Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Details Revealed

The Star Wars Celebration 2025 brought thrilling news with the announcement that Shawn Levy, known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine, will be directing 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 is set to begin this fall. While the basic details are exciting, much of the plot remains under wraps, with the only confirmed detail being its setting: five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This timeline places Starfighter further into the future than any previous Star Wars movie or series.

The period following The Rise of Skywalker is relatively uncharted territory in Star Wars lore, providing fertile ground for speculation. We can draw some insights from the ending of The Rise of Skywalker and the pre-Disney Legends universe to explore potential directions for Starfighter. Let's delve into the key questions left unanswered and how this new film 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 released for the PS2 and Xbox. The first game, released in 2001, was set during Episode I and showcased the adventures of other heroic pilots before and during the Battle of Naboo. Its sequel, Jedi Starfighter, released in 2002, focused on Jedi Master Adi Gallia and Nym, a pirate character from the first game, set during Episode II. Despite sharing the name, it's unlikely that the new film will directly adapt the plot from these games, given its much later setting. However, the movie could draw inspiration from Jedi Starfighter's unique ship-to-ship combat, which incorporated 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

Following the victory over Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal in The Rise of Skywalker, the fate of the New Republic remains ambiguous. The destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base in The Force Awakens left the New Republic in disarray, and subsequent projects have focused primarily on the conflict between Leia's Resistance and the First Order. It's plausible that the New Republic still exists during Starfighter, albeit in a weakened state, struggling with internal conflicts between Populists and Centrists, as depicted in the novel Star Wars: Bloodline. Additionally, remnants of the First Order might still linger, possibly rallying around a surviving figurehead post-Kylo Ren's demise. This power vacuum could set the stage for epic space battles, with piracy becoming an even more significant issue in the galaxy's fringes, as seen in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. In this context, Gosling could portray a New Republic pilot striving to restore order, potentially filling the narrative space left by Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron movie. Alternatively, he might be a local defender or even an ex-First Order trooper like Finn, navigating the galaxy's chaos.

Given that Starfighter is positioned as a standalone film, it's unlikely to establish a new overarching conflict like the classic Rebels vs. Empire or Resistance vs. First Order. Instead, it may focus on the aftermath of The Rise of Skywalker, with a villain exploiting the current power vacuum.

Luke Skywalker's efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order were initially successful, as seen in The Book of Boba Fett and various books and comics. However, the Order was shattered by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side and subsequent attack on Luke's Jedi Temple. With many Jedi dead, the survivors' fate remains a mystery. While Ahsoka Tano's voice was heard among the Force ghosts in The Rise of Skywalker, Dave Filoni has hinted that she may still be alive and active. Meanwhile, Rey Skywalker is set to continue Luke's legacy in the upcoming New Jedi Order movie, directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker. Whether Starfighter will address the current state of the Jedi depends on Gosling's character. If he is Force-sensitive, Rey might play a minor role, guiding him. If not, Starfighter could focus on ordinary heroes, similar to Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's definitive defeat in The Rise of Skywalker, the question arises: are the Sith still a threat? Historical Star Wars Legends content suggests that even after Palpatine's death, new Sith Lords emerged. The galaxy is likely still susceptible to dark side influences, whether from hidden apprentices, remnants of the Knights of Ren, or other dark side practitioners. Whether Starfighter will explore this remains to be seen, potentially depending on the involvement of Jedi characters. If not, fans may need to wait for the New Jedi Order movie or Simon Kinberg's Star Wars trilogy for further insights.

As a standalone film with a new lead, Starfighter might not feature many familiar faces from the Sequel Trilogy. However, Star Wars often includes cameos and callbacks. Poe Dameron, now the galaxy's top pilot, could play a role in rebuilding the New Republic, making him a likely candidate for a cameo. Chewbacca's current activities, possibly still flying with Rey or on his own adventures, could also intertwine with Gosling's character. Finn, hinted to be a leader for defecting Stormtroopers, might reappear if the film deals with First Order remnants. Rey's involvement would depend on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi. While these possibilities excite fans, Starfighter's standalone nature suggests any appearances would be brief and focused on supporting the new narrative.