Jon Watts to direct next 'Star Wars' film in Simon Kinberg's planned trilogy
Spider-Man director Jon Watts is attached to direct the first film in a new Star Wars trilogy being written by Simon Kinberg, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter reported Saturday. Watts previously co-created Lucasfilm's Skeleton Crew series; production could begin as early as next year, according to those reports.
AI-assisted · US Brief desk · Sources listed below
What happened
Jon Watts, director of Marvel and Sony's Spider-Man trilogy and co-creator of Lucasfilm's Skeleton Crew series, is attached to direct the next Star Wars theatrical film — the first installment in a trilogy being written by Simon Kinberg — Variety and The Hollywood Reporter reported Saturday, Sep 26.
What we know: Variety said Watts is in development on the project and that Kinberg will pen the script, as previously reported. Collider, citing THR, said the trilogy is intended to continue the Skywalker Saga after 2019's The Rise of Skywalker. Knight Edge Media first reported Lucasfilm was circling Watts and that he is currently attached only to the first film, with hopes of beginning production as early as next year.
Cast and numbering: Trade reports say Daisy Ridley is expected to return as Rey in a role that could expand across later films, while Lucasfilm casts relatively unknown actors as new leads — details that remain unconfirmed by an official Lucasfilm announcement. Some outlets have labeled the film "Episode X"; Lucasfilm has not formally announced that title.
Why it matters
Star Wars has struggled to lock a post-Rise of Skywalker theatrical pipeline. A director with both Marvel blockbuster credits and prior Lucasfilm TV work is a concrete step toward putting a Kinberg trilogy in front of cameras, alongside Shawn Levy's standalone Starfighter (Ryan Gosling) set for May 28, 2027.
What’s next
Watch for an official Lucasfilm announcement, casting news, and whether Watts's attachment expands beyond the first film.
More context
Watts's path to the job: Beyond Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home, Watts co-created Skeleton Crew with Christopher Ford for Disney+. In 2024 he and producer Dianne McGunigle signed a first-look feature deal with Walt Disney Studios through their Freshman Year banner, Variety noted.
Uncertainty: Attachments can change. No official greenlight, budget, cast confirmation, or release date has been announced by Lucasfilm or Disney. Insider reports about Ridley and Episode numbering should be treated as preliminary.
3 listed sources
- Variety (Payton Turkeltaub), Sep 26, 2026: Jon Watts to direct next 'Star Wars' movie
- The Hollywood Reporter via Collider (Rob London), Sep 26, 2026: Watts attached to first film in Kinberg Skywalker-saga trilogy
- Knight Edge Media, Sep 26, 2026 (as credited by Variety/Collider): earlier reporting on Watts attachment
References listed by US Brief; a source count is not a verification score.
Editorial sourcing notes
Attachment and Kinberg writing credit follow Variety (Payton Turkeltaub), Sep 26, 2026, and The Hollywood Reporter as summarized by Collider the same evening. Knight Edge Media first reported the circling/attachment. Daisy Ridley return and "Episode X" labeling are reported by trade/insider accounts but Lucasfilm has not formally announced an Episode number or cast; those details are attributed as reported, not studio-confirmed. No release date has been set.
Like US Brief? You can support it with a tip.