"Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Revealed"

The biggest revelation from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was undoubtedly the announcement that Shawn Levy, known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine, is set to direct Star Wars: Starfighter, a new standalone live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. Scheduled to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, following the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, production for Starfighter will commence this fall. While specifics about the plot remain under wraps, we do know that the film is set five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, marking it as the furthest point in the Star Wars timeline explored in film or series to date.

This period of Star Wars lore remains largely uncharted, but we can speculate on potential storylines based on the conclusion of The Rise of Skywalker and insights from the pre-Disney Legends universe. 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 name 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 the name, it's unlikely to borrow much from the games' plots, which are set during Episodes I and II, respectively. However, the movie could draw inspiration from Jedi Starfighter's ship-to-ship combat, particularly its use of Force powers. 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

While The Rise of Skywalker concludes with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, it leaves the state of the galaxy post-Battle of Exegol ambiguous. The New Republic, severely weakened after the destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base, struggles to regroup and rebuild. The internal conflict between Populists and Centrists, as detailed in Star Wars: Bloodline, likely continues to hinder its recovery. Additionally, remnants of the First Order might still pose a threat, suggesting a power struggle in the galaxy that could set the stage for epic space battles in Starfighter. The film could explore Gosling's character as a New Republic pilot striving to restore order, or perhaps as a local defender in a world left to fend for itself. This narrative could serve as a spiritual successor to Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron movie, focusing on the aftermath of the Sequel Trilogy's conflicts.

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 and the destruction of the Jedi Temple. While many Jedi were killed, it's plausible that some survived, much like after Order 66. The current state of the Jedi remains a mystery, with characters like Ahsoka Tano potentially still active. Rey Skywalker's mission to revive the Jedi Order, set to be explored in the New Jedi Order movie directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, occurs a decade after Starfighter. Whether Starfighter will address the Jedi's status depends on Gosling's character's connection to the Force. If he is Force-sensitive, we might see a cameo from Rey, but if not, the film could focus on non-Jedi heroes, similar to Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's definitive demise in The Rise of Skywalker, the question of the Sith's survival looms large. The Expanded Universe suggests that the Sith could persist beyond Palpatine, with new dark side users emerging to fill the power vacuum. Whether Starfighter will explore this remains to be seen, especially if Gosling's character isn't a Jedi. The film might leave the Sith's fate to be addressed in 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 lead character and is set in an unexplored period, but the franchise is known for its cameos and callbacks. Poe Dameron, the galaxy's premier pilot, could play a role in rebuilding the New Republic, making him a likely candidate for a cameo. Chewbacca's current activities, whether still with Rey or on his own, could also tie into the film's narrative, perhaps even involving the Millennium Falcon. Finn, with his connection to former Stormtroopers, might return if the film deals with First Order remnants. Rey's appearance would hinge on Gosling's character's Force sensitivity. While Starfighter is a standalone film, the possibility of seeing familiar faces adds an exciting layer of anticipation.

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.