"Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Details Revealed"

The biggest highlight from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was undoubtedly the announcement that Shawn Levy, the acclaimed director of *Deadpool & Wolverine*, is set to helm *Star Wars: Starfighter*, a new standalone live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. Scheduled to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, following *The Mandalorian and Grogu* in 2026, *Starfighter* will begin production this fall. This film will be set approximately five years after the events of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*, marking it as the furthest point on the Star Wars timeline explored in any film or series to date.

While specific plot details for *Starfighter* remain scarce, we do know it is set in a largely unexplored period of the Star Wars universe. The end of *The Rise of Skywalker* leaves many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the state of the galaxy post-Palpatine. This era, though not extensively covered in current canon, offers fertile ground for storytelling, and we can draw some insights from the pre-Disney Legends universe.

Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show

View 22 Images

The Star Wars: Starfighter Games

It's worth noting that *Star Wars: Starfighter* shares its name with a series of video games from the early 2000s, including the original *Star Wars: Starfighter* (2001) and its sequel *Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter* (2002). These games, set during the prequel era, focus on different pilots and their battles. However, the new movie, set decades later, is unlikely to borrow directly from their plots. That said, the engaging ship-to-ship combat featured in *Jedi Starfighter*, which includes Force powers, could inspire the action sequences in the film. This raises intriguing questions about Gosling's character—could he be a Jedi pilot?

The Fate of the New Republic

*The Rise of Skywalker* concludes with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine, yet offers little insight into the galaxy's condition post-Battle of Exegol. The New Republic, severely weakened by the destruction of Hosnian Prime and the loss of its leadership, faces an uncertain future. The ongoing conflict between Populists and Centrists, as detailed in *Star Wars: Bloodline*, likely continues to hinder its recovery. Moreover, remnants of the First Order might still linger, rallying around a new figurehead. The galaxy, in this period, could be rife with power struggles and ripe for epic space battles. *Starfighter* might focus on these tensions, with Gosling's character potentially playing a role in restoring order, perhaps filling the void left by Patty Jenkins' *Rogue Squadron* project.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order was tragically disrupted by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side. While many Jedi were killed, it's conceivable that some survived, much like after Order 66. The status of Ahsoka Tano during this era remains ambiguous, but her voice among the Force ghosts in *The Rise of Skywalker* suggests she might still be active. Rey Skywalker's efforts to revive the Jedi Order, set to be explored in a future film, occur a decade after *Starfighter*. Whether *Starfighter* will delve into the Jedi's current state may hinge on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive, potentially involving Rey in a minor capacity.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's final demise, the fate of the Sith remains a pressing question. The Expanded Universe suggests that the Sith legacy often continues through new dark side adherents. While *The Rise of Skywalker* may have ended the Skywalker Saga, the galaxy could still harbor dark side threats, whether from surviving members of the Knights of Ren or new Sith hopefuls. *Starfighter* might not directly address the Sith, especially if Gosling's character is not a Jedi, but the potential for dark side intrigue remains.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

As a standalone film, *Star Wars: Starfighter* introduces a new lead character and setting, yet the franchise's history of cameos suggests the possibility of familiar faces. Poe Dameron, with his piloting prowess, seems a likely candidate for a return, possibly aiding in the galaxy's reconstruction. Chewbacca, whose role post-*The Rise of Skywalker* is uncertain, could also appear, perhaps alongside Gosling's character in the Millennium Falcon. Finn might reappear, particularly if the film involves remnants of the First Order, while Rey's involvement would depend on the film's focus on the Jedi. Other characters like Lando Calrissian or even Luke's Force ghost could also make appearances, enriching the narrative with their presence.