The most exciting announcement from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the revelation that Shawn Levy, known for directing *Deadpool & Wolverine*, is set to helm *Star Wars: Starfighter*, a new standalone live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. This film is slated to follow *The Mandalorian and Grogu* in 2026, with production kicking off this fall for a release on May 28, 2027. While details about the plot remain scarce, we do know that *Starfighter* is set five years after the events of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*, placing it further along the Star Wars timeline than any other movie or series to date.
This period in Star Wars lore is largely unexplored, but we can make some educated guesses based on the ending of *The Rise of Skywalker* and the pre-Disney Legends universe. Here, we'll delve into the key questions left unanswered by *The Rise of Skywalker* and explore how *Starfighter* might address them.
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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, including the original *Star Wars: Starfighter* released in 2001 and its sequel *Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter* in 2002. However, the new movie, set many decades later, is unlikely to borrow directly from the games' plots. The original game focused on the Battle of Naboo during Episode I, while *Jedi Starfighter* took place during Episode II, featuring Jedi Master Adi Gallia and pirate Nym. Despite the shared name, *Starfighter* the movie might draw inspiration from *Jedi Starfighter*'s ship-to-ship combat, possibly incorporating Force powers into the action. Could Gosling's character be both a Jedi and a skilled pilot? It's a possibility that could add excitement to the film's battle sequences.
The Fate of the New Republic
While *The Rise of Skywalker* concludes with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, it leaves the galaxy's state after the Battle of Exegol ambiguous. The fate of the New Republic remains unclear following the destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base in *The Force Awakens*. The Sequel Trilogy largely focuses on the conflict between Leia's Resistance and the First Order, leaving the New Republic's condition post-leadership loss a mystery.
It's plausible that the New Republic still exists in *Starfighter*'s timeline but is significantly weakened. The Republic was already struggling before the First Order's rise, as seen in the novel *Star Wars: Bloodline*, where internal conflicts between Populists and Centrists plagued the government. These tensions could continue as the New Republic attempts to regroup and rebuild.
Moreover, remnants of the First Order might still be present five years after Palpatine's defeat. Just as the Empire persisted after the Battle of Endor, the First Order could have rallied around a surviving leader. The galaxy might be experiencing a power struggle, setting the stage for epic space battles. The increasing pirate problem, as depicted in *The Mandalorian* and *Star Wars: Skeleton Crew*, could exacerbate the chaos, with pirates and smugglers exploiting the lawlessness on the galaxy's fringes.
Ryan Gosling's character could be a New Republic pilot striving to restore order, potentially filling the role envisioned for Patty Jenkins' *Rogue Squadron* movie. Alternatively, he might be a local defender of a world trying to survive without the Republic's support, or even an ex-First Order trooper like Finn. Given *Starfighter*'s standalone nature, it's unlikely to set up 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's vision of rebuilding the Jedi Order was initially successful, as seen in *The Book of Boba Fett* and various books and comics. However, Ben Solo's turn to the dark side and destruction of Luke's temple shattered this dream, leading Luke to retreat to Ahch-To. While many Jedi were killed, it's unlikely all were eliminated, much like after Order 66.
The current state of the Jedi remains uncertain. Ahsoka Tano's status is unclear, though her voice was heard among the Force ghosts in *The Rise of Skywalker*, and Dave Filoni has suggested she's still alive. Rey Skywalker is set to rebuild the Jedi Order in a film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, set 15 years after *The Rise of Skywalker*—a full decade after *Starfighter*.
Whether *Starfighter* addresses the Jedi's current state may hinge on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive. If so, Rey might have a cameo, reaching out to this promising pilot. Otherwise, *Starfighter* might focus on ordinary heroes, akin 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 remains whether any Sith still linger in the galaxy. The classic Expanded Universe suggests that Palpatine's death won't be the end of the Sith. *Star Wars: Legacy* comics and various novels depicted numerous Sith conflicts post-*Return of the Jedi*.
Even without the official Sith label, the galaxy could face threats from Dark Side users. The Prequel Trilogy and *The Clone Wars* series showed Palpatine had multiple Dark Side adversaries, including the Nightsisters and Maul. With Palpatine gone, new Dark Side practitioners might emerge, whether from surviving Knights of Ren or other corrupted individuals.
Whether *Starfighter* explores the Sith's current state depends on Gosling's character's nature. If he's not a Jedi, the film might bypass this topic, leaving it for the New Jedi Order movie or Simon Kinberg's Star Wars trilogy.
Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?
As a standalone film set in a new period, *Star Wars: Starfighter* introduces a fresh lead character, yet the franchise often includes familiar faces. Given the galaxy's state, characters from the Sequel Trilogy could make appearances.
Poe Dameron, the galaxy's top pilot post-Han Solo, might play a role in rebuilding efforts, making him a likely candidate for a cameo. Chewbacca could also return, perhaps as Gosling's co-pilot in the Millennium Falcon. Finn, underutilized in *The Rise of Skywalker*, might appear if the film involves First Order remnants, continuing his journey as a hero to deserters. Rey's involvement would depend on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi, aligning with her efforts to rebuild the Order.
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.
For more on the future of the Star Wars franchise, find out why Lucasfilm needs to stop announcing movies and just make them, and brush up on every Star Wars movie and series in development.
