Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Details Revealed

The biggest news from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was undoubtedly the announcement that Shawn Levy, the director behind *Deadpool & Wolverine*, is set to helm *Star Wars: Starfighter*, a new standalone live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. Scheduled to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, following *The Mandalorian and Grogu* in 2026, *Starfighter* promises to be a thrilling addition to the Star Wars saga. Set approximately five years after the events of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*, this film will explore a period further along the Star Wars timeline than any previous movie or series.

While details about the plot remain scarce, the setting itself opens up a wealth of possibilities. The era following *The Rise of Skywalker* is largely uncharted territory in Star Wars lore, leaving fans eager to see how the galaxy has evolved. Let's delve into the key 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 from the early 2000s. The original *Star Wars: Starfighter* was released in 2001, set during Episode I, and its sequel, *Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter*, came out in 2002, set during Episode II. While the new film shares the name, it's unlikely to borrow heavily from the games' plots, given its setting decades later. However, the movie could draw inspiration from *Jedi Starfighter*'s innovative ship-to-ship combat, which included Force powers. Could Gosling's character be a Jedi pilot? This could add 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 state of the galaxy ambiguous. The New Republic, severely weakened after the destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base, faces an uncertain future. The novel *Star Wars: Bloodline* highlights the internal conflicts between Populists and Centrists, which could still be affecting the New Republic's efforts to rebuild. Additionally, remnants of the First Order might still be active, creating a power vacuum ripe for epic space battles. *Starfighter* could explore these dynamics, with Gosling's character potentially playing a New Republic pilot striving to restore order, or a local defender in a world left to fend for itself. This could serve as a spiritual successor to Patty Jenkins' *Rogue Squadron* movie.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order was tragically cut short by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side. While many Jedi were killed, it's plausible that some survived, much like after Order 66. The status of Ahsoka Tano, whose voice was heard among the Force ghosts in *The Rise of Skywalker*, remains a mystery. Rey Skywalker is set to continue Luke's legacy in the *New Jedi Order* movie, but that film is set a decade after *Starfighter*. Whether *Starfighter* will address the Jedi's current state depends on Gosling's character's connection to the Force. If he's Force-sensitive, we might see a cameo from Rey, but if not, the film could focus on ordinary heroes, similar to *Rogue One* and *Solo: A Star Wars Story*.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's final defeat in *The Rise of Skywalker*, the question remains whether the Sith still linger in the galaxy. The Expanded Universe suggests that the Sith could resurface, as seen in the *Star Wars: Legacy* comics. Even without the formal title of Sith, dark side users could still pose a threat. *Starfighter* might explore this, perhaps introducing a new dark side villain exploiting the power vacuum left by Palpatine's demise. However, if Gosling's character isn't a Jedi, the film might not delve into this aspect, leaving it 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?

As a standalone film, *Starfighter* might not feature many familiar faces, but Star Wars is known for its cameos. Poe Dameron, the galaxy's top pilot post-Han Solo, could play a role in rebuilding the New Republic, making him a likely candidate for a cameo. Chewbacca's current status, whether still with Rey or on his own, could also tie into the story, perhaps with Gosling's character piloting the Millennium Falcon. Finn, who became a symbol of hope for defecting Stormtroopers, might return if the film involves remnants of the First Order. Rey's appearance would depend on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi. While *Starfighter* may not be central to Rey's future, the possibility of seeing these beloved characters again adds excitement to the film.

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 on the future of the Star Wars franchise, explore why Lucasfilm needs to focus on production rather than announcements, and stay updated on every Star Wars movie and series in development.