Lucasfilm may have found the director for its next Skywalker Saga chapter. Jon Watts, the filmmaker behind Tom Holland’s Spider-Man trilogy, is developing a new Star Wars project with screenwriter Simon Kinberg—and it could become the next numbered episode in the primary saga.
What Lucasfilm is developing
According to The Hollywood Reporter, cited by JoBlo, Kinberg has been crafting a new trilogy since late 2024. The first film is being shaped as a potential Episode X, designed to continue the nine-episode Skywalker Saga and likely to include Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker.
There is no official greenlight from Disney yet. The project is in active development, which means scripts and a director are being lined up while the studio decides whether to commit to production.
Why Jon Watts looks like a natural fit
Watts brings a rare combination of blockbuster scale and franchise familiarity:
- He directed all three of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man films, including Spider-Man: No Way Home and its $1.9B+ global total.
- He has already worked inside Lucasfilm, directing two episodes of Skeleton Crew.
- His recent output includes Wolfs with Brad Pitt and George Clooney, and episodes of The Old Man.
- His schedule is currently open, which makes a new Star Wars commitment plausible.
The vacancy in Watts’ director’s chair is another signal. He is not currently attached to another feature, which leaves room for a franchise of this scale.
Why this matters for fans
A main-saga Star Wars film is a different event from a side story. It carries the weight of Episodes I through IX and, if Daisy Ridley returns, it would bring back the Jedi at the centre of the sequel trilogy. That is the kind of release that becomes a global moviegoing moment, not just another franchise title.
For audiences who grew up with the saga, the prospect of a new numbered chapter is a major reason to return to a theatrical experience.
Where the franchise stands right now
None of this changes Lucasfilm’s immediate slate. Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter remains the next film on the calendar, dated May 28, 2027, with production wrapped earlier this year. Ryan Gosling leads a cast that includes Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre and others.
Levy described the project as a personal milestone, saying the galaxy had shaped his sense of what story can do.
What to watch for next
If the Kinberg-Watts project moves forward, it would continue the primary nine-episode story after a long big-screen pause. For now, treat the news as a very strong signal rather than a confirmed ticket. The next practical date to circle is May 28, 2027 for Starfighter.
Source: JoBlo Media Inc
