J.J. Abrams has been named the top talent in the sci-fi genre by SFX magazine.
The 'Star Trek Into Darkness' director - who was recently selected by Disney to helm the eagerly anticipated 'Star Wars Episode VII' - has topped the sci-fi magazine's annual Hot 50 list marking the brightest and the best in the fantasy spectrum, beating 'Avengers' director Joss Whedon and 'The Hunger Games' beauty Jennifer Lawrence.

Nick Setchfield, features editor of SFX, said: ''Putting together SFX's Hot 50 list is always a fiercely contested process, but we always knew J.J. Abrams would be there at number one.
''He's now in charge of 'Star Wars', the biggest franchise in cinema - the one that created the whole idea of blockbuster sci-fi movies in the first place. We can't wait to see what he does in that universe.''

Whedon - whose blockbuster movie 'The Avengers' became the third-highest-grossing film of all time with takings of $1.5 billion - nabbed second place, whilst Lawrence ranked third for her widely applauded portrayal of Katniss Everdeen in the big screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins' epic fantasy novel.

Other stars who made the list include 'Game of Thrones' executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who recently enjoyed record ratings for the third season of the hit show, and 'Man of Steel' screenwriter David S. Goyer.
Interestingly, Abrams, Whedon and Goyer will all be behind big sci-fi movies due for release in 2015. which could put them all in direct contention for the number one spot on the Hot 50 list.

Abrams will direct 'Star Wars'; Whedon will helm superhero sequel 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron'; and Goyer is set to write a blockbuster movie teaming Superman with fellow DC Comics character, Batman.

SFX magazine's Hot 50 - top 10:

1. J.J. Abrams - writer, director and producer
2. Joss Whedon - writer, director
3. Jennifer Lawrence - actress
4. David S. Goyer - screenwriter and director
5. Kathleen Kennedy - producer
6. The Twelfth Doctor - character
7. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss - 'Game of Thrones' showrunners
8. Steven Moffat - 'Doctor Who' showrunner
9. Mark Millar - comic book writer
10. Joe Hill - novellist