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EXCLUSIVE: Matthew Vaughn has decided not to direct the sequel to 20th Century Fox‘s hit spinoff X-Men: First Class. Ready for the next shocker? Atop the studio’s replacement short list is Bryan Singer, who launched the X-Men feature franchise with the first two superb films and who has been a guiding influence in this spinoff by writing the treatment and producing. If this works out, Singer and Vaughn would essentially be switching roles. Vaughn, who wrote the treatment for the sequel for X-Men: Days Of Future Past that was scripted by Simon Kinberg, would step back to produce the film with Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner.
Vaughn will do another film for Fox, and I’m hearing it will be the drama Secret Service, an adaptation of the Mark Millar comic book series that Vaughn has been working on with the author.
Fox already has the script for X-Men: Days Of Future Past, and set to return is Fox’s First Class cast that includes Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Jennifer Lawrence. Fox hopes to make the July 18, 2014 release date it set for the sequel, but it will have to find a director quickly. I’m not exactly sure why Vaughn is bowing out, but he is pretty picky on projects that he directs. You’ll recall that he briefly bowed out of the original First Class film, prompting Fox to start a search before he changed his mind and returned. Vaughn also passed on directing the sequel to his Kick-Ass film, entrusting the job to Jeff Wadlow. Wadlow is shooting Kick-Ass 2: Balls To The Wall right now with Aaron Johnson and Chloe Moretz.
The studio just navigated a similar situation when Rupert Wyatt decided not to come back and direct the sequel to Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes. The studio had a cream of the crop group of directors waiting to take Wyatt’s place, and the search ended when Fox’s top choice, Cloverfield helmer Matt Reeves, committed to the job.
Fox has been trying to up the pedigree of directors who make films at the studio, and bringing back Singer while keeping Vaughn in the fold would be a pretty good feat. The studio did not immediately comment, but I’ll update my story when I have more information. Singer’s next film is Jack The Giant Killer for New Line.
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I’d like to see Vaughn back -
First Class was top notch.
My issue with Singer, call it personal bias, is that he didn’t grow up on X-Men – didn’t even want actors in X1 to read any source material.
I know he was deeply involved with First Class but Days of Future Past is such an iconic story arc, I just fret a bit.
Hmmmm, maybe I should direct it … lol
Henry Jackman should return to score as well, First class soundtrack was pretty nifty.
“hit spinoff X-men First class” What the hell are you talking about. It was the lowest grossing of all 5 X-men movies. Even Daredevil sold more tickets than this movie.
Do facts not matter to anyone?? X-Men First Class cleared over $353 million. It easily cleared the $179 million Daredevil made and even surpassed the $250 or so million for the first X-Men.
Were you trying to look like a jack ass?
Well, “film guy”, it seem you have some stake in the matter of X-films, because you inexplicably defend against any negative comment in this thread. Are you related to Singer or something? That’s great that these films apparently struck a chord with you, but regardless of whatever inconsequential lists you name, by and large, by the online community and many people I’ve spoken to, when it comes to actual fans of the source material, such as myself, and not some douche, such as yourself, who has some allegiance to a certain director (Singer in this case) these movies are wisely considered awful. Awful adaptations, and just plain vapid, banal films altogether. Sorry if this is a hard pill to swallow for you, but the rest of us are still holding out on a reboot that will do justice to the comics. Thanks and God bless.
Sure. I am related to Singer. Better yet, I am Singer. How’s that? Is my ridiculous answer to your ridiculous accusation satisfactory? I wish I was Singer, if only for his bank account.
I am no more “inexplicably” commenting on here any more than you or anyone else. I am doing so (allow me to explain), because I like the debate with other fans and, it seems some non fans. I am also a fan of the comics, started back when I was around 10 with the Uncanny X-Men days in the Outback after the Fall of the Mutants. Do I need to post a picture of my Bowen Colossus statue? I am sorry you don’t like the points I make, but calling me a douche is a pathetic way to argue. And I don’t have an allegiance to Singer. As a fan, I have an interest in seeing a good film made. I think Singer is a good choice to ensure that happens. Superman was crap and Apt Pupil was overrated. If Singer does a bad job, I call him out.
