Jon Watts Reportedly Set to Direct Next Star Wars Movie for Lucasfilm
Jon Watts is returning to a galaxy far, far away.
The Spider-Man director has been reported as the filmmaker attached to direct the next Star Wars movie, a project that would continue the Skywalker saga and mark another major expansion of the franchise’s post-Skywalker plans.
Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter reported the development on Sept. 27, making Watts one of the biggest names attached to a new Star Wars feature.
The development immediately puts Watts at the center of renewed attention around Lucasfilm’s theatrical plans.
What Happened
Watts has been reported as the director of a new Star Wars film being developed by Lucasfilm.
The project is associated with writer Simon Kinberg, who is developing a trilogy that is reported to continue the Skywalker saga. The Hollywood Reporter identified Watts as the director of the next Star Wars film, while Deadline similarly reported that the franchise is returning to the Skywalker family with Watts attached.
The reports represent a significant development for a franchise that has spent years expanding its theatrical slate.
For now, important production details remain limited.
Why Jon Watts Is a Major Choice
Watts is best known for directing the Tom Holland-led Spider-Man trilogy for Marvel Studios and Sony.
His previous superhero work makes the new Star Wars assignment particularly notable.
The filmmaker has already worked inside one of the most important interconnected franchises in modern Hollywood. He also served as a creative force behind Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, giving him existing experience within the Star Wars universe.
That combination makes his reported move from Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise to a new Star Wars feature particularly notable for movie audiences.
The Skywalker Saga Connection
One of the most significant aspects of the report is the project’s relationship to the Skywalker family.
Deadline reported that Lucasfilm is continuing the Skywalker saga with the Watts project, while The Hollywood Reporter said Kinberg is writing a trilogy described as the next episodes.
That does not mean that every major character from the previous trilogy has been officially confirmed for the new film.
Reports have connected the project to the broader Skywalker storyline, but casting and specific plot information should be treated separately from the confirmed director and writer reports.
That distinction will be important as more information emerges.
Where the Project Fits Into Star Wars
Lucasfilm has several Star Wars projects at different stages of development.
The franchise has continued expanding across film and television, but theatrical projects have experienced changes in directors, writers and development schedules over the years.
Watts’ attachment gives one of the projects a new creative direction.
The filmmaker previously worked on Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which gives him an established connection to the franchise beyond simply joining the property for the first time.
The new film would nevertheless represent a much larger assignment: directing a theatrical feature tied to the future of the Skywalker saga.
What Is Confirmed and What Is Not
The important distinction at this stage is between the reported creative team and details that have not been formally announced.
Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter reported Watts as director and Kinberg as writer.
However, additional details such as a final title, complete cast, production start date and theatrical release date require further confirmation.
Some online reports have already connected the project with characters from previous Star Wars films, but those details should not be presented as confirmed unless Lucasfilm or another authoritative source announces them.
What Happens Next
The next major developments to watch are an official Lucasfilm announcement, additional casting information, production timing and clarification of the project’s place within the larger Star Wars theatrical slate.
Watts’ involvement alone is enough to make the project a major development because of his previous work on both Marvel’s Spider-Man films and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
If the reported trilogy plans move forward, the project could also become one of the central theatrical Star Wars stories of the coming years.
For now, the confirmed news hook is the reported director: Jon Watts is attached to the next Star Wars movie, with Simon Kinberg involved as writer.
FAQ
Is Jon Watts directing a new Star Wars movie?
Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter reported that Watts is attached to direct the next Star Wars film.
Who is writing the new Star Wars movie?
Simon Kinberg is reported to be writing the project.
Will the new Star Wars movie continue the Skywalker saga?
Current reports describe the project as part of the continuation of the Skywalker saga.
Has the cast been announced?
The reports currently available do not establish a complete officially confirmed cast.
When will the new Star Wars movie be released?
A release date should not be treated as confirmed until Lucasfilm announces one.
