The biggest revelation from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was that Shawn Levy, the director behind *Deadpool & Wolverine*, will helm *Star Wars: Starfighter*, a new standalone, live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. Scheduled to follow *The Mandalorian and Grogu* in 2026, *Starfighter* is slated to begin production this fall, with a release date set for May 28, 2027. While the plot remains largely under wraps, Lucasfilm has confirmed that the film is set five years after the events of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*, making it the furthest along the Star Wars timeline explored to date.
This period of the Star Wars universe is relatively uncharted territory. Post-*Rise of Skywalker*, the galaxy's state and the fate of the New Republic are open questions. The Sequel Trilogy focused primarily on the conflict between Leia's Resistance and the First Order, leaving the New Republic's status ambiguous after the destruction of Hosnian Prime. By the time of *Starfighter*, the New Republic may still exist but likely in a weakened state, grappling with internal conflicts as seen in *Star Wars: Bloodline*. Additionally, remnants of the First Order might persist, hinting at ongoing power struggles that could set the stage for epic space battles.
The film's title, *Star Wars: Starfighter*, echoes a series of video games from the early 2000s. However, the new movie is unlikely to draw directly from the plots of these games, set during the prequel era. Instead, it might adopt the engaging ship-to-ship combat style seen in *Jedi Starfighter*, possibly integrating Force powers into the action. This raises questions about whether Gosling's character could be a Jedi pilot, adding an exciting layer to the film's dynamics.
The aftermath of Luke Skywalker's attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order is another critical aspect. After Ben Solo's betrayal, the fate of the remaining Jedi is uncertain. While Rey Skywalker is set to lead a new Jedi Order 15 years after *The Rise of Skywalker*, *Starfighter* might offer insights into the current state of the Jedi or focus on ordinary heroes, similar to *Rogue One* and *Solo: A Star Wars Story*.
The question of the Sith's presence post-*Rise of Skywalker* also looms large. With Palpatine's final defeat, the galaxy might be free of Sith influence, but the Star Wars universe has a history of Dark Side threats emerging. Whether *Starfighter* will delve into this remains to be seen, potentially depending on the nature of Gosling's character.
While *Starfighter* introduces a new lead and is a standalone film, it's possible that familiar faces from the Sequel Trilogy might make appearances. Poe Dameron, known for his piloting skills, could play a role in the galaxy's reconstruction efforts. Chewbacca, Rey, or even Finn could also return, each potentially contributing to the narrative in unique ways.
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The Star Wars: Starfighter Games
Although *Star Wars: Starfighter* shares its name with a series of games from the PS2/Xbox era, the movie is not expected to adapt their plots. The original games are set during the prequel era, focusing on different pilots and events. However, the film might borrow the engaging ship-to-ship combat elements from *Jedi Starfighter*, potentially integrating Force powers into the action sequences.
The Fate of the New Republic
After *The Rise of Skywalker*, the fate of the New Republic remains uncertain. The Sequel Trilogy's focus on the Resistance vs. First Order conflict left the New Republic's future unclear. By the time of *Starfighter*, the New Republic might still exist but in a weakened state, dealing with internal conflicts and the lingering threat of First Order remnants. This setting provides a rich backdrop for the power struggles and space battles expected in the film.
Rebuilding the Jedi Order
Luke Skywalker's attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order ended in tragedy with Ben Solo's betrayal. The current state of the Jedi five years after *The Rise of Skywalker* is uncertain. While Rey Skywalker is set to lead a new Jedi Order 15 years later, *Starfighter* might explore the immediate aftermath or focus on non-Jedi heroes, depending on Gosling's character's nature.
Are the Sith Still Around?
With Palpatine's final defeat in *The Rise of Skywalker*, the presence of the Sith in the galaxy is uncertain. Historically, the Star Wars universe has seen the rise of new Dark Side threats even after major Sith defeats. Whether *Starfighter* will explore this aspect may depend on the film's focus on Gosling's character and the broader narrative.
Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?
As a standalone film, *Starfighter* might not feature many familiar faces, but the Star Wars franchise is known for its cameos. Poe Dameron, Chewbacca, Rey, or Finn could potentially appear, each adding to the film's narrative in unique ways. Poe's piloting skills, Chewbacca's connection to the Millennium Falcon, Rey's Jedi leadership, and Finn's role in the fight against the First Order could all be relevant to *Starfighter*'s storyline.
