One of the most exciting announcements to come out of Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the reveal that Shawn Levy, director of Deadpool & Wolverine, is set to helm *Star Wars: Starfighter*, a brand-new standalone live-action film starring Ryan Gosling. This upcoming movie is scheduled to follow *The Mandalorian and Grogu* (slated for 2026), with production kicking off this fall in preparation for its May 28, 2027 theatrical release.
Beyond these basic details, however, much about *Starfighter* remains under wraps. Lucasfilm has only officially confirmed one key piece of information: the story will take place approximately five years after the events of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*. That places it further along the timeline than any other Star Wars film or series released so far, opening up an entirely new era for exploration.
Given how little we know about this period from existing canon, there’s plenty of room for speculation based on what we’ve seen and what was established in pre-Disney Legends lore. Let’s dive into some of the biggest questions left unanswered by *The Rise of Skywalker* and explore how *Starfighter* might address them.
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The Star Wars: Starfighter Games Connection
Before diving into the plot possibilities, it's worth noting that *Star Wars: Starfighter* shares its name with a pair of early 2000s video games—*Star Wars: Starfighter* (2001) and *Jedi Starfighter* (2002). While the new movie may borrow the title, it's unlikely to pull directly from the games’ stories, which were set during Episodes I and II respectively. These titles focused on heroic pilots like Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Master Adi Gallia, featuring space combat and even Force-powered abilities mid-flight.
Given that *Starfighter* is set decades later, direct narrative ties are improbable. However, the film could still draw inspiration from the gameplay mechanics of *Jedi Starfighter*, particularly the integration of Force powers into aerial dogfights. If Gosling’s character turns out to be both a skilled pilot and Force-sensitive, that could open the door for thrilling, cinematic battles that blend high-speed flight with lightsaber duels or Force-based abilities.
The Fate of the New Republic
Though *The Rise of Skywalker* ends with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, it leaves many questions about the broader galactic state unanswered. Notably, the status of the New Republic post-Starkiller Base destruction remains unclear. In *The Force Awakens*, the First Order wipes out the Republic’s leadership, leaving it in a weakened state. It’s possible that the New Republic still exists during the time of *Starfighter*, but likely in a diminished capacity.
As explored in the novel *Star Wars: Bloodline*, political tensions between Populists and Centrists had already begun to fracture the Republic long before the rise of the First Order. With Kylo Ren gone and the First Order seemingly defeated, remnants of the old regime may still linger, taking advantage of the power vacuum to regroup and reassert control. Meanwhile, piracy and lawlessness could continue to grow, especially in the Outer Rim, as seen in shows like *The Mandalorian* and *Skeleton Crew*.
This turbulent backdrop sets the stage for Gosling’s character to step into a galaxy in flux. Whether he plays a loyalist fighter defending the fragile peace or a lone operative navigating the chaos, *Starfighter* seems poised to deliver high-stakes action within a politically unstable setting. Unlike earlier trilogies, this film appears to focus more on the aftermath of conflict rather than launching a new galactic war.
Rebuilding the Jedi Order
Following the destruction of Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Temple at the hands of his nephew Ben Solo, the Jedi Order lies in ruins. Although Luke made efforts to rebuild it in the years following Return of the Jedi, his hopes were shattered when Kylo Ren turned against him and destroyed the school. Still, not all students were killed—just as Order 66 didn’t wipe out every Jedi, some must have survived.
Ahsoka Tano, portrayed by Rosario Dawson, remains unaccounted for in the Sequel Era, though her voice appears among the Force ghosts in *The Rise of Skywalker*. Dave Filoni has hinted that she may still be alive, possibly wandering the galaxy on a personal mission. Meanwhile, Rey Skywalker has taken on the task of rebuilding the Jedi Order, a journey that will be explored in the upcoming *New Jedi Order* film.
Whether *Starfighter* addresses the current state of the Jedi depends largely on whether Gosling’s character is Force-sensitive. If he is, Rey may make a cameo appearance, reaching out to recruit or guide him. But if not, the film could follow the model of *Solo: A Star Wars Story* or *Rogue One*, focusing instead on ordinary heroes caught up in extraordinary circumstances.
Are the Sith Still Around?
With Emperor Palpatine finally dead and gone, the question remains: Is the Sith Order truly extinct? While the Rule of Two suggests only two Sith exist at once, the Prequel Trilogy and *The Clone Wars* show that Palpatine had rivals and apprentices beyond Darth Tyranus and Darth Vader. Could another hidden apprentice have survived? Or perhaps one of Luke’s former students has fallen to the Dark Side?
Even without traditional Sith, dark side users are likely to emerge in this uncertain era. The galaxy is ripe for villains looking to exploit the chaos left behind by the fall of the First Order and the instability of the New Republic. Whether they call themselves Sith or not, the Force will always find those drawn to power—and darkness.
Potential Cameos from Sequel Characters
Although *Starfighter* is a standalone film with a new protagonist, it wouldn't be Star Wars without familiar faces making appearances. Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron is a strong candidate—he’s arguably the best pilot in the galaxy now that Han Solo is gone, and his role in rebuilding the New Republic makes him a natural ally for Gosling’s character.
Chewbacca also remains a major presence in the galaxy. Whether he continues to travel with Rey or finds himself piloting the Millennium Falcon with Gosling’s character, his inclusion would offer fans a comforting connection to the Skywalker Saga.
John Boyega’s Finn could return as well, especially if the story involves remnants of the First Order. His arc in *The Rise of Skywalker* suggested he’d become a symbol of hope for Stormtroopers seeking freedom, and exploring that further could give him meaningful screen time alongside Gosling.
Rey’s potential involvement hinges on whether Gosling’s character is Force-sensitive. Given her own storyline in the *New Jedi Order* film, she may not play a major role here, but a brief Force ghost cameo from Mark Hamill’s Luke isn
