars project. With high stakes, Lucasfilm and Disney are under pressure to deliver a quality experience with Starfighter, making their investment in its production all the more critical.

Star Wars: Starfighter will also feature a lineup of notable talent.

It’s worth noting that both Starfighter and The Force Awakens were filmed at Pinewood Studios in the UK, allowing them to benefit from the UK government’s Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit. This program, managed by HMRC and certified by BFI, offers productions a cash rebate of up to 25.5% on eligible spending in the country. This financial incentive provides producers with more flexibility in their budgets, but whether it will translate into quality for Starfighter remains to be seen.

Directed by Shawn Levy, known for his work on Deadpool and Wolverine, Starfighter is set five years after The Rise of Skywalker. The story follows Kade Auberon, portrayed by Ryan Gosling, a cynical character with a complex and mysterious background. Joining him are Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and Amy Adams.