The biggest news from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the announcement that Shawn Levy, renowned for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine, will be directing Star Wars: Starfighter. This new standalone, live-action film will feature Ryan Gosling and is set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, following the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026. Production is slated to begin this fall, promising an exciting addition to the Star Wars universe.

Although specifics about the plot remain under wraps, one key detail has been revealed: Starfighter is set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This places the film further along the Star Wars timeline than any previous movie or series, venturing into uncharted territory. While we have limited knowledge about this period, we can make educated guesses based on the end of The Rise of Skywalker and the pre-Disney Legends lore. Let's explore some of the major questions left unanswered by The Rise of Skywalker and how Starfighter might address them.

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The Star Wars: Starfighter Games

It's worth noting that the title Star Wars: Starfighter echoes a series of games from the early 2000s for the PS2 and Xbox. The original Star Wars: Starfighter, released in 2001, and its sequel, Jedi Starfighter, in 2002, both focused on different eras within the Star Wars saga. The original game is set during Episode I, showcasing pilots during the Battle of Naboo, while Jedi Starfighter takes place during Episode II, featuring Jedi Master Adi Gallia and the pirate Nym. Although the new film shares the same name, it is set decades later, making it unlikely to borrow directly from the games' plots. However, the movie could adopt the ship-to-ship combat style seen in Jedi Starfighter, which introduced Force powers into the mix. This could mean Gosling's character might be a Jedi and a skilled pilot, adding an exciting twist to the film's action sequences.

The Fate of the New Republic

The Rise of Skywalker concluded with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, but it left the fate of the New Republic ambiguous. After the destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base in The Force Awakens, the New Republic's leadership was decimated. Subsequent Star Wars projects have primarily focused on the conflict between Leia's Resistance and the First Order, leaving the state of the New Republic largely unexplored. In the era of Star Wars: Starfighter, the New Republic might still exist but likely in a weakened state, struggling with internal conflicts as seen in the novel Star Wars: Bloodline. Additionally, remnants of the First Order could still be present, potentially rallying around a new figurehead. The galaxy is likely experiencing a power struggle, setting the stage for epic space battles. The film could feature Gosling's character as a New Republic pilot striving to restore order, possibly filling the void left by Patty Jenkins' canceled Rogue Squadron movie. He might also be a local defender of a planet trying to survive without the Republic's aid, or even an ex-First Order trooper like Finn.

As a standalone film, Starfighter is unlikely to introduce a new overarching conflict but rather explore the aftermath of The Rise of Skywalker, with a villain exploiting the galaxy's power vacuum.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's vision of rebuilding the Jedi Order was initially successful, but it was shattered by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side, leading to the destruction of the Jedi Temple. After this tragedy, Luke retreated to Ahch-To, leaving the future of the Jedi uncertain. While many Jedi were killed, it's plausible that some survived, much like during Order 66. The current state of the Jedi remains a mystery, with characters like Ahsoka Tano potentially still active, as hinted by Dave Filoni. Rey Skywalker is set to rebuild the Jedi Order in a future film, set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, a decade after Starfighter. Whether Starfighter will delve into the Jedi's current status depends on if Gosling's character is Force-sensitive. If so, Rey might appear to guide him; if not, the film could focus on non-Jedi heroes, similar to Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's definitive demise in The Rise of Skywalker, the question of the Sith's survival lingers. Historically, the Expanded Universe suggests that the Sith never truly disappear, with figures like Darth Krayt emerging long after the original trilogy. The Clone Wars series showed Palpatine dealing with other Dark Side entities, hinting at the possibility of other dark forces waiting to fill the void left by Palpatine. Whether Starfighter will explore this remains to be seen, particularly if Gosling's character is not a Jedi. Fans might need to wait for the New Jedi Order movie or Simon Kinberg's Star Wars trilogy for more on the Sith's status.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

While Star Wars: Starfighter introduces a new lead and is set in a previously unseen time period, the franchise is known for its cameos and callbacks. Poe Dameron, the galaxy's premier pilot following Han Solo's death, could play a significant role in rebuilding the galaxy, making him a likely candidate to appear. Chewbacca's current role, whether still with Rey or elsewhere, could also be explored, potentially alongside Gosling's character in the Millennium Falcon. Finn, a potential leader of former First Order Stormtroopers, might return if the film involves remnants of the First Order. Rey's appearance would depend on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi. While Starfighter is a standalone film, the inclusion of familiar faces from the Sequel Trilogy could provide a comforting link to the broader Star Wars saga.

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 insights into the future of the Star Wars franchise, check out why Lucasfilm needs to focus on making movies rather than announcing them, and stay updated on every Star Wars movie and series currently in development.