The biggest revelation from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the announcement that Shawn Levy, known for directing Deadpool & Wolverine, is set to helm the new standalone film, Star Wars: Starfighter. This live-action movie will star Ryan Gosling and is slated to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, following the release of 2026's The Mandalorian and Grogu. Production is scheduled to commence this fall, and while details are scarce, we know it will be set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This timeline positions Starfighter further into the future than any previous Star Wars film or series.
Currently, the plot details of Starfighter remain largely under wraps. However, Lucasfilm has shared one pivotal piece of information: the film takes place in a period of the Star Wars universe that hasn't been extensively explored on screen. Given the ending of The Rise of Skywalker, and considering the pre-Disney Legends universe's depiction of this era, we can speculate on some of the major questions and potential storylines that Starfighter might address.
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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 for the PS2 and Xbox. The original game, released in 2001, was set during Episode I and highlighted the heroics of pilots during the Battle of Naboo. Its sequel, Jedi Starfighter, released in 2002, focused on Jedi Master Adi Gallia and the pirate Nym, taking place during Episode II. Given that the new movie is set decades later, it's unlikely to draw directly from the plots of these games. However, it could potentially adopt the ship-to-ship combat style seen in Jedi Starfighter, which introduced unique Force powers into the mix. This could suggest that Gosling's character might be both a Jedi and a skilled pilot, adding an exciting twist to the film's action sequences.
The Fate of the New Republic
The Rise of Skywalker concluded with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, but left the fate of the New Republic ambiguous. After the destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base in The Force Awakens, the New Republic's leadership was decimated. Subsequent Star Wars projects have primarily focused on the Resistance's struggle against the First Order, leaving the New Republic's status post-Rise of Skywalker unclear. It's conceivable that the New Republic still exists during Starfighter but is significantly weakened, grappling with internal conflicts as seen in the novel Star Wars: Bloodline.
Moreover, remnants of the First Order might still be lurking, similar to the Imperial Remnant following the Battle of Endor. This could set the stage for a power struggle within the galaxy, ripe for epic space battles that fans adore. The ongoing pirate problem, as depicted in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, could further complicate the New Republic's efforts to restore order. Gosling's character might be a pilot fighting to bring stability to the galaxy, possibly filling the narrative void left by Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron movie. Alternatively, he could be defending a planet without the Republic's aid or even be an ex-First Order trooper like Finn.
As a standalone film, Starfighter is unlikely to introduce a new overarching conflict akin to Rebels vs. Empire or Resistance vs. First Order. Instead, it may explore the aftermath of The Rise of Skywalker, focusing on a villain exploiting the galaxy's current power vacuum.
Rebuilding the Jedi Order
Luke Skywalker's attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order was tragically disrupted by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side and the destruction of the Jedi Temple. While many Jedi were killed, it's plausible that some survived, much like after Order 66. The status of Ahsoka Tano during this era remains a mystery, though her voice was heard among the Force ghosts at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, and Dave Filoni has hinted that she may still be alive.
Rey Skywalker is set to continue Luke's legacy and rebuild the Jedi Order, as seen in the upcoming New Jedi Order movie directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker. Whether Starfighter will touch on the Jedi's current state depends largely on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive. If so, Rey might make a cameo, reaching out to this promising pilot. If not, Starfighter could follow the style of Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story, focusing on ordinary heroes without delving deeply into Jedi lore.
Are the Sith Still Around?
With Palpatine's definitive demise in The Rise of Skywalker, the question arises: are there any Sith left in the galaxy? The Star Wars Legends universe suggests that the Sith could persist even after Palpatine's death, with various dark-side users vying for power. The Clone Wars series showed Palpatine facing multiple dark-side rivals, indicating that there could be other dark-side practitioners ready to fill the void left by Palpatine. Whether Starfighter will explore this remains to be seen, particularly if Gosling's character isn't a Jedi. For more on this, fans might need to wait for 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 is set in an uncharted period of the Star Wars timeline. As a standalone movie, it may not feature many familiar faces. However, Star Wars films often include cameos and callbacks. Poe Dameron, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, seems a likely candidate to appear, given his status as a skilled pilot and a hero of the Resistance. His involvement in rebuilding the galaxy could intersect with Gosling's character's journey.
Chewbacca, the beloved Wookiee, could also make a return. Whether he's still with Rey or has embarked on new adventures, a scene with him co-piloting the Millennium Falcon alongside Gosling's character would be a nostalgic nod to the Skywalker Saga. John Boyega's Finn, with his connection to former Stormtroopers, could also play a role, especially if the film involves remnants of the First Order. Rey's appearance might hinge on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi, given Lucasfilm's plans for her future.
Which surviving character from The Rise of Skywalker would you most like to see in Star Wars: Starfighter? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
AnswerSee ResultsFor more on the future of the Star Wars franchise, find out why Lucasfilm needs to stop announcing movies and just make them, and brush up on every Star Wars movie and series in development.
