Every franchise has its black sheep it wishes did not exist. While opinions diverge on the "Star Wars" prequels, many fans wish those films never existed and often ignore them in their "head canon."

For fans of the recent "Star Trek" reboots, J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek Into Darkness" is that boogeyman that gives them nightmares. The film itself got excellent reviews, but the fans have a far stronger import to the overall zeitgeist. And so it stands that the second film in the Abrams "Star Trek" saga, a virtual remake of the famed "Wrath of Khan," is loathed by a vocal portion of the fanbase.

With full knowledge of this, director Justin Lin is reportedly looking to move away from the film that directly precedes his own. According to Birth. Death. Movies, the director is "politely" ignoring "Into Darkness."

So how exactly is the film being ignored? The report notes the previous film altered the universe of the films by introducing the immortality that the blood of Khan and his crew had. There was also the question of interstellar beaming.

"I embraced what JJ has brought -- without him this whole group wouldn't be together -- so I'm definitely very appreciative of him," the director said.

"At the same time, do we address it? No, but we don't discount it. We don't sit there and say it doesn't exist, it's part of this universe now."

Another element of the previous film that is left out is the development between Captain Kirk and Carol Marcus, played by Alice Eve. That character's portrayal caused a great deal of ire, particular in a few scenes where she was overly objectified.

The first trailer for the new film was recently unveiled. The movie hits theaters July 2016.