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Jon Watts
Jon Watts
Jon Watts
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Jonathan Watts (born June 28, 1981)[1] is an American filmmaker. He is best known for directing the Spider-Man films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): Homecoming (2017), Far From Home (2019), and No Way Home (2021).[2] He also directed and co-wrote the films Clown (2014), Cop Car (2015), and Wolfs (2024); as well as directing many episodes of the parody television news series Onion News Network. Watts has also directed music videos for electronic music artists such as Fatboy Slim and Swedish House Mafia.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Watts was born on June 28, 1981, and raised in Fountain, Colorado, where he attended Fountain-Fort Carson High School. He studied film at New York University.[3]

Career

[edit]

Watts began his directing career by directing commercials for production company Park Pictures.[citation needed]

Watts' film career started with the short Clay Pride: Being Clay in America. A claymation film, it is a satire of films about gay issues, with the main character, Steve Thompson, coming out as "clay".[4] Over the next decade, Watts would continue to work in short films, as well as directing several music videos for various artists including Fatboy Slim, Death Cab for Cutie, Relient K, Sleigh Bells, Head Automatica, and TV on the Radio. He even directed a few videos that were selected in episodes of Online Nation.[5]

Watts' feature directorial debut was the 2014 horror film, Clown. Watts and his friend Christopher Ford had made a fake trailer for a film about a father turning into a demonic killer clown after trying on an old costume he finds in his basement. After uploading the trailer to YouTube, Watts was approached by Eli Roth with an offer to produce a feature version.[6]

Watts' next film was the 2015 thriller, Cop Car. The film is about two young boys who steal an abandoned police car and are pursued by its murderous owner, a Sheriff played by Kevin Bacon. In an interview, Watts revealed that the idea for the film came from a dream he had when he was a child.[7]

Watts then directed Spider-Man: Homecoming. Watts was so determined to be the director of the film that he admitted that he had "bothered" Marvel by sending them clips of a fake trailer he made for a Spider-Man movie.[8] He admits that he was very surprised and did not know he was going to get the job until the last moment.[9]

Watts directed the film's 2019 sequel Spider-Man: Far From Home. He reportedly became increasingly devoted to the franchise, even starting his own extensive collection of rare spiders.[10]

Watts has also directed Spider-Man: No Way Home, which was released on December 17, 2021,[11][12] where he also provided the motion-capture for Sandman while Thomas Haden Church reprised the voice of the character from Spider-Man 3.[13] He was confirmed to be directing The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which would be set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but exited the project in April 2022.[14][15] Watts also directed the mid-credits scene of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, a tie-in to No Way Home, which was released two months earlier on October 1, 2021.[16] The scene was shot during the filming of No Way Home.[17]

In September 2021, it was revealed that Watts would write and direct the thriller film Wolfs starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt. He would also produce the project along with the two actors.[18] By the end of the month, the project had been acquired by Apple Studios, and was expected to receive a "robust theatrical release".[19] However, six weeks before the film's release, Apple pivoted the film to a limited release.[20]

In January 2022, Watts and his wife were announced to have joined the sixth installment of the Final Destination series as co-producers. Watts also wrote a film treatment as well, adapted by Lori Evans Taylor and Guy Busick.[21]

In May 2022, it was revealed that Watts would create and executive produce an Amblin inspired Star Wars TV series for Disney+ that is set after the events of Return of the Jedi.[22] This series was soon revealed as Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which premiered in 2024.[23][24]

In September 2024, Watts and his wife McGunigle, along with their production company Freshman Year, signed a first-look feature deal with Walt Disney Studios. Under the deal, Watts will direct feature-length projects for Disney live-action and 20th Century Studios with the option to produce.[25]

Personal life

[edit]

Watts is married to former talent agent and producer Dianne McGunigle.[26]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2014 Clown Yes Yes No
2015 Cop Car Yes Yes Yes
2017 Spider-Man: Homecoming Yes Yes No
2019 Spider-Man: Far From Home Yes No No
2021 Spider-Man: No Way Home Yes No No Also provided the motion-capture of Sandman[13]
2024 Wolfs Yes Yes Yes
2025 Final Destination Bloodlines No Story Yes

Actor

Year Title Role
2008 I Can See You Jake
2015 Creative Control Commercial Director

