The biggest news from Star Wars Celebration 2025 was undoubtedly the announcement that Deadpool & Wolverine's Shawn Levy is directing Star Wars: Starfighter, a new standalone, live-action film set to feature Ryan Gosling. Set for production to begin this fall, Starfighter is slated for a May 28, 2027 release, following closely on the heels of 2026's The Mandalorian and Grogu. This project promises to expand the Star Wars universe into a new era, set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, making it the furthest point in the timeline explored in Star Wars films to date.

While details about the plot are sparse, the setting alone opens up numerous possibilities for storytelling. This period is relatively uncharted in Star Wars lore, providing a canvas for fresh narratives and character development. Let's delve into the key questions and possibilities that arise from this setting and how Starfighter might address them.

Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show

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The Star Wars: Starfighter Games

The title Star Wars: Starfighter echoes a series of games from the early 2000s, namely the original Star Wars: Starfighter (2001) and Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter (2002). These games, set during Episodes I and II respectively, centered around heroic pilots and introduced unique gameplay elements like Force-powered combat. Although the new movie shares the name, it is unlikely to borrow heavily from the games' plots given its setting decades later. However, the inclusion of dynamic ship-to-ship combat, possibly enhanced with Force abilities if Gosling's character is a Jedi, could add an exciting dimension to the film's action sequences.

The Fate of the New Republic

The Rise of Skywalker concluded with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine, but left the state of the galaxy ambiguous. The New Republic, severely weakened by the destruction of Hosnian Prime and its leadership, as seen in The Force Awakens, might still exist in some form during the time of Starfighter. Internal conflicts between Populists and Centrists, as explored in Star Wars: Bloodline, could still be influencing its stability. Additionally, remnants of the First Order may persist, rallying around a new figurehead, creating a power vacuum ripe for conflict. This setting could allow for epic space battles and a narrative centered on restoring order to a chaotic galaxy. Gosling's character might be a New Republic pilot or a defender of a world struggling without Republic support, potentially filling the gap left by Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron movie.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Following the destruction of Luke Skywalker's Jedi Temple by Ben Solo, the fate of the Jedi remains uncertain. While many were killed, it's plausible that some survived, akin to those who evaded Order 66. The whereabouts and activities of Ahsoka Tano during this period, hinted at by Dave Filoni, are also of interest. Meanwhile, Rey Skywalker's mission to rebuild the Jedi Order, set to be explored in a future film, occurs a decade after Starfighter. Whether the new film will delve into the current state of the Jedi depends on Gosling's character; if he's Force-sensitive, we might see a connection to Rey, but otherwise, Starfighter could focus on non-Jedi heroes, similar to Rogue One and Solo.

Are the Sith Still Around?

With Palpatine's final defeat in The Rise of Skywalker, the question of the Sith's continued presence lingers. Historical Star Wars lore suggests that the Sith, or those influenced by the Dark Side, could resurface. Characters like Darth Krayt from the Legends universe exemplify this potential. The galaxy might still harbor Dark Side users, whether remnants of the Knights of Ren or new apprentices. However, Starfighter's focus on a standalone story might not necessitate exploring the Sith's status, leaving that to other upcoming projects like the New Jedi Order movie or Simon Kinberg’s Star Wars trilogy.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?

Starfighter introduces a new lead character and a fresh setting, but Star Wars films often include cameos and callbacks. Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron, known as one of the galaxy's best pilots, could play a role in the New Republic's reconstruction efforts, making him a likely candidate for a return. Chewbacca's post-Rise of Skywalker activities, possibly alongside Rey, could also intersect with Gosling's character, perhaps even involving the Millennium Falcon. John Boyega's Finn, with his connections to former First Order troopers, might also reappear if the film deals with First Order remnants. Rey's involvement would hinge on whether Gosling's character is a Jedi, aligning with her mission to rebuild the Jedi Order. The potential for these familiar faces to appear adds excitement and continuity to the Star Wars saga.

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