The most exciting announcement from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the unveiling of Deadpool & Wolverine's Shawn Levy 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 2026's The Mandalorian and Grogu, Starfighter promises to be an exhilarating addition to the Star Wars saga. Filming is set to commence this fall, adding to the anticipation surrounding this project.

While the specifics of the plot remain under wraps, one significant detail has been disclosed: Starfighter will be set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This positions the film further along the Star Wars timeline than any previous movie or series, venturing into a largely unexplored era of the galaxy far, far away.

The period following The Rise of Skywalker is shrouded in mystery, yet we can make educated guesses based on the film's conclusion and the pre-Disney Legends universe. This article delves into the lingering questions post-Rise of Skywalker and how Starfighter might address them.

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The Star Wars: Starfighter Games

It's worth noting that Star Wars: Starfighter shares its title with a short-lived series of games from the PS2/Xbox era. The initial Star Wars: Starfighter was released in 2001, followed by Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter in 2002. Despite the shared name, the upcoming movie is unlikely to borrow plot elements from these games, set as they are during Episodes I and II, respectively. However, the film might draw inspiration from Jedi Starfighter's innovative ship-to-ship combat featuring Force powers, potentially integrating such elements into its action sequences. Could Gosling's character be both a Jedi and a skilled pilot? It's a tantalizing possibility that could add a dynamic twist to the film's battles.

The Fate of the New Republic

The Rise of Skywalker concludes with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, yet it leaves the galaxy's political landscape ambiguous. The New Republic, already weakened by the First Order's attack on Hosnian Prime in The Force Awakens, faces an uncertain future. The novel Star Wars: Bloodline highlights the internal conflict between Populists and Centrists within the New Republic, a tension that could persist as the government attempts to rebuild. Moreover, remnants of the First Order might still exist, rallying around a new leader after Kylo Ren's demise. This setting provides fertile ground for Starfighter to explore epic space battles amidst a power vacuum, perhaps with Gosling portraying a New Republic pilot striving to restore order. Alternatively, he could be a local hero defending a planet in the absence of Republic aid, or even a former First Order trooper akin to Finn.

As a standalone film, Starfighter is unlikely to establish a new overarching conflict akin to the Rebel vs. Empire or Resistance vs. First Order dynamics. Instead, it may 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 vision of rebuilding the Jedi Order was tragically disrupted by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side, leading to the destruction of the Jedi Temple. While many Jedi perished, it's plausible that some survived, similar to how not all Jedi were killed during Order 66. The whereabouts of Ahsoka Tano during this era remain a mystery, though her voice is heard among the Force ghosts at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, and Dave Filoni has hinted at her continued existence.

Rey Skywalker is set to take up Luke's mantle and revive the Jedi Order in the New Jedi Order movie, set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker. Starfighter, taking place a decade earlier, might touch on the current state of the Jedi, depending on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive. If so, Rey could appear in a supporting role, mentoring this promising pilot. Otherwise, Starfighter might follow the example of Rogue One and Solo, focusing on ordinary heroes without delving into Jedi lore.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's definitive demise in The Rise of Skywalker, the question arises: are there any Sith left in the galaxy? The Star Wars Legends universe suggests that Sith threats can persist long after the fall of major villains. Dark Side practitioners, such as the Nightsisters or rogue apprentices like Maul, could fill the power vacuum left by Palpatine. Whether Starfighter will explore these themes remains to be seen, particularly if Gosling's character isn't a Jedi. Fans may need to wait for the New Jedi Order movie or Simon Kinberg's Star Wars trilogy for further insight into the Sith's fate.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

As a standalone film, Star Wars: Starfighter introduces a new lead character and explores an uncharted period in the Star Wars timeline. Nonetheless, the franchise's history of cameos and callbacks suggests that familiar faces might appear. Poe Dameron, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, stands out as a likely candidate, given his reputation as the galaxy's premier pilot and his role in the post-war reconstruction. Chewbacca's involvement could also be compelling, perhaps alongside Gosling's character on the Millennium Falcon. John Boyega's Finn, with his connection to former First Order troopers, might reappear if the film delves into First Order remnants. Rey's presence would hinge on the nature of Gosling's character, particularly if he's Force-sensitive.

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.

For more on the future of the Star Wars franchise, learn why Lucasfilm needs to stop announcing movies and just make them, and explore every Star Wars movie and series in development.