STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER Sets Out to Prove STAR WARS Can Move Forward Without the Past
Star Wars: Starfighter might just end up being the most unexpected swing the franchise has taken in years. In a franchise that’s leaned heavily on familiar faces lately, this upcoming film is fully committing to new ground. No legacy characters. No surprise cameos. Just a fresh story set in a familiar universe.
The confirmation comes from writer Jonathan Tropper, who made it clear that this project isn’t interested in recycling characters fans already know.
Speaking with Screen Rant, Tropper said, "Essentially, I think it's known that we have no legacy characters. You're not going to see any of the characters you've seen in the other movies."
That doesn’t mean Star Wars: Starfighter is tossing out everything that makes the franchise what it is. There are still iconic elements baked into the DNA of the film.
Tropper teased that balance when he added, "There are certain things that are still hallmarks of Star Wars that it's good to have in there. But more than that, I can't say," hinting that while the characters are new, the spirit of the galaxy remains intact.
Director Shawn Levy has also fueled speculation about what that means visually. During a recent reveal, Levy shared that Tom Cruise visited the set and even handled a camera during an action scene.
During that conversation, Levy revealed that the scene Cruise shot was a lightsaber duel. So while familiar faces won’t be showing up, familiar elements absolutely will.
That creative choice stands in sharp contrast to how Star Wars has operated in recent years. The Mandalorian leaned into legacy moments with a de-aged Luke Skywalker and the introduction of Ahsoka Tano, who later headlined her own series.
That show also brought back Anakin Skywalker through Hayden Christensen, who reprised the role again in Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney Plus. Even Andor, widely praised for its grounded storytelling, tied itself closely to Rogue One with connective threads designed to reward longtime fans.
Star Wars: Starfighter feels like a conscious break from that approach. Set after The Rise of Skywalker, the film stars Ryan Gosling alongside newcomer Flynn Gray, with a cast that includes Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, and Amy Adams.
By stepping away from legacy characters, Starfighter has the freedom to tell a story without narrative handcuffs. It can introduce new heroes, new conflicts, and new corners of the galaxy without constantly checking in on the past.
The release date locked in for May 28, 2027.