50-Years-Later, ‘Star Wars’ Enters Next Era With New Movie Announcement
The Star Wars universe is preparing for a bold new era. Nearly 50 years after George Lucas first launched the saga into cultural history, Lucasfilm appears ready to propel the galaxy into unexplored territory, this time, stepping far beyond the Skywalker legacy.
Audiences will see Star Wars return to the big screen next year for the first time since J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Following several years of streaming successes, Lucasfilm is refocusing on theatrical storytelling. That plan begins with Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu, arriving in 2026 and centered on Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Din Grogu.
But the spotlight quickly shifted to what might shape the next generation of cinematic storytelling. At Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni appeared alongside Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling to unveil Star Wars: Starfighter, set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.
As detailed by StarWars.com, “Set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Gosling will play a brand-new character teased by the actor’s appearance on stage.” The official reveal added, “One of several theatrical projects still in development from Lucasfilm, including films by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold, Taika Waititi, and a new trilogy by Simon Kinberg, Levy’s film–Star Wars: Starfighter–will star Gosling and go into production starting this fall.”
The cast has now expanded, bringing on Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams, joining previously announced stars Mia Goth and Matt Smith. The standout addition is Flynn Gray, whose co-lead role has already sparked theories of a Jedi-Padawan storyline.
Starfighter is turning away from the Skywalker lineage entirely, depicting a post–First Order galaxy filled with unfamiliar dangers and fresh heroes. Lucasfilm describes the project as “an entirely original story set in a period of time never before explored” and “an all-new standalone adventure.”
Shawn Levy reflected on taking the helm of the film: “From the day Kathy Kennedy called me up, inviting me to develop an original adventure in this incredible Star Wars galaxy, this experience has been a dream come true,” said the Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) filmmaker.
Recent speculation suggests Starfighter may end up serving a larger purpose than anticipated. Insider discussions suggest it could lay the groundwork for a trilogy and may even include a cameo that ties the film forward into future projects. According to @MyTimeToShineH (via SFFGazette), Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker could make an appearance, hinting at a connective link to her upcoming—yet delayed—Jedi Order film.
Reported story details suggest that a young boy discovers his Force sensitivity, protected by his mother, who is believed to be Amy Adams’ character, a Jedi. That path could lead him toward Rey, creating a direct bridge toward Obaid-Chinoy’s New Jedi Order movie.
With Ryan Gosling starring and Shawn Levy directing from a script by Jonathan Tropper, anticipation is high. If the film launches a trilogy—or even sets up narrative threads—it could become central to the future direction of Star Wars.
In a recent interview, Shawn Levy weighed in on the fan theories and clarified the film’s direction: “Well, for one thing, it is different in that it is an all-new non-sequel, non-prequel adventure. It’s new characters, it’s a new timeline. It inherits legacy themes, but it’s really trying to give Star Wars [fans]–and just movie audiences–something fresh, something new,” he said. He added, “And with a spirit of play and big-hearted adventure with moments of real levity that, frankly, A New Hope had in a revolutionary way.”
Levy also spoke about the people bringing the movie to life: “My crew, my DP, Claudio Miranda, Gosling is my kind of central collaborator in the lead role. It’s certainly been a dream come true. My 10-year-old self is on set with me every day,” he said.
“In fact, he’s going to catch a flight tonight to go back to the set and keep shooting on Monday. But it’s a huge, invigorating opportunity because Lucasfilm has been so encouraging of me doing something new.” He finished with: “There’s no pressure to be derivative or limited by an obligation to what came before. There’s just a love of what came before.”
Levy has continued to emphasize that Starfighter represents a break from established characters and timelines.
“Every time I’ve asked, ‘Should I use this character that was maybe in that movie?’ Every time it’s, ‘You know what? People have seen that. Do something new,'” the Deadpool & Wolverine director told The Playlist.
“There is no mandate or interference other than the constant encouragement, ‘Make this new.’ And that’s the truth,” he said. “Unlike Solo… unlike Rise of Skywalker, which was a sequel to two other movies and ultimately a ninth film in the Skywalker saga, Starfighter is all new characters based on new ideas that Jonathan and I cooked up alone and together.”
With The Mandalorian and Grogu arriving in 2026 and Starfighter following in 2027, Star Wars appears to be fully embracing a new creative direction—one fueled by fresh standalone stories without relying on legacy figures.
How do you feel about this new chapter for the franchise? Let us know in the comments below!
