Star Wars: Starfighter - Movie Plot and Timeline Details Revealed

The biggest news to emerge from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the exciting announcement that Shawn Levy, renowned for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine, is set to direct Star Wars: Starfighter. This new standalone, live-action film will star Ryan Gosling and is slated for release on May 28, 2027, following the much-anticipated The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026. Production is expected to kick off this fall, adding to the buzz surrounding this upcoming project.

While details about the plot of Starfighter remain scarce, Lucasfilm has confirmed that the film is set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This timeline places Starfighter further along the Star Wars saga than any previous film or series, opening up a fresh chapter in the galaxy far, far away.

Given the limited information on this period, we can only speculate on what the Star Wars universe might look like during this time. The Rise of Skywalker concluded with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, but left many questions unanswered, particularly about the state of the galaxy and the New Republic post-Battle of Exegol.

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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, focused on space combat and introduced unique characters and mechanics. While the new film shares the name, it's unlikely to borrow heavily from these games' plots, given the significant time difference. However, the inclusion of dynamic ship-to-ship combat and perhaps even Force-enhanced abilities, as seen in Jedi Starfighter, could enhance the film's action sequences.

The Fate of the New Republic

The Rise of Skywalker ended with a victory over Palpatine, but the fate of the New Republic remains unclear. After the destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base, the New Republic's leadership was decimated. The ongoing conflict between the Populists and Centrists, as detailed in the novel Star Wars: Bloodline, suggests a weakened and divided government struggling to rebuild. Additionally, remnants of the First Order could still pose a threat, mirroring the prolonged conflict with the Imperial Remnant after the Empire's fall. Starfighter might explore these power struggles and the chaotic state of the galaxy, setting the stage for epic space battles and a narrative centered on restoring order.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order was tragically interrupted by Ben Solo's fall to the dark side and the destruction of the Jedi Temple. While many Jedi were killed, it's possible that some survived, much like after Order 66. The current state of the Jedi Order, and whether characters like Ahsoka Tano are still active, remains a mystery. Rey Skywalker's efforts to revive the Jedi, as depicted in the upcoming New Jedi Order movie, occur a decade after Starfighter's timeline. The film might touch on the Jedi's current status, especially if Gosling's character is Force-sensitive.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's definitive defeat, the question arises whether the Sith have truly vanished. The Star Wars Legends universe suggests that power-hungry individuals might rise to fill the void left by Palpatine. Whether Starfighter delves into this aspect of the lore depends on its focus, but the potential for dark side threats remains a compelling element of the Star Wars universe.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

Starfighter introduces a new lead character but, given Star Wars' penchant for cameos and callbacks, familiar faces might still appear. Poe Dameron, a renowned pilot, could play a role in the New Republic's efforts to stabilize the galaxy. Chewbacca's adventures post-Rise of Skywalker, possibly alongside Rey or another character, could also be explored. Finn's journey as a leader of defecting Stormtroopers might intersect with the film's narrative, and Rey's involvement would hinge on the Jedi elements of the story. These potential appearances would not only enrich the film but also connect it to the broader saga.

For more on the future of the Star Wars franchise, discover why Lucasfilm needs to focus on production rather than announcements and stay updated on every Star Wars movie and series in development.