Other

Year Title Role
2000 Sexy Beast Operator, photogenics unit
2011 Natural Selection Associate producer
2012 Robot & Frank Thanks credit
2021 Venom: Let There Be Carnage Directed mid-credits scene (Uncredited)[27]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
2011 Onion News Network Yes Co-executive No Directed 10 episodes
The Fuzz Yes Yes Yes TV pilot
2012 Eugene! Yes Executive Yes TV movie
2022 The Old Man Yes Executive No Directed episodes "I" and "II"
2024–2025 Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Yes Executive Yes Showrunner and creator
Directed 2 episodes
Written 6 episodes

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Artist Notes
2004 "Stepping Off" Jason Forrest [28]
"Wonderful Night" Fatboy Slim [29]
"The Joker" [5]
2005 "The Irish Keep Gate-crashing" The Thrills [5]
"The Beautiful Side of Somewhere" The Wallflowers [30]
"We Live on Your Street" The Willowz [31]
"Beating Heart Baby" Head Automatica [5]
"When the Lights Go Down" Armand van Helden [5]
"Soul Meets Body" Death Cab for Cutie [32]
"Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" Relient K [33]
"Into Your Eyes" Armand van Helden [5]
2006 "We Are One Tonight" Switchfoot [5]
"That Old Pair of Jeans" Fatboy Slim [34]
"Oh, Mandy" The Spinto Band co-directed with Sean Donnelly[35]
"White Daisy Passing" Rocky Votolato [5]
"Wolf Like Me" TV on the Radio [5]
"Taking Back Control" Sparta [5]
2007 "Pieces of the People We Love" The Rapture co-directed with Ben Dickinson[36]
"Pressure Suit" Aqualung [37]
"The Beauty in Ugly" Jason Mraz [38]
2008 "Dust" Royworld [39]
2009 "Candle (Sick and Tired)" The White Tie Affair [40]
2010 "Young Girl" Dawn Landes [41]
"Brand New Day" Joshua Radin [42]
"Destroy" The Japanese Popstars ft. Jon Spencer [43]
2011 "Rill Rill" Sleigh Bells [44]
"Save the World" Swedish House Mafia [45]

Commercials

[edit]
Year Title Brand Notes
2004 "Magic Trick" Frosted Flakes [46]
"Breaking News" The New York Times [47]
2006 "Lazybone" 24 Hour Fitness [48]
"Reflection" [49]
"Training" [50]
2007 "Tonguezilla" Sprite [51]
"Diner" [52]
"Elevator" [53]
"Garfield Clock" eBay [54]
2008 "Green Flag" ESPN / NASCAR [55]
"The Duel" [56]
"Neighborhood" Sci-Fi / Eureka [57]
"Darkmane" ESPN / X Games [58]
2009 "7 Second Demos" Windows 7 [59]
2010 "Alien Field Trip" Lunchables [60]
"In the Loop" Nokia [61]
2011 "Wrong Decisions" Coldwell Banker [62]
"Cooking Show" Philadelphia [63]
2012 "5 Cents" MetLife [64]
"Hold Music" [65]
2013 "Never Change" Sprint [66]
2014 "Teachers" Jacob's [67]
"Park" [68]
"Rally" [69]
2017 "Sea of Chaos" Clash Royale [70]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jon Watts

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jon Watts (born June 28, 1981) is an American filmmaker renowned for directing the Marvel Cinematic Universe's trilogy, including Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), (2019), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), which collectively grossed over $3.8 billion worldwide. Born in , Watts initially aspired to become a before discovering his passion for through the works of directors like and the during his studies at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, from which he graduated in 2004. He began his professional career directing commercials for Park Pictures and creating short films, including the 2001 short Clay Pride: Being Clay in America. Watts transitioned to feature films with the horror movie (2014), which he co-wrote and directed, followed by the thriller Cop Car (2015) starring , a project that caught the attention of president and led to Watts being selected to helm . His work on the Spider-Man films established him as a key figure in blockbuster cinema, blending high-stakes action with character-driven storytelling focused on the young Tom Holland's portrayal of Peter Parker. Beyond the MCU, Watts has expanded into television, directing episodes of The Onion News Network early in his career and serving as an executive producer and director on the FX series The Old Man (2022–present), starring . In recent years, Watts has pursued diverse projects, including directing and writing the action-thriller Wolfs (2024) featuring and as rival fixers, and helming episodes of the series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2024), an adventure centered on a group of lost children in the Star Wars galaxy. In September 2024, he signed a first-look film deal with Walt Studios. He stepped away from directing Marvel's reboot in 2023 due to burnout from intensive production schedules, including protocols, but continues as a producer on upcoming films like Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025).

