J.J. Abrams aboard 'Star Trek XI'

[Miss Muffet]

J.J. Abrams has signed up to direct the next film in the Star Trek franchise.

The eleventh film in the series will focus on the formative years of James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock at Starfleet Academy, according to Variety. There is currently no word on who might play the characters made famous by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.

With his hugely popular creations Lost and Alias gathering a cult following and Mission: Impossible III receiving high praise from critics prior to its release, it may be that Abrams will breathe new life into the franchise. However, some fans may be unenthusiastic about the storyline exploring old ground.

Abrams will be joined by fellow Lost producers Damon Lindelof and Bryan Burk on the project, whilst his M:i:III writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci will pen the script with him.

Paramount are aiming for a 2008 release.