Abrams Confirms Not Directing Star Trek 3

In interviews promoting last week's release of Star Trek Into Darkness on home video, director JJ Abrams confirmed that his Star Wars commitments will prevent him from directing Star Trek 3. This really isn't news per se as it was expected almost the moment it was announced Abrams was directing Star Wars Episode VII, but this is the first time he acknowledged it in any interview I have read. In the interview with Collider he also confirms that Alex Kurzman and Bob Orci are already breaking the story but no other details.

It’s a little bittersweet. But, I will say that I’m going to be producing the movie. Whomever it is that directs the film will be someone we all know is going to keep the cast and crew in good hands. I feel very lucky to have been part of it, and it definitely feels like the right time to let someone come in and do their own thing. I certainly don’t want someone to come in and try to do what I would have done. We want to hire someone who’s gonna come in and bring their own sensibility. I’m very excited to see what comes next, despite feeling jealous of whomever that person is.

In another interview with Hitfix, wearing the hat of Star Trek 3 producer, Abrams didn't discount a rumor that Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt might be tapped to direct the next film. Keep in mind he doesn't say yes or no to the question. To me hiis comment also reads not as an endorsement but really just complimenting a peer.

"He's incredibly talented and we'd be lucky to have someone as talented as Rupert. But there are things we're focusing on right now before the director, which is just sort of the fundamentals of where the story is gonna go. It's too early to talk about details," Abrams continues, "but there have been a lot of really exciting ideas about what comes next."