Jon Watts
Jonathan Watts (born June 28, 1981) 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). 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.
Also recorded as Jonathan Watts
Jon Watts

Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Birth Name
- Jonathan Watts
- Born
- 28 June 1981
- Birthplace
- Fountain, Colorado, U.S.
- Education
- New York University
- Occupation
- * Film director
- Known for
- Director of 3 Spider-Man films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
- Spouse
- Dianne McGunigle
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- film production
- Languages
- English
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Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q18519749 · wikipedia · Jon Watts
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The documentary record
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Institutions cited
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Complete reading chain (JSON)In this article
Biography
Biography
Watts has also directed music videos for electronic music artists such as Fatboy Slim and Swedish House Mafia.
Key facts
Key facts
• Birth Name — Jonathan Watts • Born — 28 June 1981 • Birthplace — Fountain, Colorado, U.S. • Education — New York University • Occupation — * Film director • screenwriter • producer • Years Active — 2000–present • Known for — Director of 3 Spider-Man films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) • Spouse — Dianne McGunigle
Early life
Early life
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.
Documentary record
Jon Watts, born on 28 June 1981, is documented in the authority records of the Bibliothèque nationale de France. The birth is recorded by the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Career
Career
Watts began his directing career by directing commercials for production company Park Pictures. 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". 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. 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. 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. 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. He admits that he was very surprised and did not know he was going to get the job until the last moment. 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. Watts has also directed Spider-Man: No Way Home, which was released on December 17, 2021, where he also provided the motion-capture for Sandman while Thomas Haden Church reprised the voice of the character from Spider-Man 3. 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. 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. The scene was shot during the filming of No Way Home. 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. By the end of the month, the project had been acquired by Apple Studios, and was expected to receive a "robust theatrical release". However, six weeks before the film's release, Apple pivoted the film to a limited release. 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. 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. This series was soon revealed as Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which premiered in 2024. Watts received the Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Young Teen Series for his work on the series. 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.
Personal life
Personal life
Watts is married to former talent agent and producer Dianne McGunigle.
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Director — Producer — Writer — Notes • 2011 — Onion News Network — Co-executive — Directed 10 episodes • The Fuzz — TV pilot • 2012 — Eugene! — Executive — TV movie • 2022 — The Old Man — Executive — Directed episodes "I" and "II" • 2024–2025 — Star Wars: Skeleton Crew — Executive — Showrunner and creator Directed 2 episodes Written 6 episodes
Music videos
Music videos
• Year — Title — Artist — Notes • 2004 — "Stepping Off" — Jason Forrest • "Wonderful Night" — Fatboy Slim • "The Joker" • 2005 — "The Irish Keep Gate-crashing" — The Thrills • "The Beautiful Side of Somewhere" — The Wallflowers • "We Live on Your Street" — The Willowz • "Beating Heart Baby" — Head Automatica • "When the Lights Go Down" — Armand van Helden • "Soul Meets Body" — Death Cab for Cutie • "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" — Relient K • "Into Your Eyes" — Armand van Helden • 2006 — "We Are One Tonight" — Switchfoot • "That Old Pair of Jeans" — Fatboy Slim • "Oh, Mandy" — The Spinto Band — co-directed with Sean Donnelly • "White Daisy Passing" — Rocky Votolato • "Wolf Like Me" — TV on the Radio • "Taking Back Control" — Sparta • 2007 — "Pieces of the People We Love" — The Rapture — co-directed with Ben Dickinson • "Pressure Suit" — Aqualung • "The Beauty in Ugly" — Jason Mraz • 2008 — "Dust" — Royworld • 2009 — "Candle (Sick and Tired)" — The White Tie Affair • 2010 — "Young Girl" — Dawn Landes • "Brand New Day" — Joshua Radin • "Destroy" — The Japanese Popstars ft. Jon Spencer • 2011 — "Rill Rill" — Sleigh Bells • "Save the World" — Swedish House Mafia
Commercials
Commercials
• Year — Title — Brand — Notes • 2004 — "Magic Trick" — Frosted Flakes • "Breaking News" — The New York Times • 2006 — "Lazybone" — 24 Hour Fitness • "Reflection" • "Training" • 2007 — "Tonguezilla" — Sprite • "Diner" • "Elevator" • "Garfield Clock" — eBay • 2008 — "Green Flag" — ESPN / NASCAR • "The Duel" • "Neighborhood" — Sci-Fi / Eureka • "Darkmane" — ESPN / X Games • 2009 — "7 Second Demos" — Windows 7 • 2010 — "Alien Field Trip" — Lunchables • "In the Loop" — Nokia • 2011 — "Wrong Decisions" — Coldwell Banker • "Cooking Show" — Philadelphia • 2012 — "5 Cents" — MetLife • "Hold Music" • 2013 — "Never Change" — Sprint • 2014 — "Teachers" — Jacob's • "Park" • "Rally" • 2017 — "Sea of Chaos" — Clash Royale
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
The authorities additionally record the heading Jonathan Watts. His recorded language was English. He married Dianne McGunigle.
