Star Wars: Starfighter - Movie Plot and Timeline Revealed

The biggest news from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was undoubtedly the announcement that Shawn Levy, the director behind *Deadpool & Wolverine*, is set to helm *Star Wars: Starfighter*, a new standalone, live-action film starring Ryan Gosling. Scheduled to begin production this fall, *Starfighter* is poised to be the next Star Wars movie to hit theaters, with a release date set for May 28, 2027, following 2026’s *The Mandalorian and Grogu*. While we know that *Starfighter* is set five years after the events of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*, making it the furthest along the Star Wars timeline of any film or series to date, details about the plot remain scarce.

This period of Star Wars lore is largely unexplored, leaving fans to speculate based on the conclusion of *The Rise of Skywalker* and the pre-Disney Legends universe. Let's delve into the key questions left unanswered by *The Rise of Skywalker* and how *Starfighter* might address them.

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 video games from the PS2/Xbox era. The original *Star Wars: Starfighter* was released in 2001, followed by *Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter* in 2002. Although the new film shares the name, it's set many decades later, making it unlikely to borrow much from the games' plots. The original game is set during Episode I, focusing on other heroic pilots during the Battle of Naboo, while *Jedi Starfighter* takes place during Episode II, featuring Jedi Master Adi Gallia and pirate Nym. However, the film could take inspiration from *Jedi Starfighter*'s ship-to-ship combat, incorporating Force powers into the action. Could Ryan Gosling's character be both a Jedi and a skilled pilot? This approach could certainly enhance the film's action sequences.

The Fate of the New Republic

While *The Rise of Skywalker* ends with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, the state of the galaxy post-Battle of Exegol remains unclear. The New Republic's fate after the destruction of Hosnian Prime by the First Order's Starkiller Base in *The Force Awakens* is uncertain. Most Sequel-era projects have focused on the conflict between Leia's Resistance and the First Order, leaving the New Republic's post-catastrophe status ambiguous. It's possible that the New Republic persists in some form during *Starfighter*, albeit weakened. The novel *Star Wars: Bloodline* highlights the internal conflict between Populists and Centrists within the New Republic, which could continue to affect its efforts to regroup and rebuild.

Additionally, remnants of the First Order might still be active five years after Palpatine's defeat. Just as the Empire lingered after the Battle of Endor, the First Order could have rallied around a new figurehead. The era of *Starfighter* is likely to be marked by a power struggle, providing ample opportunity for epic space battles. The ongoing pirate problem, as seen in *The Mandalorian* and *Star Wars: Skeleton Crew*, could further complicate the New Republic's efforts to establish order.

Ryan Gosling's character could be a New Republic pilot striving to restore law and order, potentially filling the narrative void left by Patty Jenkins' *Rogue Squadron*. Alternatively, he could be a local defender of a world without Republic protection or even an ex-First Order trooper, similar to Finn. Given its standalone nature, *Starfighter* might focus on the aftermath of *The Rise of Skywalker*, exploring how a villain exploits the galaxy's power vacuum.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker's dream of rebuilding the Jedi Order was shattered when Ben Solo, corrupted by Snoke/Palpatine, destroyed his Jedi Temple. Many students perished, and Luke retreated to Ahch-To. However, it's unlikely that all Jedi were killed, just as Order 66 didn't eliminate every Jedi during the Clone Wars. The status of Ahsoka Tano during the Sequel era remains a mystery, especially after her voice was heard among the Force ghosts at the end of *The Rise of Skywalker*, yet hints suggest she might still be active.

Rey Skywalker is set to continue Luke's legacy by rebuilding the Jedi Order, as will be explored in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's *New Jedi Order* movie, set 15 years after *The Rise of Skywalker*. Whether *Starfighter* will address the current state of the Jedi depends on whether Gosling's character is Force-sensitive. If so, Rey might appear to guide this promising pilot. Otherwise, *Starfighter* could focus on ordinary heroes, akin to *Rogue One* and *Solo: A Star Wars Story*.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's definitive demise in *The Rise of Skywalker*, the question arises: are there still Sith in the galaxy? The Expanded Universe suggests that the Sith legacy might persist, with new villains emerging to exploit the power vacuum. The Prequels' Rule of Two notwithstanding, *The Clone Wars* series showed Palpatine had multiple Dark Side adversaries, like the Nightsisters and Maul. There could be other Dark Side practitioners ready to seize power now that Palpatine is gone, including potential apprentices or surviving members of the Knights of Ren. Whether *Starfighter* will delve into this remains uncertain, especially if Gosling's character is not a Jedi.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

*Star Wars: Starfighter* introduces a new lead character and is set in an unexplored period, yet as a standalone film, it might still feature cameos from familiar faces. Poe Dameron, the galaxy's premier pilot post-Han Solo, could play a role in restoring the New Republic, making him a likely candidate for a cameo. Chewbacca's current activities, perhaps still with Rey or embarking on new adventures, could also intersect with Gosling's character, especially if the Millennium Falcon is involved.

Finn, underutilized in *The Rise of Skywalker*, could return if *Starfighter* involves conflicts with First Order remnants, given his role in inspiring deserting Stormtroopers. Rey's potential appearance might hinge on Gosling's character being Force-sensitive. Lucasfilm has future plans for Rey, but *Starfighter* may not be part of those plans.