80s Sci-Fi Action Adventure ‘The Last Starfighter’ Is Officially Getting a Sequel

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As a critic who grew up with the original, I’m thrilled to report that one of my favorite 80s sci-fi adventures is finally getting a sequel after over forty years! Let’s be honest, studios are loving revisiting beloved properties right now – nostalgia sells, and it sells big. And now, it’s time to revisit a childhood classic, continuing the story of unlikely hero Alex Rogan in a brand new space opera.

For years, fans have hoped for a sequel to the 1984 sci-fi classic, The Last Starfighter, and now it’s finally in the works! However, instead of a movie, the sequel will be released in a different format. The original film, directed by Nick Castle, tells the story of Alex Rogan, a typical teenager played by Lance Guest, who is recruited to fight in a real space war after achieving the top score on his favorite arcade game, Starfighter, which turns out to have been designed for a very special purpose.

Alex’s ordinary life in a trailer park is turned upside down when he’s transported to an alien planet. Suddenly, he’s tasked with piloting a spaceship – and his gaming skills are the only thing that might save the crew. This exciting 80s-style space adventure has become a fan favorite, and now its story continues in a new comic book series from Mad Cave Studios.

Jonathan Betuel, the original writer of “The Last Starfighter,” is helping to create a comic book sequel. Benjamin Raab and Deric A. Hughes are writing the comic, with artwork by Willi Roberts and Francesco Segala, and lettering by Rob Jones. Mad Cave Studio recently shared a first look at the comic (through CBR) and released a synopsis, both of which are available below.

Alex Rogan, the teenage hero who once saved countless worlds, is back! Picking up where the original, groundbreaking movie left off, this new comic book series finds Alex forty years later, now the leader—and only member—of the Star League. He’s tasked with rebuilding a galactic defense force to protect against the return of Xur and the Ko-Dan Armada. Featuring both familiar characters and exciting new faces—including dangerous enemies working for the Ko-Dan—The Last Starfighter #1 continues the legacy of this beloved sci-fi story!

A sequel to The Last Starfighter has been discussed for years, and in 2022, writer Gary Whitta (known for his work on Rogue One and Star Wars Rebels) announced he was developing one. Currently titled The Last Starfighters, the project aims to be both a continuation and a fresh start, respecting the original film while introducing it to a new audience. Whitta has even shared some concept art for the potential sequel.

It remains to be seen if The Last Starfighter will join the ranks of beloved 80s movies getting a live-action sequel. However, we can look forward to the continuation of Alex Rogan’s story in The Last Starfighter #1, which comes out on July 1, 2026.

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2026-04-17 15:36