When the hunt for a director for "Star Wars: Episode VII" first began, J.J. Abrams was at the top of many fans' wish lists.

However, with his hands currently full with the new "Star Trek" franchise and other various film and TV projects, the multi-hyphenate says that, although he was approached to helm the newest "Star Wars" adventure, he had to pass on the offer. 

“I guess the franchises could go up against each other, but I’m not thinking that far ahead," he revealed in a print interview with Empire. "I’m a huge fan of 'Star Wars,' 'Empire' and 'Jedi,' and the idea of the world continuing is exciting and will be amazing. Kathy Kennedy is a friend and there are no smarter producers. It’s in great hands…there were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to 'Star Trek,' and also just being a fan, I wouldn’t even want to be involved in the next version of those things. I declined any involvement very early on."
 
So the search for a "Star Wars" director continues. 

Of course, that doesn't mean Abrams isn't a "Star Wars" fan anymore. "I’d rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them,” he enthused. 

Meanwhile, "Star Trek Into Darkness" opens May 17.