Lucasfilm is reportedly interested in inviting Jon Watts to direct Star Wars Episode X, thereby launching a new trilogy. Both the director selection and the new trilogy plans remain speculative.
This news comes as attention focuses on the future of Star Wars films. The recently released The Mandalorian & Grogu earned $345.6 million, falling short of Disney's expectations. Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, remains scheduled for a 2027 release; his previous film, Project Hail Mary, was a critical and commercial success.
Regarding the next film, Knight Edge Media reports that the new trilogy will be written by Simon Kinberg, with Lucasfilm hoping Jon Watts, the director of the Tom Holland Spider-Man films, will helm the first installment. Kinberg previously worked on Star Wars Rebels, while Watts contributed to the series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
Watts directed Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. The combined global box office for these three films totaled $3.9 billion. However, it has not been confirmed whether he will take on Star Wars Episode X.
Regarding casting, rumors suggest Daisy Ridley may return to continue her role as Jedi Master Rey. Star Wars: New Jedi Order, originally planned to feature Rey as the protagonist, is reportedly being set aside to make way for Episode X and the new trilogy. It remains unclear whether John Boyega and Oscar Isaac will return as Finn and Poe Dameron.
ComicBook reports:
Given the uncertainty surrounding Star Wars and its future, new rumors may have shed light on the plans for the next few films in the saga. The previous film, The Mandalorian & Grogu, underperformed at the box office, earning only $345.6 million and casting a shadow over its prospects. However, Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, is still scheduled for release in 2027. High expectations surround this film, with hopes that it can reverse the trend, bolstered by Gosling's popularity from Project Hail Mary and a fresh Star Wars story. Recent reports indicate that Lucasfilm is preparing to launch a new trilogy with Star Wars Episode X.
According to Knight Edge Media, the next Star Wars trilogy will be written by Simon Kinberg (Star Wars Rebels), with Lucasfilm hoping Jon Watts (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) will direct the first film.
Lucasfilm is considering Jon Watts to direct Star Wars Episode X
Jon Watts achieved massive box office success during his time directing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He directed Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Spider-Man: No Way Home before departing from the Marvel franchise. These three films alone grossed $3.9 billion worldwide. Disney hopes Watts can replicate this success for the Star Wars saga. Although Star Wars has found success on Disney+ with series like Andor and Ahsoka, its performance on the big screen has been lackluster. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker surpassed $1 billion globally, but received poor critical reception, holding a mere 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Lucasfilm aims to turn things around, but the attempt to bring the popular Disney+ series The Mandalorian to the big screen ended in failure. The film failed to meet Disney's box office expectations, facing fierce competition from two blockbuster horror films released concurrently in summer 2026: Obsession and Backrooms, which captured much of the summer audience. However, if a hit emerges earlier in 2026, it could pave the way for a brighter future for the Star Wars saga. Ryan Gosling's Project Hail Mary achieved both critical and commercial success in theaters. With Gosling set to star in Star Wars: Starfighter, there is hope that his rising popularity will draw audiences to the Star Wars film releasing in 2027.
While Watts directing the first film of the new trilogy is undoubtedly a highlight, his past work may not appeal to some fans. He contributed to Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which, despite receiving positive reviews from critics, garnered a lukewarm response from audiences, holding a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, his Spider-Man film series was widely acclaimed and brought joy to viewers, making him perhaps a safer choice for the new Star Wars saga.
One key factor determining the success of these films lies in casting. Rumors suggest Daisy Ridley may return as Jedi Master Rey, a decision that might prove polarizing for fans who dismissed the sequel trilogy. Rey was originally intended to be the protagonist of Star Wars: New Jedi Order, but that film appears to have been shelved to make way for Star Wars Episode X and the subsequent trilogy. It remains unclear whether John Boyega and Oscar Isaac will return as Finn and Poe Dameron.
