I have played every Star Wars Jedi game since Fallen Order launched in 2019. The moment Cal Kestis first climbed through the wreckage of a Venator on Bracca, I knew Respawn Entertainment had something special. Survivor then took everything I loved about the first game and pushed it further. The stakes grew larger. The combat became sharper. The story left me staring at the credits wondering where Cal could possibly go next.
Now we are waiting for the third game. Respawn has stayed quiet about the project for a long time. That silence has not stopped the rumor mill from spinning at full speed. I have spent the past few weeks digging through official announcements, insider reports, and community discussions to piece together what we actually know versus what we hope might happen.
This article is a rumor roundup. I am not here to report original news. I am here to organize the information that is already out there, separate the confirmed details from the speculation, and explain why certain ideas keep coming up again and again. Where I cite a leak or a rumor, I will link directly to the original source so you can judge it for yourself.
What EA and Respawn Have Actually Confirmed
Before diving into the speculation, let us start with what is solid. Electronic Arts has officially confirmed that a third Star Wars Jedi game is in development. During EA’s Investor Day 2024 presentation, company president Laura Miele stated that the next game in the series will be the final chapter of Cal Kestis’ story. She said, “Respawn is working hard to bring the final chapter of this thrilling story to players”.
Miele also revealed that the first two games have sold over 40 million copies combined. That number alone explains why EA and Respawn are treating this finale with such care. Cal Kestis has become one of the most recognizable original characters in modern Star Wars gaming.
The confirmation that this will be the final chapter comes directly from EA. You can read the official coverage from ComicBook.com and EpicStream.
We also know that Cameron Monaghan, the actor behind Cal Kestis, has spoken about the project. During an appearance at Ocala Comic-Con in Florida, Monaghan told the audience, “We’re working on the third. We are in the process of doing it right now”. He described the project as a “big undertaking.” You can watch the panel footage uploaded by a fan on YouTube.
What we do not have is a release date, a full trailer, or a confirmed title. The game has no official window beyond being in development. That has not stopped insiders from offering their own estimates.
Rumors About the Release Date and Development Timeline
The biggest question on everyone’s mind is simple. When will Star Wars Jedi 3 come out?
In January 2026, Kinda Funny co-founder Tim Gettys said on the Kinda Funny Gamescast that he had “heard some things” suggesting the game could release sometime in 2026. He described it as a “solid chance” but not a “slam dunk”. That comment alone sparked a wave of speculation across Reddit and gaming forums.
A separate report from Insider Gaming suggested the game could be revealed in mid-2026 at an event like Summer Game Fest or a PlayStation State of Play. Co-host Tom Henderson added that he had heard the game would center around an older version of Cal Kestis. If that is true, the gap between Survivor and the third game could be much larger than the five-year jump between Fallen Order and Survivor.
Respawn has also posted job listings for narrative roles on the project. One report from ixbt.games noted that the studio was still hiring for a narrative specialist in July 2026. That suggests the story was still being actively worked on well into 2026, which makes a 2026 release date seem unlikely.
My honest read on this? I would not expect to play Star Wars Jedi 3 before late 2027. Respawn is not a studio that rushes its games, and the scope of this finale sounds massive. The fact that they are still hiring writers in mid-2026 tells me the script is not locked yet.
Rumor Roundup: The Time Jump and an Older Cal Kestis
One of the most persistent rumors is that Star Wars Jedi 3 will feature a significant time jump. Tom Henderson from Insider Gaming has reportedly said the game will focus on an older Cal Kestis, possibly in his 30s or 40s. That would place the story much later in the Star Wars timeline, potentially after the events of Return of the Jedi.
This idea makes sense for a few reasons. The Jedi games have always followed a pattern of time jumps. Fallen Order took place in 14 BBY. Survivor jumped forward five years to 9 BBY. A third game that jumps another decade or more would allow Respawn to show a Cal who has grown far beyond the frightened Padawan we met on Bracca.
An older Cal also opens up new storytelling possibilities. He could be a seasoned Jedi Knight who has survived the worst of the Empire’s purge. He could have trained new students. He could have built a life on Tanalorr. A time jump also creates distance from the original trilogy’s events, which gives Respawn more freedom to tell a story that does not need to tie directly into Luke Skywalker’s journey.
I am personally excited about this possibility. One of my favorite things about Survivor was seeing how much Cal had grown since Fallen Order. A third game that pushes him even further into adulthood could deliver the most mature Star Wars story we have seen from Respawn yet.
Tanalorr as a Real Home Base
If there is one location that deserves to play a bigger role in the third game, it is Tanalorr. Survivor spent its entire story building up to the moment Cal and his crew could reach this hidden planet. Dagan Gera obsessed over it. Bode Akuna saw it as a refuge for his family. Cal recognized it as a safe haven for the Hidden Path and anyone fleeing the Empire.
