Jon Watts, the filmmaker behind the recent Marvel Studios Spider-Man trilogy, is reportedly attached to direct a new Star Wars feature that would serve as the tenth chapter in the Skywalker Saga. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Watts would helm the first installment of a new trilogy currently being written by Simon Kinberg.
The project represents a significant pivot for Lucasfilm, as it reportedly moves toward a formal “Episode X” branding rather than a standalone spin-off. While the story is expected to continue the timeline established in the sequel trilogy, the film has not yet received a formal greenlight from Disney despite its advanced stage of development.
The Return of the Skywalker Saga
Early reports regarding the future of the franchise frequently centered on a “New Jedi Order” film focused on Rey Skywalker. However, current industry reports suggest those plans may have evolved into this broader episodic continuation. Daisy Ridley is expected to reprise her role as Rey, though her specific position in the narrative remains a subject of speculation. Reports from Knight Edge Media indicate that Lucasfilm is currently seeking relatively unknown actors for the film’s new male and female lead roles, suggesting a passing of the torch to a new generation of characters.
Watts is already a known quantity within the Disney and Lucasfilm ecosystem. He previously co-created the Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which debuted in 2024. His reported attachment to a mainline theatrical release signals a deepening partnership with the studio as it seeks to stabilize its film slate.
Leadership and the Theatrical Roadmap
The development of Episode X comes as Dave Filoni has transitioned into the role of President and Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm. In this capacity, Filoni is tasked with overseeing the creative cohesion of the franchise across both streaming and theatrical platforms. This leadership shift follows several years of shifting priorities for the studio, which has focused heavily on the Disney+ live-action series after the release of 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
The “Episode X” project is part of a broader push to return Star Wars to cinemas. In addition to the Kinberg-penned trilogy, Lucasfilm is moving forward with Star Wars: Starfighter. That project, which is set to be directed by Shawn Levy and reportedly features Ryan Gosling, is currently scheduled for release on May 28, 2027. With multiple high-profile directors now attached to various corners of the galaxy, the studio appears to be balancing its traditional episodic roots with new, standalone ventures.
