J.J. Abrams reportedly directing next 'Star Wars' movie

Thursday January 24, 2013 5:40 PM By Chris Serico

Photo credit: Getty Images | J.J. Abrams speaks onstage at the "Revolution" panel session at the 2013 Winter TCA Tour in Pasadena, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2013)

J.J. Abrams is set to direct the next "Star Wars" movie, according to The Wrap.

Somewhere, Chewbacca is screaming. I think he's happy, but it's tough to tell with that guy.

Abrams and "Argo" director Ben Affleck had been rumored to be on the short list of potential directors to take the helm of the iconic, and perhaps definitive, sci-fi franchise — one that has made more than $2.2 billion domestically and almost $4.5 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.

Abrams, a Sarah Lawrence College alumnus, knows a little something about rejuvenating sci-fi franchises. He has been plenty busy helming his second "Star Trek" film, "Star Trek: Into Darkness," whose teaser and second trailers went viral in late 2012. "Into Darkness" is slated for wide release May 17. Abrams also directed and produced the 2009 "Star Trek" reboot that hauled in more than $250 million at the domestic box office.

In 2012, Abrams had seemed more interested in seeing the new "Star Wars" flick rather than directing it. He told The Hollywood Reporter: "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."

Are you excited to see what J.J. Abrams will do with the next "Star Wars" movie, or are you more excited for his second "Star Trek" opus? Vote in Newsday Westchester's poll and explain your answer in the comments section below.

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