TheWrap is reporting that J.J. Abrams will direct the next entry in the Star Wars franchise for Disney. The publication also says Golden Globe-winning director Ben Affleck was in the running before producers decided to go with Abrams.

Abrams, co-creator of Lost and Fringe for television and director of the re-imagined Star Trek movies, had previously and publicly taken himself out of consideration.

No official announcement from Lucasfilm or Disney has been released yet, but the report is also being backed up by The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline. (Thanks, io9.)

Confirmed: J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars Episode 7! Sources say the negotiations quite down the road.

— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) January 24, 2013

Toy Story 3 and Little Miss Sunshine screenwriter Michael Arndt has been confirmed to be working on the script for Star Wars Episode VII.

More about Star Wars Episode VII from Nerdvana:

• Zack Snyder now not adapting Seven Samurai as a Star Wars movie (UPDATED)
• Video: More from Lucas, Kennedy on the future of Star Wars
• It’s the end of the world as we know it — and Star Wars Episode VII rumors keep coming
• Lucasfilm addresses Rick McCallum’s departure
• Rick McCallum fades out of Star Wars universe
• Report: A familiar name returning to help write Star Warssequels?
• Video: More from Lucas, Kennedy on new Star Wars films
• Indie film director, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford linked to Star Wars Episode VII
• Episode VII set 50 years after Episode VI? ‘Think further out,’ insider hints
• Newsarama: What might Disney deal mean for Star Wars comics? [LINK]
• With final sell-out, Lucas redeems himself, frees fans to love Star Wars again
• Video: Lucas, Kennedy discuss new Star Wars movies
• Disney acquiring Lucasfilm for $4 billion, slates Star Wars Episode 7 for 2015

Tags: abrams, Disney, episode vii, J.J. Abrams, Star Wars, Star Wars Episode 7, Star Wars Episode VII