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Will he bring balance to the force? J.J. Abrams will direct the next "Star Wars" movie, slated for 2015.

I'm a little annoyed.

"Star Wars: Episode VII" got the best director it could to restart/relaunch/refresh the franchise.

J.J. Abrams, the director of the 2009's borderline-brilliant "Star Trek" and its upcoming sequel, "Star Trek Into Darkness," is an admitted "Star Wars" fanatic. His style isn't for everybody, but I find his films, which also include the wonderful "Super 8," to be popcorn masterpieces. They're focused, their exquisitely paced and their expertly edited.

And, yes, I'm a little annoyed that he took the job.

Why, because until the announcement on Friday, I was doing a good job barely caring about this new "Star Wars" effort, slated for 2015.

When Disney bought Lucasfilm Ltd. and announced they'd be pumping out new movies set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I figured they'd be cash cows of the uninteresting variety. And, frankly, after the prequel trilogy, I was tired of getting my hopes up and then being disappointed. (I should note, however, that while I didn't rave about them, I gave the second two movies reviews that were more complimentary than they should have been, realizing later just how flawed these George Lucas-directed films were.)

When Michael Ardnt ("Little Miss Sunshine," "Toy Story 3") was announced as the writer, I felt they could have done worse, but they could have done better. And when the director I first hoped would take the job, Brad Bird ("The Iron Giant," "The Incredibles," "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol") announced he had too much else going on to be considered, I kept my expectations sensibly low.

I had certainly considered Abrams, of course, but I thought he wouldn't do "Star Wars" and "Star Trek" in the same period, and the longtime fan said he'd be "thrillified" -- a combination of thrilled and terrified" -- to watch this new "Star Wars" film as a fan.

But he did take the gig, and now I'm excited. Too excited. Imagine -- a new "Star Wars" with none of the bloat and lifelessness that Lucas brought to the prequels! Oh man.

I guess it's more accurate to say I'm excitified now. Don't screw this up, Mr. Abrams.

posted by Mark Meszoros at 5:29 PM