J.J. Abrams Takes On Disney's 'Star Wars'

“Lost” creator J.J. Abrams has done an about-face from his previous stance, and has now announced that he will be directing the upcoming “Star Wars” movies, now fielding from Walt Disney Co.

Previously, Abrams shot down rumors that he might be taking on the project.

“I declined any involvement very early on,” he said. However, he admits that he was talked into the project.

Producer and president of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy released a statement Friday breaking the news.

"J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the 'Star Wars' experience.”

Abrams, who is a self-professed “Star Wars” fan, seemed genuinely happy to be on board.

“To be a part of the next chapter of the 'Star Wars' saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor,” he said. “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”

Lucas himself, meanwhile, seems pleased with the arrangement as well, saying, "I've consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He's an ideal choice to direct the new 'Star Wars' film and the legacy couldn't be in better hands."

The script will be written by “Toy Story 3” and “Little Miss Sunshine” author Michael Arndt, and working in consultation will be Lawrence Kasdan, who wrote “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.”

The movie will be released in 2015.

Until then, you can catch Abram’s other big project, his sequel “Star Trek: Into Darkness,” due out in May.