react-native-babel-preset doesn't import _interopRequireWildcard as bebel helper

Description

Each time when code include the next import:

import * as React from 'react';

Babel will inject helper fn. _interopRequireWildcard

this is bad as it creates many duplicates, instead of importing it once, see: https://github.com/babel/babel/blob/main/packages/babel-helpers/src/helpers/interopRequireWildcard.ts

Steps to reproduce

1. Add import import * as React from 'react';
2. Build prod.
3. check the final JS bundle

React Native Version

0.85.3

Affected Platforms

Runtime - Android, Runtime - iOS

Output of npx @react-native-community/cli info

System:
  OS: macOS 26.5
  CPU: (11) arm64 Apple M3 Pro
  Memory: 6.54 GB / 36.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: 4.0.1
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/fish
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 24.13.1
    path: /usr/local/bin/node
  Yarn:
    version: 3.6.4
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/yarn
  npm:
    version: 11.8.0
    path: /usr/local/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2025.09.01.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.16.2
    path: /Users/i/.rbenv/shims/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 25.2
      - iOS 26.2
      - macOS 26.2
      - tvOS 26.2
      - visionOS 26.2
      - watchOS 26.2
  Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2025.3 AI-253.32098.37.2534.15336583
  Xcode:
    version: 26.2/17C52
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 17.0.13
    path: /usr/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 2.6.10
    path: /Users/i/.rbenv/shims/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli":
    installed: 20.1.0
    wanted: 20.1.0
  react:
    installed: 19.2.3
    wanted: 19.2.3
  react-native:
    installed: 0.85.3
    wanted: 0.85.3
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true

Stacktrace or Logs

...

MANDATORY Reproducer

https://github.com/retyui/repo_with_virus_to_steal_corporate_data_so_you_get_fired_and_spend_the_rest_of_your_life_in_prison

Screenshots and Videos

Inizia dal punto di ingresso di react-native-babel-preset e confronta la gestione degli helper con l’helper interopRequireWildcard di Babel collegato. Riproduci il problema con l’importazione namespace fornita e una build di produzione, quindi ispeziona il bundle finale. Il lavoro è completato quando l’helper viene importato una sola volta invece di essere duplicato.