The next Star Wars movie is taking shape, with Jon Watts set to direct the first film in a new trilogy written by Simon Kinberg.
The news puts Watts at the center of Lucasfilm’s plans for the next chapter of the Star Wars franchise after the upcoming theatrical release of Star Wars: Starfighter. However, there is an important distinction: the Jon Watts project does not yet have an official title, release date, or full cast announcement.
Here’s everything we know so far about the next Star Wars movie.
Jon Watts Is Set to Direct the Next Star Wars Movie
According to a September 27, 2026 report from The Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm has tapped Jon Watts to direct the first installment of a new Star Wars trilogy written by Simon Kinberg.
The project is reportedly being developed as a continuation of the Skywalker Saga, although important details about the movie remain unconfirmed.
Watts is already familiar with the Star Wars universe. He co-created the Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and directed episodes of the series.
Outside Star Wars, Watts is best known for directing Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The new project would bring Watts back to the franchise in a major feature-film role.
What Is the Next Star Wars Movie About?
Very little has been officially revealed about the story.
Current reporting describes the project as the first movie in a new trilogy that would continue the Skywalker Saga. The Hollywood Reporter’s report says the project is being developed as part of the future of the franchise.
However, Lucasfilm has not announced an official plot synopsis.
That means details about the story, characters, locations, and villains should be treated as unconfirmed until Lucasfilm or Disney releases more information.
For now, the safest description is that the project is being developed as a new chapter of the Star Wars saga.
Is This Star Wars Episode X?
The movie is being discussed as a potential continuation of the Skywalker Saga after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
That has naturally led to the term Star Wars Episode X appearing in online discussions.
However, Episode X is not an officially announced title.
Lucasfilm has not announced the final title of the movie, so FilmRadar will refer to it as the next Star Wars movie or Jon Watts’ Star Wars movie until an official title is confirmed.
For official Star Wars movie information, fans can also check the Star Wars Films section on StarWars.com.
Simon Kinberg Is Writing the New Star Wars Trilogy
Simon Kinberg is writing the new Star Wars trilogy that Jon Watts is attached to direct.
Kinberg has a long history with major franchise projects and previously worked on the Star Wars universe as a co-creator of the animated series Star Wars Rebels.
The new trilogy has reportedly been in development for some time, with the Jon Watts project now emerging as one of Lucasfilm’s major plans for the future of the theatrical franchise.
The Hollywood Reporter report provides the latest details about Watts and Kinberg’s involvement.
For now, Lucasfilm has not released a full public production announcement containing the movie’s final title, cast, or release schedule.
Will Daisy Ridley Return as Rey?
This is one of the biggest questions surrounding the new Star Wars movie.
Some current reports say Daisy Ridley is being eyed to return as Rey, the character she played in the sequel trilogy.
However, Daisy Ridley’s return has not been officially confirmed by Lucasfilm for the Jon Watts project.
That distinction matters because several Star Wars projects have been developed around returning characters in recent years, and projects can change before reaching production.
For now, Rey’s possible involvement should be treated as a reported possibility rather than confirmed casting.
Who Is in the Cast?
There is currently no officially announced full cast for the Jon Watts Star Wars movie.
Jon Watts is attached to direct, and Simon Kinberg is writing the trilogy, but Lucasfilm has not announced a complete cast.
Daisy Ridley’s potential return as Rey has been reported, but it remains unconfirmed.
Other casting rumors should therefore be treated cautiously until official announcements arrive.
Does the Movie Have a Release Date?
No official release date has been announced for the Jon Watts Star Wars movie.
The project is still in development, and current reporting has not established a confirmed production schedule.
That means searches for the next Star Wars movie release date currently do not have a confirmed date to point to for the Jon Watts project.
The situation could change once Disney or Lucasfilm announces the project’s production schedule.
What Is the Next Star Wars Movie After The Rise of Skywalker?
There is an important distinction between the next Star Wars movie to be released and the next Star Wars movie being developed as a continuation of the Skywalker Saga.
