The next installment in the Star Wars Skywalker Saga has a new director.

Disney and Lucasfilm have tapped Jon Watts to direct a new Star Wars film that is expected to continue the Skywalker Saga. Watts is best known for his work on the Spider-Man trilogy within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

On September 26, it was reported that Watts will helm the first Star Wars movie in what could be a new phase of the Skywalker Saga. This film is said to be part of a trilogy being penned by Simon Kinberg, who has previously worked on X-Men: The Last Stand, Days of Future Past, and Apocalypse, before directing the less well-received Dark Phoenix. While Disney hasn’t officially greenlit the project yet, details about the plot remain under wraps.

Development for a potential Episode 10 is reportedly progressing, and Disney is well-acquainted with Watts’ capabilities. He played a key role in integrating Spider-Man into the MCU, directing Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home. Following that success, he shifted his focus to Star Wars, contributing to the underrated Star Wars: Skeleton Crew for Disney Plus, which likely impressed Lucasfilm enough to consider him for a Skywalker Saga film.

However, it’s wise to temper excitement until there’s confirmation that Episode 10 is officially in production. Since Star Wars: Episode 9 – The Rise of Skywalker concluded the overarching narrative in 2019, Lucasfilm has been cautious about continuing its flagship movie series. Numerous projects have been announced but ultimately scrapped over the past seven years, with most new Star Wars content appearing as Disney Plus series or video games.

While The Mandalorian and Grogu made their theatrical debut in May, the film fell short of box office expectations. Next May, Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars: Starfighter will hit theaters, serving as a test for the viability of Star Wars films outside the Skywalker Saga. If it underperforms, Disney and Lucasfilm may have to consider a potential Episode 10 to reinvigorate the franchise.

The New Jedi Order and Filoni’s untitled Star Wars film appear to still be in the works.