Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts now appears set to return to the Star Wars universe for a massive new project. Watts last hit big in the MCU with No Way Home, which became the highest-grossing solo superhero movie in history in 2021 before its 2026 sequel, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, surpassed its $1.9 billion box office gross total. While he has not directed many projects since that time, he now looks to take on one of Disney’s other major IP franchises.
Director Jon Watts is reportedly in place to direct the first film in Lucasfilm and Disney’s new trilogy of Star Wars movies. Reported by Daniel Richtman, this movie will be written by Simon Kinberg, best known for his work on Fox’s X-Men Saga from 2011 to 2019 (along with other Marvel projects such as the 2015 Fantastic Four movie and the TV show The Gifted).
Marvel Studios
This would not be Watts’ first time joining the Star Wars universe, as he also had a job as an executive producer and showrunner on the Disney+ series, Skeleton Crew, in late 2024 and early 2025. He was also the director of the show’s first and last episode.
As of writing, there are no specific plot details confirmed for the next trilogy of movies in the Star Wars universe. Kinberg was initially reported to be involved in this trilogy in 2024 when Kathleen Kennedy was the president of Lucasfilm. While this came before Kennedy left, with longtime Star Wars creative Filoni taking over for her job, Kinberg and Watts are now expected to continue their work under Filoni on this new trilogy.
There are currently no plot details that have been confirmed for Kinberg’s new Star Wars trilogy. However, it is expected to take place after the end of the Skywalker Saga, which last came to theaters in 2019 with Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker. After The Mandalorian & Grogu’s release in May 2026, the franchise will return to theaters in May 2027 with the release of Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling.
What Jon Watts Will Bring to New Star Wars Movie 
Sony Pictures, Disney
While Watts is perhaps best known for his work on the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy, which grossed more than $3.9 billion, he made his mark on the Star Wars universe with his work on Skeleton Crew. Having pitched this show while working on Spider-Man: No Way Home and working with fellow Star Wars executive Jon Favreau, Watts won fans over with his story, which was heavily inspired by ’80s projects like The Goonies and E.T..
This sets him up to follow in the footsteps of George Lucas, J.J. Abrams, Colin Trevorrow, and others by taking on a story in the main Star Wars timeline, which could be what this franchise needs to win back fans’ favor. Considering the Skywalker Saga ended on a low note and The Mandalorian & Grogu became one of the franchise’s biggest flops, Watts’ expertise should be seen as a positive after he delivered massive successes for the MCU and Star Wars in theaters and on Disney+.
For now, it remains unclear when Lucasfilm will go into development on the next trilogy of Star Wars movies, which might not happen until after Star Wars: Starfighter’s release next May.
With Watts now reportedly involved, however, the studio is banking on his vision to bring the galaxy far, far away back to prominence after last seeing major critical success with Episode VII — The Force Awakens in 2015. Marking Watts’ first directorial efforts in theaters since 2024’s Wolfs, he now has the tall order of following up Rey Skywalker, Finn, and Poe Dameron’s stories from the end of the Skywalker Saga with a new set of characters fans will grow to know and love.