Let’s Talk About the Huge 'Star Wars' News That Broke This Weekend

Key Points:

• Jon Watts, known for directing Tom Holland's Spider-Man trilogy, is reported to be attached to direct a new Star Wars movie, the first in a trilogy written by Simon Kinberg, potentially titled Star Wars: Episode X.
• While Lucasfilm has not officially confirmed the hiring, multiple Hollywood sources and io9 have independently verified the news, though the situation could still change.
• Watts has faced recent criticism for his post-Spider-Man work, but he has demonstrated a strong understanding of Star Wars through his role as a creator, producer, and director of the well-received Star Wars: Skeleton Crew series.
• Simon Kinberg, a polarizing figure due to some poorly received films, has a long history with Star Wars projects and has been involved in writing and producing successful works like Deadpool and Star Wars Rebels.
• The choice of Watts and Kinberg represents a cautious, safe approach by Lucasfilm, reflecting the high stakes and potential backlash directors face when working on Star Wars films, with many questions remaining about the trilogy's direction and connection to the existing saga.