Enlarge Image Lucasfilm/Screenshot by CNET

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is shattering box office records, and it looks like the next movie in the trilogy could be set to do the same.

"The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams reportedly sat down to read the script of "Episode VIII" recently, and he thought it was so good he wishes he'd signed on to direct that movie as well.

Greg Grunberg, Abrams' longtime friend who plays Snap Wexley in "The Force Awakens," revealed that bit of info to The Washington Post.

"He read it and said something he never, ever says," Grunberg said in a story that posted Tuesday. "He said, 'It's so good, I wish I were making it.'" Grunberg went on to say that Abrams might have said something similar once or twice while working on "Lost," but that he has never really seen Abrams express that level of regret before.

That's great news for Star Wars fans, as it suggests the next Star Wars movie will be just as good, if not better, than "The Force Awakens." And, it's not like Abrams is leaving the Star Wars universe altogether, so he can't be too upset about not being the director.

Abrams is signed on to be an executive producer on "Episode VIII," and while he won't be able to bring the movie to life in the same way a director does, he'll at least be able to lend his vision to director Rian Johnson.

"Star Wars: Episode VIII" is expected to bring the Force back to theaters on May 26, 2017 in the US, UK and Australia.