Early life and education

Childhood and family

Jon Watts was born on June 28, 1981, in , a small town near . He attended Fountain-Fort Carson High School in . He grew up in this rural setting in the middle of Colorado's plains, where the expansive landscapes and quiet surroundings shaped his early worldview and creative sensibilities. Watts has described his childhood as one spent exploring the "middle of nowhere," often venturing into fields and open spaces that evoked a sense of adventure and isolation, elements that would later inform the atmospheric storytelling in his films like Cop Car, which was shot just minutes from his hometown. Watts comes from a close-knit that remains based in ; he has two sisters—one a nurse and the other a teacher—and a brother who works as a , all of whom contributed to the production of his early Cop Car in various supportive roles, such as on-site medical aid, supervision, and location assistance. While details about his parents are not widely discussed in public interviews, his ties to the local community underscore the grounded, familial influences on his upbringing. No public records indicate frequent relocations or exposure to diverse settings beyond the American Midwest and West through family connections. From a young age, Watts developed a deep fascination with cinema, particularly the works of directors like , whose films captured the wonder, fear, and excitement of childhood. He has cited growing up on movies, including Spielberg-produced adventures such as and , as pivotal in sparking his interest in storytelling that blends youthful exploration with fantastical elements—styles that would echo in his later projects emphasizing coming-of-age themes and high-stakes escapades. Additional early inspirations included and Spider-Man comics, which he began reading around age 12 or 13, fueling his passion for genre-blending narratives. These formative experiences in rural laid the groundwork for his transition to formal training in filmmaking.

University and early influences

Jon Watts attended the Tisch School of the Arts, enrolling in the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television around 1999 and graduating with a in film and television in 2003. Coming from a rural upbringing in , this move to urban New York marked a significant shift that shaped his perspective on . At Tisch, Watts immersed himself in a curriculum emphasizing practical training in directing, , and production techniques through a "learning by doing" approach, where students produce thousands of films annually to develop their unique voices. The program fostered hands-on experience in visual storytelling, encouraging risk-taking and craft excellence in areas like narrative development and technical execution. During his studies, Watts created early short films that highlighted his budding interest in satirical and character-focused narratives. Notably, in 2001, he co-directed the claymation short Clay Pride: Being Clay in America with David Karlsberg, a humorous satirizing identity struggles and social acceptance through the metaphor of a character "" as clay. This project demonstrated his emerging style of blending humor with deeper thematic exploration. Interactions with peers and faculty at NYU exposed Watts to the world of independent cinema, influencing his appreciation for innovative, low-budget techniques that would echo in his later works. The school's emphasis on diverse genres, including elements of horror and seen in student projects, further honed his directorial approach.

Career

Early professional work

After graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Jon Watts transitioned into professional by joining the commercial production company Park Pictures in New York around 2005, where he began directing advertisements. His early commercial work included campaigns for major brands such as Nike, , , Sprite, and , allowing him to refine his skills in concise storytelling and visual pacing under tight production constraints. In parallel with his commercial assignments, Watts directed short films that explored themes of tension and humor, serving as a creative outlet to build his portfolio and attract attention from industry networks. Watts also ventured into music video direction during this period, creating paid works for indie and alternative artists such as , The Rapture, and , which further honed his expertise in fast-paced editing and dynamic visual composition. This diverse early output in commercials, shorts, and videos laid the groundwork for his later narrative projects, emphasizing his adaptability in short-form media.

