Brad Bird: Not directing 'Star Wars VII'

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- "The Incredibles" director Brad Bird posted on Twitter that he is not directing the seventh episode of the "Star Wars" saga despite speculation that he is.

Bird, Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams had been approached by Lucasfilm to direct the next "Star Wars" film, but Bird said he is focused on his current project, a sci-fi film for Disney, "1952," Entertainment Weekly reported.

"Not doing Star Wars," Bird tweeted Saturday. "Michael Arndt is a fantastic writer and Kathy Kennedy is a brilliant producer. I will be first in line to see the new STAR WARS."

Abrams told Entertainment Weekly last week he will not be directing the film either because he has "some original stuff I am working on next." Abrams is working on post-production on "Star Trek Into Darkness."