J.J. Abrams turned down ‘EPISODE VII’, Trekkies cackle.

The wonderful thing about being bipolar is that I can take on seemingly different stances, mere days apart! A hop and skip after bemoaning Abrams’ tendency for being self-satisfied in relation to the plot for Star Trek Down The Mountain, I can now tell you that I’m pretty bummed that Abrams’ turned down the chance to direct Episode VII. Why, you ask? ‘Cause I do love the dude’s visual splendor, and I have a sneaking suspicion that whoever is foisted upon the director’s throne won’t match Abrams’ ability. Despite, you know, his proclivity for lens flares, back patting, and time travel.

io9:

When Disney bought Lucasfilm, there were tons of rumors about who might be directing a newStar Wars film — and one name that was brought up a lot was Star Trek director J.J. Abrams. And now, it turns out there was some truth to the rumors.

Talking to Empire Magazine, Abrams explains:

There 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.

And interestingly, he mentions that he’s under contract for three Star Trek movies, meaning he might well be directing the movie after Into Darkness.

[via Comic Book Movie]