Shawn Levy Reveals Thomas Newman Will Compose the Score for ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’

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Shawn Levy, director of the new film, has announced who will be creating the movie’s musical score. While John Williams’ music is instantly recognizable as Star Wars – think of the main theme or Darth Vader’s march – Levy has chosen a different composer for his film. In aiming for a fresh take on Star Wars, he’s also brought in a new musical talent to the Disney-owned franchise.

Director Levy recently discussed the music for his upcoming film, Star Wars: Starfighter, on the On Film…With Kevin McCarthy podcast. He announced he’s working with Thomas Newman, an Academy Award nominee, to score the 2027 film, which stars Ryan Gosling, and shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration.

When people ask me about my favorite film composers, Tom Newman consistently ranks among the top five, alongside scores like ‘Shawshank,’ ‘Road to Perdition,’ ‘Finding Nemo,’ and ‘American Beauty.’ He’s truly a master. As I considered the music for this film, I knew it needed a classic feel, but I didn’t want to simply recreate John Williams’ work. While inspired by composers like Williams, I wanted a score that was full of heart and didn’t avoid strong, memorable themes. I believe every film benefits from having its own unique musical theme.

Thomas Newman Will Need to Somehow Add His Musical Identity to the Iconic Franchise

Creating a new musical score for Star Wars is a huge challenge. Any composer taking on the task has to measure up to the legacy of John Williams and create something unique that complements his iconic work. The Star Wars theme is one of the most recognizable in film history, and while talented composers like Michael Giacchino, John Powell, Nicholas Britell, and Ludwig Göransson have contributed to the series, none have quite reached the same legendary status as Williams.

I’ve always admired how Levy thinks about music in his films. He really wanted something special for this one, and bringing in Thomas Newman was a big part of that. He wasn’t just looking for a typical score; he wanted unique themes woven into a more traditional style. Apparently, when he offered Newman the job, there were a few specific things he was looking for – a certain approach to the music that would really fit the film’s vibe.

As a huge fan, what I love about John Williams’ approach is that he doesn’t limit a film to just one main theme. Think about Star Wars – we’ve got Leia’s theme, the iconic Force theme from that beautiful Binary Sunset scene, and of course, the powerful Imperial March. He creates so many different musical ideas, and they all work together with the story and visuals to make the experience so much richer. He isn’t afraid to use a lot of different melodies to really tell the story.

I reached out to Tom Newman, telling him I was a fan – I’m Shawn Levy – and asked if he’d be open to the idea. He asked me to send the script and explain my vision for the project, which I did. He loved both, and I was thrilled!

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2025-11-27 18:33