Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Details Revealed

The biggest revelation from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the announcement that Shawn Levy, the director behind Deadpool & Wolverine, will helm Star Wars: Starfighter, a standalone, live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. This exciting new addition to the Star Wars universe is slated for release on May 28, 2027, following The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, with production kicking off this fall.

While plot details are scarce, we do know that Starfighter will be set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This timeline places it further along than any other Star Wars film or series to date, venturing into uncharted territory within the Star Wars lore. Although specifics about this period are limited, we can draw from the conclusion of The Rise of Skywalker and the pre-Disney Legends universe to speculate on what might unfold in Starfighter.

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. The original Star Wars: Starfighter was released in 2001, followed by Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter in 2002. While the new film shares its name with these games, it is unlikely to borrow their plots, as it is set decades later. The original game is set during Episode I, focusing on pilots involved in the Battle of Naboo, while Jedi Starfighter takes place during Episode II, featuring Jedi Master Adi Gallia and pirate Nym. However, the movie could draw inspiration from Jedi Starfighter's ship-to-ship combat and the integration of Force powers, which could enhance the film's action sequences. If Gosling's character is both a Jedi and a skilled pilot, this could add a thrilling dimension to the movie.

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 future uncertain. The fate of the New Republic post-The Force Awakens remains unclear, especially after the First Order's Starkiller Base obliterated Hosnian Prime, killing its leadership. Subsequent Star Wars projects have focused on the Resistance versus the First Order, offering little insight into the New Republic's status. In Starfighter, the New Republic might still exist, albeit weakened by internal conflicts between Populists and Centrists, as depicted in Star Wars: Bloodline. Additionally, remnants of the First Order might linger, potentially rallying around a new figurehead. The galaxy could be in a state of power struggle, ripe for epic space battles. Piracy, highlighted in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, could also escalate, adding chaos to the mix. Gosling's character might be a New Republic pilot striving to restore order, possibly filling the void left by Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron film. Alternatively, he could be a local defender or an ex-First Order trooper like Finn, navigating the galaxy's lawlessness.

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

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker aimed to rebuild the Jedi Order after the fall of the Empire, but his efforts were thwarted when Ben Solo, influenced by Snoke and Palpatine, destroyed the Jedi Temple. Despite this, not all Jedi may have perished. The fate of Ahsoka Tano, whose voice is heard among the Force ghosts at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, remains ambiguous, with Dave Filoni hinting at her continued existence. Rey Skywalker is set to continue Luke's legacy in the New Jedi Order film, which takes place 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker. Whether Starfighter addresses the Jedi's current state might hinge on Gosling's character being 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 defeat in The Rise of Skywalker, the question of the Sith's continued presence looms. The Star Wars Legends universe suggests that the Sith legacy might persist through new Dark Side practitioners. The Rule of Two, emphasized in the Prequels, was challenged by the existence of multiple Dark Side entities in The Clone Wars. Palpatine's death might open opportunities for other Dark Side users, such as surviving Knights of Ren or another of Luke's fallen pupils. Whether Starfighter delves into the Sith's status could depend on Gosling's character's connection to the Force. If not, we might have to wait for the New Jedi Order film or Simon Kinberg's Star Wars trilogy for answers.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

Star Wars: Starfighter introduces a new lead character set in an unexplored era, but the franchise is known for its cameos and callbacks. Poe Dameron, a renowned pilot and hero of the Sequel Trilogy, could return to aid Gosling's character in rebuilding the galaxy. Chewbacca might also reappear, potentially piloting the Millennium Falcon with Gosling. Finn, a former Stormtrooper turned rebel leader, could have a role if the film involves the First Order's remnants. Rey's involvement might depend on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi, though her future in the franchise is already set. Other characters like Lando Calrissian, Luke Skywalker's Force ghost, and the iconic droids C-3PO and R2-D2 could also make appearances.