Then the game ended, and Tanalorr became little more than a backdrop for the final scenes. That felt like a missed opportunity to me when I finished Survivor. A planet with that much narrative weight should not just be a place you visit for a handful of missions and then forget about.
Several writers and fans have suggested that Star Wars Jedi 3 could turn Tanalorr into a genuine hub world. Instead of a static location, it could grow and change as the story progresses. New characters could arrive. Additional areas could open up. Families fleeing the Empire, members of the Hidden Path, and survivors of the Jedi purge could slowly build a new life there.
This does not need to be a full base-building system like Fallout 4. Simple changes would be enough. Imagine returning to Tanalorr after a major mission and seeing a new settlement where there was once an empty canyon. Imagine walking through a market where refugees are trading supplies. Imagine seeing children training with wooden sticks under the watchful eye of a Jedi survivor.
That kind of environmental storytelling would give players a tangible reason to care about Cal’s mission. Every time you save someone, you could see the result of that effort back at home base. It would make Tanalorr feel like a place worth protecting, not just a level select screen with a nice view.
The Wookieepedia entry on the Hidden Path confirms that Tanalorr became the organization’s central base of operations after the events of Survivor. That gives Respawn a canonical foundation to build on. Tanalorr is not just a random planet. It is the headquarters of a network dedicated to saving people from the Empire.
The Starkiller Question
No rumor about Star Wars Jedi 3 generates more discussion than the possibility of Starkiller appearing. Galen Marek, the protagonist of The Force Unleashed, is one of the most powerful Force users ever depicted in Star Wars media. He pulled Star Destroyers out of the sky. He defeated Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine in combat. He was, quite frankly, absurdly overpowered.
Bringing that version of Starkiller into the modern canon would break the Jedi series. Cal Kestis is a talented Jedi, but he is not on the level of someone who can crush an AT-AT with the Force. Respawn knows this. If Starkiller appears in Jedi 3, he will not be the same character from The Force Unleashed.
The more interesting approach would be to introduce a new version of Galen Marek as an Imperial weapon. He could be a secret assassin trained specifically to hunt Force-sensitive targets. He would not need to be a one-man army. He would just need to be dangerous, calculating, and relentless.
This interpretation has generated a lot of fan interest. A recent article from NoobFeed argued that the important part would be giving Starkiller an actual purpose. A brief cameo designed purely to generate fan reactions would feel like unnecessary fan service. A confrontation with Cal could instead explore two very different approaches to the Force.
Cal protects others while surviving under Imperial pressure. Starkiller was shaped into a weapon by the Empire. Putting those two characters in the same room would create a powerful contrast. Cal fights to preserve life. Starkiller fights because he was built to destroy. That is a story worth telling.
I have mixed feelings about this rumor. I loved The Force Unleashed when I was younger, but I also recognize that Starkiller’s power level does not fit the more grounded tone of the Jedi games. If Respawn can find a way to use the character that serves the story rather than just the nostalgia, I am open to it. If it is just a fan service cameo, I would rather they leave him out.
For a deeper look at the debate around Starkiller’s canon status, you can read this analysis from TheGamer.
Darth Vader and the Rematch
Darth Vader has already played a memorable role in the Jedi series. Fallen Order ended with one of the most terrifying sequences in any Star Wars game. Cal, Cere, and Trilla were all helpless against Vader. Cal escaped only because Vader chose to let him run. That scene made it clear just how far Cal still had to go.
By the time Star Wars Jedi 3 takes place, Cal should be a much more experienced fighter. He has survived years of Imperial pursuit. He has trained. He has fought Inquisitors and Jedi hunters. A rematch with Vader would be a natural way to show how much he has grown.
I do not think Cal should win. That would undermine everything we know about Vader. But Cal should be able to fight back. A long duel where he genuinely holds his own would be a powerful payoff to the relationship between these two characters. Cal could lose, escape, or have the fight interrupted. The key is that he should not run this time.
There is also a practical reason to include Vader. He is the most recognizable Star Wars villain. A well-made Vader encounter would generate massive interest and give the game a marketing moment that no other character can match. Respawn has shown they understand how to use Vader effectively. I trust them to do it again if they choose to bring him back.
Expanding Holotactics Into Something Bigger
Holotactics was one of the most pleasant surprises in Survivor. This tabletop mini-game let players assemble teams of scanned enemies and watch them fight in holographic battles. It was simple, addictive, and a perfect break from the main story. I probably spent more time playing Holotactics than I should admit.
Star Wars Jedi 3 could turn Holotactics into a much larger optional system. As Cal travels across the galaxy and BD-1 scans new enemies, those units would become available for use in increasingly challenging matches. Different opponents could use different strategies. Some might overwhelm you with cheap units. Others might rely on powerful creatures or elite enemies.
The system could even become part of the larger world. Tournaments could appear on Tanalorr or other hubs. New opponents would unlock as the story progresses. Rewards could encourage players to keep experimenting without forcing the activity into the main campaign.