Independent film breakthroughs

Watts made his feature directorial debut with the Clown (2014), which he co-wrote with Christopher Ford. The story centers on a father who dons a cursed clown suit for his son's birthday party, only to undergo a horrific transformation into a child-eating monster, blending with themes of paternal sacrifice and childhood peril. Produced on a modest budget of $1.5 million, the film showcased Watts' ability to deliver tense, low-budget genre storytelling influenced by his prior commercial work, which honed his skills in efficient production. Following , Watts directed and co-wrote the thriller Cop Car (2015) with Ford, starring as a corrupt whose abandoned patrol vehicle is stolen by two young boys, leading to a tense cat-and-mouse pursuit marked by moral ambiguity and the endangerment of innocence. The film premiered at the in January 2015, where it generated significant interest, culminating in Focus World acquiring U.S. and U.K. distribution rights in a competitive bidding war. Like , it emphasized themes of childhood peril, with the boys' naive adventure colliding against adult criminality and ethical gray areas. Both films received positive critical attention for their innovative approaches to and conventions, earning Watts industry buzz as an emerging talent in independent cinema. Clown garnered mixed but appreciative reviews for its creativity and visceral scares, with critics noting its "refreshingly dark and sick" tone despite a 46% approval rating on . Cop Car fared better, achieving an 82% approval rating and praise for its taut pacing and strong performances, particularly Bacon's menacing turn, as highlighted in Sundance coverage describing it as a "striking" minimalist thriller. These projects led to nominations at festivals, including recognition for Cop Car's and at events like the , solidifying Watts' reputation for crafting morally complex narratives on limited resources.

Marvel Cinematic Universe involvement

In 2015, Jon Watts was selected by and to direct : (2017), impressed by his work on the thriller Cop Car (2015), which demonstrated his ability to build tension through character-driven narratives. The film introduced as a teenage Peter Parker navigating high school life alongside his superhero duties, grossing over $880 million worldwide and establishing Watts as a key figure in the (MCU). Watts returned to helm the sequel, (2019), which followed Peter Parker's European adventure and introduced multiverse-adjacent elements through the illusionist villain , played by . The film earned $1.13 billion globally, becoming one of Sony's highest-grossing releases and further integrating into the broader MCU post-Avengers: Endgame. The trilogy concluded with Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), directed by Watts, who shaped its emotional storyline alongside screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, featuring , as MJ, and a multigenerational cast including and as alternate Spider-Men. The film explored themes of identity and consequence, grossing $1.92 billion worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing movie of 2021. Watts' approach emphasized balancing intense action with authentic teen drama, influenced by his independent filmmaking roots to create a grounded tone amid spectacle. He collaborated extensively with president on key creative choices, such as post-credits sequences that teased MCU expansions like J. Jonah Jameson's unmasking of .

Television directing and producing

Jon Watts transitioned into television with his role as an on the series The Old Man, which premiered in 2022 and focuses on spy thriller elements centered around a retired CIA operative evading capture. He directed the pilot episode, starring as Dan Chase, a former agent forced back into action after decades in hiding, emphasizing themes of mortality, identity, and moral ambiguity in a grounded, operatic style with extended takes to heighten tension. Watts' direction established a that blended intimate character moments with thriller pacing, adapting his techniques to the serialized format for deeper exploration of interpersonal dynamics, such as Chase's fraught relationships. Building on this, Watts co-created and serves as executive producer on Disney+'s Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2024–2025), an adventure series aimed at young audiences, alongside Christopher Ford. He directed multiple episodes, including the premiere and finale, featuring Jude Law as a mysterious mentor figure guiding four children through galactic perils after they stumble upon a hidden spaceship. The series highlights themes of exploration and mentorship, drawing from 1980s Amblin-style adventures where young protagonists discover courage and hidden worlds, with Watts noting that television's structure allows for richer character development than films. Watts played a key role in assembling the director team for Skeleton Crew, recruiting acclaimed filmmakers like the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) and David Lowery to bring diverse visual styles to the episodic narrative. His prior work in the facilitated this collaboration with , enabling a seamless integration of high-stakes action and youthful wonder in the serialized format. Across both projects, Watts adapted his cinematic expertise—rooted in visual storytelling and ensemble dynamics—to television's demands, fostering mentorship arcs that echo real-world guidance while navigating thriller and exploratory genres.

