In 50 years of Star Wars storytelling, the galaxy far, far away has always had someone in charge — whether that’s the Republic, the Empire, the New Republic, or the First Order. But director Shawn Levy is changing all of that with Star Wars: Starfighter, and it’s a bigger deal than you might think.
Levy recently confirmed that when Starfighter takes place, there is simply no governing body ruling the galaxy. In his own words, there is “no sort of governing enforcer or order” — and ordinary people are just “trying to do their best to get by.” That’s a franchise first in 50 years of Star Wars films, and it sets the stage for a very different kind of story.
So Where Does Starfighter Fit in the Timeline?
The film is set shortly after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, meaning the First Order has fallen but nothing new has risen to take its place. It’s a galaxy in a kind of in-between moment — no heroes in charge, no villains holding the reins. Just people trying to survive and make their way.
That’s actually the perfect backdrop for the film’s central character: Kade Auberon, played by Ryan Gosling. Kade is described as a working-class pilot from a tough background who gets pulled into a much bigger adventure when he crosses paths with an advanced starfighter. No Jedi Council. No Senate. No rebellion to join. Just a guy and a ship and a galaxy that’s wide open.
Why This Is Such a Smart Creative Choice
One of the things longtime Star Wars fans know well is how complicated galactic politics can get. Midichlorians, trade disputes, senate votes — not everyone’s favorite part of the saga. By stripping away any formal government, Shawn Levy frees Starfighter to tell a more personal, grounded story without getting bogged down in lore.
It also gives the film room to breathe as a standalone adventure. There’s no need to explain how this fits into the broader political chess match of the Star Wars universe, because right now, there is no chess match. And that leaves the door wide open for future stories to build something new.
Mark Your Calendar
Star Wars: Starfighter hits theaters on May 28, 2027 — yes, that’s a Memorial Day weekend release, which is very much on brand for a Star Wars movie. Ryan Gosling leading a Star Wars film with a fresh, ungoverned galaxy as its backdrop? We are absolutely here for it.
Stay tuned to The Main Street Mouse for more updates as we get closer to that galaxy far, far away.
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