Lucasfilm is tipped to be returning to the Skywalker family for its next mainline Star Wars film.
Director Jon Watts, the man behind Tom Holland’s initial Spider-Man trilogy, is attached to helm the opening chapter of a new trilogy, according to an initial report by Knight Edge Media and affirmed by Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.
The films are being written by Simon Kinberg, the screenwriter who co-created the animated series Star Wars Rebels and helmed the film X-Men: Dark Phoenix and Prime Video’s series Mr. & Mrs Smith.
It is noted that Kinberg has been developing the trilogy for some time, which is intended to serve as the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga, following on from the divisive end to the last sequel trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker, which was released in cinemas back in 2019.
These details have led to suggestions that the first instalment would be Episode X for the franchise, though neither Lucasfilm nor Disney have confirmed any such title.
Radio Times has reached out to Lucasfilm and Disney for comment on the reports.
Meanwhile, the reports note, in line with previous news, that Daisy Ridley is expected to reprise her role as Rey in some capacity across the new trilogy, but the precise nature of her involvement has not been detailed.
Alongside John Boyega and Adam Driver, British actress Ridley led the most recent sequel trilogy as protagonist Rey in The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
Watts himself would be a notable choice for a franchise that has, at times, struggled to keep projects on the roster, from the likes of director Patty Jenkins’s Rogue Squadron film, director Taika Waititi’s film, and a project focused on Lando Calrissian.
After the indie thriller Cop Car, Sony hired Watts to help relaunch Spider-Man on screen, steering Tom Holland’s debut solo outing, Homecoming, its international-set sequel Far From Home, and the box-office smash No Way Home, all to great financial and critical success.
Watts has also co-created and co-written the Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and directed the first two episodes of the show, meaning he is no stranger to galaxies from a long, long time ago and far away.
The director’s return would also arrive as Lucasfilm readies its next cinematic outing, Star Wars: Starfighter, which is directed by Deadpool director Shawn Levy and Project Hail Mary star Ryan Gosling.
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Starfighter is due in cinemas on 28 May 2027 and will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original 1977 Star Wars film.
The rest of the cast includes a host of actors, including Flynn Gray, Doctor Who and House of the Dragon star Matt Smith, Pearl actress Mia Goth, Lanterns star Aaron Pierre, The Inbetweeners favourite Simon Bird, Hamilton actor Jamael Westman, The Gentlemen star Daniel Ings, and Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams.
With the convention event Star Wars Celebration 2026 due next April, any official confirmation of a new Skywalker trilogy may be held until Starfighter’s release.
Lucasfilm has previously announced both films and TV series at Celebration that later stalled or have not debuted, so let’s hope that these reports do reach the light of day.
Star Wars: Starfighter will be released in cinemas on 28 May 2027.
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