Recent and upcoming projects

Following the conclusion of his work on the Marvel Cinematic Universe's trilogy, Jon Watts directed, wrote, and produced the 2024 crime Wolfs, starring and as rival fixers forced to collaborate on a high-stakes cleanup job. The film premiered with a on September 20, 2024, before streaming exclusively on Apple TV+ starting September 27, 2024, after production delays attributed to scheduling conflicts between its leads. Wolfs marked Watts' return to independent-scale features, blending tense action with humorous banter, and received mixed reviews for its star-driven chemistry while praising Watts' taut pacing. Watts also earned a story credit and served as a on Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025), a of the horror franchise directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, which introduces innovative twists to the series' core death-premonition mechanic, including concepts like a "corrupted list" of survivors and premonitions tied to generational bloodlines rather than isolated visions. The film, written by Guy Busick, Lori Evans Taylor, and Watts, explores a protagonist haunted by recurring nightmares of a catastrophic tower collapse, expanding the lore to emphasize inherited fates and systemic flaws in Death's design. Released in theaters on May 16, 2025, by and Warner Bros., it revitalized the franchise with elaborate Rube Goldberg-style kills while delving deeper into elements. In early 2025, Watts stepped away from directing The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a role he had been announced for in 2022 as part of ' Phase Six slate. His departure stemmed from creative burnout exacerbated by the rigorous protocols during Spider-Man: No Way Home's production and its extended , leaving him "out of gas" and prioritizing recovery over another large-scale project. Looking ahead, Watts signed a first-look deal with Walt Disney Studios in September 2024, granting him priority development for live-action feature films through his production company, AGBO's extension, with options to direct and produce. Under this agreement, he is developing Methuselah, an action-adventure starring Michael B. Jordan as a millennia-old immortal honing survival skills across history, originally set up at Warner Bros. in 2019. He is also attached to direct Murder 101 for Amazon MGM Studios, a true-crime thriller based on the podcast of the same name, chronicling high school students unraveling a decades-old serial murder case in Tennessee. Additionally, Watts is in talks to direct Muppet Man, a biopic scripted by Chris Weitz about puppeteer Jim Henson's struggles to launch The Muppets on television, though details remain unconfirmed as of late 2025. Post-MCU, Watts has reflected on his creative fatigue, describing the pandemic-era demands as emotionally draining and leading him to adopt a more selective approach to projects, favoring those allowing personal recharge and narrative innovation over franchise obligations. His producing experience , including Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, has informed this shift, enabling oversight of multiple ventures without sole directorial burdens.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Jon Watts is married to producer Dianne McGunigle, a former talent agent who has collaborated with him on several projects. The couple met through industry connections, with McGunigle having represented actors such as at prior to their marriage; Glover later appeared in Watts' Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). McGunigle served as an associate on Watts' early feature Cop Car (2015) and has since taken on producing roles for films including Wolfs (2024) and the upcoming : Bloodlines (2025), reflecting their shared professional interests in independent and genre filmmaking. After graduating from , Watts relocated to to advance his career, where he and McGunigle established their family base. The pair maintains a low public profile regarding their personal life, with no details disclosed about children or family expansion as of 2025.

Public persona and interests

Following the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's trilogy, Jon Watts has maintained a notably low public profile, eschewing the typical trappings of Hollywood fame. He rarely engages with tabloid media and keeps his personal life shielded from public scrutiny, as evidenced by his infrequent interviews and selective project choices that prioritize creative control over high-visibility blockbusters. Watts has described this approach as a deliberate choice to avoid the "emotional strain" of constant exposure, allowing him to focus on rather than . Watts avoids active participation on , with his account (@jnwtts) featuring only sporadic professional updates and no personal revelations, a stance he humorously attributes to not wanting to "piss off Marvel security" during past collaborations. This reticence extends to post-MCU life, where he has opted for independent projects like the thriller Wolfs and the Star Wars series Skeleton Crew, signaling a return to more intimate filmmaking environments. A key aspect of Watts' public persona is his evident passion for 1980s pop culture, which permeates his recent work. In Skeleton Crew, co-created with Christopher Ford, he draws heavily from 1980s adventure films like and E.T., infusing the series with nostalgic elements of youthful exploration and suburban mystery to evoke that era's . Watts has cited these influences as central to his creative process, stating that the show aims to capture "what it would be like to tell a story of kids having an adventure in the '80s style." Watts has also contributed to film education through his alma mater, , where he has taught master classes for undergraduates, sharing insights on directing and drawn from his career trajectory. These sessions, part of NYU Tisch School of the Arts' alumni initiatives, underscore his commitment to mentoring emerging filmmakers without seeking personal acclaim. In public statements, particularly around his 2022 departure from directing Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Watts openly addressed the toll of intense production schedules on his well-being, admitting to burnout after the "draining" experience of Spider-Man: No Way Home. He explained, "I was just out of steam... the COVID layer on top of making a giant movie," highlighting the need for better work-life balance and influencing his shift toward less demanding projects. This candid reflection has positioned him as an advocate for sustainable practices in the industry, emphasizing recovery and personal recharge over relentless output.

