Various media outlets are reporting that director J.J. Abrams has been tapped to helm "Star Wars: Episode VII"

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (REUTERS) - Filmmaker J.J. Abrams has reportedly been asked to direct the upcoming "Star Wars" film, in the first installment since Disney purchased the megahit franchise from Lucasfilm late last year.

Abrams is a highly successful film director, with "Mission: Impossible III," "Star Trek" and "Super 8" among his credits, and he has also created the television programs "Lost" and "Alias."

Walt Disney Co. agreed to buy filmmaker George Lucas's Lucasfilm and its "Star Wars" franchise for $4.05 billion dollars (USD) in cash and stock in October. Disney plans to release at least three more films sci-fi saga that ranks among the biggest movie franchises of all time. The last "Star Wars" picture was "Revenge of the Sith" in 2005.

The next "Star Wars" movie installment will be Episode 7 in the series.