Wing Commanderis a science fiction film , released in 1999, based loosely on the video games of the same name. It was directed by Chris Roberts , the creator of the game series, and stars Freddie Prinze, Jr. , Matthew Lillard , Saffron Burrows , Tchéky Karyo , Jürgen Prochnow , David Suchet and David Warner . Principal photography occurred in Luxembourg and post-production was done in Austin, Texas .

It is the year 2654 and an interstellar war is raging between the Terran Confederation and the cat-like alien Kilrathi . Christopher Blair ( Freddie Prinze, Jr. ) and Todd Marshall ( Matthew Lillard ) are cocky young pilots assigned to the small merchant ship Diligent, commanded by Commodore Taggart ( Tchéky Karyo ).

A massive Kilrathi armada attacks a remote human base and captures its navigation computer, through which it will be able to locate Earth. Admiral Tolwyn ( David Warner ) orders the Diligent to proceed to the carrier Tiger Claw . He directs Blair, whose parents he knew, to carry orders to the Tiger Claw to fight a suicidal delaying action to let the rest of the Terran fleet reach Earth. Along with the awkwardness of joining a new unit, and continual pranks that require discipline from wing commander Devereaux ( Saffron Burrows ), Blair fights the distrust of his crewmates because of the drastic orders he brings from the Admiral, and because his mother was a "Pilgrim", a strain of humans who had fought against the Confederation. Pilgrims have the innate ability to navigate space by feel, despite obstacles such as black holes.

Tiger Claw personnel successfully attack and destroy the Kilrathi command ship. In the attack, they also find the stolen navigation computer and learn the space-jump the Kilrathi fleet will use to approach Earth. The Tiger Claw, however, is disabled and can do nothing more to prevent the assault, except to send Blair in a fighter to find his way back to Earth. If he can alert Earth to the Kilrathi's plans, Earth forces can destroy each Kilrathi ship before it can get its bearings after the space-jump; if not, Earth will surely be overwhelmed.