Star Wars Just Handed Its Next Big Movie To The Spider-Man Director: Here Is What Jon Watts Directing Episode X Means For The Galaxy

Lucasfilm has officially found the director for the next chapter of the Star Wars franchise. Jon Watts, the filmmaker behind Marvel’s wildly successful Tom Holland Spider-Man movies, has been tapped to direct the opening movie of a brand-new Star Wars trilogy.

This massive news marks the biggest update for the movie side of the franchise in years. The upcoming film is set to pick up after the events of Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, making it the official Episode X that fans have been discussing since 2019.

Veteran screenwriter Simon Kinberg is writing the script for the trilogy. The project brings together one of Hollywood’s most reliable blockbuster directors with a writer who knows large sci-fi universes inside and out.

The decision to hire Jon Watts signals a clear direction for Disney and Lucasfilm. After years of testing different ideas, television series, and standalone spin-offs, the franchise is returning to its core storyline on the big screen.

Who Is Jon Watts and Why Did Lucasfilm Pick Him?

Jon Watts made a massive name for himself in Hollywood by directing the Marvel Cinematic Universe Spider-Man trilogy, starting with Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, followed by Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019, and Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. Those three movies generated over 3.9 billion dollars at the global box office.

His ability to manage multi-billion-dollar franchises while keeping stories grounded in human emotion is exactly what Lucasfilm needed. Controlling high-budget superhero movies with heavy visual effects is a skill few directors master, but Jon Watts proved he could deliver hits under intense pressure.

If you follow box office news, you know how rare it is for a director to deliver back-to-back massive hits without losing control of character development. You can check out our detailed look at how Spider-Man destroyed box office history to understand the sheer scale of the success Jon Watts helped build for Marvel and Sony.

Beyond superhero films, Jon Watts already has direct experience working inside the Star Wars universe. He co-created the Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew alongside writer Christopher Ford. He directed both the premiere and season finale episodes of that show.

Working on Skeleton Crew gave Jon Watts a deep understanding of the Lucasfilm pipeline. He proved he could work alongside franchise chief creative officer Dave Filoni while bringing his own artistic perspective to the screen.

The New Skywalker Saga Trilogy: What We Know So Far

This new project is being developed as the official continuation of the main line of Star Wars films. While initial reports hesitated to call it Episode X, industry reports from The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline confirm that the narrative directly continues the Skywalker Saga timeline.

Simon Kinberg has been working on the overall outline and script since late 2024. He turned in a extensive 70-page treatment to Lucasfilm, laying out the narrative arc for three interconnected films.

Story details remain tightly under wraps, but industry insiders report that Daisy Ridley is expected to return as Rey Skywalker in some capacity. The new story will focus on building the new Jedi Order and confronting fresh threats that emerge in the wake of the First Order’s defeat.

The Star Wars timeline has expanded into many eras over the decades, from ancient Jedi history to original trilogy spin-offs. George Lucas built a mythic foundation that transformed modern cinema. You can read more about how his artistic legacy is preserved in our feature on George Lucas’s one billion dollar museum.

By choosing Jon Watts to helm Episode X, Lucasfilm is ensuring that the transition into this new era stays energetic, accessible, and focused on strong character relationships.

From Indie Films to Star Wars: The Director’s Career Path

Jon Watts did not start out directing giant sci-fi epics. He began his career directing music videos and small-budget independent films.

His breakthrough indie film was Cop Car in 2015, a tense thriller starring Kevin Bacon. That low-budget movie impressed executives at Marvel Studios so much that they trusted him with the Spider-Man reboot.

Managing Big Budgets and Studio Expectations

Moving from small indie films to massive studio blockbusters is a huge leap that trips up many filmmakers. Jon Watts handled the transition smoothly by focusing on simple core themes: friendship, responsibility, and humor.

After completing his Spider-Man trilogy, Jon Watts directed the thriller Wolfs starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt. That project gave him experience working with top-tier Hollywood icons outside of the comic book space.

His ability to navigate executive studio politics while keeping actors comfortable made him a top candidate for Lucasfilm. Directors like J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson faced intense scrutiny when directing Star Wars, so having a steady hand at the wheel is vital.

Learning the Star Wars Universe Through Skeleton Crew

When Jon Watts pitched Skeleton Crew to Lucasfilm, he brought an 1980s Amblin-style adventure feel to the galaxy. He wanted to tell a story about kids lost in space, viewing the Star Wars universe through fresh eyes.

That experience taught him how to balance classic Star Wars tropes, like alien creatures, space battles, and Force lore, with simple personal stories. It served as the perfect training ground before taking on a full-length theatrical film.

For fans who follow major studio movements, shifting talent between Marvel and Star Wars is a common trend. You can explore our coverage on recent comic book screen changes in our article about Marvel dropping huge entertainment updates.

