The filmmaker behind Tom Holland’s blockbuster Marvel trilogy is said to be returning to the Star Wars universe to direct a new big-screen adventure written by Simon Kinberg.
Director Jon Watts is reportedly heading back to a galaxy far, far away after being lined up to direct the next Star Wars movie.
The move would put the 45-year-old filmmaker who was behind Tom Holland’s blockbuster Spider-Man trilogy at the centre of Lucasfilm’s latest big-screen expansion.
Jon is attached to direct a new film being developed from a screenplay by Simon Kinberg according to Variety, with the reported project coming after Jon previously entered the Star Wars universe as co-creator of the Disney+ series Skeleton Crew.
Knight Edge Media first reported Jon’s involvement, while The Hollywood Reporter said the movie would be the first in a planned trilogy written by Simon.
The reported new project would represent a significant return to franchise filmmaking for Jon, who directed Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The three Marvel films transformed Tom’s Peter Parker into one of the defining superheroes of his generation, culminating in No Way Home, which brought together previous Spider-Man actors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.
Jon did not return for the latest instalment, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which was instead directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.
Before taking charge of the Spider-Man series, Jon directed Clown and the thriller Cop Car.
In 2024, his production company Freshman Year and producer Dianne McGunigle entered a first-look feature deal with Walt Disney Studios.
His relationship with Star Wars was already established through Skeleton Crew, which Jon co-created with Christopher Ford.
Set during the New Republic era, the coming-of-age Disney+ series followed four children who become lost in the galaxy and attempt to find their way home.
Jude Law starred as the mysterious Jod Na Nawood alongside Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Wim, Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Fern, Kyriana Kratter as KB and Robert Timothy Smith as the elephant-like Neel.
Jon will now join the filmmakers who have directed Star Wars on the big screen, a group that includes creator George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Richard Marquand, J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson.
Simon, meanwhile, is best known for his extensive involvement with the X-Men franchise and also has an established history with Star Wars.
He co-created the animated series Star Wars Rebels with Dave Filoni and worked as a consultant on Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Precisely where the new movie will sit within the saga has not been officially established.
Reports have linked Simon’s trilogy with a potential continuation of the Skywalker story, while other accounts have described it as a new saga. Lucasfilm has not announced a title, release date or full cast for Jon’s reported film.
Knight Edge Media has reported Daisy Ridley could return as Rey and described the project as Episode X, but those details have not been officially announced by Lucasfilm.
The development comes during another period of major change for the franchise.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau arrived in cinemas in May, bringing Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin and Grogu to the big screen following their success in Disney+ series The Mandalorian.
Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White also starred in the film.
Another theatrical adventure, Star Wars: Starfighter, is due in cinemas on 28 May 2027.
Directed by Shawn Levy, it stars Ryan Gosling as Kade Auberon, who is drawn into an adventure after confronting his mysterious past.
Spider-Man director Jon Watts tipped to helm new Star Wars movie
