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

We're finally getting a glimpse into the universe beyond The Rise of Skywalker—but not from Shawn Levy. At least, not yet. While the acclaimed director of Deadpool and Wolverine is set to bring us Star Wars: Starfighter, fans won’t have to wait for his vision to explore the post-Rise of Skywalker era. A new young adult novel titled Star Wars: The Last Order will soon offer a fresh perspective on the aftermath of the 2019 film.

Revealed through publisher Penguin Random House’s website, Star Wars: The Last Order will delve deeper into the stories of John Boyega’s beloved hero Finn and Naomi Ackie’s resistance ally Jannah, both introduced in Rise of Skywalker. The novel, penned by Kwame Mbalia, promises an engaging narrative. According to the official synopsis:

“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 project to explore the Star Wars universe post-*Rise of Skywalker*, though it's not the first planned project to do so. Shawn Levy’s film, *Star Wars: Starfighter*, is still eagerly anticipated and set to expand the timeline further.

In an interview with Deadline in February, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy shed light on the project's timeline. She explained, “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.” Last month, Jonathan Tropper, the writer on the project, expressed his enthusiasm to Screen Rant, stating, "I hope it's on the way sooner than you think." Days later, the release date for the film was announced at Star Wars Celebration Japan, with Ryan Gosling confirmed to star.

Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show

View 23 ImagesAccording to Penguin Random House, Star Wars: The Last Order is slated for release on October 21, 2025. Meanwhile, fans will have to wait a bit longer for Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, which is scheduled to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.