J.J. Abrams says he won't direct new "Star Wars" film

J.J. Abrams speaks onstage during the 2012 Winter TCA Tour on Jan. 8, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. / Getty

J.J. Abrams says he won't be helming the next "Star Wars" movie.

Sources told Entertainment Weekly that Lucasfilm, which was recently acquired by Disney, sent treatments for "Star Wars: Episode VII" to at least three filmmakers, including Abrams, Brad Bird and Steven Spielberg.

But Abrams, who directed the 2009 "Star Trek" reboot and is currently in post-production on its sequel, "Star Trek into Darkness," says he won't be the one venturing into the Jedi universe.

"I have some original stuff I am working on next," he told EW on Monday.

He expressed a similar sentiment in a recent interview with HollywoodLife.com.

"Look, 'Star Wars' is one of my favorite movies of all time," he said, adding, "I frankly feel that - I almost feel that, in a weird way, the opportunity for whomever it is to direct that movie, it comes with the burden of being that kind of iconic movie and series. I was never a big 'Star Trek' fan growing up, so for me, working on 'Star Trek' didn't have any of that, you know, almost fatal sacrilege, and so, I am looking forward more then anyone to the next iterations of 'Star Wars,' but I believe I will be going as a paying moviegoer."

Abrams is also known for his television ventures, which include creating "Alias," co-creating "Lost" and "Fringe" and serving as an executive producer on NBC's freshman drama "Revolution."

"Star Wars: Episode VII" is slated for a 2015 release. Last week, Lucasfilm confirmed that Oscar-winner Michael Arndt ("Little Miss Sunshine," "Toy Story 3") will pen the film's screenplay.

Tell us: Who should direct "Star Wars: Episode VII"?

[Scimajor]

"Tell us: Who should direct "Star Wars: Episode VII"?"

It's hard to say. I hated Episodes 1,2 and 3 but loved the original 3. I hope that whomever directs the next one does a better job than was done in the last 3.

[paulteague89]

The best person for the directing job is James Cameron who also directed Titanic, Avatar, Aliens, Terminator 2 -- Some of the best action movies ever made.