Jon Watts To Direct Simon Kinberg’s ‘Star Wars: Episode X’

Like Shawn Levy and Jon Favreau, Jon Watts will reportedly abandon the MCU for a galaxy far, far away, directing the first film in Simon Kinberg’s upcoming Star Wars trilogy.

First reported by Knight Edge Media and corroborated by Deadline Hollywood, Watts is set to direct the upcoming tenth instalment in the mainline Star Wars films, following the Skywalker Saga, which chronicled the happenings of the Skywalker family (Hayden Christensen, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, James Earl Jones, and Adam Driver) and their friends (Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Alec Guinness, Daisy Ridley, Harrison Ford, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac).

The Skywalker Saga consisted of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.

Simon Kinberg is writing the next trilogy of films set to follow up that saga, and now it has a director with Jon Watts signing on. Watts isn’t a stranger to Lucasfilm’s legendary franchise either, since he previously created Skeleton Crew, a self contained Disney+ story that was compared to Amblin productions of the ’80s.

There are currently no plot details available for the upcoming trilogy, though Knight Edge Media reports that the film is expected to star Daisy Ridley as Rey and will serve as the continuation of the character in a minor role, as opposed to the now seemingly cancelled Star Wars: New Jedi Order. The outlet speculates that the film could begin production next year if everything goes according to plan.

Jon Watts is best known for directing the first three MCU Spider-Man films, having directed Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019, and Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. He was also attached to the MCU’s Fantastic Four film before he left to be replaced by Matt Shakman.

Up next for the franchise is Ahsoka Season 2, Star Wars: Starfighter from Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling, as well as Maul – Shadow Lord Season 2.

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