Filmography

Feature films

Watts made his feature film debut with (2014), a that he directed and co-wrote with Christopher Ford. The story follows a father (Andy Powers) who becomes possessed by a cursed clown costume while preparing for his son's birthday party, with supporting cast including and . It premiered at the Film Festival in April 2014 and received a in the United States on November 13, 2014. The film grossed $2.38 million worldwide against a budget of approximately $1.5 million. His follow-up, Cop Car (2015), was another independent thriller that Watts directed and co-wrote with Christopher Ford. The film stars as a corrupt pursuing two young boys (James Freedson-Jackson and Hays Wellford) who have stolen his patrol car, alongside and . It premiered at the in January 2015 and was released theatrically in the United States on August 7, 2015. With a budget of $800,000, it earned $143,658 worldwide. The film received a Grand Special Prize nomination for Watts at the 2015 Film Festival and a Saturn Award nomination for Best Performance by a Younger Actor for Freedson-Jackson in 2016. Watts transitioned from these low-budget independents to blockbuster filmmaking with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He directed Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), the first standalone film featuring Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, with Michael Keaton as the Vulture, Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, and supporting roles by Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, and Jacob Batalon. The film was released on July 7, 2017. It grossed $880 million worldwide on a $175 million budget. Homecoming earned nominations for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards and Saturn Awards, along with wins at the MTV Movie & TV Awards for Best Hero (Holland) and multiple Teen Choice Awards. Watts returned to direct the sequel Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), again starring as , with as , as , and , Tomei, and Batalon reprising their roles. Released on July 2, 2019, it became the first film to surpass $1 billion, grossing $1.132 billion worldwide against a $160 million budget. The film won for Best Comic-to-Motion Picture Release and Best Actor (), and received 26 nominations including MTV Movie Awards. The trilogy concluded with Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), which Watts directed and co-wrote with Chris McKenna and . It features as Spider-Man, alongside , Batalon, and as , with multiverse cameos including , , , and . Released on December 17, 2021, it grossed $1.921 billion worldwide on a $200 million budget, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2021. The film earned Saturn Award wins for Best Comic-to-Motion Picture Release and Best Actor (), plus People's Choice and Movie Awards. In Wolfs (2024), Watts directed, wrote, and produced an starring and as rival fixers forced to collaborate on a , with and in supporting roles. It had a on September 20, 2024, before streaming on Apple TV+ on September 27, 2024, grossing approximately $3.4 million in limited domestic theaters. The film premiered at the and holds a 67% approval rating on but has no major awards or nominations to date. Watts served as producer and co-creator of the story for (2025), a horror installment directed by and Adam B. Stein, starring Kaitlyn Santa Juana, , , and reprising his role as . Released on May 16, 2025, it grossed $315 million worldwide against a $50 million budget and received positive reviews for revitalizing the franchise. It earned nominations for Best Horror Film at the . In November 2025, Watts announced plans to develop six sequels to Clown (2014). Watts was initially attached to direct Marvel Studios' reboot of The Fantastic Four in 2020 but departed the project in 2022, citing burnout from the COVID-19 production challenges on No Way Home.

Television series

Watts made his mark in television as an executive producer and director on the FX/Hulu spy thriller series The Old Man (2022–2024), based on the novel by Thomas Perry. He directed the pilot episode ("I") and the second episode ("II"), establishing the show's deliberate pacing and tension through long takes and character-driven action sequences. Starring Jeff Bridges as retired CIA operative Dan Chase, alongside John Lithgow as FBI agent Harold Harper and Amy Brenneman as his wife, the series explores themes of aging, regret, and espionage. Season 1 earned widespread critical acclaim for its mature storytelling and Bridges' nuanced performance, holding a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 62 reviews. Season 2, which premiered in September 2024, continued to receive positive notices, though some critics noted a shift toward deeper character drama over action. In 2024, Watts expanded into the Star Wars universe as co-creator, writer, executive producer, and director on the Disney+ live-action series Skeleton Crew (2024–2025), an eight-episode adventure conceived with Christopher Ford. He directed the premiere episode and the season finale (episode 8), contributing to the show's blend of youthful exploration and galactic peril inspired by 1980s films like . The series centers on four children—Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Neel (Robert Timothy Smith), Fern (), and KB (Kyriana Kratter)—who embark on a , guided by the enigmatic Jod (). Critics praised its focus on kid-centric adventure and sense of wonder within the Star Wars franchise, awarding it a 92% approval rating on from 75 reviews, though viewership started lower than other Star Wars series premieres. Watts' transition to television has allowed him greater creative control over narrative arcs and episode structure compared to the constraints of blockbuster films, enabling a more intimate influence from his feature directing style on TV pacing and visuals.