Identity
Identity
Jon Watts is recorded as film producer, screenwriter and director.
Film
• Year — Title — Director — Writer — Producer — Notes • 2014 — Clown • 2015 — Cop Car • 2017 — Spider-Man: Homecoming • 2019 — Spider-Man: Far From Home • 2021 — Spider-Man: No Way Home — Also provided the motion-capture of Sandman • 2024 — Wolfs • 2025 — Final Destination Bloodlines — Story • 2026 — Never Change! 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)
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Text attribution
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Jon Watts, revision 1370453676 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Kit, Borys. Robert Downey Jr. and Secret Screen-Tests: How the New 'Spider-Man' Team Was Chosen. The Hollywood Reporter. June 23, 2015.
- 2.Breznican, Anthony. Meet Jon Watts, the new director of Spider-Man. Entertainment Weekly failed verification. July 2019.
- 3.Focus Features. Cop Car Official Website.
- 4.Clay Pride: Being Clay in America.
- 5.Jon Watts technician videography. mvdbase.com.
- 6.Why Eli Roth Made 'Spider-Man' Director Jon Watts' Fake Horror Trailer Into a Feature Film. The Hollywood Reporter.
- 7.Thompson, Anne. How Jon Watts Went from Sundance Indie 'Cop Car' to 'Spider-Man'. IndieWire. August 14, 2015.
- 8.Spider-Man: Homecoming Director 'Bothered' Sony & Marvel to Get the Job. ScreenRant. July 5, 2017.
- 9.Spider-Man: Homecoming director Jon Watts: 'I'm not really sure how I got this job'. The Independent.
- 10.Interview w/ Writer Christopher Ford (Clown, The Clovehitch Killer & Spider-Man Homecoming). BEYOND THE VOID HORROR PODCAST.
- 11.Mancuso, Vinnie. Jon Watts in Talks to Direct 'Spider-Man 3' Co-Produced by Disney and Sony. Collider. September 27, 2019.
- 12.'Spider-Man' Sequel Delays Release to November 2021 Amid Sony Date Shuffle. The Hollywood Reporter. April 24, 2020.
- 13.Jirak, Jamie. Spider-Man: No Way Home's Jon Watts Performed Motion Reference Clips for Sandman. ComicBook.com. February 23, 2022.
- 14.Gartenburg, Chaim. The Fantastic Four will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an upcoming movie directed by Jon Watts. The Verge. December 10, 2020.
- 15.Fleming, Mike Jr. 'Spider-Man' Director Jon Watts Exits Marvel's 'Fantastic Four'. Deadline Hollywood. April 29, 2022.
- 16.B. Vary, Adam. 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Screenwriters Explain All Those Surprises and Spoilers: 'This Wasn't Just Fan Service'. Variety. December 29, 2021.
- 17.CinemaBlend. 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Interviews With Tom Holland, Zendaya, Kevin Feige & More. December 9, 2021.
- 18.George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Jon Watts Movie Package Sends Studios, Streamers Into Bidding War (Exclusive).
- 19.Fleming, Mike Jr. Apple Studios Lands Coveted Jon Watts-Directed Thriller To Star George Clooney & Brad Pitt. Deadline Hollywood. September 29, 2021.
- 20.Fleming, Mike Jr. Apple Original Films Sets Sequel To George Clooney-Brad Pitt Drama 'Wolfs' By Jon Watts As Film Pivots To Limited Theatrical Release Before Apple TV+ Bow. Deadline. 2024-08-07.
- 21.B. Vary, Adam. 'Final Destination' Franchise Revived With 'Spider-Man' Director Jon Watts Producing. Variety. January 11, 2022.
- 22.Sharf, Zack. Jon Watts' 'Star Wars' Series Revealed: A Galactic Version of 1980s Coming-of-Age Adventures. Variety. May 17, 2022.
- 23.Otterson, Joe. 'Star Wars' Sets New Disney+ Series 'Skeleton Crew,' Jude Law to Star. Variety. May 26, 2022.
- 24.Bate, Josh. Five New Star Wars Shows Are Reportedly Debuting on Disney+ in 2024. Comic Book Resources. November 26, 2023.
