J.J. Abrams Not Directing Next “Star Trek” Film, Calls Departure “Bittersweet”

Should a third "Star Trek" film take flight, another director will be guiding the Enterprise.

J.J. Abrams has confirmed that he won't be directing the next installment in the franchise, telling Collider that it feels "bittersweet" to be leaving his baby in the arms of someone else.

But the 47-year-old TV- and filmmaker, who otherwise might have been headed for intergalactic overload if he tried to tackle another "Star Trek" and "Star Wars: Episode VII," will be sticking around as a producer and doesn't plan to let that baby go without proper supervision.

"Whomever it is that directs the film will be someone we all know is going to keep the cast and crew in good hands," Abrams said.

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"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."

Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty, also told Collider that he feels Abrams did enough with the first two films that his "stamp will be very much on" the third.

"And whoever he gets to direct it will be someone [Abrams] trusts implicitly," the "World's End" star added. "We've also got each other, as well. The whole cast is very united. It will be interesting. It will be fun to get a different take on it. We've gotta keep evolving it. I guess it can only be good for the story, as long as it's the right person."

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