"First Look: New Star Wars Novel Dives Into Post-Skywalker Era"

Star Wars fans eager to delve into the universe post-The Rise of Skywalker have a treat coming their way, and it's not from the anticipated Shawn Levy, director of Deadpool and Wolverine. While Levy's upcoming film, Star Wars: Starfighter, continues to generate buzz, a new young adult novel titled Star Wars: The Last Order will soon offer a fresh exploration of the Star Wars galaxy following the events of the 2019 film.

Announced via Penguin Random House's website, Star Wars: The Last Order promises to delve deeper into the lives of two beloved characters from The Rise of Skywalker: John Boyega's hero Finn and Naomi Ackie's resistance fighter Jannah. The novel, penned by Kwame Mbalia, offers an intriguing plot that picks up right after the film's conclusion. According to the official synopsis, the story follows the Resistance as they rescue a ship filled with young abductees from the First Order. As Finn and Jannah embark on a mission to capture the responsible First Order officer, they must confront their own tumultuous pasts as former stormtroopers.

This novel marks the first narrative to explore the Star Wars universe post-Rise of Skywalker, setting a new chapter in the expansive saga. Although not the first planned project to venture into this timeline, it precedes Shawn Levy's film, which remains on the horizon.

In a February interview with Deadline, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy shared insights on the evolving Star Wars timeline. She stated, “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.” This statement was echoed by the project's writer, Jonathan Tropper, who expressed his eagerness for the film's release to Screen Rant last month, saying, "I hope it's on the way sooner than you think." Shortly after, the film's release date was officially announced at Star Wars Celebration Japan, confirming Ryan Gosling's involvement and setting the premiere for 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, giving fans a compelling narrative to look forward to while they await Levy's film in 2027.