Jon Watts is heading back to a galaxy far, far away, this time on the big screen. The director behind Marvel’s three Tom Holland Spider-Man films is attached to direct the first entry in a new Star Wars trilogy being developed by Simon Kinberg, according to multiple Hollywood trade reports. The key word there is “attached.” Disney has not greenlit the project, and there is no title, release date or production schedule yet.
This is more than another name floated for a Lucasfilm project because of how the trilogy is being described. Several reports call it the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga, picking up after the nine-episode arc that closed with The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. At least one other report suggests the films could instead form a separate saga rather than Episodes X through XII. Lucasfilm hasn’t said which it is, and the difference matters. Calling something Episode X carries enormous expectations, along with the baggage of a sequel trilogy that split the fanbase.
Daisy Ridley is reportedly being eyed to return as Rey, although that remains unconfirmed. Fans have heard similar things before. A Rey-led film from director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was announced at Star Wars Celebration in 2023 and has yet to move into production. It joins a long list of Lucasfilm features, including Rian Johnson’s long-promised trilogy and Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron, that were announced with fanfare and never reached cameras. It isn’t clear whether this new project replaces that Rey film, absorbs it or runs alongside it.
Kinberg is writing. He co-created the animated series Star Wars Rebels and was hired specifically to shape a new trilogy. Watts isn’t a newcomer to the franchise either. He co-created Skeleton Crew for Disney+, and his first-look deal with Disney, reported in 2024, gives the studio an established working relationship. His Spider-Man run showed he can handle legacy characters, tonal shifts and a crowded ensemble without the whole thing buckling. Those are useful skills for anyone inheriting the Skywalker name.
The confirmed near-term slate looks quite different. Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, is set for cinemas on 28 May 2027 and has no connection to the Watts-Kinberg film. That makes this trilogy a long-range bet rather than the next thing fans will see.
Lucasfilm’s recent history argues for caution before celebrating. A director attachment is a meaningful step, but until Disney signs off, this is a promising plan rather than a movie. The bigger question is whether the studio is finally ready to commit to what comes after The Rise of Skywalker, or is simply testing the waters again.
