J.J. to rescue of 'maligned' Star Trek

J.J. Abrams grew up more a fan of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo than of James Kirk and his Vulcan buddy Spock. So why is a self-professed Star Wars kid directing Star Trek? "It was an opportunity to take what I think has been a maligned world – to sound crass, a franchise – and treat it in a way that made it something that I wanted to see," said Abrams, who is 41. "To take the characters, the thoughtfulness, the personalities, the sense of adventure, the idea of humanity working together, the sense of social commentary and innovation, all that stuff. To take it and apply it in a way that felt genuinely thrilling." He added that the film's being made "for fans of movies, not fans of Star Trek, necessarily." He would not share plot details, saying only that the movie, due in May 2009, would remain faithful to the original while breaking new ground in action, drama and visual effects, which are being crafted by Star Wars creator George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic outfit.