Starfighter Officially Broke a Star Wars Franchise Record Already
Star Wars: Starfighter had spent $226.5 million by the time filming wrapped, making it more expensive at that stage than The Force Awakens was at the same point. The figure could rise during post-production, when visual effects are completed, potentially making it one of the franchise’s costliest films.
The comparison has a caveat: both films were made at Pinewood Studios and could benefit from a UK tax credit reimbursing up to 25.5% of eligible local spending. Directed by Shawn Levy, Starfighter is set five years after The Rise of Skywalker and stars Ryan Gosling as Kade Auberon, alongside Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth and Amy Adams. It is due for release on 27 May.
In short
- Starfighter had cost $226.5 million by the end of filming.
- Post-production could push its budget higher.
- UK tax credits may offset some eligible spending.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The reported spend may be justified if it enables the scale, visual effects and production quality audiences expect from a major Star Wars film. A large budget can also support jobs and spending in the UK, while a strong box office performance could make the investment worthwhile for the studio.
The case against
A $226.5 million spend before post-production is a substantial financial risk, especially as the final cost could rise further and a franchise name does not guarantee commercial success. Publicly supported tax credits may also prompt questions about whether the local economic benefits justify the subsidy and whether the money could have been better used elsewhere.
Explained simply
Star Wars is a long-running science-fiction film series about conflict between the Jedi, who use the Force, and the Sith, who seek power through it. Its films span different periods in the same fictional galaxy, with later stories often featuring characters and events introduced in earlier films.
Starfighter is a new film directed by Shawn Levy, set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, the film that concluded the series’ sequel trilogy. Ryan Gosling plays Kade Auberon, with Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth and Amy Adams also starring.
Film budgets cover the costs of making a production, including filming and visual effects, and can change before a film is finished. The UK offers tax relief for some spending on film productions made there, so comparisons between budgets may depend on which costs are counted and how that relief is treated.