Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Revealed

The biggest highlight 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. This new standalone live-action film will feature Ryan Gosling in the lead role and is slated to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, following the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026. With production kicking off this fall, anticipation is already building for what promises to be an exciting addition to the Star Wars saga.

While specifics about the plot remain under wraps, we do know that Starfighter is set five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, making it the furthest point on the Star Wars timeline explored in film or series to date. This period remains largely uncharted, offering ample opportunity for fresh storytelling within the galaxy far, far away.

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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 game, released in 2001, was set during Episode I and focused on the Battle of Naboo, while its 2002 sequel, Jedi Starfighter, took place during Episode II, introducing Force powers into ship-to-ship combat. Although the new film shares a name with these games, it's unlikely to borrow plot elements due to its distant setting in the timeline. However, the movie could potentially draw inspiration from Jedi Starfighter's unique combat mechanics, perhaps featuring Gosling's character as a Jedi pilot.

The Fate of the New Republic

The Rise of Skywalker concludes with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine, but leaves the state of the New Republic ambiguous. After the destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base, the New Republic's fate is uncertain. The ongoing conflict between Populists and Centrists, as seen in Star Wars: Bloodline, might still be affecting the weakened Republic's efforts to rebuild. Additionally, remnants of the First Order could still be causing trouble in the galaxy, setting the stage for power struggles and epic space battles that Starfighter could explore. Gosling's character might be a New Republic pilot striving to restore order, potentially filling the role envisioned for Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron movie.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order was disrupted by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side, leading to the destruction of the Jedi Temple. While many Jedi were killed, it's conceivable that some survived. The status of characters like Ahsoka Tano, who was hinted to be alive and active, remains a mystery. Rey Skywalker's mission to rebuild the Jedi Order will be explored in a future film set a decade after Starfighter. Whether Starfighter will touch on the current state of the Jedi depends on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive, which could open the door for a cameo from Rey.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's final defeat in The Rise of Skywalker, the question arises whether the Sith are still a force in the galaxy. The Expanded Universe suggests that new Sith Lords could emerge, and the presence of dark side factions like the Knights of Ren or other rogue Force users could fill the power vacuum. Starfighter may not delve deeply into this, especially if Gosling's character is not a Jedi, leaving it to future projects like the New Jedi Order movie or Simon Kinberg's Star Wars trilogy to explore further.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

Starfighter introduces a new lead character but, as a standalone film, may still feature cameos from familiar faces. Poe Dameron, renowned as one of the galaxy's top pilots, could play a significant role in rebuilding efforts, making him a likely candidate for a return. Chewbacca's adventures post-Skywalker saga, possibly alongside Gosling's character, could also be explored. Finn, with his history of leading stormtrooper defections, might connect with the film's narrative if it involves First Order remnants. Rey's appearance would depend on the Force sensitivity of Gosling's character, aligning with her ongoing mission to revive the Jedi Order.

Which surviving character from The Rise of Skywalker would you most like to see in Star Wars: Starfighter? Share your thoughts below.

For more on the future of the Star Wars franchise, delve into why Lucasfilm needs to focus on producing rather than just announcing projects, and keep up with every Star Wars movie and series currently in development.