The biggest announcement from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the exciting reveal that Shawn Levy, the director behind Deadpool & Wolverine, is set to helm Star Wars: Starfighter, a new standalone live-action film featuring Ryan Gosling. Scheduled to follow 2026's The Mandalorian and Grogu, Starfighter will begin production this fall, targeting a release date of May 28, 2027.

While specific plot details remain scarce, one key fact has been shared: Starfighter is set five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This timeline positions it further along than any other Star Wars movie or series to date, opening up a new era of the Star Wars universe to explore.

Understanding this period in the Star Wars lore is challenging, as little has been officially detailed. However, we can draw insights from the conclusion of The Rise of Skywalker and pre-Disney Legends stories. Here, we'll explore some of the major questions left unanswered by The Rise of Skywalker and how Starfighter might address them.

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 video games from the PS2/Xbox era. The original Star Wars: Starfighter game, released in 2001, was followed by Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter in 2002. These games are set during Episodes I and II, respectively, and focus on different pilots and events. Given the significant time gap between these games and the new film, it's unlikely that Starfighter will directly adapt their plots. However, the movie could draw inspiration from the ship-to-ship combat seen in Jedi Starfighter, which introduced Force powers into aerial battles. This could add an exciting element to the film, especially if Gosling's character is both a Jedi and a skilled pilot.

The Fate of the New Republic

At the end of The Rise of Skywalker, the galaxy celebrates the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, but the future of the New Republic remains uncertain. The Sequel Trilogy showed the First Order's devastating attack on Hosnian Prime, which decimated the New Republic's leadership. Subsequent projects have largely focused on the Resistance-First Order conflict, leaving the New Republic's fate ambiguous.

In Starfighter, the New Republic might still exist but likely in a weakened state. As depicted in the novel Star Wars: Bloodline, internal conflicts between Populists and Centrists have already strained the Republic. The film could explore how the New Republic attempts to rebuild amidst these challenges.

Additionally, remnants of the First Order might still linger five years after Palpatine's defeat. Historical parallels with the Empire's persistence post-Endor suggest that the First Order could rally around a surviving leader, creating a power struggle that Starfighter could delve into. The ongoing issue of piracy, highlighted in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, could also play a significant role, setting the stage for epic space battles and a narrative about restoring order in a chaotic galaxy.

As a standalone movie, Starfighter might not establish a new overarching conflict like Rebels vs. Empire but could focus on the aftermath of The Rise of Skywalker, with a villain exploiting the current power vacuum.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's vision of rebuilding the Jedi Order was shattered by Ben Solo's turn to the dark side and the destruction of his temple. While many Jedi were killed, it's unlikely all were eliminated, leaving room for survivors like Ahsoka Tano, whose voice was heard among the Force ghosts in The Rise of Skywalker but whose fate remains uncertain.

Rey Skywalker, as seen in upcoming projects, is set to continue Luke's legacy and rebuild the Jedi Order 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker. Whether Starfighter will address the Jedi's current state depends largely on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive. If so, Rey might appear to guide him, but if not, the film might focus more on ordinary 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 remains whether the Sith have truly vanished. The Star Wars Legends universe suggests that new Sith Lords can rise even after Palpatine. The film could explore whether other dark side practitioners, like surviving members of the Knights of Ren or another of Luke's turned students, have filled the void left by Palpatine.

Whether Starfighter delves into this aspect of the Star Wars universe might depend on Gosling's character's connection to the Force. If he's not a Jedi, the film may not address the Sith at all, leaving that exploration for future projects like the New Jedi Order movie or Simon Kinberg's Star Wars trilogy.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

Star Wars: Starfighter introduces a new lead character in a previously unexplored period, yet the Star Wars franchise often includes cameos and callbacks. Poe Dameron, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, could be a likely candidate for a return given his status as a top pilot and hero. His involvement in rebuilding the galaxy and the New Republic could intersect with Gosling's storyline.

Chewbacca might also make an appearance, raising questions about his current role and potential partnership with Gosling's character, perhaps even aboard the Millennium Falcon. John Boyega's Finn could return if the film explores conflicts involving First Order remnants, given his role in inspiring defecting Stormtroopers.

Rey's involvement in Starfighter hinges on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi, given Lucasfilm's plans for her future. Other beloved characters like Lando Calrissian, Luke Skywalker's Force Ghost, or the iconic droids C-3PO and R2-D2 could also appear, adding depth and connection to the larger Star Wars saga.