It's official: J.J. Abrams is set to direct the next 'Star Wars' film, Episode 7

According to The Wrap Thursday evening, it is official: J.J. Abrams will direct Episode 7 of the "Star Wars" saga.

As recent as early January, Abrams had denied reports that he was even in the running. He has been one of Hollywood's hottest properties, creator of the TV series Alias and then Lost, first putting him on the map. His directorial debut came in 2006 with Mission: Impossible III but he rose to the top of the A-list when he took the helm of the Star Trek reboot in 2009.

This Summer, his eagerly anticipated second Star Trek installment, Star Trek Into Darkness, hits theaters. Something tells me that his already popular press tour for the film just got infinite times more interesting, as he'll get to answer questions on both the Star Trek and Star Wars front.

For years, fans of Star Trek and Star Wars have battled each other as to which franchise is the "better" one. Is Abrams' involvement in both franchises a colossal conflict of interest? Is the franchise in good hands?

Reportedly, he beat out other directing contenders like Ben Affleck. But here is what Abrams had said recently to Empire Magazine about potentially directing Star Wars:

“I quickly said that because of my loyalty to Star Trek, and also just being a fan, I wouldn’t even want to be involved in the next version of those things. I declined any involvement very early on. I’d rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them.”

So what are your thoughts? Excited that J.J. Abrams will be helming the newest Star Wars film? Upset? Leave your comments below!

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