Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Details Revealed

The biggest announcement from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the reveal that Shawn Levy, the director of *Deadpool & Wolverine*, is helming *Star Wars: Starfighter*, a new standalone, live-action film set to star Ryan Gosling. Scheduled to follow *The Mandalorian and Grogu* in 2026, *Starfighter* will commence production this fall, aiming for a release on May 28, 2027.

While the plot details for *Starfighter* remain under wraps, Lucasfilm has shared one pivotal piece of information: the film will be set approximately five years after the events of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*. This timeline positions *Starfighter* as the furthest point in the Star Wars saga explored on screen to date.

The era following *The Rise of Skywalker* is relatively uncharted in official Star Wars lore, leaving much room for speculation. We can draw from the conclusion of *The Rise of Skywalker* and the pre-Disney Legends universe to consider the potential narratives *Starfighter* might explore.

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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, which included *Star Wars: Starfighter* (2001) and its sequel *Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter* (2002). Although the new film shares the name, it is unlikely to borrow plot elements from these games, which were set during the prequel era. However, the film could potentially incorporate the ship-to-ship combat style seen in *Jedi Starfighter*, which introduced Force powers into the mix. Could Gosling's character be a Jedi and a skilled pilot, adding a thrilling dimension to the movie's action sequences?

The Fate of the New Republic

*The Rise of Skywalker* concludes with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, but it leaves the state of the galaxy post-Battle of Exegol ambiguous. The New Republic's fate remains unclear after the devastating attack by the First Order's Starkiller Base in *The Force Awakens*. Most subsequent Star Wars projects have focused on the conflict between Leia's Resistance and the First Order, leaving the New Republic's status largely unexplored.

In the era of *Starfighter*, the New Republic may still exist, albeit weakened. Prior to the First Order's rise, the Republic was already facing internal strife, as depicted in *Star Wars: Bloodline*, with tensions between Populists and Centrists. This conflict could persist as the New Republic attempts to rebuild.

There's also the question of lingering First Order remnants five years after Palpatine's defeat. The Empire's fall didn't happen overnight, and the galaxy might still be dealing with factions loyal to the First Order. The era of *Starfighter* could be marked by a power struggle, ripe for epic space battles and narratives of restoring order in a chaotic galaxy.

Piracy, a recurring theme in *The Mandalorian* and *Star Wars: Skeleton Crew*, may have escalated in the power vacuum following the Empire's collapse. This could provide a backdrop for Gosling's character, possibly as a New Republic pilot or a local defender combating lawlessness.

As a standalone film, *Starfighter* is unlikely to set up a new overarching conflict but may instead focus on the aftermath of *The Rise of Skywalker*, with a villain exploiting the galaxy's current instability.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's attempt to revive the Jedi Order in the New Republic era was initially successful, as seen in *The Book of Boba Fett*. However, Ben Solo's turn to the dark side and destruction of Luke's temple halted this progress, leading Luke to retreat to Ahch-To.

The fate of the Jedi post-*The Rise of Skywalker* remains uncertain. While many perished in Ben's attack, it's plausible that some survived. Ahsoka Tano's status is ambiguous, with hints that she might still be active in the Sequel era. Rey Skywalker is set to rebuild the Jedi Order fifteen years after *The Rise of Skywalker*, as depicted in the upcoming *New Jedi Order* film.

Whether *Starfighter* will delve into the state of the Jedi depends on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive. If so, Rey might appear to mentor him, linking the film to broader Jedi narratives. If not, *Starfighter* could focus on ordinary heroes, similar to *Rogue One* and *Solo: A Star Wars Story*.

Are the Sith Still Around?

*The Rise of Skywalker* confirmed Palpatine as the central villain of the Skywalker Saga, but his final defeat raises questions about the Sith's continued presence. The Star Wars Legends universe suggests that new Sith threats can emerge long after Palpatine's demise.

The galaxy might still harbor dark side practitioners, whether or not they identify as Sith. Palpatine's history of multiple dark side rivals, as seen in *The Clone Wars*, suggests that others could seize power in his absence. However, *Starfighter* may not explore this aspect if Gosling's character isn't connected to the Force.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

*Star Wars: Starfighter* introduces a new lead character and setting, but the franchise's tradition of cameos and callbacks might bring familiar faces back. Poe Dameron, the galaxy's premier pilot, could play a role in restoring the New Republic, making him a likely candidate for a cameo.

Chewbacca's current whereabouts and his potential partnership with Gosling's character on the Millennium Falcon could provide a nostalgic link to the Skywalker Saga. Finn, with his background as a former stormtrooper, might return if *Starfighter* involves conflicts with First Order remnants. Rey's involvement would hinge on Gosling's character being a Jedi, potentially setting up a mentorship dynamic.

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, explore why Lucasfilm should focus on producing films rather than announcing them, and stay updated on every Star Wars movie and series currently in development.