J.J. Abrams turns down offer to direct `Star Wars Episode VII`

Washington - ‘Star Trek’ reboot series director J.J. Abrams has reportedly rejected the offer to direct Disney’s first “Star Wars film, Episode VII.”

The 46-year-old American producer and director told the U.K. movie magazine Empire that he declined the offer because of his loyalty to ‘Star Trek’ and also because he is a great fan of ‘Star Wars’ and doesn’t want to spoil the fun by getting involved in it’s making, ABC News reported.

The ‘Cloverfield’ producer also asserted that he wants to sit in the audience and be unaware of what’s coming ahead.

Abrams further praised producer Kathleen Kennedy, George Lucas’ hand-picked successor at the now-Disney-owned Lucasfilm, as he asserted that the franchise is “in great hands.”

The next ‘Trek’ installment, ‘Star Trek Into Darkness,’ hits the theatres in May 2013.