Home News "Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Revealed"

"Star Wars: Starfighter - Plot and Timeline Revealed"

Author : Liam Oct 18,2025

The latest big reveal from Star Wars Celebration 2025 has sent waves through the galaxy: Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy is set to helm Star Wars: Starfighter, a brand-new standalone live-action film starring Ryan Gosling. This upcoming project is currently scheduled for a May 28, 2027 release, following The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, with production expected to begin this fall.

Beyond those basic details, however, very little is known about Starfighter. Lucasfilm did confirm 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 into the future of the Star Wars timeline than any previous movie or series, opening up a largely unexplored era ripe for storytelling.

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A New Take on an Old Title

It's worth noting that Star Wars: Starfighter shares its name with a pair of early 2000s video games — Star Wars: Starfighter (2001) and Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter (2002). While the new film borrows the title, there’s no indication it will draw directly from the games’ plots.

The original Starfighter game takes place during Episode I: The Phantom Menace, focusing on Anakin Skywalker and other pilots during the Battle of Naboo. Jedi Starfighter, meanwhile, is set during Episode II: Attack of the Clones and follows Jedi Master Adi Gallia and rogue character Nym. Given that the new film is set decades later, it’s unlikely to adapt these stories.

That said, there could be stylistic inspiration, especially regarding space combat. Jedi Starfighter notably introduced Force abilities into ship-to-ship battles — such as shields, lightning, and shockwaves — which could offer a fresh visual twist if adapted for the screen. Whether Gosling’s character is a Jedi pilot remains unknown, but it would make for an exciting blend of action and Force-fueled spectacle.

The Galaxy After Palpatine

Though The Rise of Skywalker ends with the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Sith Eternal, it leaves many questions about the state of the galaxy unanswered. The fate of the New Republic, already weakened by the destruction of Hosnian Prime at the hands of the First Order’s Starkiller Base, remains uncertain.

In the novel Star Wars: Bloodline, we see political tensions brewing between Populists and Centrists within the New Republic — tensions that likely escalated following the events of The Force Awakens. With its leadership decimated and internal divisions unresolved, the New Republic may be in a fragile state during the time of Starfighter.

There’s also the possibility that remnants of the First Order still exist. Much like the Empire didn’t vanish overnight after Return of the Jedi, the First Order might have regrouped under a new leader after Kylo Ren’s death. In addition, piracy and lawlessness are growing concerns in the outer rim, as seen in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. It’s plausible that this instability has only worsened in the aftermath of the Sequel Trilogy.

With all this turmoil, Starfighter has ample opportunity to showcase high-stakes space battles and galactic conflict. Gosling’s character could be a heroic pilot fighting to restore order, or perhaps a local defender protecting their home world. He could even be a former First Order soldier, not unlike Finn. As a standalone film, Starfighter is more likely to explore the lingering consequences of past conflicts rather than introduce a new overarching war.

Rebuilding the Jedi Order

Luke Skywalker once dreamed of rebuilding the Jedi Order, training a new generation of Force-sensitive students. His efforts culminated in the construction of a Jedi temple, as seen in The Book of Boba Fett. Unfortunately, his nephew Ben Solo turned against him, destroying the temple and killing most of Luke’s pupils. This tragedy led Luke to exile himself on Ahch-To, where he remained until his final days.

While many of Luke’s students perished, it’s unlikely they were all wiped out — just as Order 66 failed to eliminate every Jedi. Questions remain about Ahsoka Tano’s whereabouts, as her voice was heard among the Force ghosts at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, and Dave Filoni has suggested she isn't dead.

Rey Skywalker is now working to rebuild the Jedi Order, a journey that will be explored in the upcoming New Jedi Order film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. However, that movie is set fifteen years after The Rise of Skywalker, placing it a decade beyond Starfighter.

Whether Starfighter will touch on the current state of the Jedi depends heavily on whether Gosling’s character is Force-sensitive. If so, Rey might make a cameo, reaching out to a promising new ally. But if not, the film could follow the model of Rogue One or Solo, focusing on ordinary heroes rather than Jedi lore.

Are the Sith Truly Gone?

Just as the Jedi face an uncertain future, so too does the legacy of the Sith. With Palpatine’s final defeat, the ancient line of Sith Lords appears to have ended — but history suggests otherwise.

In the old Expanded Universe (now Legends canon), Darth Krayt rose to power over a century after Return of the Jedi, leading a new wave of Sith. Even within official canon, The Clone Wars animated series showed that Palpatine had rivals like the Nightsisters and his former apprentice, Darth Maul. It’s entirely possible that someone else has seized the chance to rise in the Dark Side’s name.

Could another of Luke’s former students have fallen? Or perhaps remnants of the Knights of Ren have taken control? Whatever the case, it remains to be seen whether Starfighter will delve into this mystery. If Gosling’s character isn’t connected to the Jedi, the film may leave these questions for future projects like the New Jedi Order movie or Simon Kinberg’s upcoming trilogy.

Could Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Characters Return?

As a standalone film, Starfighter is expected to introduce a new protagonist and explore a previously untouched period in Star Wars history. That doesn’t necessarily mean familiar faces won’t appear, though.

Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron is a strong candidate for a cameo. As one of the galaxy’s top pilots and a decorated Resistance hero, he’d likely play a role in rebuilding the New Republic. He could easily cross paths with Gosling’s character in a mentor-like capacity.

Chewbacca is another potential returnee, especially if Gosling’s character finds themselves flying alongside a seasoned co-pilot. There’s even room for John Boyega’s Finn, particularly if the plot involves First Order remnants. Finn hinted at helping disillusioned Stormtroopers break free from the First Order — maybe Gosling’s character is one of them.

As for Rey, her appearance would depend on whether Gosling’s character has a connection to the Force. She’s busy rebuilding the Jedi Order, so unless this film intersects with her mission, she may not appear here.

Fans can vote below to share which surviving character they'd most like to see in Star Wars: Starfighter.

Which surviving Star Wars character do you most want to see in the Starfighter movie?