"First Novel Dives into Post-Skywalker Star Wars Universe"

Star Wars fans eager to explore the universe beyond *The Rise of Skywalker* have something new to look forward to, even if it's not from the anticipated Shawn Levy. While Levy's *Star Wars: Starfighter* remains on the horizon, a new young adult novel, *Star Wars: The Last Order*, will soon take us into the post-*Rise of Skywalker* era. Revealed through Penguin Random House's website, this novel dives deeper into the stories of John Boyega's hero Finn and Naomi Ackie's resistance ally Jannah, characters we met in the 2019 film.

The official synopsis, penned by author Kwame Mbalia, teases an intriguing plot: "Following the end of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*, the Resistance rescues a ship full of young passengers who had been kidnapped by the First Order. As Finn and Jannah set out to find the First Order officer responsible before he can endanger any more children, the two former stormtroopers must wrestle with their own complicated pasts as soldiers of the oppressive regime." This narrative promises not only action but also a deep exploration of the characters' backgrounds.

*Star Wars: The Last Order* marks the first project to delve into the universe after the events of *Rise of Skywalker*, although it's not the first planned one. Shawn Levy's project, which will be a standalone story set five to six years after the ninth episode, remains a highly anticipated film. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy shared insights on this in a February interview with Deadline, stating, "It’s all post-[the first] nine. Shawn’s is a standalone Star Wars story that'll take place post-nine, maybe five or six years out." Recently, the film's writer, Jonathan Tropper, expressed his excitement to Screen Rant, saying, "I hope it's on the way sooner than you think." The film's release date was announced at Star Wars Celebration Japan, with Ryan Gosling confirmed to star, and it's set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.

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According to Penguin Random House, Star Wars: The Last Order will be released on October 21, 2025, providing fans with a sooner-than-expected return to the Star Wars universe. Meanwhile, we'll have to wait a bit longer for Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter, scheduled for release on May 28, 2027.