"Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Details Revealed"

The biggest highlight of Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the announcement that Shawn Levy, the director behind *Deadpool & Wolverine*, will helm *Star Wars: Starfighter*, a new standalone live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. Scheduled for release on May 28, 2027, following *The Mandalorian and Grogu* in 2026, *Starfighter* promises to be an exciting addition to the Star Wars saga. Set five years after the events of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*, it positions itself as the furthest point in the Star Wars timeline explored in film or series to date.

While plot details remain scarce, the setting opens up numerous possibilities for storytelling. This period, post-*The Rise of Skywalker*, remains largely uncharted in official Star Wars lore, but it offers a canvas for speculation based on the sequel trilogy's conclusion and insights from the pre-Disney Legends universe. Let's delve into the key questions raised by *The Rise of Skywalker* and 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 and Xbox era, released in 2001 and 2002. While the new film may share the name, it is unlikely to borrow heavily from the games' plots, which were set during the events of *Episode I* and *Episode II*. However, the ship-to-ship combat featured in *Jedi Starfighter*, which introduced Force powers into the gameplay, could inspire the movie's action sequences. If Gosling's character is both a Jedi and a skilled pilot, this could add a thrilling dynamic to the film's battles.

The Fate of the New Republic

Following the victory over Emperor Palpatine in *The Rise of Skywalker*, the state of the galaxy remains ambiguous. The New Republic, severely weakened by the First Order's Starkiller Base attack in *The Force Awakens*, might still exist but likely struggles to regain its footing. The internal conflict between Populists and Centrists, as depicted in *Star Wars: Bloodline*, could still be influencing the New Republic's efforts to rebuild. Additionally, remnants of the First Order may linger, perhaps rallying around a new leader in the power vacuum left by Kylo Ren's demise. This setting provides a fertile ground for epic space battles, potentially focusing on a New Republic pilot, like Gosling's character, striving to restore order to a tumultuous galaxy.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's attempt to revive the Jedi Order was tragically cut short by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side and the destruction of his temple. With many Jedi lost, the question of the Order's survival looms large. While Rey Skywalker is set to continue Luke's legacy in the *New Jedi Order* movie, *Starfighter* could explore the Jedi's current state, especially if Gosling's character is Force-sensitive. Alternatively, it might follow the path of films like *Rogue One* and *Solo*, focusing on non-Jedi heroes.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's definitive demise in *The Rise of Skywalker*, the fate of the Sith remains uncertain. The Expanded Universe suggests that the Sith could persist, with new dark side users emerging to fill the power void. Whether *Starfighter* will delve into this or focus solely on other threats depends largely on the narrative direction and Gosling's character's role within the Force-sensitive community.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

As a standalone film, *Starfighter* introduces a fresh protagonist, but Star Wars is known for its cameos and callbacks. Poe Dameron, the galaxy's premier pilot, could play a significant role in aiding Gosling's character. Chewbacca might also appear, perhaps still connected to Rey or embarking on new adventures. Finn's journey with former Stormtroopers could intersect with the film's plot, especially if it involves remnants of the First Order. Rey's involvement would hinge on the Force-sensitivity of Gosling's character. The inclusion of any of these characters could enrich the narrative and provide continuity with the Skywalker Saga.

Which surviving character from *The Rise of Skywalker* would you most like to see in *Star Wars: Starfighter*? Let us know in the comments below.

For more insights into the future of the Star Wars franchise, explore why Lucasfilm should focus on producing rather than announcing projects, and stay updated on every Star Wars movie and series currently in development.