Star Wars Director Jon Watts to Helm First Movie in New Skywalker Saga Trilogy

Disney has reportedly picked Spider-Man director Jon Watts to helm the first movie in Simon Kinberg’s new Star Wars trilogy as it plots out the next chapter in the Skywalker Saga.

Information about a new series of Star Wars projects from Lucasfilm was first reported by Daniel Richtman and later corroborated by The Hollywood Reporter. Although Watts is best known for leading the charge on the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Tom Holland Spider-Man trilogy, his work on Star Wars would represent his return to the sci-fi franchise following his time as co-creator on 2024’s Skeleton Crew.

The yet-to-be-named new films, which are said to be the next chapter in the Skywalker Saga, are being written by Star Wars: Rebels and Mr. and Mrs. Smith veteran Kinberg. Story details remain mostly shrouded in mystery, though it’s said that Daisy Ridley’s sequel trilogy Jedi, Rey Skywalker, will play a role in the story.

Watts has only been picked to direct the first movie of the new trilogy so far. When this next chapter will begin is also unclear, with The Hollywood Reporter sources noting that Disney has not given the new project the official green light as work on its foundation continues.

Although still early in development, the site stated that it is further along than most other Star Wars projects. The only one ahead of it for now is Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars: Starfighter, which has a May 28, 2027, release date.

Watts broke onto the blockbuster scene with the MCU’s Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017 and returned to make more superhero movies with follow-ups Far from Home and No Way Home in 2019 and 2021, respectively. He then handed over work on future Holland films to Destin Daniel Cretton, with his last feature, Wolfs, premiering in 2024.

Kinberg was first said to be in the mix to write a new Star Wars trilogy back in 2024, but there was conflicting information at the time. While some reported the next run of mainline films would continue the Skywalker Saga, others stated that the new projects would tell a completely new story. The Hollywood Reporter’s story today suggested that Kinberg has settled on the former, though with the project so early in development, it’s always possible that could change.

Former Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy offered an update on Kinberg’s status when speaking to Deadline earlier this year. Although it seemingly ran into a few speed bumps along the way, today’s update suggests the trilogy may be in the process of finding its footing and, hopefully, a path toward a full green light.

“[Kinberg] wrote something that we read in August, and it was very good, but not there,” she said in January. “We’ve pretty much upended the story, and then spent a great deal of time on the treatment, which he finished literally about four weeks ago. And it’s a very detailed treatment, like 70 pages. And so he is expected to give us something in March.”

How Much Every Star Wars Movie Made Opening Weekend

Talk to most Star Wars fans and they’ll tell you the same thing: The franchise is not in the best shape at the moment – at least when it comes to its movies. The Skywalker Saga concluded a massive nine-film arc with its sequel trilogy ender, Episode 9 – The Rise of Skywalker, in 2019, but the project capped the story with more of a whimper than a bang.

Although the Ridley-led films each came with their own controversial moments, The Rise of Skywalker emerged with disappointing critical reception (IGN gave it a 7/10) rivaled only by 1999’s Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. Disney pumped the breaks when it came to theatrical releases for a galaxy far, far away after that, with this year’s The Mandalorian and Grogu bringing an end to a seven-year drought without new Star Wars movies. Even that project found its own trials to overcome, with so-so critical reception (IGN’s review delivered a 5/10) and underwhelming box office returns leading Disney to deem it a disappointment in theaters.

It’s not all been doom and gloom for Star Wars, though. While the movies have, for many, struggled to recapture the magic of George Lucas’ original vision, some of its TV outings have managed to keep audiences coming back for more. Seasons 1 and 2 of Disney’s Rogue One prequel, Andor, earned the franchise critical acclaim. Meanwhile, although not everyone was sold on 2024’s The Acolyte, shows like Maul – Shadow Lord and Skeleton Crew did manage to find dedicated audiences.

Star Wars is going through some growing pains as leadership shifts behind the scenes, but Disney has made it clear it still has plenty of stories to tell. There are plenty of other movies and shows in various forms of development, including Maul – Shadow Lord Season 2 and Ahsoka Season 2, which are both expected to premiere next year. While fans are still campaigning to see Adam Driver reprise his role as Kylo Ren in the canceled Hunt for Ben Solo film, Lucasfilm head Dave Filoni has signaled a bright future ahead when it comes to Star Wars movies.

Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images.

Michael Cripe

Freelance Writer

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).