Why Disney Needs a Hit Movie in Movie Theaters

Disney and Lucasfilm have not released a Star Wars movie in theaters since 2019. While streaming series on Disney+ kept the franchise active with hits like The Mandalorian and Andor, theatrical movies remain the crown jewel of the brand.

Several previously announced film projects faced delays or development pauses over the last few years. Standalone projects from other directors were placed on hold while Lucasfilm recalibrated its overall strategy.

Disney is shifting its focus back to event cinema. Theater releases create a global cultural moment that streaming alone cannot duplicate.

At the same time, Disney has been adjusting its broader entertainment strategy across streaming platforms and box office windows. You can learn more about how the company is balancing its business strategy in our breakdown of Disney increasing subscription prices for streaming plans.

Bringing Jon Watts into the fold gives Disney a director with a proven track record of bringing millions of people into movie theater seats.

What Other Star Wars Movies Are Coming Out First?

Jon Watts’ Episode X is not the only Star Wars movie currently in the pipeline at Lucasfilm. The studio has a clear roadmap leading up to the release of the new trilogy.

Here is how the upcoming movie slate is shaping up:

The Mandalorian and Grogu

Directed by Jon Favreau, this film brings the beloved Disney+ characters Din Djarin and Grogu to the big screen. It marks the franchise’s official return to movie theaters and acts as a bridge between the television universe and feature films.

Star Wars: Starfighter

Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, Star Wars: Starfighter is scheduled for release on May 28, 2027. This release coincides with the 50th anniversary of the original Star Wars movie in 1977.

Jon Watts’ Episode X

The new film directed by Jon Watts will follow after these projects. Pre-production work is advancing quickly under the leadership of Dave Filoni, with cameras expected to roll once the script polish is completed.

Hollywood studios are constantly shifting schedules and making massive strategic bets to stay competitive. To understand how movie studios are restructuring, check out our guide on Apple’s big Hollywood plan for movies and TV.

What Style Will Jon Watts Bring to Star Wars Episode X?

Every director who steps into the Star Wars universe brings a distinct visual and storytelling tone.

George Lucas gave the original films a classic mythic structure inspired by Akira Kurosawa movies and old flash serials. J.J. Abrams brought high-octane pacing and nostalgic visuals. Rian Johnson brought subversion and emotional complexity.

Jon Watts is known for a very specific style that resonates with modern audiences:

Relatable Character Relationships

In his Spider-Man films, the action always served the characters, not the other way around. Characters felt real, talked like normal people, and faced personal decisions that mattered to the audience.

Star Wars works best when viewers care about the people holding the lightsabers. Jon Watts excels at building chemistry between actors on screen.

Clean Visual Storytelling and Pacing

Jon Watts uses practical sets combined with seamless digital effects. On Skeleton Crew, he used physical creature puppets and real location shooting alongside StageCraft volume technology.

This approach gives scenes a grounded, real-world texture that makes fantastical space settings feel tangible.

Pacing That Keeps the Audience Engaged

One of Jon Watts’ greatest strengths as a blockbuster filmmaker is pacing. His movies move quickly without feeling rushed, letting humor happen naturally without undercutting dramatic moments.

That balance will be critical for Episode X, as it needs to introduce new concepts to younger fans while honoring decades of lore for long-time viewers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jon Watts directing Star Wars Episode 10?

Yes. Reports from major industry outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter confirm that Jon Watts has been selected to direct the first movie in a new Star Wars trilogy, which serves as Episode X in the mainline Skywalker saga.

Will Rey Skywalker appear in Jon Watts’ new Star Wars movie?

Daisy Ridley is expected to reprise her role as Rey Skywalker in the upcoming trilogy. The storyline focuses on her efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order while facing new galactic challenges.

Who is writing the new Star Wars trilogy?

Simon Kinberg is writing the screenplay for the new trilogy. He previously co-created Star Wars Rebels and worked on major franchise properties including the X-Men film series.

Has Disney officially greenlit the project?

While formal greenlight announcements usually wait until production dates are locked, the project is further along in active development than almost any other unreleased Star Wars movie project.

When will the new Jon Watts Star Wars movie be released?

An official release date has not been set by Disney yet. However, with Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter scheduled for May 2027, Jon Watts’ film is expected to begin principal photography around that time for a subsequent release.

Staying Ahead of the Galaxy

The announcement that Jon Watts is taking charge of Star Wars Episode X brings clarity to a franchise that has spent years searching for its next big theatrical step. By pairing an experienced director who knows how to make world-class blockbusters with a story that continues the main saga, Lucasfilm is positioning Star Wars for a major cinematic return.

As development continues and full cast announcements roll out, fans around the world will be watching closely to see how this new chapter takes shape.

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