First Look: New Star Wars Novel Dives into Post-Skywalker Galaxy

Star Wars fans, get ready to dive deeper into the galaxy far, far away post-The Rise of Skywalker. While Shawn Levy's eagerly awaited Star Wars: Starfighter is still on the horizon, a new young adult novel titled Star Wars: The Last Order is set to bridge the gap and explore the aftermath of the 2019 film. This novel, announced via Penguin Random House, will focus on the adventures of Finn, portrayed by John Boyega, and Jannah, played by Naomi Ackie, two beloved characters from Rise of Skywalker.

Written by Kwame Mbalia, The Last Order promises an intriguing storyline. The official synopsis states: “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 narrative offers a unique perspective on the Star Wars universe, delving into the personal journeys of these characters in a post-war setting.

Although The Last Order marks the first Star Wars project to explore the universe after Rise of Skywalker, it's not the first planned project to do so. Shawn Levy's film remains a highly anticipated standalone story set to take place five to six years after the events of the ninth film. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy confirmed this timeline in a February 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.”

Excitement for Levy's project continues to build, with writer Jonathan Tropper expressing optimism about its progress to Screen Rant last month, saying, "I hope it's on the way sooner than you think." The film's release date was later announced at Star Wars Celebration Japan, set for May 28, 2027, with Ryan Gosling confirmed to star.

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As for Star Wars: The Last Order, fans can mark their calendars for its release on October 21, 2025. While we eagerly await Levy’s film in 2027, this novel will provide a much-needed continuation of the Star Wars saga in the meantime.