Stop getting upset. I am not the one who is swallowing a bitter pill; you are. Reality just does not support you and, perhaps understandably, you are lashing out and calling people names. “The friends you have spoken too” may share your views, but lets not extrapolate them as representative of the entire online community. The online community, at least the comic enthusiast segment of it, considers Empire Online in pretty high regard and not, inconsequential.
God Bless you too. I look forward to your own inexplicable reply.
Singer made the best two X-Men films; his return would be a fan’s wet dream. Welcome back Bryan! Sure the first X-Men film was a little rough around the edges in terms of production value, but are people forgetting what a fantastic performance Singer got from Anna Paquin? Singer brought a depth to comic book films that hadn’t been seen before. (He did the same for Superman, but granted, that was a bad choice because kids and young adults couldn’t relate to the grown-up issues of mortality that he filled Superman Returns with.) He’s more than earned his right to return to this franchise.
@film guy: i should start by saying that calling you a douche was indeed unnecessary and i do apologize for that. Chalk that up to the heat of the argument, my friend. I guess it could be argued that there’s something “douche-y” about the both of us returning to this article to check if the other wrote a reply. But as you said, you like the debate and i suppose i do as well. I do have to commend your diligence,because I’m sure most other commenters, if that’s the right word, would have said to hell with this argument by now. And i can appreciate your passion for film, comics, and comic-to-film adaptations as it seems you are indeed familiar with the source material, and are dedicated enough to see this argument through. Though, that strikes me even more as odd that you allegedly know, and presumably love, the comics yet defend these insipid, dull films that shit on the X-Men comics on which they’re based. Sorry about the “related to Singer” comment, it was actually a rhetorical question to illustrate your baseless fervor in defense of Singer’s terrible X-films. It wasn’t an accusation as you put it, i obviously didn’t really think you we’re actually related to Singer, so sorry you took that literally. And you’re absolutely right about you being able to comment here, just as i am, just as everybody else is sorry on that front as well. Sorry for all the apologies too, haha. No need to post that Colossus statue photo either, though that does sound badass. I don’t have anything against Bryan Singer either, i mean The Usual Suspects is a classic, if not overrated; Apt Pupil wasn’t a great King adaptation, or even a good one, but it served it’s purpose; and i thought Valkyrie was watchable too. Superman, being my favorite comic book superhero, deserved a much better treatment as we both seem to agree on, so admittedly Superman Returns was particularly tough to watch. That, coupled with the horrendous X-films, indicates to me though that Singer should not touch comic book movies. Though, i only partially blame him for the failure of the X-films as Fox itself seems to bastardize the source material, as shown with all their other comic book adaptations, which are all atrocious. I’m also not upset, nor was i ever,about this so that proverbial pill is actually pretty easy to swallow for me. It makes no difference to me what you think or what Fox/Singer does with this series one way or the other, although it is saddening to see the X-Men repeatedly given a terrible adaptation, as this is indeed the common sentiment of most fans of the comics, whether you like it or not. And i never mentioned “my friends” as you say, i said other people i talked to felt this way as well, whether it was idle conversation or over the internet discussions, so i can indeed gauge how many feel, though of course this isn’t the sentiment of the entire online community, otherwise i wouldn’t be speaking to you. I would love to live in this reality you speak of where Singer’s X-Men films are apparently considered some of the greatest comic book films of all time, but I’m afraid that only exists in an unfortunate few’s minds, such as yourself. And Empire’s clout is subjective as i couldn’t give a shit what they think and i’m a diehard comic fan that doesn’t need to know the opinion of some magazine to make a judgment on the quality of a film. To conclude, i’ve come to realize that some people, and some fans apparently, are ok with crap. If you can honestly watch Singer’s X-films and in good conscience call them great, then there is no swaying you otherwise, which wasn’t my intention in the first place. Doesn’t mean we can’t be friends, right? Sorry for the length of this post. Love, carl
Carl, yes we can be friends. I had some soda come out of my nose when I laughed out loud upon getting to the “insipid dull films that shit on…”
You are much more passionate about bashing Singer’s two films than I am about defending them. I must say that when I talk to many people about a movie, I started prefacing the conversations not long ago with how I look at them (movies). Movies aren’t good or bad (per se), you either like them or you do not. I love certain movies that someone else would consider bad. Case in point, X2. It’s not my role to judge a movie good or bad, I can only tell you if I liked. As you point out above, we agree on some films and not others. And that’s great.
