JJ Abrams 'To Direct New Star Wars Movie'

JJ Abrams is reported to have been signed up to direct the forthcoming Star Wars Episode Seven movie.

The creator of long-running TV drama Lost, who has gone on to a successful career directing movies such as Cloverfield and sci-fi reboot Star Trek, is claimed by several sources to have agreed terms with Lucasfilm.

The news was broken by The Wrap, and confirmed by Deadline - which quoted an insider as saying: "It’s a done deal with JJ."

The filmmaker had previously ruled himself out of contention - citing the clash with the Star Trek franchise which he has been helming.

But it seems he had a change of heart - and it is also reported that he won out over Argo director Ben Affleck for the coveted job.

Disney bought Lucasfilm in a big-money deal last year, and Star Wars fans have been largely positive about the news that original director George Lucas will be taking a back seat for the planned new movies.