UPDATED: J.J. Abrams to Direct New STAR WARS Film for Disney

According to The Wrap, inside sources have confirmed that J.J. Abrams has officially signed on to direct Disney's upcoming STAR WARS: EPISODE VII.

The announcement comes as a bit of a surprise. Earler last fall, when Disney acquired Lucasfilm and announced the next installment in the iconic franchise was set for 2015 , rumors arose that J.J. Abrams would take the helm. However, the STAR TREK director was quick to shoot them down. "I have some original stuff I am working on next," he told Entertainment Weekly.

Abrams, to meet the 2015 deadline, will have to jump directly on to Academy-award winner Michael Arndt's script to continue the Jedi saga. His next film, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, is currently in post production. DARKNESS is set for a May 17 theatrical release.

As of now, Disney and Lucasfilm declined to immediately comment, The Wrap announced.

UPDATED: A source told Deadline later today that "It's done deal with J.J."

J.J. Abrams is well known for his work in the genres of action, drama, and science fiction. He wrote and produced feature films before co-creating the television series Felicity (1998-2002). He also created Alias (2001-2006) and co-created Lost (2004-2010), Fringe (2008-present), Undercovers (2010) and produced the television series Person of Interest (2011-present), Alcatraz (2012) and Revolution (2012-present).

He directed the films Mission: Impossible III (2006), Star Trek (2009), and Super 8 (2011), and produced the films Cloverfield (2008), Morning Glory (2010) and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011). Many of the films he directed/produced are by Paramount, while his television series were co-produced by either Warner Bros. or ABC Studios.

Related Links

Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach Announces LEGOLAND Resort Hopper Package Including Four Five-Day Resort Hopper Tickets June 18, 2013

NYMF Announces Additional Concerts, Talkbacks & Workshops; Tickets Now On Sale June 18, 2013

Songwriters Denny Randell & Biddy Schippers Honored at Pentagon June 18, 2013

MICKEY MOUSE Comedic Cartoon Shorts to Debut on Disney Channel, 6/28 June 18, 2013

Vincent-Michael Coviello Wins L. Ron Hubbard's International Illustrators of the Future Contest June 18, 2013