Lucasfilm Has Tapped Jon Watts for Star Wars Episode X
Reports indicate the director is in talks to lead the next major installment in the Star Wars film franchise.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Lucasfilm has reportedly recruited director Jon Watts to oversee the upcoming Star Wars Episode X. The potential hire follows the director's 2024 first-look deal with Disney and his previous work on the series.
Why it matters
The recruitment of a filmmaker with significant experience in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Star Wars brand signals a strategic shift for the studio as it recalibrates its long-term release slate.
Jon Watts directed the first three Spider-Man films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and recently directed the 2024 film Wolfs.
The players
Jon Watts
He is a director known for helming the Marvel Cinematic Universe Spider-Man trilogy and for co-creating the series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
Lucasfilm
The production company is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company that manages the Star Wars franchise and Indiana Jones properties.
Dave Filoni
He serves as the chief creative officer at Lucasfilm and has been a primary architect of modern Star Wars television storytelling.
Daisy Ridley
She is an actress who gained international prominence for her role as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
The details
Lucasfilm is currently circling Watts for the director position, leveraging his prior collaboration with chief creative officer Dave Filoni on Skeleton Crew. This development coincides with reports that the previously announced project featuring Daisy Ridley has been shelved.
Timeline
Jon Watts signed a first-look deal with Disney in 2024.
Ahsoka season 2 premieres on Disney+ on January 20, 2027.
Star Wars: Starfighter will be released in theaters on May 28, 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The potential shift to Watts marks a realignment within Hollywood's major studio franchises as they move away from stalled projects. This transition mirrors a broader industry trend of consolidating creative control under directors with proven success in building large-scale cinematic universes.
Audiences can expect changes to the upcoming Star Wars release calendar as the studio reshuffles its production priorities. These shifts determine which films reach theaters and which projects may be delayed or removed from development pipelines.
The takeaway
The potential involvement of Jon Watts highlights how Lucasfilm is prioritizing directors who have already successfully integrated into their creative ecosystem. Fans should look for future announcements regarding the confirmed production slate for upcoming theatrical releases.
Further reading
Explore the latest developments in Science Fiction cinema.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ScreenRant.
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