Jon Watts to Direct First Film in New Star Wars Trilogy

Key points

• Jon Watts is set to direct the first film in a new Star Wars trilogy, continuing the Skywalker Saga as Episode X.
• Simon Kinberg is writing the trilogy, which has been in development since 2018.
• Daisy Ridley is expected to reprise her role as Rey in the new trilogy.
• The project has not yet been greenlit by Disney, but it is reportedly the furthest along in development after Star Wars: Starfighter.
• Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, is set to release on May 28, 2027.

Background

The Skywalker Saga, which began with Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope in 1977, continued through Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. Since then, the Star Wars franchise has expanded with various films and streaming series. The new trilogy is intended to be the next chapter in the Skywalker Saga, following the events of The Rise of Skywalker.

How outlets are covering it

All four outlets (Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Gizmodo) confirm that Jon Watts is directing the first film in a new Star Wars trilogy written by Simon Kinberg. Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter note that the project has not yet been greenlit by Disney. Variety and Gizmodo emphasize that the project is the furthest along in development after Star Wars: Starfighter. All outlets agree that Daisy Ridley is expected to reprise her role as Rey in some capacity. The Hollywood Reporter and Variety note that Watts and Kinberg have previous connections to the Star Wars franchise, with Watts co-creating Skeleton Crew and Kinberg co-creating Star Wars Rebels.

Why it matters

The appointment of Jon Watts to direct a new Star Wars trilogy signals Lucasfilm's intent to continue the Skywalker Saga, a core narrative thread of the franchise. The involvement of Simon Kinberg, a seasoned writer and producer, and the potential return of Daisy Ridley as Rey suggest a focus on continuity and character-driven storytelling. The project's development status and the upcoming release of Star Wars: Starfighter indicate that Lucasfilm is actively planning its next phase of Star Wars content.

What to watch

The next step is for Disney to greenlight the project. If greenlit, the film will enter pre-production, with casting and production details to be announced. Star Wars: Starfighter is set to release on May 28, 2027, and will likely be the next major Star Wars film to hit theaters.