Star Wars fans have reason to celebrate as the franchise gears up for a new adventure with the upcoming film Star Wars: Starfighter. Directed by Shawn Levy, known for his work on Marvel's Deadpool & Wolverine, the film stars Ryan Gosling in a brand new role. Set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, Starfighter will explore a previously uncharted period in the Star Wars timeline, taking place five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
During the recent Star Wars Celebration in Japan, Levy and Lucasfilm executives, including Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni, shared exciting details about this standalone film. Levy emphasized that Starfighter will introduce new characters and a fresh storyline, stating, "The movie is a new adventure. It's new characters. It takes place in a new period of time after the battle of Exegol, after episode nine." This marks a significant shift for the franchise as it moves beyond the established lore of the previous trilogies.
Fans of the series might recall that the title Starfighter echoes a series of video games from the early 2000s, but Levy clarified that the film would not borrow plots from these games. The original Star Wars: Starfighter was released in 2001, followed by Jedi Starfighter in 2002, both set during the prequel trilogy. Instead, Starfighter will delve into the aftermath of the climactic battle against Emperor Palpatine, addressing the state of the galaxy in the years following his defeat.
After the events of The Rise of Skywalker, the fate of the New Republic remains uncertain. The film will likely explore how the New Republic, already weakened by the First Order's onslaught, attempts to regain stability. In the Sequel Trilogy, audiences witnessed the devastation of Hosnian Prime, the New Republic's capital, and the loss of its leadership. The internal conflicts between Populists and Centrists, as highlighted in the novel Star Wars: Bloodline, could resurface as the New Republic struggles to rebuild.
Moreover, the remnants of the First Order may still pose a threat. Despite the apparent victory over Palpatine, history has shown that eliminating a regime is rarely straightforward. The Empire did not vanish overnight after the Battle of Endor; it took years of conflict to dismantle its influence. Starfighter may depict a power struggle in the galaxy, filled with epic space battles and the chaos of piracy, as seen in other recent Star Wars series.
Gosling's character is still shrouded in mystery, but speculation suggests he could be a New Republic pilot or a defender of a world grappling with lawlessness. The film's standalone nature means it won’t necessarily connect directly to the overarching conflicts of the previous trilogies, allowing it to carve out its own identity within the Star Wars universe.
As for the Jedi Order, the aftermath of Luke Skywalker’s attempts to rebuild it remains a tantalizing question. Following the destruction of his temple by Ben Solo, many Jedi were lost, and the future of the Order is in jeopardy. While Rey is set to lead the charge in rebuilding the Jedi in a separate upcoming film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Starfighter may not delve deeply into the Jedi's fate. However, if Gosling's character is Force-sensitive, there could be room for a cameo from Rey as she seeks to mentor new talent.
Another intriguing aspect of Starfighter is the potential for familiar faces from the Sequel Trilogy to make appearances. Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron, a celebrated pilot and hero, could play a significant role in the film, aiding Gosling's character in the quest to restore order. Given the expansive nature of the Star Wars universe, the possibilities for cameos are endless. Fans are left wondering if Chewbacca or Finn might also return to lend their support.
As excitement builds for Star Wars: Starfighter, fans are hopeful that Levy and Gosling will deliver a film that captures the essence of what makes Star Wars special—a blend of adventure, character development, and the timeless battle between good and evil. With the film set to begin production this fall, audiences can anticipate a thrilling new chapter in the Star Wars saga.
In a time when the franchise has expanded significantly since Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, Starfighter aims to provide a fresh perspective, unencumbered by the weight of existing lore. As the franchise continues to grow, this new standalone story could serve as a much-needed palate cleanser for fans eager to embrace the future of Star Wars.
