Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Details Revealed

The biggest revelation from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was undoubtedly the announcement that Shawn Levy, the director behind *Deadpool & Wolverine*, is set to helm *Star Wars: Starfighter*, a new standalone, live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. Scheduled for production to begin this fall, *Starfighter* is slated for a May 28, 2027 release, positioning it as the next Star Wars film to hit theaters after *The Mandalorian and Grogu* in 2026.

While details about the plot of *Starfighter* remain scarce, one significant piece of information has been disclosed: the movie will be set approximately five years after the events of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*. This timeline marks *Starfighter* as the furthest forward in the Star Wars saga compared to any other film or series released to date.

The period following *The Rise of Skywalker* remains relatively unexplored in Star Wars lore, leaving ample room for speculation. To better understand the setting of *Starfighter*, we can look at the conclusion of *The Rise of Skywalker* and consider the pre-Disney Legends universe's depiction of this era. Let's delve into the key questions that remain unanswered post-*The Rise of Skywalker* and explore how *Starfighter* might address them.

Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show

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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 includes the original *Star Wars: Starfighter* released in 2001 and its sequel, *Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter*, released in 2002. While the new film shares the title, it's unlikely to borrow much from the plot of these games, given that the movie is set many decades later. The original game focuses on pilots during Episode I's Battle of Naboo, and *Jedi Starfighter* follows Jedi Master Adi Gallia and pirate Nym during Episode II. However, the film might draw inspiration from *Jedi Starfighter*'s ship-to-ship combat and the use of Force powers, possibly indicating that Gosling's character could be a Jedi and a skilled pilot, adding an exciting twist to the action sequences.

The Fate of the New Republic

*The Rise of Skywalker* concludes with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and his Sith Eternal, but it leaves the state of the galaxy post-Battle of Exegol largely undefined. The fate of the New Republic, which was severely impacted by the First Order's Starkiller Base attack in *The Force Awakens*, remains unclear. Subsequent Star Wars projects have primarily focused on the Resistance versus First Order conflict, offering little insight into the New Republic's recovery. By the time of *Starfighter*, the New Republic might still exist but likely in a weakened state, struggling with internal conflicts as depicted in *Star Wars: Bloodline* between Populists and Centrists. Additionally, remnants of the First Order could still be active, possibly rallying around a new figurehead after Kylo Ren's demise. The era of *Starfighter* is poised to showcase a power struggle in the galaxy, setting the stage for epic space battles. Moreover, piracy, as highlighted in *The Mandalorian* and *Star Wars: Skeleton Crew*, could be a significant issue, with criminals taking advantage of the New Republic's instability. Gosling's character might be a New Republic pilot working to restore order, potentially filling the narrative gap left by Patty Jenkins' *Rogue Squadron* film, or he could be defending a world outside the Republic's reach, perhaps even an ex-First Order trooper like Finn.

Given that *Starfighter* is a standalone film, it's unlikely to set up a new overarching conflict like Rebels vs. Empire or Resistance vs. First Order. Instead, it may focus on the lingering effects of *The Rise of Skywalker*, with a villain exploiting the galaxy's current power vacuum.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's initial efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order in the New Republic era were promising, as seen in *The Book of Boba Fett* and various books and comics. However, Ben Solo's turn to the dark side, spurred by Snoke and Palpatine, led to the destruction of Luke's Jedi Temple, forcing Luke into exile on Ahch-To. The question of the Jedi's current state remains open. While many Jedi were killed, it's possible some survived, much like after Order 66. Ahsoka Tano's status in the Sequel era is also uncertain, given her voice among the Force ghosts in *The Rise of Skywalker* and Dave Filoni's hints that she's still alive.

Rey Skywalker is set to continue Luke's legacy and rebuild the Jedi Order, a focus of the upcoming *New Jedi Order* film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, set 15 years after *The Rise of Skywalker*. Whether *Starfighter* will address the Jedi's current state might hinge on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive. If so, Rey might have a cameo, reaching out to this promising pilot. If not, *Starfighter* could follow the model of *Rogue One* and *Solo: A Star Wars Story*, focusing on ordinary heroes without delving into Jedi lore.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's definitive death in *The Rise of Skywalker*, the question of the Sith's survival looms large. The Expanded Universe suggests that Palpatine's demise wouldn't be the end of the Sith, as seen in the *Star Wars: Legacy* comic series. The galaxy might still harbor those drawn to the Dark Side, whether they call themselves Sith or not. The *Clone Wars* series showed Palpatine's multiple Dark Side rivals, indicating that others might seek to fill the void left by his absence. Whether *Starfighter* will explore this remains to be seen, especially if Gosling's character isn't a Jedi. We might 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?

*Star Wars: Starfighter* introduces a new lead character and is set in an unexplored period, but as a standalone film, it's unlikely to feature many familiar faces. However, 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 piloting skills and role in rebuilding the galaxy. Chewbacca might also appear, potentially alongside Gosling's character on the Millennium Falcon. John Boyega's Finn could return if the film deals with remnants of the First Order, continuing his journey as a leader of defecting Stormtroopers. Rey's appearance might depend on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi, given her role in rebuilding the Jedi Order. While *Starfighter* may not be part of Rey's immediate future plans, the possibility of seeing these beloved characters again adds excitement to the film.

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.