LUCASFILM PUSHES PAUSE ON 3-D 'STAR WARS' PREQUELS

Lucasfilm says that it's postponing the scheduled 3-D releases of "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones" and "Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" this fall. Instead, the focus will be on "Star Wars: Episode VII."

The Walt Disney Company confirmed Friday that J.J. Abrams, creator of the series "Lost" and director of 2009's "Star Trek" movie, will direct the seventh installment of the franchise. It's set for a 2014 release.

Disney bought "Star Wars" maker Lucasfilm last month for more than $4 billion.

"Episode I - The Phantom Menace" was released in 3-D last February and earned $22.4 million domestically in its opening weekend.

The original Star Wars prequels were released from 1999 to 2005.