It looks like Jon Watts is heading back to a galaxy far, far away! The “Wolfs” filmmaker is probably best known for directing three films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” 2019’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” and 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” He is now set to direct the next film in the “Star Wars” franchise after the release of 2027’s “Star Wars: Starfighter,” directed by Shawn Levy.
The Next ‘Star Wars’ Film Seems To Already Have A Director
Fans who have been looking forward to the next entry in the Skywalker Saga finally have a reason to rejoice! The Hollywood Reporter published a report on Saturday, September 26, saying Jon Watts will direct the first installment of the trilogy Simon Kinberg is currently writing. This would not be Watts’ first adventure into a galaxy far, far away, as he co-created the Disney+ series “Skeleton Crew” in 2024.
Although Kinberg has been working on the project since late 2024, little is known about the project right now. However, it is widely believed to be the next installment of the Skywalker Saga, consisting of Episodes X through XII. Lucasfilm has not commented at this time.
Insiders revealed that the project is still in development and has not yet received an official greenlight, which immediately made many fans think of the disappointing news surrounding “The Hunt for Ben Solo.”
Fans Have Been Wishing For Adam Driver’s Return Since ‘The Hunt For Ben Solo’ Was Canceled
If this new installment is indeed the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga, many fans are hopeful that Adam Driver will return in some capacity. The actor played Kylo Ren/Ben Solo in the sequel trilogy. The troubled son of Han Solo and Leia Organa passed away at the end of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker” to save Rey (Daisy Ridley) after defeating Emperor Palpatine for what seems to be the last time.
However, in October 2025, Driver shocked the world when he told the Associated Press that he had been working on a “Star Wars” film with director Steven Soderbergh for years. The film received support from Kennedy, Lucasfilm vice president Cary Beck, and then-Lucasfilm chief creative officer Dave Filoni, now Lucasfilm co-president.
“We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it,” Driver said at the time. “We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, and they said no. They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that.”
Dave Filoni Addresses Adam Driver’s Possible Return
The scrapped film prompted a fan campaign, but it remains to be seen if Lucasfilm will actually bring Driver back into the franchise. At the Disney D23 event in August 2026, Filoni was asked if they had reconsidered the fate of “The Hunt for Ben Solo.”
“We’re not making that picture right now. That’s all I can say,” he said with a Jedi hand wave.
Later that same day, Deadline asked Filoni a similar question. “It’s not here. You won’t find it here,” Filoni said when asked about Driver’s fate in the “Star Wars” franchise. “The Force is not with us in that regard. I love the love you feel for it.”
However, it appears that Driver is still on good terms with Disney, as the actor revealed that he will be joining the new “X-Men” reboot in a sinister role.
What Kathleen Kennedy Had To Say About Simon Kinberg’s Trilogy
During her exit interview with Deadline in January 2026, outgoing Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy said that Simon Kinberg was “working” on the new trilogy.
“He wrote something that we read in August, and it was very good, but not there. We’ve pretty much upended the story, and then spent a great deal of time on the treatment, which he finished literally about four weeks ago,” she said at the time. “And it’s a very detailed treatment, like 70 pages. And so he is expected to give us something in March.”
She went on to discuss future “Star Wars” projects. Interestingly enough, she described Steven Soderbergh’s “The Hunt for Ben Solo” as “on the back burner,” when Driver had said in October 2025 that the project was scrapped.
Kennedy Claimed Steven Soderbergh’s Film Is ‘On The Back Burner’
“We’ve talked about this new trilogy and then the things that you’ve mentioned. Mangold’s is really on the back burner as is Soderbergh’s. I think the ones by Taika and Donald are still somewhat alive. That’s going to really be up to the new team to figure out,” she said.
“Dave, I know that Dave and Lynwen are very much on board with what Simon’s doing, and that would be a new trilogy,” she continued. “In the timeline of things, that takes you well into 2030 plus. So that’s really what’s up next.”
Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long to head to theaters to see a new “Star Wars” movie, as “Starfighter,” starring Ryan Gosling, will be released in May 2027.
