"New Star Wars Novel Dives Into Post-Rise of Skywalker Era"

We're finally getting a glimpse into the Star Wars universe beyond The Rise of Skywalker—but not from Shawn Levy. At least, not yet. While the excitement for Levy's upcoming film, Star Wars: Starfighter, remains high, fans will soon delve into the post-Rise of Skywalker world through a new young adult novel titled Star Wars: The Last Order.

Revealed via publisher Penguin Random House's website, this novel will delve deeper into the stories of John Boyega's beloved hero Finn and Naomi Ackie's Resistance ally Jannah, characters introduced in Rise of Skywalker. The official synopsis from the publisher, penned by author Kwame Mbalia, 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 marks the first Star Wars project to explore the universe post-*Rise of Skywalker*, though it's not the first planned project to do so. As for Shawn Levy's contribution to the post-*Rise of Skywalker* saga, it's still on the horizon.

In an interview with Deadline in February, Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy shed light on how the Star Wars timeline will evolve with this new entry. "It's all post-[the first] nine," she explained. "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 for the project, expressed his enthusiasm to Screen Rant, stating, "I hope it's on the way sooner than you think." Days later, the film's release date was announced—with Ryan Gosling confirmed to star—at Star Wars Celebration Japan.

Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show

View 23 ImagesAccording to Penguin Random House, Star Wars: The Last Order will hit shelves on October 21, 2025. Meanwhile, fans will have to wait a bit longer for Levy's film, Star Wars: Starfighter, set to release on May 28, 2027.