TDGN Brief
Lucasfilm used D23 to tease the second season of Star Wars: Ahsoka and the upcoming film Starfighter, with the former receiving its first trailer ahead of a January 20th, 2027 release. The footage promises a darker, witchcraft-infused story as Grand Admiral Thrawn threatens to reignite galactic war. Ryan Gosling appeared on stage to promote Starfighter, though its teaser was shown only to attendees.
At D23, Lucasfilm offered a first look at season two of Star Wars: Ahsoka, which is set to debut on January 20th, 2027. The trailer, shown to the audience, depicts a more sinister tone, weaving witchcraft into the Star Wars universe. Grand Admiral Thrawn, with his characteristic blue skin and red eyes, is seen calmly orchestrating plans to plunge the galaxy back into large-scale conflict following the Empire's collapse. The clip suggests the season will explore darker themes and mystical elements beyond the typical Force lore.
Alongside the Ahsoka reveal, Ryan Gosling took the stage to tease Starfighter, a new Star Wars film. A teaser was screened exclusively for those in the room, meaning the general public has yet to see any footage. GamesRadar+ provided an exclusive description of the teaser, noting its focus on starfighter combat and a gritty aesthetic. The film is part of Lucasfilm's broader push to expand the franchise's cinematic universe beyond the Skywalker saga.
The announcements were part of a larger D23 presentation that also covered Marvel and other Disney properties, as The Verge noted in its comprehensive roundup. The Ahsoka trailer, in particular, generated significant buzz for its departure from the series' previous tone, leaning into horror-adjacent imagery and Thrawn's calculated menace. No release date for Starfighter was confirmed, but Gosling's involvement signals a major star vehicle for the franchise.
Coverage of the event was led by Polygon, which first published details of the Ahsoka trailer. IGN followed with a report on the Starfighter teaser, while GamesRadar+ offered the only detailed account of its content. The Verge's later roundup tied both announcements together, highlighting the strategic timing of the reveals. Notably, the exclusivity of the Starfighter footage means that public reaction remains limited to written descriptions, contrasting with the widespread availability of the Ahsoka trailer.
- Ahsoka season two trailer shown at D23, set for January 20th, 2027 release.
- Trailer features a darker, witchcraft-themed story with Grand Admiral Thrawn as the antagonist.
- Ryan Gosling teased Starfighter film, with a behind-closed-doors teaser described exclusively by GamesRadar+.
- No public footage of Starfighter has been released; Ahsoka trailer is widely available.
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