Fox confirms Bryan Singer on 'X-Men: First Class,' hires writer (UPDATED)

Bryan Singer is returning to Fox for another "X-Men" movie.

Singer, who directed the first two installments before famously jumping ship to make “Superman Returns,” has signed on to develop and direct “X-Men: First Class.”

The studio has tapped Jamie Moss to write the screenplay and work with Singer on the project, which goes back to the drawing board. "Class" was put into development in 2008 as a prequel to the "X-Men" movies, looking at the teenage years of the super-powered mutant heroes seen the “X-Men” movies and the “Wolverine” movie. New characters will also be created. 

The story is still in the early stages of development but will deal with the first meeting of Charles Xavier and Magneto and involve the creation of the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, the school masquerading as the headquarters of the X-Men.

Singer revealed his involvement during a red carpet interview at the “Avatar” premiere. Fox confirmed the news Thursday.

While the deal seems to clear up any bad blood that may have existed when Singer left the studio for Warner Bros. and “Superman,” it also reflects the studio’s realization of the value Singer brings to the franchise he helped launch. While “X-Men: Last Stand” and “Wolverine” were blockbusters, they were received less than enthusiastically by fans of the Marvel Comics characters.

“First Class” takes its name from a Marvel Comics limited series written by Jeff Parker. Josh Schwartz wrote an earlier draft of the script.

Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg are producing.

Although WME-repped Singer has several projects in development, his next project is likely to be “Jack the Giant Killer,” New Line’s take on the classic fairy tale.

Moss worked on “Ghost in the Shell” for DreamWorks and wrote “Street Kings,” the crime drama directed by David Ayer. He is repped by CAA and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Here's the red carpet interview:

Bryan Singer at the Avatar Premiere

Trailer Park | MySpace Video

Comments

[valentines day presents]

If the powers that be play this right, they could have a long franchise to roll out. Just follow the comic books more and sign actors for more than 3 movies like they did with the Harry Potter movies.This way we could get to see the young actors grow and age into the more seasoned Xmen.

[Chandler Poling]

Great news! But why wasn't Michael Dougherty asked to come back? X2 was the best of all the franchise by far. I bet Josh Schwartz wrote a great script too.

[Matt]

For those whom has common sense. Bryan Singer was the death of the xmen series and superman returns as well. The first movie was the best he did. X2 was ok but made to many changes, and he left it to where X3 was crap the last director did not have much to work with. If he is going to do it right it needs to be a young cast and not all about Magneto.

[Magnetic Eye]

OK, I’m feeling very cynical today and am only mildly interested in this film after my worst fears have been confirmed. Quote “this movie will not follow the comics in that sense” and “they can’t actually utilize the First Class roster of original mutants from the comic books”.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. What a load of CRAP! If First Class turns out to be a superficial TEEN movie without the original five X-Men then I won’t be spending my money at the box office or for the DVD when it comes out.

First Class should be about the five original X-Men: Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Beast, Angel & Prof X, NOT Singer”s current crop of teen X-Men or Lauren Shuler Donner’s preconceived notions.

It shouldn’t have anything to do the current mish mash of discontinuity, under developed characters and wrong character ages.

The original five X-Men resonates far better with me and paints an accurate depiction of what an X-Men (Origins / First Class) film should be all about – AUTHENTICITY! with an understanding and respect for MARVEL’S original source material – something I beleive neither Singer nor Ratner have come remotely close to.

I must concede to preferring Singer’s treatment of X-Men over Ratner’s, but I’m still not terribly thrilled with this latest development.

Total mismanagement, disregard and absolutely no respect for Marvel’s treatment of characters, ages or continuity.

Typical Hollywood executives targeting the teen market for an extra buck. Maybe they can do it in the same style as the “Twilight” series. So predictable and boring YAWN !!!!!

LOL – talk about a franchise that’s gone completely off the rails. Maybe I’ll be less cynical tomorrow.

I guess I’m sticking with the comic books. Far more entertaining, interesting, rewarding and satisfying compared to the incontinent slosh Bryan Singer is proposing.

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