Matt Smith Cast as Villain in "Star Wars: Starfighter"

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"House of the Dragon" star Matt Smith made it into the "Star Wars" universe on his second attempt.

As confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, the actor known for his roles in "Doctor Who" and "House of the Dragon" has been cast as the antagonist in Shawn Levy's upcoming "Star Wars: Starfighter."

He won't be the only villain in the film. The director is still searching for an actress to play a female antagonist – "Anora" star Mikey Madison was previously considered for the role.
Matt Smith with blonde hair in profile, still from House of the Dragon
Matt Smith joins Star Wars
Source: IMDb
The lead role in "Starfighter" will be played by Ryan Gosling. The premiere is scheduled for May 28, 2027.

Second chance at the galaxy

This isn't first shot at joining the Star Wars franchise. In 2018, he was considered for a role in the ninth episode of the saga – "The Rise of Skywalker" – but it didn't work out.

In an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, journalist Josh Horowitz asked the actor if it was true he'd been offered the role of young Palpatine. Smith declined to comment on details but shared his thoughts:
It was a pretty cool thing, a really cool role and concept. It was a big story, an important Star Wars plot point that could have changed a lot, but it never came together in the end.
Ultimately, Ian McDiarmid reprised his role as Emperor Palpatine in the trilogy's final film.

Perfect villain casting

Casting Matt Smith as the antagonist looks like a strategically smart move. The 42-year-old actor has already proven his mastery at playing complex and morally ambiguous characters. His role as Prince Regent Daemon Targaryen in "House of the Dragon" proves he excels at charismatic and dangerous heroes who balance charm with cruelty. And audiences love exactly that kind of character. Smith has the rare talent of making his characters simultaneously attractive and frightening, so he'll undoubtedly add new dimensions to the Star Wars villain gallery.