The Hollywood Reporter has published an article today that says that J.J. Abrams is in negotiations to direct the next installment of the Star Wars saga, currently titled Star Wars: Episode VII:

J.J. Abrams is in late-stage talks to direct the next Star Wars film for Disney.

Sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter that the Star Trek director is negotiating to direct Episode VII, the next installment in the fabled sci-fi franchise.

Click the Read link below to view the full article.

The movie is set to be released in 2015, and they already have a writer hired (Michael Arndt from Toy Story 3). J.J. Abrams did a great job rebooting the Star Trek franchise back in 2009 with Star Trek, and the next installment, Star Trek Into Darkness, is being released this summer. He also directed and produced my favorite Mission: Impossible installment, Mission: Impossible III.

The Walt Disney Company purchased LucasFilm, which included the entire Star Wars franchise, back in October, and the studio seems to think that the franchise not only has more movies in the core storyline, but also in spin-offs as well. Under the right leadership, I think they're right.

Update: It's official! Read the Journal article: J.J. Abrams Near Deal to Direct "Star Wars: Episode VII"

What Do You Think?

Can J.J. Abrams do the Star Wars series some justice and bring some swagger back to the galaxy far far away?