Star Wars Celebration 2025: 5 things we learned about Star Wars: Starfighter

Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni surprised fans before The Mandalorian and Grogu panel on Day 1 of Star Wars Celebration 2025.

While fans in attendance seemed ready to watch a trailer of the next Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Kennedy and Filoni took a few minutes to give updates on the other films currently in development, including ones from James Mangold, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Taika Waititi, Simon Kinberg, and lastly, Dave Filoni's Mandalorian-era crossover film.

The surprise came when Shawn Levy joined Kennedy and Filoni to give an update regarding his next, starring Ryan Gosling, who showed up a few moments later.

Let's recap 5 things we learned about Star Wars: Starfighter at Star Wars Celebration 2025 - Day 1

1. It's a standalone adventure

It seems the standalone adventures are having an easier time at Lucasfilm, which makes sense as the story can be more contained. There's no reason to worry about the next part of the movie should part one underperforms. However, if it does well, maybe it will get the Andor treatment later on. That's exactly what we're getting from Starfighter, which will be a standalone adventure starring Ryan Gosling.

2. Ryan Gosling loved the script and its original characters

It's confirmed that Starfighter is a brand new adventure about new characters. Although Levy and Gosling didn't reveal what character Gosling plays, the title may shed light on what to expect. We know a Starfighter is important to the adventure story, and an X-wing was brought on stage to an enthusiastic reception. Star Wars: Starfighter was also the title of a PlayStation 2 LucasArts video game, so we'll have to wait and see if there is any connection.

3. It films this fall

Starfighter isn't in development, it's actually in pre-production! Shawn Levy confirmed his movie goes on the floor this fall, and will be ready for a 2027 premiere.

4. Starfighter is set 5 years after the events of Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker

Starfighter takes place after The Battle of Exegol, so it's set in the sequel era. Does this mean that the sequel trilogy characters could return in the movie? It's certainly possible, but it wasn't something Levy touched upon. With the story set only five years after The Rise of Skywalker, it would be a safe bet.

5. It premieres May 28, 2027- just in time for Star Wars 50th anniversary

Starfighter premieres a year after The Mandalorian and Grogu. I was surprised they announced a release date, but that's a positive sign for how well this project is coming along. It's also the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, so having a movie out that year makes sense.

Overall, I have a positive impression of Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling, and I think a standalone adventure is a great idea for a movie set in any Star Wars era. Lucasfilm had a lot of success with Rogue One, which might've given them the confidence to go ahead with a more self-contained story.

Although there are no official confirmations, rumors suggest Gosling might play a Jedi who takes his nephew as a Padawan on a mission, but take that with a grain of salt.

Star Wars: Starfighter premieres in theaters on May 28, 2027.