First Post-Rise of Skywalker Novel Explores New Star Wars Universe

The Star Wars saga continues to expand, and while fans eagerly await Shawn Levy's upcoming film, *Star Wars: Starfighter*, they won't have to wait to delve deeper into the universe post-*The Rise of Skywalker*. A new young adult novel, *Star Wars: The Last Order*, promises to satisfy that craving. Announced via Penguin Random House, this novel will spotlight two beloved characters from the 2019 film: John Boyega's Finn and Naomi Ackie's Jannah.

Written by Kwame Mbalia, the official synopsis of *Star Wars: The Last Order* reads: "Following the end of *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*, the Resistance rescues a ship full of young passengers who had been kidnapped by the First Order. As Finn and Jannah set out to find the First Order officer responsible before he can endanger any more children, the two former stormtroopers must wrestle with their own complicated pasts as soldiers of the oppressive regime."

This novel marks the first exploration of the Star Wars universe after the events of *The Rise of Skywalker*, setting the stage for future narratives. While Shawn Levy's project, *Star Wars: Starfighter*, remains a highly anticipated standalone film set to take place five to six years after the ninth film, fans can now look forward to *The Last Order* as an immediate follow-up to the cinematic saga.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy discussed the shifting Star Wars timeline in an interview with Deadline, stating, “It’s all post-[the first] nine. Shawn’s is a standalone Star Wars story that'll take place post-nine, maybe five or six years out.” Adding to the excitement, Jonathan Tropper, the writer behind Levy's film, expressed his enthusiasm to Screen Rant, saying, "I hope it's on the way sooner than you think." The film's release date was officially announced at Star Wars Celebration Japan, with Ryan Gosling confirmed to star, and it's set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.

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According to Penguin Random House, *Star Wars: The Last Order* is slated for release on October 21, 2025. As for Shawn Levy's *Star Wars: Starfighter*, fans will have to wait a bit longer, with its premiere scheduled for May 28, 2027.