The biggest highlight from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was undoubtedly the announcement that Shawn Levy, renowned for directing Deadpool & Wolverine, is set to helm Star Wars: Starfighter. This exciting standalone, live-action film will feature Ryan Gosling in the lead role. Scheduled to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, Starfighter is slated to start production this fall, following the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026. The film is set to explore the Star Wars universe five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, marking it the furthest point in the Star Wars timeline depicted on screen to date.
Despite the excitement, details about the plot of Starfighter remain scarce. However, its placement five years post-The Rise of Skywalker offers a fresh canvas for storytelling. While the lore of this period remains relatively unexplored, we can speculate on several key aspects based on the ending of The Rise of Skywalker and the rich tapestry of the pre-Disney Legends universe.
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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 and Xbox era. The original Star Wars: Starfighter launched in 2001, followed by Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter in 2002. Although the new film adopts the same title, it's unlikely to draw heavily from the games' plots, which are set during Episodes I and II. However, the movie could potentially incorporate the thrilling ship-to-ship combat seen in Jedi Starfighter, which introduced unique Force-powered abilities. If Gosling's character is both a Jedi and a skilled pilot, this could add a dynamic twist to the film's action sequences.
The Fate of the New Republic
Following the victory over Emperor Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker, the state of the galaxy remains uncertain. The New Republic, severely weakened after the destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base, might still be struggling to regain its footing. The internal conflict between Populists and Centrists, as seen in the novel Star Wars: Bloodline, could continue to hinder its recovery efforts. Additionally, remnants of the First Order may still pose a threat, echoing the prolonged struggle against the Imperial Remnant post-Battle of Endor. This period could be ripe with power struggles and epic space battles, offering ample material for Starfighter. Gosling's character might embody a New Republic pilot striving to restore order, filling a narrative gap left by Patty Jenkins' unproduced Rogue Squadron film.
Rebuilding the Jedi Order
Luke Skywalker's initial efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order were thwarted by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side, leading to the destruction of the Jedi Temple. While many Jedi were lost, it's plausible that some survived, including figures like Ahsoka Tano, whose fate remains ambiguous despite her voice being heard among the Force ghosts in The Rise of Skywalker. Rey Skywalker's mission to revive the Jedi Order will be explored in a future film set 15 years later, but Starfighter could offer insights into the current state of the Jedi. Depending on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive, we might see Rey playing a minor role or the film could focus on non-Jedi heroes, akin to Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Are the Sith Still Around?
With Palpatine's definitive demise, the presence of the Sith in the galaxy post-The Rise of Skywalker is a lingering question. Historical Star Wars Legends content suggests that the Sith could persist beyond Palpatine, with figures like Darth Krayt emerging in later timelines. Even without formal Sith, the dark side's influence might continue through other dark side users or factions like the Knights of Ren. Whether Starfighter will delve into this remains to be seen, potentially hinging on the nature of Gosling's character and the film's narrative focus.
Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?
As a standalone film, Star Wars: Starfighter introduces a new protagonist in Ryan Gosling, yet the Star Wars universe is known for its cameos and callbacks. Poe Dameron, with his piloting prowess, could easily fit into the narrative, assisting in the galaxy's reconstruction. Chewbacca's role post-The Rise of Skywalker is another possibility, perhaps even co-piloting with Gosling's character aboard the iconic Millennium Falcon. Finn's journey with former Stormtroopers could also intersect with the film's plot, and Rey's involvement might depend on the Jedi angle. While the film may not feature many familiar faces, the potential for these characters to appear adds an exciting layer of speculation.
For more on the future of the Star Wars franchise, discover why Lucasfilm needs to focus on producing movies rather than just announcing them, and stay updated with every Star Wars movie and series currently in development.
