The biggest news to come out of Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the announcement that Deadpool & Wolverine's Shawn Levy is directing Star Wars: Starfighter, a new standalone, live-action film starring Ryan Gosling. Set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, following the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, Starfighter promises to be a thrilling addition to the Star Wars saga. With production kicking off this fall, anticipation is already building for what could be a groundbreaking cinematic experience.
While specifics about the plot remain under wraps, one key detail has been shared: Starfighter is set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This places the film further along the Star Wars timeline than any previous movie or series, offering a fresh perspective on the galaxy's evolving narrative.
Our understanding of this period in Star Wars lore is limited, yet it provides a fertile ground for speculation. Drawing from the conclusion of The Rise of Skywalker and the pre-Disney Legends universe, we can explore the significant questions that arise and how Starfighter might address them.
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The Star Wars: Starfighter Games
It's worth noting that Star Wars: Starfighter shares its name with a series of games released during the PS2/Xbox era. The original Star Wars: Starfighter game, released in 2001, and its sequel, Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter in 2002, focused on different periods of the Star Wars timeline. While the new film shares a name with these games, it's unlikely to directly adapt their plots, given its setting decades later. However, the movie could draw inspiration from Jedi Starfighter's ship-to-ship combat, particularly its integration of Force powers. This raises the intriguing possibility that Gosling's character might be both a Jedi and a skilled pilot, adding an exciting dynamic to the film's action sequences.
The Fate of the New Republic
The Rise of Skywalker ends with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and his Sith Eternal, but leaves the state of the galaxy post-Battle of Exegol ambiguous. The New Republic, severely weakened after the First Order's destruction of Hosnian Prime in The Force Awakens, faces an uncertain future. The ongoing conflict between the Populists and Centrists, as seen in Star Wars: Bloodline, could still be affecting the Republic's efforts to rebuild. Additionally, the possibility of lingering First Order remnants, perhaps rallying around a new leader, adds another layer of complexity to the galaxy's power dynamics. Starfighter could explore this power struggle, featuring epic space battles and law enforcement efforts against the backdrop of a galaxy in chaos, potentially filling the narrative void left by Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron movie.
Rebuilding the Jedi Order
Luke Skywalker's dream of reviving the Jedi Order was shattered by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side and the destruction of his temple. While many Jedi were killed, it's conceivable that some survived, much like during Order 66. The current state of the Jedi, including the whereabouts of Ahsoka Tano, remains a mystery. Rey Skywalker's mission to rebuild the Jedi Order, set to be the focus of a future film, is a decade away from Starfighter's timeline. Depending on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive, Starfighter might touch on the Jedi's status or focus more on ordinary heroes, akin to Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Are the Sith Still Around?
With Palpatine's definitive demise in The Rise of Skywalker, the question of the Sith's survival looms large. Historical Star Wars lore suggests that the dark side's allure never truly fades, with figures like Darth Krayt emerging in the Legends universe. The possibility of other dark side practitioners, such as remnants of the Knights of Ren or new apprentices, adds intrigue to the post-Rise of Skywalker era. Whether Starfighter will delve into this aspect remains to be seen, potentially leaving such explorations to future films like the New Jedi Order movie or Simon Kinberg's Star Wars trilogy.
Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?
Star Wars: Starfighter introduces a new lead character and explores a previously unseen period, but Star Wars is known for its cameos and callbacks. Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron, a skilled pilot and hero, seems a likely candidate to appear, potentially aiding in the galaxy's reconstruction efforts. Chewbacca's current role, whether still with Rey or embarking on new adventures, could also intersect with Gosling's character, perhaps even involving the iconic Millennium Falcon. John Boyega's Finn might return, especially if the film deals with First Order remnants, given his role in inspiring defecting Stormtroopers. Rey's appearance could hinge on the Force-sensitivity of Gosling's character, though her future seems more tied to the New Jedi Order movie.
Which surviving character from The Rise of Skywalker would you most like to see in Star Wars: Starfighter? Let us know in the comments below.
For more insights into the future of the Star Wars franchise, explore why Lucasfilm needs to stop announcing movies and just make them, and get updated on every Star Wars movie and series in development.
