Star Wars: Starfighter Aims to Recapture the Joy of the Original Films, Says Screenwriter

Lucasfilm’s upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter is being positioned as both something new and something deeply familiar.

According to screenwriter Jonathan Tropper, the film is designed to tap back into the sense of adventure, excitement, and pure cinematic joy that defined the original Star Wars experience for many viewers as kids.

“The joy we felt as little kids”

Speaking about the project, Tropper described the creative goal behind Starfighter in terms that longtime fans will immediately recognize.

He explained that audiences should expect:

“Something new and different, but in very much the spirit of the original Star Wars movies. We really wanted adventure, excitement, wish fulfillment and the joy that we felt as little kids seeing those first versions of the movies.”

That framing suggests a tonal direction focused less on dense lore and more on emotional immediacy — the kind of storytelling that prioritizes wonder and momentum.

Balancing mythology with accessibility

Tropper also acknowledged how the franchise has evolved over time. As Star Wars has expanded across decades of films, shows, books, and games, the universe has accumulated a significant amount of backstory and historical weight.

“Anything that grows for generations develops a lot more mythology and weight in history,” he noted.

That context hints at one of the key creative challenges for Starfighter: delivering a story that feels connected to the larger galaxy, while still being light enough to evoke the sense of discovery that made the original trilogy resonate so widely.

A pattern emerging for Starfighter

These comments line up with other recent details about the film. Tropper has previously confirmed that Starfighter will focus on new characters rather than legacy figures, suggesting a story that can stand on its own while still echoing the tone of classic Star Wars.

Together, those elements point toward a project that aims to:

• introduce new heroes and settings
• keep the tone adventurous and hopeful
• avoid being weighed down by continuity obligations
• channel the emotional feel of early Star Wars viewing experiences

What that could mean for fans

For longtime fans, the promise of returning to that “first time” feeling may be just as appealing as any plot detail. For newer audiences, it signals a potential entry point that doesn’t require deep knowledge of decades of canon.

While specific story details remain under wraps, the direction Tropper describes suggests Lucasfilm is aiming for a broad, generational appeal — a film that feels expansive but accessible.

If that balance holds, Starfighter could mark a tonal shift back toward the wide-eyed adventure that first defined the franchise, while still pushing the galaxy into new territory.

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