Jon Watts could be moving from one of Hollywood’s biggest superhero franchises to the next Star Wars trilogy.
The filmmaker behind Tom Holland’s three solo Spider-Man movies has been tapped to direct the first installment in a new trilogy being written by Simon Kinberg, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The project remains in development. Lucasfilm has not announced Watts as director, revealed a title or release date, or confirmed a cast, and the studio declined to comment on the latest reports.
Exactly where the trilogy fits into the larger Star Wars story also remains unsettled publicly. Deadline reports that the films would continue the Skywalker Saga, while other accounts have described Kinberg’s project as a new saga rather than Episodes X through XII.
Watts Is Attached to the First Film
Watts is attached to direct the opening movie rather than all three installments. TheWrap reports that Kinberg is writing the screenplay as part of the trilogy he has been developing for Lucasfilm.
Kinberg already has extensive history with the franchise. He co-created Star Wars Rebels with Dave Filoni and was part of the group that worked on new projects following Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, including consulting on Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Lucasfilm publicly acknowledged Kinberg’s trilogy at Star Wars Celebration in 2025, listing it among several theatrical projects in development. The studio has not officially designated the films Episodes X through XII.
Rey Is Reportedly Part of the Developing Story
The Hollywood Reporter describes Watts’ movie as the next installment in the Skywalker story and reports that Daisy Ridley’s Rey would be involved.
Lucasfilm has not announced Ridley as part of the Watts project or disclosed how large a role Rey would have if those plans move forward.
The studio previously announced a separate film centered on Rey with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy attached to direct. That project was described as following Rey after the events of The Rise of Skywalker as she builds a new Jedi Order. Lucasfilm has not publicly detailed how the Obaid-Chinoy film and Kinberg’s trilogy relate to one another.
Watts Already Has a ‘Star Wars’ Track Record
Watts would return to Lucasfilm after co-creating Star Wars: Skeleton Crew with Christopher Ford. He also directed the Disney+ series’ premiere and finale.
Watts originally pitched the project while filming Spider-Man: No Way Home. He told StarWars.com that he discussed the idea with Jon Favreau, who immediately offered to get involved alongside Dave Filoni.
Skeleton Crew followed four children who become lost in the galaxy during the New Republic era. Watts and Ford served as creators, writers and executive producers, working with directors including David Lowery, the Daniels, Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard and Lee Isaac Chung.
Watts came to the series after directing Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home. The final movie brought Holland’s Peter Parker together with characters from the earlier Spider-Man film franchises and grossed more than $1.9 billion worldwide.
‘Starfighter’ Will Reach Theaters Before Watts’ Movie
Lucasfilm already has another theatrical project much further along. Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter has completed the development stage and is scheduled for release on May 28, 2027.
The standalone film stars Ryan Gosling as Kade Auberon alongside Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings and Amy Adams. Lucasfilm describes the story as an original adventure centered on a cynical rogue whose mysterious past sends him on a journey across the galaxy.
Starfighter is directed by Levy from a screenplay by Jonathan Tropper. Lucasfilm has not placed Watts’ film on its theatrical release calendar.