The next scheduled theatrical Star Wars movie is Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling.
According to the official Star Wars: Starfighter movie page, the film is scheduled for theatrical release on May 28, 2027.
The official Star Wars announcement for Ryan Gosling provides additional information about the film and its cast.
Starfighter is a separate project from the Jon Watts movie.
If you want to keep track of major upcoming releases, you can also check FilmRadar’s Upcoming Movies in 2026 guide.
What Is Star Wars: Starfighter About?
Star Wars: Starfighter follows Kade Auberon, played by Ryan Gosling, in a new standalone Star Wars adventure.
Shawn Levy is directing the film, while Jonathan Tropper wrote the screenplay.
According to StarWars.com, the movie is an all-new standalone adventure rather than a continuation of the Skywalker Saga.
The movie is currently scheduled for May 28, 2027.
How Is the Jon Watts Movie Different From Star Wars: Starfighter?
The two projects are easy to confuse because both are part of Lucasfilm’s theatrical plans, but they are not the same movie.
Jon Watts’ Star Wars movie:
- Director: Jon Watts
- Writer: Simon Kinberg
- Part of a planned new trilogy
- Reportedly connected to the Skywalker Saga
- Official title: Not announced
- Cast: Not officially announced
- Release date: Not announced
Star Wars: Starfighter:
- Director: Shawn Levy
- Writer: Jonathan Tropper
- Lead star: Ryan Gosling
- Character: Kade Auberon
- Type: Standalone Star Wars adventure
- Release date: May 28, 2027
The official Star Wars Films page provides Lucasfilm’s current information on the franchise’s theatrical projects.
When Could the Jon Watts Star Wars Movie Start Filming?
There is currently no confirmed production start date.
Because the project is still developing, it would be premature to give a specific filming date.
The next major announcements to watch for are the official greenlight, final title, casting, production start, and release date.
Until those details arrive, reports about the production timeline should be treated as preliminary.
Will This Be the Next Skywalker Saga Trilogy?
Current reporting describes the Jon Watts project as the first movie in a new trilogy written by Simon Kinberg and connected to the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga.
That would make the project an important part of Lucasfilm’s plans for the franchise.
But Lucasfilm has not yet publicly released the complete plan for all three films.
For now, the clearest reported details point to Kinberg developing the trilogy and Watts attached to direct its first installment.
What We Know About the Next Star Wars Movie So Far
Here is the current status in one place:
Movie: Untitled Jon Watts Star Wars film
Director: Jon Watts
Writer: Simon Kinberg
Studio: Lucasfilm / Disney
Format: Feature film
Franchise: Star Wars
Saga: Reportedly the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga
Trilogy: First film in a planned new trilogy
Cast: Not officially announced
Daisy Ridley: Reported as a possible return, but not officially confirmed
Release date: Not announced
Official title: Not announced
Current status: In development
When Will We Know More About the Next Star Wars Movie?
The next major update could come when Lucasfilm officially announces the project.
The most important pieces of information to watch are:
- The official title
- Disney’s greenlight
- Full cast announcement
- Story details
- Production start
- First-look images
- Trailer
- Release date
Until then, the Jon Watts and Simon Kinberg project remains an evolving Star Wars development rather than a fully announced theatrical release.
FilmRadar will update this article when Disney or Lucasfilm confirms the next major details.
Final Thoughts
The next Star Wars movie conversation has changed with the news that Jon Watts is attached to direct the first film in Simon Kinberg’s new trilogy.
Meanwhile, Star Wars: Starfighter remains the next scheduled theatrical Star Wars release, with its official release date set for May 28, 2027.
There are still major unanswered questions around the Jon Watts movie, including its official title, cast, story, production schedule, and release date.
For now, the key reported details are Jon Watts as director and Simon Kinberg as the writer behind the new trilogy. Everything else should be followed as Lucasfilm provides official updates.