Short films, music videos, and commercials

Watts began his filmmaking career with short films during and shortly after his time at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. One of his earliest works was the 2001 claymation short Clay Pride: Being Clay in America, co-directed with David Karlsberg, which satirizes coming-out narratives through the story of a character named Steve Thompson who reveals himself as "clay" amid societal prejudice. Another notable NYU-era short, The Invisible Dog (2005), served as his thesis project and explored surreal, comedic elements in a student-film style, showcasing early experimentation with visual storytelling and humor. These shorts, along with satirical pieces created for IFC's in the late , highlighted Watts' knack for blending , absurdity, and concise narrative tension, helping to build his initial portfolio. In parallel, Watts directed several music videos for indie and electronic artists between 2006 and 2011, often emphasizing dynamic visuals and thematic depth to complement the tracks. Key examples include "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" for (2006), a high-energy rock video that captured internal conflict through rapid cuts and performance shots; "We Are One Tonight" for (2006), which used crowd scenes and emotional close-ups to evoke unity; and "Wolf Like Me" for (2006), featuring shadowy, transformative imagery that experimented with horror-tinged aesthetics. Later works like "Soul Meets Body" for (2005) incorporated introspective, dreamlike sequences, while "Save the World" for (2011) pushed stylistic boundaries with electronic visuals and narrative arcs, reflecting Watts' growing interest in genre-blending techniques. These videos, primarily for emerging acts, allowed him to refine his directing skills in short-form content under tight budgets. Watts' commercial work, spanning over 20 spots from 2005 to 2013, was primarily through the production company Park Pictures, where he focused on narrative-driven advertisements that mirrored his short-film style. Notable campaigns included spots for ESPN, emphasizing athletic drama through quick-paced storytelling, and Sprite, which utilized humor and relatable scenarios to highlight the brand's refreshing appeal. His contributions to these projects, often involving live-action narratives with emotional hooks, earned recognition in advertising circles and bolstered his reputation for crafting engaging, character-focused pieces. While specific festival awards for his shorts are limited, works like Clay Pride received screenings and reviews at queer film festivals, contributing to early acclaim that strengthened his transition to larger-scale directing opportunities.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1218281/
  2. https://screendollars.com/celebrity/jon-watts/
  3. https://tisch.nyu.edu/film-tv/alumni/jon-watts
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327579/
  5. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-ca-mn-jon-watts-spider-man-cop-car-20150809-story.html
  6. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jon_watts
  7. https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/the-old-man/crew/jon-watts-executive-producer
  8. https://parkpictures.com/director/jon-watts
  9. https://deadline.com/2024/09/spider-man-no-way-home-director-jon-watts-sets-first-look-film-deal-with-walt-disney-studios-1236093031/
  10. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spider-man-director-jon-watts-fantastic-four-1236300592/
  11. https://www.starwars.com/news/skeleton-crew-directed-by
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/movies/jon-watts-director-of-cop-car-rocketing-to-hollywood-from-a-viral-video.html
  13. https://filmmakermagazine.com/92555-writerdirector-jon-watts-on-his-sundance-midnight-premiere-cop-car/
  14. https://www.techtimes.com/articles/74211/20150807/director-jon-watts-talks-indie-film-cop-car-job-comic.htm
  15. https://tisch.home.nyu.edu/film-tv/events/2021/ugftv--jon-watts-in-conversation
  16. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1218281/bio/
  17. https://tisch.nyu.edu/film-tv
  18. https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/clown-horror-movie-christopher-ford-screenwriter-interview
  19. https://collider.com/clown-horror-movie-jon-watts/
  20. https://deadline.com/2015/01/focus-world-buys-cop-car-arc-picks-up-walking-deceased-1201362061/
  21. https://filmmakermagazine.com/95181-road-flic-jon-wattss-cop-car/
  22. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-capsule-clown-review-20160613-snap-story.html
  23. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/clown_2016
  24. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/cop-car-sundance-review-767957/
  25. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cop_car
  26. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/27/sundance-2015-review-cop-car-kevin-bacon
  27. https://deadline.com/2015/06/tom-holland-spider-man-jon-watt-to-helm-1201452249/
  28. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2250912/
  29. https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/jon-watts-returning-direct-spider-man-homecoming-sequel/
  30. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt6320628/
  31. https://deadline.com/2020/04/spider-man-far-from-home-movie-profit-2019-avengers-endgame-marvel-1202915318/
