Disney and Lucasfilm is in search of a director for Star Wars: Episode VII and even though J.J. Abrams discussed possibly directing the film, he revealed he turned the opportunity down.
"[T]here were the very early conversations and 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," Abrams told Empire magazine, according to ComingSoon.
The director is excited to see where the Star Wars episodes go in the future even if the series ever goes up against Star Trek at the box office.
"I guess the franchises could go up against each other, but I'm not thinking that far ahead! I'm a huge fan of Star Wars, Empire and Jedi, and the idea of the world continuing is exciting and will be amazing. Kathy Kennedy is a friend and there are no smarter producers. It's in great hands," Abrams said.
A director hasn't been announced for Star Wars: Episode VII but some names that are rumored to be in the running include Matthew Vaughn, Darren Aronofsky, Alfonso Cuarón and even Steven Spielberg, reports E! News.
Abrams' Star Trek Into Darkness is slated for a May 17, 2013 and Star Wars: Episode VII won't hit theaters until 2015 at the earliest.