Disney likes to keep trusted filmmakers close, and the latest move proves it. Jon Watts, the director behind the Spider-Man Home trilogy, has reportedly signed on to direct Star Wars: Episode X, the film that will launch a new trilogy written by Simon Kinberg. That makes him the third Marvel Studios filmmaker in a row to step into a major Star Wars project.
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Why Jon Watts Is a Logical Pick?
Watts directed all three modern Spider-Man films, from Homecoming in 2017 to No Way Home in 2021. He is also no stranger to Lucasfilm, having co-created the Disney+ series Skeleton Crew. Now he gets his first Star Wars movie on the big screen, which shows how much Disney and Lucasfilm trust him. The project is a big one: Episode X is reportedly set to continue the Skywalker Saga, even though The Rise of Skywalker was originally promoted as its final chapter, and Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, is expected to have a role of unclear size.
Reaction Has Been Mixed
Not everyone is cheering. Some Star Wars fans see Watts as a safe choice rather than an inspiring one. His standing has also taken a knock among some Marvel fans after Spider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, was widely seen as an upgrade over his own films. A divisive decision to keep going with the Skywalker story adds to a fanbase that has been split for much of the Disney era.
Marvel Directors Now in Star Wars
| Director | Marvel work | Star Wars work |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Favreau | Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2, plays Happy Hogan | Created The Mandalorian, directed The Mandalorian and Grogu |
| Shawn Levy | Deadpool & Wolverine (over $1.3 billion worldwide) | Directing Star Wars: Starfighter with Ryan Gosling |
| Jon Watts | Spider-Man Home trilogy | Co-created Skeleton Crew, reportedly directing Episode X |
Jon Favreau: From Iron Man to Mandalorian
Favreau launched the MCU with Iron Man and returned for the sequel, and he has played Happy Hogan since the beginning. His Star Wars influence may be even bigger. He created The Mandalorian and ran it for three seasons, then shaped the wider MandoVerse of shows that followed. He later directed and co-wrote The Mandalorian and Grogu, Star Wars’ return to cinemas after seven years. Its box office was lacklustre, and many believe that result is part of why Watts’s film is moving forward now.
Shawn Levy: Moving Between Franchises
Levy directed Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel’s first R-rated film, which set an R-rated worldwide record at the time. Lucasfilm then hired him for Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling and set roughly five years after The Rise of Skywalker. Marvel head Kevin Feige called the film “awesome” after seeing it, and Marvel is now bringing Levy back to direct Ghost Rider, with Gosling and writer Jonathan Tropper reportedly following. Disney has also signed Levy’s company to a multiyear overall television deal, and Levy has said Disney feels like home.
What It Means?
The pattern is clear: Disney prefers to rotate proven creators between its two biggest properties rather than look elsewhere. Whether that formula pays off for Star Wars will depend on what Watts delivers. For his career details, see Jon Watts on Wikipedia.
For more updates, visit Technosports and see our latest Hollywood news for Star Wars and Marvel developments.
FAQs
Q1. Who is directing Star Wars: Episode X?
Jon Watts has reportedly signed on, and the new trilogy is written by Simon Kinberg.
Q2. Which other Marvel directors have worked on Star Wars?
Jon Favreau and Shawn Levy, who directed The Mandalorian and Grogu and Starfighter.
