"First Star Wars Novel Dives Into Post-Skywalker Era"

We're finally getting a glimpse into the Star Wars universe beyond The Rise of Skywalker, and it's not from Shawn Levy's upcoming film Star Wars: Starfighter. Instead, fans will soon dive into the aftermath of the 2019 film through a new young adult novel titled Star Wars: The Last Order.

The novel, announced via publisher Penguin Random House's website, will delve deeper into the stories of John Boyega's beloved hero Finn and Naomi Ackie's resistance ally Jannah, both introduced in The Rise of Skywalker. The official synopsis from the publisher, penned by author Kwame Mbalia, 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."

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy discussed the project in a February interview with Deadline, explaining how the Star Wars timeline will shift with this new entry. "It's all post-[the first] nine," she said. "Shawn's is a standalone Star Wars story that'll take place post-nine, maybe five or six years out." Last month, the writer on the project, Jonathan Tropper, 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 will be released on October 21, 2025. Meanwhile, fans will have to wait a bit longer for Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter, set to hit theaters on May 28, 2027.