"Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Revealed"

The biggest news from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was undoubtedly the announcement that Shawn Levy, known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine, will direct Star Wars: Starfighter, a new standalone, live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. Scheduled to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, following the release of 2026's The Mandalorian and Grogu, production is set to begin this fall.

While plot details remain scarce, we know that Starfighter is set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This places the film further along the Star Wars timeline than any previous movie or series. Given the limited information about this period, speculation abounds on how the film will explore the aftermath of the Skywalker saga.

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 title with a series of games from the PS2/Xbox era, released in 2001 and 2002. However, the new movie is unlikely to borrow heavily from these games' plots, set as they are during the prequel era. Yet, the film could adopt the thrilling ship-to-ship combat style seen in Jedi Starfighter, particularly the integration of Force powers, which could enhance the action sequences if Gosling's character is both a Jedi and a skilled pilot.

The Fate of the New Republic

Following the victory over Emperor Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker, the state of the galaxy remains uncertain. The New Republic, severely weakened after the destruction of Hosnian Prime in The Force Awakens, struggles with internal conflicts between Populists and Centrists, as detailed in the novel Star Wars: Bloodline. Starfighter may explore the New Republic's efforts to rebuild amidst this power vacuum. Additionally, remnants of the First Order could still pose a threat, reminiscent of the Imperial Remnant post-Endor. The film might also delve into the ongoing pirate problem highlighted in series like The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, setting the stage for epic space battles.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order was cut short by Ben Solo's destructive turn to the dark side. While many Jedi were killed, it's plausible that some survived, much like after Order 66. The status of Ahsoka Tano during this era is also uncertain, though her voice was heard among the Force ghosts in The Rise of Skywalker. Rey Skywalker's efforts to re-establish the Jedi Order, set to be explored in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's New Jedi Order film 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, may not directly tie into Starfighter. Depending on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive, Starfighter could either focus on the Jedi's current state or follow the tradition of films like Rogue One and Solo, highlighting ordinary heroes.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's final defeat, the question of the Sith's survival looms large. Historically, the Sith have resurfaced even after significant setbacks, as seen in the Expanded Universe and Star Wars: Legacy comics. While Starfighter might not directly address the Sith, the galaxy could still be threatened by dark side practitioners, perhaps remnants of the Knights of Ren or new dark side figures exploiting the power vacuum.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

Starfighter introduces a new lead character in a yet-unseen period, yet the allure of familiar faces remains strong in the Star Wars universe. Poe Dameron, renowned as the galaxy's top pilot, could play a significant role in rebuilding the New Republic. Chewbacca's whereabouts post-The Rise of Skywalker also pique interest, especially if Gosling's character finds himself piloting the Millennium Falcon. Finn, having inspired defecting Stormtroopers, might reappear, particularly if the film involves the First Order's remnants. Rey's involvement could hinge on the Jedi angle of the story. While Starfighter is a standalone film, the possibility of cameo appearances adds excitement to its narrative.