Star Wars: Starfighter arrives in theaters next May, and after The Mandalorian and Grogu fell short of box office expectations, all eyes are on the movie to prove the franchise still has a place on the big screen.
Set after the events of the sequel trilogy, the movie will explore a period in the Star Wars Galaxy that hasn't been touched on in film, television, or publishing material. Starfighter is also expected to be the opening chapter in a new era of storytelling that takes place beyond the nine-episode Skywalker Saga.
During New York Comic Con, Lucasfilm Publishing announced (via SFFGazette.com) that an expanded version of Star Wars: Starfighter is being released next June. Written by Delilah S. Dawson (Phasma, Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire), it arrives in bookstores on June 22.
According to a brief description, it will offer "An expanded retelling of the hotly anticipated film Star Wars: Starfighter with scenes you didn’t see on screen!"
This is particularly intriguing as the last time a Star Wars movie got a novelisation like this—2019's The Rise of Skywalker—it provided important additional context with scenes or moments that weren't properly explained on screen. Given Starfighter's unique setting, fans will be eager to learn as much as they can about this particular era in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
Other books on the way confirm that Star Wars: Starfighter will introduce a character called The Rock Pirate of Kaneen. No additional details about them have been shared at this time.
Earlier this year, filmmaker Shawn Levy offered additional insights into the political landscape of Star Wars: Starfighter, talking more about there being no central authority to keep the Galaxy in check.
"This is a moment in the galaxy where there is no sort of governing enforcer or order. And so everyone is just trying to survive, everyone is just trying to do their best to get by," he explained, adding that Ryan Gosling's Kade Auberon is from "the wrong side of the Galaxy" and "did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth."
"[He has] a little bit of an edge, a little bit of a working-class background, [and] comes from zero privilege," Levy noted. "He goes on an adventure that sort of intersects his fate with the fastest starfighter ever built."
Star Wars: Starfighter's cast is led by Barbie star Ryan Gosling. Joining him are Flynn Gray (Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2), Matt Smith (House of the Dragon), Mia Goth (Infinity Pool), Aaron Pierre (Lanterns), Simon Bird (The Inbetweeners), Jamael Westman (Hedda), Daniel Ings (Lovesick), and Amy Adams (Man of Steel).
Directed by Shawn Levy, the film is produced by Levy and Kathleen Kennedy. Executive producers are Ryan Gosling, Dan Levine, Mary McLaglen, and Josh McLaglen. The script is by Jonathan Tropper.
Star Wars: Starfighter will be released theatrically on May 28, 2027.
Starfighter publishing initiative has been announced at NYCC!
by u/drboobafate in StarWarsLeaks