JJ Abrams Says He's Not Directing 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

In the months since Disney announced it would be producing a new trilogy of “Star Wars” films, J.J. Abrams has been at the front of a rumored short list of directors to helm the latest “Star Wars” installment.

However, in a recent interview with Empire magazine, the "Star Trek" director denied any involvement with the coming “Star Wars: Episode VII.” But he did confirm that he was approached to direct the series early in its development.

“There were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to ‘Star Trek,’ and also just being a [‘Star Wars’] fan, I wouldn’t even want to be involved in the next version of those things,” Abrams told Empire, according to a preview of the article in Paste magazine.

But fans looking for more J.J. Abrams only need to wait until next summer, when the second installment of Abrams’ rebooted “Star Trek” franchise hits theaters with “Star Trek Into Darkness.” The upcoming sci-fi blockbuster is set to feature British actor Benedict Cumberbatch as an unnamed villain.

But there is some news regarding the latest “Star Wars” film.

Industry sources have reported to Vulture that Michael Arndt, screenwriter for “Toy Story 3,” “Little Miss Sunshine” and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” among others, has turned in a 40-to-50-page treatment for “Star Wars: Episode VII.” It’s likely that Arndt, who won an Oscar for “Little Miss Sunshine,” will at least be hired to write a draft of the latest “Star Wars” film.

Because Arndt has a close relationship with Pixar and its parent company Disney, he was hired to complete the treatment long before Disney announced its purchase of Lucasfilm. This early knowledge of the upcoming “Star Wars” films makes it all the more likely that Arndt will be bringing the world the latest adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia for Disney.

As for who will direct, there’s still little more than rumor to go on.

And of course, fans still have yet to hear an answer for the most pressing concern about the new Star Wars trilogy: Will Jar Jar Binks be returning?