VANCOUVER

JJ Abrams directing new Star Wars for 2015 release: reports

The Associated Press Published Thursday, January 24, 2013 5:14PM PST Last Updated Thursday, January 24, 2013 5:16PM PST

From left, Anthony Daniels portraying C-3PO, Mark Hamill portraying Luke Skywalker and Alec Guinness portraying Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi look at a hologram of Princess Leia, portrayed by Carrie Fisher in a scene from the original 1977 'Star Wars' film.

Text:

LOS ANGELES - Another universe of sci-fi fans has been put in the hands of J.J. Abrams.

According to multiple trade reports, Abrams is set to direct the next installment of "Star Wars," which Disney has said will be "Episode 7" and due out in 2015. Disney bought "Star Wars" maker Lucasfilm last month for $4.06 billion.

The Emmy-award-winning director has also captained the reboot of "Star Trek" for rival studio Paramount Pictures, with the next installment in that series, "Star Trek: Into Darkness," set to hit theatres May 17.

Citing unnamed sources, the news was reported earlier by Hollywood trade outlets The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety.

Messages left by The Associated Press for Abrams' representatives as well as Disney and Lucasfilm were not immediately returned.