The most exciting announcement from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was undoubtedly the reveal that Shawn Levy, known for directing Deadpool & Wolverine, is set to helm Star Wars: Starfighter, a new standalone, live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. This eagerly anticipated project is slated to begin production this fall and aims for a release date of May 28, 2027, positioning it as the next Star Wars cinematic venture following 2026's The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Details about the plot of Starfighter remain scarce, but one key fact has been disclosed: the film is set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This setting places Starfighter further along the Star Wars timeline than any previous movie or series, venturing into uncharted territory within the saga.
The period following The Rise of Skywalker is relatively unexplored in Star Wars lore. However, we can draw some educated guesses based on the ending of that film and the pre-Disney Legends universe's depiction of this era. Let's delve into the significant questions left unanswered by The Rise of Skywalker and how Starfighter might address them.
Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show
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The Star Wars: Starfighter Games
It's worth noting that Star Wars: Starfighter shares its title with a series of games from the PS2/Xbox era. The original Star Wars: Starfighter was released in 2001, followed by Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter in 2002. While the new film shares its name with these games, it is unlikely to adopt their plots directly. The original game takes place during Episode I, focusing on pilots during the Battle of Naboo, while Jedi Starfighter is set during Episode II, featuring Jedi Master Adi Gallia and pirate Nym. Given that the new movie occurs decades later, direct plot borrowing seems improbable.
However, the movie might draw inspiration from Jedi Starfighter's ship-to-ship combat mechanics, which introduced Force powers like shields, lightning, and shockwaves. If Gosling's character is both a Jedi and a skilled pilot, this could add an exciting dimension to the film's action sequences.
The Fate of the New Republic
The Rise of Skywalker concludes with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, but it leaves the state of the galaxy post-Battle of Exegol ambiguous. The fate of the New Republic, devastated by the First Order's Starkiller Base in The Force Awakens, remains uncertain. Most Sequel-era projects have centered on the conflict between Leia's Resistance and the First Order, offering little insight into the New Republic's recovery.
It's plausible that the New Republic persists during Starfighter, albeit in a weakened state. The novel Star Wars: Bloodline depicts the Republic grappling with internal strife between Populists and Centrists, a conflict that could continue as the Republic attempts to rebuild. Additionally, remnants of the First Order might still be active, potentially rallying around a surviving leader after Kylo Ren's demise.
This suggests a power struggle within the galaxy, ripe for the epic space battles that Star Wars fans relish. The film could explore piracy, a growing threat highlighted in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, further complicating the galaxy's instability.
Gosling's character might be a New Republic pilot striving to restore order, possibly filling the role originally intended for Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron movie. Alternatively, he could represent a local defender of a planet struggling without the Republic's aid, or even an ex-First Order trooper akin to Finn.
As a standalone film, Starfighter is unlikely to establish a new overarching conflict but rather 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 ambition to revive the Jedi Order was initially successful, as seen in The Book of Boba Fett and various books and comics. However, Ben Solo's fall to the dark side and subsequent destruction of Luke's Jedi Temple halted this progress, leading Luke to retreat to Ahch-To.
The current state of the Jedi remains unclear. While many were killed during Ben's attack, survivors from Order 66 suggest some may have escaped. Ahsoka Tano's status, hinted at in The Rise of Skywalker and by Dave Filoni, adds to the mystery. Rey Skywalker's mission to rebuild the Jedi Order, set to be explored in the New Jedi Order film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, occurs a decade after Starfighter.
Whether Starfighter will delve into the Jedi's state depends on Gosling's character's Force sensitivity. If he is Force-sensitive, Rey might make a cameo to mentor him. Otherwise, like Rogue One and Solo, the film might focus on non-Jedi heroes.
Are the Sith Still Around?
The Rise of Skywalker confirmed Palpatine as the overarching villain of the Skywalker Saga, but his final demise raises questions about the Sith's survival. The Expanded Universe suggests Palpatine's death wouldn't end the Sith lineage, as seen with Darth Krayt in Star Wars: Legacy.
The galaxy is likely to face further threats from dark-side users, whether they identify as Sith or not. Palpatine's history with multiple dark-side rivals, including the Nightsisters and Maul, implies other power-hungry individuals might emerge in his absence.
However, Starfighter may not directly address the Sith's status unless Gosling's character is a Jedi, leaving this exploration for future projects 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 protagonist and is set in an unexplored period, yet the franchise's tradition of cameos suggests familiar faces might appear. Poe Dameron, now one of the galaxy's top pilots following Han Solo's death, could play a role in the New Republic's restoration, making him a likely candidate for a cameo.
Chewbacca's current activities post-The Rise of Skywalker are unknown; he might still be with Rey or could cross paths with Gosling's character, perhaps piloting the Millennium Falcon together.
Finn, who became a symbol of hope for defecting Stormtroopers, could return if the film involves remnants of the First Order. His journey might intersect with Gosling's character, possibly another trooper seeking redemption.
Rey's involvement depends on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi, as Lucasfilm has plans for her future that might not include Starfighter.
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.
