‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Director Jon Watts to Helm ‘Star Wars Episode 10’

The ‘Star Wars‘ universe has been relatively quiet regarding mainline films since 2019, as Lucasfilm has focused on streaming spinoffs, animated series, and one confirmed theatrical release still in post-production. During this time, fans have speculated endlessly about who might take the helm for the franchise’s next cinematic chapter.

That speculation has intensified with a specific name now linked to a specific project for the first time in years. This development significantly alters the conversation about the saga’s future direction.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jon Watts has been chosen to direct the first installment of a new trilogy for Lucasfilm, which is described as the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga.

The trilogy will be penned by Simon Kinberg, who has reportedly been crafting the story since late 2024. Since the mainline films span from Episode I to Episode IX, this new entry would effectively be Episode X, continuing the numbered saga rather than starting a completely new narrative.

Watts is no stranger to the franchise; he co-created the Disney+ series ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ with writer Christopher Ford and directed the show’s first and last episodes during its 2024 airing.

Beyond his contributions to that galaxy far, far away, Watts is best known for directing the Tom Holland-led ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy for Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures. These three films collectively grossed over $3.9 billion worldwide between 2017 and 2021, receiving strong reviews throughout.

Notably for Lucasfilm, all three of Watts’ ‘Spider-Man’ films boast Rotten Tomatoes critics’ scores between 91% and 93%, marking it as the best-reviewed trilogy in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.

One intriguing aspect of this announcement involves Daisy Ridley’s Rey. Reports suggest that her character is expected to appear in some capacity throughout the new trilogy, although the extent of her role and its connection to her arc from the sequel trilogy remains uncertain at this point.

There is also some confusion regarding how this project should be categorized. Some outlets have referred to the Kinberg-penned films as covering Episodes 10 through 12, continuing the established Skywalker numbering. However, Lucasfilm has reportedly pushed back against this framing, describing the trilogy as the start of a new saga focused on new characters rather than a direct continuation of the numbered films.

It’s important to note that this project has not yet received formal approval from Disney, and there is currently no production timeline or release window attached. Some reports indicate that filming could commence as early as next year, though this detail has not been confirmed by the studio.

For context within Lucasfilm’s broader release schedule, ‘Star Wars: Starfighter,’ directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, is the franchise’s next confirmed theatrical release. This film is set to debut in IMAX 70mm on May 28, 2027, coinciding with the franchise’s fiftieth anniversary.

Whatever form this new trilogy ultimately takes, securing a director with Watts’ impressive track record signals how seriously Lucasfilm is approaching its return to the big screen. After years of shelved movie plans and false starts for a mainline sequel, having a filmmaker in place for the project described as the most advanced in development provides fans with something tangible to look forward to.

The larger question now is what story Kinberg and Watts are crafting and how it directly connects to the Skywalker family saga that seemingly concluded with ‘The Rise of Skywalker.’ Answers to these questions will likely emerge gradually as the project moves closer to an official greenlight.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.