It was a big day at Star Wars Celebration 2025, held on April 18 in Tokyo, Japan, as fans were treated to exciting announcements about future projects in the beloved galaxy far, far away. Among the most anticipated reveals was the title and release date of a new Star Wars film, Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling. This film is set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027, just three weeks after Marvel's Avengers: Secret Wars premieres on May 7.
While details about Starfighter remain sparse, it has been confirmed that the film takes place after Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker. The title alone has sparked curiosity among fans, leading many to wonder if it might center around starfighters and pilots, a theme that has been a significant part of the Star Wars franchise.
Gosling, 44, expressed his excitement at the panel, stating, "The reality is that this script is just so good. It has such a great story with great and original characters. It’s filled with so much heart and adventure, and there just really is not a more perfect filmmaker for this particular story than Shawn." His enthusiasm was palpable, especially when a childhood photo of him showcasing his vintage Star Wars bedsheets appeared on the screen. Gosling humorously remarked, "Naturally, she thought that it might be something that the fans would appreciate, but I suspect that she just sort of wants to justify years of hoarding.”
However, the announcement of Starfighter has led to discussions about another Star Wars film that has been in limbo for some time: Rogue Squadron. This film was initially announced in December 2020 during the Lucasfilm presentation at Disney Investors' Day, with Patty Jenkins attached as director. Jenkins had shared her personal connection to the project, stating that her father was a fighter pilot, which added depth to her vision for the film. But as time passed, news surrounding Rogue Squadron dwindled, and it was ultimately removed from Lucasfilm's slate of upcoming releases in September 2022.
The last significant update regarding Rogue Squadron came from Jenkins herself in March 2024. At that time, she indicated that she intended to finish work on Wonder Woman 3 before focusing on Rogue Squadron, but with the shifting landscape of DC Studios under James Gunn and Peter Safran, Jenkins' project faced further uncertainty. She noted, "So I now owe a draft of Star Wars, and so we will see what happens there." Despite her efforts, fans have grown increasingly skeptical about the film's future, especially given the lack of official updates.
Shawn Levy, during his discussion at the Star Wars Celebration, highlighted the difference in the development stages of the two films. He stated that Starfighter is currently in pre-production and aims to begin shooting later this year, while Rogue Squadron appears to be stuck in development hell. This stark contrast leaves many fans feeling that Starfighter is the project to watch moving forward.
As for the content of Starfighter, it remains to be seen how it will differentiate itself from Rogue Squadron. While Rogue Squadron was anticipated to explore the adventures of the Rebel Alliance's famed fighter pilots, the new film promises an original story with new characters, set in a timeline that goes beyond the familiar conflicts of the Empire and the First Order.
Interestingly, the title Starfighter also recalls a 2001 PlayStation 2 game centered on the Naboo Royal Space Fighter Corps, which is set before the events of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. However, the film's timeline is over 67 years later, suggesting that any connection to the game is likely coincidental. Fans speculate about the potential threats in the galaxy, considering that remnants of the Empire or First Order could still exist, or perhaps the New Republic's collapse has left each planetary system to fend for itself.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Rogue Squadron, the excitement for Star Wars: Starfighter is palpable. Fans are eager to see how Levy and Gosling will bring this new narrative to life. As Gosling noted during the panel, his childhood dreams of being part of the Star Wars universe are finally coming true, and he hopes to deliver a film that resonates with both old and new fans alike.
With Star Wars: Starfighter set to open in theaters on May 28, 2027, the anticipation continues to build. As the film enters pre-production, fans are left to wonder what adventures await in this new chapter of the Star Wars saga. Will it deliver the space battles and character-driven storylines that fans have been craving? Only time will tell, but for now, the galaxy is buzzing with excitement.
