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New Star Wars Movie Officially Confirms Next Skywalker Trilogy Director
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
Jon Watts has officially been attached to direct the first film in a planned new Star Wars trilogy, marking a fresh step in Lucasfilm’s effort to continue the Skywalker story beyond 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. Simon Kinberg is writing the trilogy, which could expand the nine-film saga to twelve instalments, although its plot and release schedule remain largely undisclosed.
Watts directed Sony and Disney’s three Spider-Man films and recently created the Star Wars series Skeleton Crew, while Kinberg co-created Star Wars: Rebels and advised on The Force Awakens. Rey Skywalker, played by Daisy Ridley, is expected to return, but no other cast members have been confirmed; the project forms part of a wider slate that includes Shawn Levy’s Starfighter, scheduled for 28 May 2027.
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In short
- Jon Watts will direct the first film in a new Star Wars trilogy.
- Simon Kinberg is writing the planned continuation of the Skywalker story.
- Daisy Ridley’s Rey is expected to return, though details remain limited.
How this story developed
- 2 months ago Jon Watts has officially been attached to direct the first film in a planned new Star Wars trilogy, marking a fresh step in Lucasfilm’s effort to continue the Skywalker story beyond 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
- 2 months ago Jon Watts has officially been attached to direct the first film in a planned new Star Wars trilogy, a significant development in Lucasfilm’s efforts to continue the Skywalker story after 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
- 2 months ago Jon Watts is now attached to direct the first film in a planned new Star Wars trilogy, marking the latest development in Lucasfilm’s effort to continue the Skywalker story after 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
- 2 months ago Lucasfilm has reportedly attached Jon Watts to direct the first film in a planned new Star Wars trilogy continuing the Skywalker story after 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
- Deadline ‘Star Wars’ Is Continuing Skywalker Saga With ‘Spider-Man’ Director Jon Watts
- IGN Star Wars Nabs Spider-Man Director Jon Watts for First Movie in Disney's New Skywalker Saga Trilogy
- Polygon Star Wars Episode 10 Has Found Its Director
- Collider New Star Wars Movie Officially Confirms Next Skywalker Trilogy Director
Full account
Lucasfilm has reportedly chosen Jon Watts to direct the first film in a proposed new trilogy continuing the Star Wars Skywalker Saga. Watts is known for directing Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home and No Way Home, and previously worked on Star Wars as co-creator, writer and director of the Disney+ series Skeleton Crew.
The trilogy is being written by Simon Kinberg, whose credits include several X-Men films and the animated series Star Wars Rebels. He also acted as a creative consultant on The Force Awakens. Although the project has been in development for several years, few details about its story or timetable have been disclosed.
The reported plan would extend the nine-film saga beyond 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. Daisy Ridley is understood to be in contention to return as Rey, with the new films expected to follow the character’s story. No information has been confirmed about the involvement of other sequel-trilogy characters.
The reports differ slightly in their emphasis. One presents Watts’s appointment as a significant step towards production and suggests the films will continue directly from The Rise of Skywalker. Deadline, while confirming his attachment, stresses that Disney has not yet formally approved the project, meaning the trilogy remains subject to change. Both accounts identify Kinberg as the writer and associate the proposal with a further chapter of the Skywalker family story.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
The reports agree that Jon Watts is attached to direct the first film and Simon Kinberg is writing the trilogy, with Daisy Ridley reportedly considered for a return as Rey. The main distinction is that one account treats the announcement as an official advance in development, whereas Deadline emphasises that the project has not yet received Disney’s green light. The reports also vary in their framing of whether the films will directly continue the previous trilogy, though neither provides detailed plot information.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Skywalker saga is one of cinema's most beloved narratives, and continuing it with Rey's story offers genuine dramatic potential whilst bringing fresh creative perspectives through proven talents like Jon Watts. The commercial success of these films ensures the industry benefits, and many fans remain invested in seeing where Rey's journey leads.
The case against
The Skywalker saga reached its narrative conclusion with The Rise of Skywalker, and extending it further risks creative staleness and franchise fatigue. The recent trilogy's divisive reception suggests there may be limited appetite for more Skywalker stories, whilst other Star Wars narratives—from the Old Republic to the New Jedi Order—offer greater unexplored potential that could benefit from similar investment.
Explained simply
Star Wars is a science-fiction franchise built around the Skywalker family, whose story has been told across nine main films released between 1977 and 2019. The most recent film, The Rise of Skywalker, concluded that central saga, but Lucasfilm has been developing further films set in the same universe.
The planned trilogy is being written by Simon Kinberg, who has previously worked on Star Wars projects including the animated series Rebels and advised on The Force Awakens. Jon Watts, known for directing the recent Spider-Man films and Skeleton Crew, is attached to direct the first instalment.
The project is expected to bring back Rey Skywalker, played by Daisy Ridley, although details of the story and wider cast remain limited. It matters because the trilogy could extend the main Skywalker narrative beyond its original nine films, alongside other Star Wars films being developed separately.
Coverage · 4 sources
- ColliderNew Star Wars Movie Officially Confirms Next Skywalker Trilogy Director
- Deadline‘Star Wars’ Is Continuing Skywalker Saga With ‘Spider-Man’ Director Jon Watts
- IGNStar Wars Nabs Spider-Man Director Jon Watts for First Movie in Disney's New Skywalker Saga Trilogy
- PolygonStar Wars Episode 10 Has Found Its Director