Update:Abrams directs Trek 11

Update: Thanks to ACB who pointed us to an article on TrekMovie.com, we now know that Abrams is still NOT confirmed to be directing the film. As the full transcript of Dauman’s interview shows (which you’ll find if you click through), he made no mention of Abrams directing the film. Variety apparently misquoted him and a hailstorm of rumors sprung. Sorry about that, folks. If and when Abrams does confirm a director (whether himself or otherwise), we’ll make sure the information is accurate.

After much consideration and pondering, J.J. Abrams has apparently finally agreed to direct the upcoming eleventh installment of the STAR TREK franchise, which he’d

previously only committed to producing and which is rumored to concentrate on the early days of Captain Kirk at Starfleet Academy before he become the iconic captain of

The Enterprise. The news was part of an update Viacom (parent company of Paramount) CEO Philippe Dauman gave on Paramount’s current and upcoming slate, in which Dauman mentioned of the TREK franchise, “We’re revitalizing it in a new and interesting way.” After ten films, we should goddamn well hope you’re revitalizing it in a new and interesting way. Who knows who or what it was that convinced Abrams to just go ahead and direct the goddamn thing but there’s a strong possibility a tank of money in which Abrams is quite literally currently swimming had a little something to do with it. The film is expected to hit theaters in 2008 or 2009.