In the ever-expanding universe of Star Wars, excitement is brewing over the upcoming film, Star Wars: Starfighter. However, the movie's writer has firmly stated that audiences should not expect any surprise appearances from beloved characters of the franchise's past. This statement follows a recent announcement that Starfighter will indeed showcase an exhilarating lightsaber duel, which has sparked curiosity among fans eager to connect the dots.
As fans dig deeper into this news, they can’t help but wonder about the context of the lightsabers in Starfighter. The film is set after the events of Rise of Skywalker, and with Lucasfilm planning to feature Rey Skywalker in several future projects, many speculated that she might make an appearance in this new installment. Yet, Jonathan Tropper, the film's writer, has reiterated that Starfighter is intended as a completely "standalone" story with no ties to the main Skywalker saga or any other related spin-off series.
Tropper explained in an interview with Screenrant, "Naturally, lightsabers are integral to that universe and galaxy. I’m cautious about revealing too much, but it’s clear that we won’t have any legacy characters in this film." He further elaborated that viewers will not be seeing familiar faces from previous movies, stating, "You won't encounter any characters you recognize from earlier films. While there are elements that define Star Wars that we’re excited to include, I can’t disclose more details at this time."
Adding to the intrigue, not only will Starfighter feature a thrilling lightsaber battle, but this particular fight scene was partially filmed by none other than Tom Cruise, the star of Top Gun. During a visit to the set, Cruise got involved in the filming process, which adds an unexpected twist to the production.
This raises an interesting question: who will wield the lightsabers in Starfighter? While Lucasfilm has kept the plot details tightly under wraps, it has been confirmed that Ryan Gosling portrays a rugged rogue character who is an uncle to a younger star in the film. Interestingly, neither of their characters appears to be Jedi, which could hint at a deliberate choice to obscure their potential connection to the Force.
Production images released thus far depict the duo near a speeder and on what appears to be a sci-fi raft, presenting a setting that diverges from the traditional epic space battles fans usually associate with the franchise. Speculation suggests that the lightsaber duel may involve one or both of the antagonists played by Matt Smith, known for his role in Doctor Who, and Mia Goth from the film Dracula. There are whispers that these characters could be aligned with the Sith, although this remains unconfirmed.
Director Shawn Levy had previously stated during Star Wars Celebration 2025, "This is a standalone film. It’s neither a prequel nor a sequel but represents a fresh adventure set in a time period that hasn’t been explored before." With its release scheduled for May 28, 2027, Star Wars: Starfighter promises to deliver a unique experience that differentiates itself from the established lore of the franchise.
