J.J. Abrams Will Not Direct the Next Star Trek Movie

But he will be one of the producers — and will help select his successor

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Keith Tsuji / Getty Images

J.J. Abrams attends the "Star Trek: Into Darkness" Galaxy Carpet event at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Miraikan on Aug. 14, 2013, in Tokyo

When J.J. Abrams chose to take charge of the new Star Wars movie, he — apparently — gave up any immediate claim on taking the helm of future installments of Star Trek. The hyper-busy director — already deep into preparations for Star Wars: Episode VII (set for a summer 2015 release) — has confirmed what everyone assumed: that he will not direct the next Star Trek movie.

But he will team with Paramount to produce the film and have a big role in selecting the next director. He’s previously stated he favors Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ director Rupert Wyatt.

And he’ll do all this Star Trek stuff while he’s involved in Star Wars. For fans of one franchise and not the other—or simply for movie fans that can’t keep the two all that straight—this is getting more confusing by the announcement. Fans hope that both series live long and prosper — and that the Force is with him.