  32. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt10872600/
  33. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59798609
  34. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/spider-man-homecoming-tom-holland-jon-watts-interview-1201849260/
  35. https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/spider-man-no-way-home-kevin-feige-watching-jon-watts-director-mcu-trilogy/
  36. https://variety.com/2017/film/news/jon-watts-spider-man-homecoming-michael-keaton-tom-holland-1202021425/
  37. https://deadline.com/2020/10/fx-the-old-man-producers-reaction-jeff-bridges-lymphoma-diagnosis-touchtsone-tv-fxp-1234600116/
  38. https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/john-lithgow-joins-jeff-bridges-in-fx-pilot-old-man-jon-watts-to-direct-1203333983/
  39. https://www.thewrap.com/the-old-man-fx-writer-producer-interview/
  40. https://www.slashfilm.com/965530/why-the-old-man-was-a-nice-change-from-marvel-movies-for-spider-man-director-jon-watts/
  41. https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/jon-watts-star-wars-series-coming-of-age-adventure-1235269103/
  42. https://deadline.com/2022/05/star-wars-skeleton-crew-series-jude-law-jon-watts-1235033855/
  43. https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2024/11/skeleton-crew-directors-for-each-episode-revealed.html
  44. https://www.starwars.com/news/skeleton-crew-jon-watts-christopher-ford-interview
  45. https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-skeleton-crew-directors-jon-watts-bryce-dallas-howard-david-lowery/
  46. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wolfs
  47. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/final_destination_bloodlines
  48. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/methuselah-jon-watts-direct-michael-b-jordan-movie-1202183/
  49. https://deadline.com/2024/06/amazon-mgm-studios-movie-deal-podcast-murder-101-spider-man-homecoming-jon-watts-director-1235981718/
  50. https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/7/9/jon-watts-in-talks-to-direct-jim-henson-biopic-muppet-man
  51. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/fantastic-four-first-steps-spider-man-jon-watts-marvel-b2778033.html
  52. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/final-destination-relaunch-hbo-max-spider-man-director-jon-watts-1235072801/
  53. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-spider-man-homecoming-donald-glover-20170706-story.html
  54. https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/atlanta/crew/dianne-mcgunigle
  55. https://www.dwell.com/article/a-tiny-house-remodel-in-a-bohemian-l.a.-canyon-fc833c27
  56. https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/jon-watts-exited-fantastic-four-burnout-1235135608/
  57. https://www.instagram.com/jnwtts/
  58. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/star-wars-skeleton-crew-review-1235184404/
  59. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-film-schools-2025/
  60. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1780798/
  61. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Clown
  62. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3813310/
  63. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Cop-Car
  64. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3813310/awards/
  65. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2250912/
  66. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Spider-Man-Homecoming
  67. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6320628/
  68. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Spider-Man-Far-From-Home-%282019%29
  69. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6320628/awards/
  70. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10872600/
  71. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Spider-Man-No-Way-Home-%282021%29
  72. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10872600/awards/
  73. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14257582/
  74. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Wolfs-%282024%29
  75. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9619824/
  76. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Final-Destination-Bloodlines-%282025%29
  77. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65571815/
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  79. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13062094/
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  83. https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/fx-the-old-man-season-two-tv-review
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  85. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/star_wars_skeleton_crew
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  87. https://deadline.com/2017/06/spider-man-homecoming-jon-watts-film-vs-tv-control-exhibition-china-cineeurope-1202115666/
  88. https://decider.com/2017/07/13/afternoon-delight-before-spider-man-homecoming-director-jon-watts-made-this-sublimely-strange-student-film/
  89. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/jon-watts-on-the-life-changing-cop-car-and-why-spider-man-is-just-another-indie-59566/
  90. https://imvdb.com/n/jon-watts/videography-by-position/dir
  91. https://queerfilmreviews.com/films/clay-pride/
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