Just a few months before production on Star Wars: Starfighter begins, Shawn Levy's Star Wars movie has found its villain. The standalone Star Wars movie is set to follow Ryan Gosling's lead character, and while details about the movie are overall few and far between, there is quite a bit we're learning from this slowly-growing cast. Star Wars: Starfighter is breaking a common franchise trend by casting some massive names, and its villain is the next one to this star-studded roster.

As reported by THR after industry insider Jeff Snedier broke the news, actor Mia Goth, known primarily for her work in horror movies such as Pearl (2022) and X (2022), has been cast as the villain in Star Wars: Starfighter. As is the case with the rest of the movie's details, little is known about her character, although it can be assumed that she may be one of the "evil pursuers" THR has detailed concerning a plot that follows Gosling's character "[protecting] his young nephew."

What Mia Goth's Casting Means For Star Wars: Starfighter

This Is A Historical Move For The Franchise

We may not know much about Goth's role in Star Wars: Starfighter yet, but her casting alone is a massive move for the franchise. This marks the first time Star Wars has had a female main villain in a movie, building upon the foundation set up by Gwendoline Christie's Star Wars sequel trilogy antagonist Captain Phasma. This alone is a hugely promising decision for Star Wars, especially given Goth's most notable and recent performances in her various roles.

Pearl is the one that likely comes to mind for most, given how noteworthy and fierce her performance in the film truly is. Goth has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with, particularly when it comes to being a true threat in her roles. This, as noted above, makes her the second big name so far to Starfighter's cast, alongside Gosling's own leading role - which is yet another way that her casting is making Star Wars history.

Our Take On Goth's Mysterious Villain Role

Star Wars Wanted A Big Name

Interestingly enough, this news of Goth's casting comes soon after reports from various outlets that Oscar winner Mikey Madison had turned down the villain role due to a pay dispute. Make no mistake; Goth is no mere "replacement." As stated above, she is a force to be reckoned with entirely on her own, and will no doubt make this role her own in a way that Madison would have, too. It does, however, prove that Star Wars is interested in big names for this project.

As for the nature of Goth's role, it's still hard to guess at this stage exactly who she will be portraying, though a look at her work can help to provide some hints as to what we can expect. It's unlikely Starfighter will go back to a Sith-like villain in the Star Wars timeline after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, though it's not impossible. Whatever Star Wars: Starfighter chooses to do with their villain, Goth will no doubt be an excellent fit in this mysterious yet highly anticipated role.

Source: Jeff Sneider, THR