- 25.National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 4th Annual Children's & Family Emmy® Awards. 4.
- 26.Fleming, Mike Jr. 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Director Jon Watts Sets First-Look Film Deal With Walt Disney Studios. Deadline. September 18, 2024.
- 27.Yamato, Jen. How Donald Glover wound up in 'Spider-Man: Homecoming,' and what it might mean for an inclusive future. Los Angeles Times. July 6, 2017.
- 28.Bernhardt, Adam. Spider-Man: No Way Home Filmmaker Jon Watts Directed Venom 2 Post-Credit Scene. ComicBook. December 29, 2021.
- 29.RESFEST 2006. RES Media Group.
- 30.FATBOY SLIM HAS A WONDERFUL NIGHT. NME. October 15, 2004.
- 31.NEW RELEASE: The Wallflowers "The Beautiful Side Of Somewhere". VideoStatic. June 24, 2005.
- 32.The Willowz - We Live On Your Street. Vimeo. April 8, 2010.
- 33.NEW RELEASE: Death Cab For Cutie "Soul Meets Body". VideoStatic. October 21, 2005.
- 34.NEW RELEASE: Relient K "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been". VideoStatic. October 10, 2005.
- 35.NEW RELEASE: Fatboy Slim "That Old Pair Of Jeans". VideoStatic. June 22, 2006.
- 36.The Spinto Band "Oh, Mandy" (dir./anim.: Jon Watts @ waverly & Sean Donnelly @ awesome+modest). Antville. June 27, 2006.
- 37.NEW RELEASE: Rapture "Pieces Of The People We Love". VideoStatic. February 28, 2007.
- 38.BOOKED: Aqualung - Jon Watts, director. VideoStatic. February 2, 2007.
- 39.SHOT: Jason Mraz - Jon Watts, director. VideoStatic. January 26, 2007.
- 40.Royworld - Dust. Vimeo. March 29, 2010.
- 41.BOOKED: The White Tie Affair - Jon Watts, director. VideoStatic. January 7, 2009.
- 42.New Dawn Landes Video – "Young Girl" (Stereogum Premiere). Stereogum. January 13, 2010.
- 43.Joshua Radin's Brand New Day by Jon Watts. Promonews. June 16, 2010.
- 44.The Japanese Popstars' Destroy feat. Jon Spencer by Jon Watts. Promonews. July 6, 2010.
- 45.WATCH IT: Sleigh Bells "Rill Rill" (Jon Watts, dir.). VideoStatic. January 28, 2011.
- 46.WATCH IT: Swedish House Mafia "Save The World" (Jon Watts, dir.). VideoStatic. May 20, 2011.
- 47.AICP Awards - Frosted Flakes. AICP Awards.
- 48.AICP Awards - Breaking News. AICP Awards.
- 49.24 Hour Fitness : Lazybone. AdAge. January 30, 2006.
- 50.24 Hour Fitness : Reflection. AdAge. January 30, 2006.
- 51.24 Hour Fitness : Training. AdAge. January 30, 2006.
- 52.Sprite : Tonguezilla. AdAge. July 5, 2007.
- 53.Sprite : Diner. AdAge. July 5, 2007.
- 54.Sprite : Elevator. AdAge. November 30, 2007.
- 55.eBay : Garfield Clock. AdAge. October 23, 2007.
- 56.ESPN - "Green Flag". Adforum.
- 57.ESPN - "The Duel". Adforum.
- 58.Sci Fi Channel : Eureka Neighborhood. AdAge. July 31, 2008.
- 59.ESPN X GAMES - DARKMANE. stuffdavedid.com.
- 60.Windows 7 Demos. Vimeo. April 3, 2010.
- 61.Oscar Mayer Lunchables: Alien Field Trip. Adeevee. February 6, 2010.
- 62.Nokia Stop Motion. richthegaffer.com.
- 63.Coldwell Banker: Wrong Decisions. Best Ads on TV.
- 64.Kraft Philadelphia Cooking Cr. Adeevee. February 20, 2011.
- 65.Metlife: 5 Cents. Best Ads on TV.
- 66.Metlife - Hold Music. Vimeo. March 11, 2014.
- 67.Sprint Film Advert By Leo Burnett, Digitas: Never Change. Ads of the World.
- 68.Jacob's Cream Crackers - "The Tiny Baker Meets Some Teachers". Adforum.
- 69.Jon Watts. David Reviews.
- 70.Jon Watts. David Reviews.
- 71.Clash Royale's 2v2 - "Sea of Chaos". Adforum.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Wikidata, structured authority record Q18519749: Jon WattsWikimedia Foundation
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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