An article from AdventureGameLand argued that Holotactics could become the “Gwent of Star Wars,” transforming Cal’s journey with thrilling strategy and essential gameplay. That comparison is apt. The Witcher 3’s card game started as a side activity and became one of the most beloved parts of the entire experience. Holotactics has the same potential.
Not every optional feature needs to deliver another major story beat. Sometimes a simple system that players genuinely enjoy is enough. Expanding Holotactics would give players something fun to return to between major missions while also providing another reason to explore the galaxy and scan new enemies. For a completionist like me, that is a huge selling point.
You can find a full guide to Holotactics in Survivor on PowerPyx if you want to see how the system currently works.
Cal Kestis’ Ending and What It Should Look Like
None of these features will matter as much as Cal Kestis’ ending. If Star Wars Jedi 3 is truly the final chapter of his story, Respawn needs to stick the landing. That does not necessarily mean Cal needs to die. A tragic sacrifice would fit some aspects of Star Wars storytelling, but killing a character just because a trilogy needs an emotional conclusion would not automatically make the ending satisfying.
Cal could live. His journey through the trilogy has already started to make him question what it actually means to be a Jedi. The final game could give him the opportunity to decide what kind of life he wants after years of running from the Empire. Maybe he chooses to walk away from the fight. Maybe he builds something new on Tanalorr. Maybe he finds a way to be happy.
I want to see Cal find peace. He has spent three games fighting, running, and sacrificing. A quiet ending where he chooses to stop fighting would be just as powerful as a dramatic death if it feels true to the character he has become.
That said, if Respawn does go the tragic route, it needs to be for a good reason. If the story leads to Cal surrendering his life to save Merrin, Kata, the Hidden Path, or the people of Tanalorr, that could work. The important thing is that the player should understand why Cal made that choice. It should feel inevitable rather than sudden.
Survivor ended with Cal, Merrin, Greez, and Kata together on Tanalorr. They had survived. They had a home. The final game needs to honor that ending while also providing closure. Whether Cal lives or dies, his conclusion should reflect the entire journey. Players have followed him from a young Padawan struggling to survive into a confident Jedi Knight who repeatedly risks himself for others. The ending should make sense for the character he has become.
What the Rumored Gameplay Changes Could Look Like
Several rumors suggest that Star Wars Jedi 3 will feature significant gameplay changes. A report from ScreenRant mentioned that the game could have more planets, larger and more varied environments, and a non-linear path to progression. A separate leak from GameRant claimed the game will feature a double-bladed blaster stance and a deeper focus on tactical, heavy combat with smarter enemy AI.
These changes make sense for a third game. Respawn has always improved the combat and exploration systems with each entry. Fallen Order introduced the core lightsaber combat. Survivor added multiple stances and larger semi-open areas. The third game could push those systems further while also adding new layers.
I would love to see more enemy variety. Survivor had a good mix of Imperials, droids, and wildlife, but the third game could introduce new threats that challenge Cal in different ways. A darker tone, as some rumors suggest, could also give the combat more weight. If Cal is struggling with the dark side, the gameplay could reflect that struggle through more aggressive options or risk-reward mechanics.
What I Want to See as a Longtime Fan
I have been following Cal Kestis since the first teaser for Fallen Order dropped. I have played through both games multiple times. I have scanned every enemy for Holotactics. I have explored every corner of Koboh and Jedha. I care about this series, and I care about Cal’s story.
What I want most from Star Wars Jedi 3 is a game that respects the journey we have been on. I want Tanalorr to matter. I want Holotactics to grow. I want Cal’s relationship with Merrin to continue developing in a way that feels natural. I want to see Kata grow up. I want to see the Hidden Path succeed. I want an ending that makes me feel something, whether that is joy, sadness, or hope.
Respawn has earned my trust. They made two excellent Star Wars games that understood what makes this universe special. They know how to balance fan service with genuine storytelling. They know how to create moments that make you feel like a Jedi.
Star Wars Jedi 3 does not need to reinvent everything to succeed. It just needs to identify the most important parts of the series and give them the attention they deserve. If Respawn can make Tanalorr a meaningful representation of Cal’s journey, expand on the systems players loved in Survivor, and provide its protagonist a satisfying ending, this game could leave a lasting impression long after the final credits roll.
Until then, I will be here, waiting for news, replaying Survivor, and hoping that the next time I see Cal Kestis, he is standing on the soil of a home that he helped build.
Sources and Further Reading
- EA Investor Day 2024 announcement via ComicBook.com
- Cameron Monaghan’s Ocala Comic-Con comments via GameSpot
- Release date speculation via IMDb News
- Older Cal Kestis rumor via ComicBook.com
- Gameplay and scope rumors via ScreenRant
- Story leak details via GameRant
- Tanalorr and Hidden Path lore via Wookieepedia
- Holotactics expansion analysis via AdventureGameLand
- Starkiller canon debate via TheGamer
- Development timeline update via ixbt.games