The landscape of the "Star Wars" galaxy is preparing for a significant expansion as Lucasfilm moves forward with a new theatrical project helmed by director Jon Watts. The filmmaker, who became a household name within the industry for his stewardship of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s "Spider-Man" trilogy, has officially been attached to direct a new installment in the long-running sci-fi saga. This development marks a major step in the franchise’s return to the big screen, as Lucasfilm continues to curate a new era of cinematic storytelling following a multi-year hiatus from theatrical releases.
Watts is not the only high-profile creative attached to the project. As previously reported, Simon Kinberg is set to write the screenplay. Kinberg’s involvement brings a wealth of experience in the realm of big-budget franchise filmmaking, though his selection was initially viewed by some industry insiders as a surprising choice given his extensive history with other major properties. Together, the pairing of Watts and Kinberg represents a concerted effort by Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Studios to leverage proven blockbuster talent for the next chapter of the "Star Wars" mythos.
A Proven Track Record with Blockbuster Franchises
Jon Watts’ transition into the "Star Wars" universe follows a nearly decade-long run of immense commercial and critical success. He is best known for directing the "Spider-Man" trilogy starring Tom Holland, a series that revitalized the character within the context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His work began with 2017’s "Spider-Man: Homecoming," which was praised for its youthful energy and grounded approach to the superhero genre. He followed this with 2019’s "Spider-Man: Far From Home" and the 2021 global phenomenon "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
The latter film, "No Way Home," became one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, navigating a complex multi-verse narrative that brought together three generations of "Spider-Man" cinema. Watts’ ability to manage massive production scales while maintaining a focus on character-driven storytelling made him one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood. While Watts was the architect of the first three Holland-led films, the franchise is set to move in a new direction for its next chapter; the 2026 release "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" will see Destin Daniel Cretton take over the directorial reins, freeing Watts to focus on his burgeoning relationship with Lucasfilm.
Before he was synonymous with the webslinger, Watts built his reputation through smaller, atmospheric projects that showcased his versatility. His 2015 thriller "Cop Car," starring Kevin Bacon, was a critical darling that demonstrated his skill in directing young actors and building tension. Prior to that, he helmed the horror film "Clown." This background in both intimate indie filmmaking and massive studio spectacles has defined his career trajectory, leading to a major professional milestone in 2024. It was reported that Watts, along with his production company Freshman Year and producer Dianne McGunigle, had signed a first-look feature deal with Walt Disney Studios. This agreement solidified Watts’ position as a key creative partner for Disney, paving the way for his involvement in their most prestigious brands.
Bridging the Gap with Skeleton Crew
Watts’ entry into the "Star Wars" universe did not begin with a theatrical announcement, but rather with his work on the small screen. In 2024, Watts co-created the Disney+ series "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" alongside his frequent collaborator Christopher Ford. The series was designed as a coming-of-age adventure, often described as having an "Amblin-style" tone reminiscent of 1980s adventure films. Set in the era of the New Republic—the same chronological window occupied by "The Mandalorian" and "Ahsoka"—the show followed four young characters who find themselves lost in a dangerous galaxy and must find their way home.
The series featured a high-profile lead in Jude Law, who portrayed the character Jod Na Nawood. The young cast included Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Wim, Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Fern, Kyriana Kratter as KB, and Robert Timothy Smith as Neel. By working on "Skeleton Crew," Watts was able to immerse himself in the technical and narrative complexities of the "Star Wars" production pipeline, including the use of the Volume and other cutting-edge visual effects technologies pioneered by Lucasfilm. This experience served as a natural bridge to a feature film role, allowing him to prove his ability to capture the specific aesthetic and thematic essence of George Lucas’s creation.
The Collaboration with Simon Kinberg
The news of Watts’ directorial role is intrinsically linked to the involvement of Simon Kinberg, who is tasked with drafting the narrative. Kinberg is a veteran of the "X-Men" franchise, where he served as a writer, producer, and eventually a director. His credits include "X-Men: Days of Future Past," "X-Men: Apocalypse," and "Dark Phoenix." Beyond the mutant franchise, Kinberg has been a prolific producer on films such as "The Martian" and "Logan," and he has a prior history with "Star Wars," having served as a consultant on "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and co-creating the acclaimed animated series "Star Wars Rebels."
Despite his deep roots in the industry, the announcement of Kinberg as the writer for this new film was met with significant interest and some surprise within the fan community. His previous work has spanned a wide range of critical receptions, but his deep understanding of franchise architecture and his existing relationship with Lucasfilm leadership made him a logical choice for a project of this magnitude. The collaboration between Kinberg’s experience in world-building and Watts’ character-centric directorial style is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the series.
A New Chapter for Star Wars Cinema
The announcement of this project comes at a pivotal time for Lucasfilm. Since the release of J.J. Abrams’ "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" in 2019, the franchise has been absent from movie theaters, choosing instead to focus on expanding its lore through high-budget streaming series on Disney+. While shows like "The Mandalorian" have been massive successes, the pressure to return "Star Wars" to its cinematic roots has been mounting. "The Rise of Skywalker" served as the conclusion to the nine-film Skywalker Saga, and since then, the studio has been careful in selecting the right stories and creators to lead the franchise back to the multiplex.
By bringing Jon Watts into the fold, Lucasfilm adds him to a prestigious list of directors who have shaped the visual and narrative language of the galaxy. This lineage includes "Star Wars" creator George Lucas, as well as Irvin Kershner ("The Empire Strikes Back"), Richard Marquand ("Return of the Jedi"), Rian Johnson ("The Last Jedi"), and J.J. Abrams. Each director has brought a distinct thumbprint to the series, and Watts is expected to bring the same blend of heart, humor, and spectacle that defined his work at Marvel.
The specifics of the plot remain closely guarded, a standard practice for Lucasfilm projects in early development. However, the pairing of Watts and Kinberg suggests a film that will aim for broad appeal while respecting the established continuity of the franchise. Whether the film will explore a new era entirely or tie into existing narrative threads remains to be seen.
The Road Ahead
The news of Watts’ attachment was first broken by Knight Edge Media before being corroborated by major industry outlets. As development continues, the industry will be watching closely to see how this project fits into the broader slate of upcoming "Star Wars" films, which includes announced projects from directors such as James Mangold, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Dave Filoni.
With a first-look deal at Disney and a successful transition from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the "Star Wars" galaxy, Jon Watts has positioned himself as one of the most influential directors working within the Disney ecosystem today. As he and Kinberg move forward with the script and pre-production, the focus will remain on whether they can deliver a theatrical experience that captures the imagination of a global audience, much as the original films did decades ago. For now, the attachment of Watts provides a clear signal that Lucasfilm is prioritizing directors with a proven ability to handle the world’s most beloved intellectual properties.
