J.J. Abrams, producer of the "Star Trek XI" project currently in development at Paramount, may decide later this week whether or not he will also direct the film, a trade paper reported today.

The Hollywood Reporter made the statement in the context of an article about Joss Whedon parting ways with Warner Bros. over the "Wonder Woman" project he was developing. The exact text is as follows:

"The latest setback on 'Wonder Woman,' which has gone through a long gestation process, underlines the difficulties studios encounter when developing such marquee pop culture titles.

"Over at Paramount Pictures, for example, there is now a question whether J.J. Abrams will direct 'Star Trek XI.' The studio insists that the Lost creator was never officially attached to direct the film, only to produce it. However, in July, upon announcing Abrams' film production pact with Paramount, then-studio president Gail Berman said Abrams was on board to direct the next installment in the sci-fi franchise and that it would be his first project under the new feature deal.

"Although Paramount is hopeful that Abrams will captain the Starship Enterprise, sources said the director likely will make his decision later this week."

Keep checking back here at STARTREK.COM for further developments.

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