Star Wars Starfighter (2027) vs. New Jedi Order Movie Preview

"Star Wars" returns to theaters! The Skywalker saga has come to an end, but this galaxy still has plenty of stories left to tell. Very soon, "The Mandalorian & Grogu" will hit the big screen, and fans of the series are hoping for a spectacular cinematic adventure. But that's far from all.

Two more movies are set to follow – and they couldn't be more different. On one side of the Force: a light-hearted adventure featuring big name actors. On the other: a project with a heavy legacy and very dark omens.

What does the future of "Star Wars" on the big screen look like? Will Disney get the franchise back on track, or is this a fresh start at risk of repeating past mistakes? Let's take a look at the future movies "Starfighter" and "New Jedi Order"!

Star Wars Back on the Big Screen

The last film to hit theaters was "Episode 9" in 2019, and it left many fans disappointed. Since then, Disney has tried to rekindle the old love with various series – but with mixed results. Along the way, we have seen very different takes on "Star Wars": from the family-friendly "Skeleton Crew" to the sophisticated "Andor".

Yet for many fans, the longing for a new "Star Wars" experience on the big screen remains. This is where the saga truly belongs – where its origins lie, and where its fantastic worlds and effects can make their greatest impact. So let's check out what the filmmakers hope will win us over!

Starfighter: What We Know So Far

"Starfighter" marks the beginning of a new chapter for "Star Wars". At Star Wars Celebration 2025, director Shawn Levy announced:

"It's not a prequel, not a sequel. It's a new adventure. It's set in a period of time that we haven't seen explored yet."

Specifically, this means: five years after the events of "Episode 9". We have never been this far into the future of the film series. This also gives us the chance to see how the world has evolved since the Skywalker saga. Who holds sway in the galaxy now? Is there a new threat? And what about the Jedi and the Sith? This time period offers ample opportunity for new ideas.

The Cast of Starfighter

The Heroes

"Starfighter" breaks with a certain "Star Wars" tradition: the lead roles have rarely been filled by big name stars. But this time is different: leading man Ryan Gosling is one of Hollywood's top stars. In "Starfighter", he must protect a boy against evil pursuers – a role played by little-known actor Flynn Gray.

It is still unclear why the boy is being pursued. Naturally, it would make sense if the character were Force-sensitive. This could create a dynamic similar to that between Din Djarin and Grogu in "The Mandalorian", where the protagonist is a simple bounty hunter who wants to protect the special Grogu. In the set photos, Ryan Gosling also appears more like a typical scoundrel à la Han Solo than a Jedi.

The Villains

The creators are also relying on big names when it comes to villains. One of the pursuers is played by Mia Goth. She is best known for horror films such as "Pearl". However, she is not at the top of the list of villains. That spot belongs to British actor Matt Smith, who is most famous for his roles in "Doctor Who", "The Crown", and "House of the Dragon".

Other Stars

But that's not all. Hollywood star Amy Adams is also involved in the project. It is currently believed that she will play the boy's mother. The cast further includes "Rebel Ridge" star Aaron Pierre, "The Inbetweeners" actor Simon Bird, and "The Gentlemen" actor Daniel Ings.

Insiders have also reported that Gosling's wife, Eva Mendes, has joined the cast as well. Allegedly, she will be his wife in "Starfighter", too. For her, it would be a real comeback: Mendes has actually been out of the acting business for quite some time.

Director & Screenwriter

"Star Wars: Starfighter" is directed by Shawn Levy, who is best known for his action comedies such as "Deadpool & Wolverine", "Free Guy", and the "Night at the Museum" films. However, darker material is not unfamiliar to him either – he also directed several episodes of "Stranger Things".

The screenplay is by Jonathan Tropper, who previously collaborated with Shawn Levy on the Netflix film "The Adam Project". Before that, he primarily worked on the series "See" and created the series "Warrior".

When Will Starfighter Be Released?

Filming for "Star Wars: Starfighter" has been underway since August 2025. In the meantime, Shawn Levy shared a set photo with the caption: "Somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea." However, it will still be a while before we see "Starfighter" in theaters. The movie is scheduled to be released on May 28, 2027.

With "Starfighter", it seems that Disney is finally following through: the project has been announced, filming is in progress, and nothing stands in the way of its theatrical release. Unfortunately, the situation looks completely different for another project in the franchise.

Star Wars: New Jedi Order

Star Wars Celebration 2023: A new movie centered around Daisy Ridley was announced with much fanfare. This movie is also set after "Episode 9". 15 years later, to be precise. The story is expected to focus on Rey, who is seeking to build a new Jedi Order. Since then, the film has been unofficially referred to as "New Jedi Order", though it is sometimes simply called "Episode 10".

However, the project has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons from the very beginning. Behind the scenes, there has been plenty of drama: renowned screenwriters have come and gone, with creative differences repeatedly derailing collaborations. Among those who have already walked away are "Lost" creator Damon Lindelof and "Peaky Blinders" creator Steven Knight. Currently, George Nolfi is attached to the project. He is known for movies such as "Ocean's Twelve" and "The Bourne Ultimatum".

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is set to direct, making her the first woman to helm a "Star Wars" film. This choice is quite unusual: although she already has two Oscars to her name, her experience has been primarily in documentaries on women's rights. This has sparked heated discussions online, with some "Star Wars" fans fearing that Disney's decision was mainly politically motivated. How she will handle a big-budget, entertaining Hollywood blockbuster remains to be seen.

The Cast

So far, the only confirmed casting news is the return of Daisy Ridley. But this could prove to be a problem: for many fans, the conclusion of her trilogy was a bitter disappointment – and that also reflects on the lead role. Accordingly, reactions were rather reserved when another movie was announced that is supposed to revolve around Rey once again.

We can imagine that this might be the reason for the complications with the script. What role is Rey actually meant to play? Are they trying to continue her personal story in order to redeem the character for fans? Or are they attempting to strike a balance by telling a fresh story with new characters: Rey as a mentor on one side, young Padawans on the other?

When Will New Jedi Order Be Released?

The production troubles have thrown the schedule for "New Jedi Order" completely into disarray. Originally, there was talk of a theatrical release in 2026 – a target that has long since been abandoned. At this point, the project's future is entirely up in the air. Instead, the production of "Starfighter" has simply pulled ahead and will almost certainly hit theaters before the "Rey" movie. We would be very surprised if we saw Rey back on the big screen before 2028.

What Do Star Wars Fans Want?

"Star Wars" is at a crossroads. The franchise has faced heavy criticism: "The Acolyte", "Obi-Wan Kenobi", and the third season of "The Mandalorian" – many fans have been disappointed. "Andor" was seen by many as a ray of hope, though opinions are divided here, too: for some, it's a fantastic drama series; for others, it hardly feels like "Star Wars" anymore.

But you know the saying: no one hates "Star Wars" more than "Star Wars" fans. It is pretty much impossible to please everyone at the same time. And each person has their own ideas about what a new film should be like.

But: the world of "Star Wars" is huge, and you can tell completely different stories within it. Not everything has to appeal to everyone. Maybe the right approach is not to put all your eggs in one basket: different adventures instead of one big saga. That way, several directors can bring their own visions to life – without causing the kind of chaos we saw in the sequel films.

Of course, this also has downsides: how is a viewer supposed to know what to expect at the movies? It says "Star Wars" – but what is it really about? These days, hardly anyone knows for sure.