Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Details Revealed

The biggest revelation from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the announcement that Shawn Levy, acclaimed director of Deadpool & Wolverine, will helm Star Wars: Starfighter, a new standalone live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. Set to commence production this fall, Starfighter is slated for release on May 28, 2027, following 2026’s The Mandalorian and Grogu. While details about the plot are scarce, we know that the film is set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, positioning it as the furthest point on the Star Wars timeline explored to date.

This period of Star Wars lore remains largely uncharted, but we can make educated guesses based on the conclusion of The Rise of Skywalker and the pre-Disney Legends universe. Let's explore the significant questions lingering after 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 noteworthy that Star Wars: Starfighter shares its title with a series of video games from the PS2/Xbox era. The original Star Wars: Starfighter was released in 2001, followed by Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter in 2002. Although the new film bears the same name, it's unlikely to draw heavily from these games' plots, which were set during Episodes I and II respectively. However, the movie might adopt the ship-to-ship combat style from Jedi Starfighter, which introduced Force powers into the gameplay. Could Gosling's character be 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, the state of the galaxy post-Battle of Exegol remains ambiguous. The New Republic's fate after the destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base is uncertain. The Sequel Trilogy primarily focused on the clash between Leia's Resistance and the First Order, leaving the New Republic's recovery and status unclear. By the time of Starfighter, the New Republic might still exist but be significantly weakened, grappling with internal conflicts as depicted in the novel Star Wars: Bloodline. Additionally, remnants of the First Order could still be lurking, potentially rallying around a surviving leader after Kylo Ren's demise. This scenario sets the stage for a power struggle in the galaxy, perfect for epic space battles.

The backdrop of piracy, as seen in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, could further complicate the situation. As the New Republic struggles to re-establish control, piracy may have escalated, offering a chaotic setting for Gosling's character to navigate. He might portray a New Republic pilot striving to restore order or a local defender of a planet left to fend for itself. Alternatively, he could be an ex-First Order trooper, akin to John Boyega's Finn, adding depth to the narrative.

Given its standalone nature, Starfighter may not introduce a new overarching conflict but rather focus on the aftermath of The Rise of Skywalker, with a villain exploiting the galaxy's power vacuum.

Luke Skywalker's efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order were thwarted when Ben Solo, influenced by Snoke and Palpatine, destroyed the Jedi Temple. Luke then retreated to Ahch-To, leaving the Jedi Order in disarray. The question now is, what has happened to the Jedi in the intervening years? While many perished in Ben's attack, it's possible that some survived, much like after Order 66. Ahsoka Tano, whose voice was heard among the Force ghosts at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, could still be active, as hinted by Dave Filoni.

Rey Skywalker is set to continue Luke's legacy, but her journey to rebuild the Jedi Order will be the focus of a later film 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's Force-sensitive, Rey might appear to guide him, but if not, the film could follow the tradition of Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story by focusing on ordinary heroes.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's demise in The Rise of Skywalker, the question arises whether any Sith remain in the galaxy. The Expanded Universe suggests that Palpatine wouldn't be the last Sith Lord, with stories of Sith resurgences in the decades following Return of the Jedi. Even if no official Sith remain, the Dark Side's allure could attract new villains. Palpatine's history of multiple Dark Side rivals, including the Nightsisters and Maul, indicates that other Dark Side users might seize the opportunity in his absence. Whether Starfighter explores this depends on its narrative focus and Gosling's character's role.

As a standalone film, Star Wars: Starfighter introduces a new lead character and setting, yet Star Wars is known for its cameos and callbacks. Poe Dameron, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, could be a prime candidate for a return, given his status as a top pilot and hero of the Resistance. His involvement in rebuilding the New Republic would make him a fitting ally for Gosling's character.

Chewbacca might also make an appearance, possibly still working with Rey or perhaps partnering with Gosling's character in a new adventure. Finn, played by John Boyega, could return if the film involves remnants of the First Order, given his role in inspiring deserting Stormtroopers. Rey's involvement would depend on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi.

Which surviving character from The Rise of Skywalker would you most like to see in Star Wars: Starfighter? Cast your vote in our poll and let us know in the comments below.