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Jon Watts to Direct Next Star Wars Film as Lucasfilm Returns to the Skywalker Saga
Lucasfilm has chosen Spider-Man director Jon Watts to helm the first instalment of a new trilogy continuing the Skywalker story, eight years after the saga's last big-screen chapter.
By Eleanor Ellington · 4 min read
Lucasfilm has turned to Jon Watts to direct the next Star Wars film, handing the Spider-Man filmmaker the first instalment of a new trilogy that returns the franchise to the Skywalker saga. The studio confirmed the appointment, which marks a significant shift in how the series will continue on the big screen after an eight-year gap since its last cinematic chapter.
Watts is best known for directing Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home, a trilogy that became one of the most commercially successful runs in recent blockbuster history. He also co-created Skeleton Crew, the Star Wars series made for television, giving him an existing relationship with Lucasfilm and its creative team.
The decision to revisit the Skywalker family is notable because the franchise has spent much of the past decade expanding outward rather than looking back. A string of films and series explored new characters, eras and corners of the galaxy, but the next theatrical project will instead pick up the thread that has defined Star Wars since 1977. For Lucasfilm, the move signals confidence that the Skywalker name still carries weight with audiences and that the studio wants a proven director at the helm.
Watts's track record suggests why he was chosen. His Spider-Man films balanced large-scale spectacle with character-driven storytelling, and they demonstrated an ability to manage a sprawling franchise while keeping a consistent tone. That experience is likely to be valuable for a project carrying the expectations attached to the Star Wars brand. His work on Skeleton Crew also means he is already familiar with the production methods and creative culture at Lucasfilm.
The new trilogy will be the first instalment in a fresh chapter for the saga, though details about the story, cast and release schedule have not been disclosed. The project remains in development, and no plot information has been confirmed. What is clear is that the studio intends to continue the Skywalker narrative rather than leave it as a closed chapter.
The announcement comes as the Star Wars franchise continues to balance its cinematic legacy with its expanding television output. The Mandalorian and other series have kept the brand in the public conversation, but a new film carries a different level of visibility. A Skywalker-focused project is likely to attract intense scrutiny from fans who grew up with the original and prequel trilogies, as well as from a newer generation introduced through streaming.
For Watts, the appointment places him at the centre of one of the most recognisable properties in entertainment. He moves from Marvel's web-slinger to a galaxy far, far away, taking on a franchise with a long history and a devoted following. The choice also reflects a broader pattern in Hollywood, where directors with proven franchise experience are entrusted with major legacy properties.
Lucasfilm has not indicated when the film will begin production or when audiences can expect to see it. The studio's confirmation of Watts as director is the first concrete step in a project that will shape the next phase of Star Wars on screen. Further announcements about casting and creative partners are expected as development progresses.
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