The Unlikely Galaxy: How Star Wars: Starfighter Borrows from a 1960s Classic
When I first heard that Star Wars: Starfighter was drawing inspiration from The Outsiders, my initial reaction was, Really? Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s novel is a gritty, coming-of-age story about teenage gangs in 1960s Tulsa. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply rooted in the struggles of youth on the fringes of society. Meanwhile, Star Wars is… well, Star Wars—a sprawling space opera filled with lightsabers, alien worlds, and epic battles. On the surface, these two couldn’t be more different. But as director Shawn Levy explains, the connection isn’t as far-fetched as it seems.
The Outsiders in Outer Space: A Match Made in the Margins
What makes this particularly fascinating is the way Levy and Ryan Gosling (who plays Kade Auberon) latched onto the core themes of The Outsiders. The Socs and Greasers may clash over socioeconomic lines, but their story is ultimately about friendship, loyalty, and finding purpose in a world that’s stacked against you. In Starfighter, the protagonists are similarly marginalized—outsiders in a galaxy that’s both technologically advanced and morally chaotic.
Personally, I think this is a brilliant move. Star Wars has always been about underdogs rising to the occasion, but grounding it in the blue-collar, working-class ethos of The Outsiders adds a layer of depth we haven’t seen before. It’s not just about saving the galaxy; it’s about surviving it, one day at a time.
A Galaxy Far, Far Away—and Yet, So Familiar
One thing that immediately stands out is the film’s setting. Starfighter takes place further into the future than any Star Wars story to date, years after The Rise of Skywalker. The Resistance defeated the First Order, but what’s left? Is there even a government? This lawless, post-conflict landscape feels eerily relevant to our own world, where the aftermath of global crises often leaves more questions than answers.
From my perspective, this is where the Outsiders influence shines. The original story wasn’t just about gang warfare; it was about the void left by systemic failures. The Greasers and Socs were products of a society that had abandoned them. In Starfighter, the characters are navigating a galaxy that’s equally fractured, where heroism isn’t about grand gestures but about surviving and connecting with others in the chaos.
The Human Core of a High-Tech Saga
What many people don’t realize is that Star Wars has always been at its best when it focuses on its characters. Sure, the visual effects and world-building are iconic, but it’s the relationships—Han and Leia, Luke and Vader, Rey and Kylo—that keep us coming back. Levy’s emphasis on grounding Starfighter in its characters is a return to that core strength.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the dynamic between Kade Auberon and the younger character played by Flynn Gray. Their relationship seems to mirror the bonds of brotherhood in The Outsiders, but with a sci-fi twist. In a galaxy where technology dominates, their connection feels like a rebellion against the impersonal forces shaping their lives.
The Future of Star Wars: A New Hope?
If you take a step back and think about it, Starfighter could be a turning point for the franchise. After decades of epic sagas and sprawling storylines, this film seems to be dialing back to something more intimate. It’s not about saving the galaxy; it’s about finding your place in it.
This raises a deeper question: Can Star Wars thrive by focusing on smaller, more personal stories? Personally, I’m optimistic. The franchise has always been about hope, and by drawing from the raw, emotional core of The Outsiders, Starfighter feels like a fresh take on what Star Wars can be.
Final Thoughts: A Galaxy Worth Exploring
What this really suggests is that great storytelling transcends genres. Whether it’s the streets of Tulsa or the far reaches of space, the struggles of the marginalized, the power of connection, and the search for purpose are universal. Starfighter isn’t just a Star Wars film; it’s a reminder that even in a galaxy far, far away, the human experience is what truly matters.
As we wait for its 2027 release, I’m excited to see how this unlikely fusion of The Outsiders and Star Wars plays out. One thing’s for sure: it’s not just another space adventure. It’s a story about the outsiders among us—and maybe, just maybe, that’s the most Star Wars thing of all.
