The galaxy far, far away has reportedly secured its next major helm. Jon Watts—the director behind Marvel Studios’ blockbuster Spider-Man trilogy and the co-creator of Disney+’s Star Wars: Skeleton Crew—has been tapped to direct the first chapter in a brand-new Star Wars film trilogy. The upcoming movie will be written and produced by veteran screenwriter Simon Kinberg, although Lucasfilm has not publicly confirmed whether the trilogy will directly continue the overarching narrative established in the Skywalker Saga’s sequel trilogy.Credit: LucasfilmThe development marks significant new momentum for a theatrical Star Wars project, giving Lucasfilm another major feature in the pipeline as the studio charts the franchise’s future beyond The Rise of Skywalker. With script development well underway and Watts attached to direct, this newly reported installment is emerging as one of the most closely watched cinematic initiatives for the franchise following 2027’s Star Wars: Starfighter.From Web-Slinger to Jedi Master: Why Jon Watts Is the Right FitJon Watts’ rise through Hollywood’s biggest franchise ranks has been nothing short of extraordinary. After directing indie thrillers Clown and Cop Car, Watts was tapped by Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures to shepherd Tom Holland’s Peter Parker through the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His trilogy—spanning Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)—grossed over $3.9 billion globally, demonstrating Watts’ experience directing large-scale franchise films that combine humor, action, heart, and ensemble storytelling under intense fan scrutiny.Credit: Marvel StudiosFollowing his Marvel Cinematic Universe success and directing the 2024 thriller Wolfs starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, Watts seamlessly transitioned into the Star Wars universe. Alongside co-creator Christopher Ford, Watts developed, executive-produced, and directed episodes for the Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Disney+ series. Set in the era of the New Republic and starring Jude Law, the series drew on the ’80s-inspired adventure storytelling that influenced its creators, as well as its focus on world-building within George Lucas’ iconic galaxy.His experience managing large-scale franchise productions while collaborating within Disney’s creative structure made Watts a notable candidate for Lucasfilm. By signing a first-look deal with Walt Disney Studios through his production banner, Freshman Year, in 2024, Watts further strengthened his creative relationship with the studio, although the deal cannot independently be established as the reason for his Star Wars assignment.The Next Chapter: What to Expect From Simon Kinberg’s ScriptWhile Lucasfilm has kept specific plot details under lock and key, industry reports indicate that the new film could build on the foundation of the latest sequel trilogy—the Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).Credit: LucasfilmThe screenplay is penned by Simon Kinberg, a seasoned Hollywood writer and producer with deep institutional ties to Star Wars. Kinberg co-created the critically acclaimed animated series Star Wars Rebels alongside Lucasfilm’s Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck, and served as a creative consultant on the Force Awakens. Beyond his work in a galaxy far, far away, Kinberg produced and wrote multiple entries in Fox’s X-Men universe, including X-Men: Days of Future Past and X-Men: Dark Phoenix, as well as the 2015 Fantastic Four reboot.Credit: LucasfilmKinberg has been developing this trilogy concept since 2024. Current trade reports suggest that the film could serve as a continuation of the Skywalker Saga—potentially becoming Episode X—but Lucasfilm has not publicly confirmed that designation, and reports differ over whether the trilogy will instead tell a separate story.Key narrative elements under discussion include:The Return of Rey Skywalker: Daisy Ridley is reportedly being considered to reprise her role as Rey Skywalker in the film.A New Generation of Heroes: Trade reports indicate that Lucasfilm is considering relatively unknown actors for new male and female leads, ensuring fresh faces could guide the audience through the expanding galaxy.Continuing the Skywalker Saga: The story may build on the events of The Rise of Skywalker, establishing a new chapter for the franchise following the climax of the sequel trilogy, although Lucasfilm has not officially confirmed how directly the films will connect to the Skywalker Saga.Where the New Movie Fits in Lucasfilm’s Release SlateThe hiring of Jon Watts comes at a pivotal moment for Lucasfilm as the studio refines its theatrical roadmap. In recent years, several announced film projects entered development limbo or underwent creative overhauls as Lucasfilm navigated the expansion of its live-action television and theatrical slate.Credit: LucasfilmHowever, the Kinberg-Watts project is reportedly among the most advanced features in Lucasfilm’s pipeline behind Star Wars: Starfighter. Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, Starfighter is slated for a theatrical release on May 28, 2027, arriving during the 50th anniversary year of the franchise.With Watts attached to direct and Kinberg producing alongside Lucasfilm leadership, production on this new chapter could begin as early as 2027, although no production date has been officially announced. The project represents an effort to develop a new trilogy for theaters, giving Lucasfilm another potential destination for the future of the Star Wars saga.Reigniting the Magic for a Global AudienceFor Star Wars fans, the reported attachment of Jon Watts to the franchise’s continuation represents a significant new development. Bringing in a director with extensive experience handling large-scale pop-culture expectations and major global box-office results provides a notable creative addition as Lucasfilm continues rebuilding its theatrical slate.Credit: LucasfilmBy pairing Watts’ dynamic visual style and character-focused direction with Simon Kinberg’s deep Star Wars experience, Lucasfilm is developing a cinematic project that could respect the legacy of the Skywalker Saga while forging into the future. As development continues, all eyes across the galaxy will be watching closely to see how Watts crafts the next chapter in cinema’s greatest mythos.The post Confirmed: From Web Slinging To A Galaxy Far, Far Away, New ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy Found Its Director appeared first on Inside the Magic.