The director of Tom Holland's Spider-Man films will direct the next Skywalker saga film
Jon Watts, who made Tom Holland’s three Spider-Man films, is lined up to direct a new Skywalker saga film written by Simon Kinberg.
Never a quiet week in the Star Wars universe, is it? While we're still cooling our heels for Shawn Levy's Starfighter film (that one’s circled for May 2027), there's a fresh rumble about who might be steering the next big instalment in the Skywalker Saga itself. In what sounds like a curious bit of franchise hopscotch, former Spider-Man helmer Jon Watts is now tipped to take the director’s seat—with Simon Kinberg writing—for a new trilogy that could very well pick up the main saga baton.
What’s Jon Watts Doing in the Star Wars World?
Here's how we've landed here: Watts, who handled Tom Holland's Spider-Man trilogy (the one that took No Way Home right past $1.9 billion globally), is reportedly circling a Star Wars film that might just become Episode X. This lot aren’t talking side stories either—the idea is said to be a full-blooded continuation of Episodes I-IX, with Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker rumoured for a return. Watch this space for the inevitable fan discourse about midichlorians, sand, and who deserves a lightsaber—again.
For the Star Wars faithful, Watts isn't totally new to the galaxy: he’s one of the brains behind Skeleton Crew, directing two episodes there, and also popped up on The Old Man with Jeff Bridges. But his next move has been something of a mystery since he wrapped Brad Pitt and George Clooney in Wolfs. Now, with his schedule clear, it's pointedly suspicious what his next big gig might be.
Kinberg began writing the new Star Wars saga in late 2024, with development on the first film already well underway.
Lucasfilm’s Other Big Bet
If you were holding out for some concrete Star Wars, rest easy—there’s already something in the can. Shawn Levy’s Starfighter has finished shooting, making it the next guaranteed Star Wars cinema outing. No shortage of star power in this one: Ryan Gosling heads it up, with a supporting cast including Flynn Gray (from Wednesday), Matt Smith (Caught Stealing), Mia Goth (Pearl), Aaron Pierre (Lanterns), Simon Bird (The Inbetweeners), Jamael Westman (The Essex Serpent), Daniel Ings (The Gentlemen), and Amy Adams (Man of Steel).
Levy hasn't been shy about what this all means to him—when production kicked off, he made it sound basically like he'd fulfilled a lifelong calling:
‘I feel a profound sense of excitement and honor as we begin production on Star Wars: Starfighter. From the day Kathy Kennedy called me up, inviting me to develop an original adventure in this incredible Star Wars galaxy, this experience has been a dream come true, creatively and personally. Star Wars shaped my sense of what story can do, how characters and cinematic moments can live with us forever. To join this storytelling galaxy with such brilliant collaborators onscreen and off, is the thrill of a lifetime.’
- Jon Watts—Spider-Man director and Skeleton Crew co-creator—lined up for the possible next Skywalker Saga film
- Simon Kinberg (longtime franchise writer/producer) started on the script in late 2024
- Daisy Ridley's Rey Skywalker expected to appear if the project makes it through development
- Shawn Levy's Starfighter (with Ryan Gosling leading) is already shot and heads to cinemas May 2027