It's been confirmed that J.J. Abrams will direct the next "Star Wars" film for Disney, taking stewardship of one of Hollywood's most iconic and lucrative film franchises.

The Lost creator's appointment ends months of speculation about who would take the job after the sale of George Lucas's multi-billion sci-fi franchise to Disney in October last year.

The next Star Wars film will be the first since Disney bought the franchise from Star Wars creator Lucasfilm for $4billion in October 2012. Disney has said that the next installment will be Episode VII and that it will be released in 2015.