The Biggest Reveal from Star Wars Celebration 2025

The most exciting announcement at Star Wars Celebration 2025 came when Lucasfilm confirmed Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy will helm Star Wars: Starfighter, a standalone live-action film starring Ryan Gosling. Positioned as the next theatrical release after 2026's The Mandalorian and Grogu, production begins this fall for a May 28, 2027 premiere date.

Exploring the Post-Rise of Skywalker Era

While plot details remain scarce, Lucasfilm revealed one crucial piece of information - the film is set approximately five years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This makes Starfighter the furthest chronological entry in the Star Wars timeline to date.

The period following Palpatine's final defeat remains largely unexplored in canon. The Rise of Skywalker's ending leaves several major questions unanswered about the galaxy's state after the Battle of Exegol. Here's what we know - and what we can speculate - about this pivotal time in Star Wars history.

Star Wars: Starfighter - Connection to the Classic Games

The title might evoke memories of the early 2000s Starfighter video games, but don't expect direct adaptation. The original 2001 game and its 2002 sequel Jedi Starfighter were set during the Prequel era, making any narrative connections to the new film unlikely.

The Galaxy After Exegol

The New Republic's Uncertain Future

The New Republic suffered devastating losses when the First Order destroyed Hosnian Prime in The Force Awakens. With most post-sequel content focusing on the Resistance-First Order conflict, Starfighter may finally reveal how the galaxy's democratic government fared after Exegol.

Potential First Order Remnants

Just as Imperial forces persisted after Endor, some First Order elements might still threaten the galaxy five years later. This could create compelling storytelling opportunities, especially if Gosling's character is an ex-Stormtrooper like Finn.

The Rise of Criminal Elements

The Mandalorian and Skeleton Crew have shown how lawlessness thrives in power vacuums. With weakened central authority, pirates and smugglers may dominate the Outer Rim - perfect adversaries for our starfighter protagonist.

The Jedi Order's Fate

After Luke's failed attempt to rebuild the Jedi and Rey's promise to continue his legacy, Starfighter could reveal the state of Force users during this transitional period. While Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's New Jedi Order film will explore Rey's academy (set 15 years post-TROS), Starfighter might show us the first steps toward galactic stability.

Could Familiar Faces Return?

As a standalone film, Starfighter may focus primarily on new characters, but Star Wars loves its cameos. Poe Dameron seems a logical candidate given his piloting skills, while Finn could appear if the story involves defecting Stormtroopers. Even Chewbacca might make an appearance, possibly alongside Gosling's character in the Millennium Falcon cockpit.