I also wasn’t pointing to the other sites and lists as evidence of worth, I did so merely to point out that there is large consensus by many people. Again, this is not a measure of quality, just evidence that a large amount of fans think X2 was one of the best comic films to date.
So, the reboot you want is not going to happen anytime soon. Days of Future Past is happening. As a fellow fan, I suspect you would agree that it is a favorite story from the comics. Since you are not getting that reboot, are you suggesting it’s not possible for them to execute this story using existing film continuity? I get that Singer is unacceptable to you, but could anyone pull it off? You have not bashed Vaughn, but it seems like you hated him too.
That’s gotta be the longest goddamn comment on deadline new york in the history of the website. Sorry everyone.
Bring the NOLAN
Film guy, thanks for the reply. I’m glad we got past the point of fervent anger and can now just speak in a sensible manner. About Singer’s films in the series: the reason why i hone in on them, and him as the director of these films (not as a director in general), is because his work in the series is just awful and it was his duty as the director of the first film, and the man to lay the groundwork for further installments, to make sure this franchise not only stayed faithful to the comics in tone, visuals and in lore, but also to simply just make a good movie. Sadly, he accomplished neither, making his X-films doubly awful. I must add i have no personal vendetta towards Singer as indicated in my prior post, he’s indeed made enjoyable movies, just not enjoyable comic book movies. I’ll even concede that in relation to the latter films in the series as directed by Brett Ratner, Gavin Hood and Matthew Vaughn, Singer’s films can be considered “better”; but being a little better than crap is still crap and that’s not good enough for this fan, nor should it be for any fan. Ratner, Hood and Vaughn’s individual work on the X-films all sucked, but they all have had to follow this horrible, tedious formula established by Singer to ensure all five films, thus far, remain a cohesive, and i use that term extremely lightly, series. So don’t mistake my disappointment as being placed soley on Singer. Fox is probably most to blame because they, time and again, have shown to not give a shit what the fans want, or what general movie-goers want, when it comes to comic book adaptations. And i can understand and respect your philosphy on films, being neither good nor bad but, instead being based more on personal preference. But keeping inline with that, most fans, not all, have reasonably shunned this entire series. As a fan, admittedly, you wanna believe the next film will be the one to get it right, but Fox has not displayed any care in pleasing fans or, even worse, making good films, nor have the directors they hired, in regards to their comic book films. This “large amount of fans” you speak of that consider X2 one of the best comic book films to date, simply put, does not exist. I’ve traversed many a internet forum and talked to many a people about this matter, and not once, until i spoke to you, has anyone considered X2 a great comic book film, in fact, it’s usually considered the opposite. But that’s neither here nor there. The point is, some fans and many movie-goers have become complacent, like you. You’ve attained this cynical attitude towards this series in saying, basically, “well since a reboot that would finally do justice to the X-Men comics isn’t going to happen any time soon, we fans should just shut up and be okay with the garbage Fox keeps shoveling us.” Sorry if it’s too late for you, but most fans such as myself, are still waiting for a proper X-Men film series and we deserve no less. You ask me what director could pull this off in my opinion, well, the truth is nobody should touch this series until Fox releases it’s death grip on the X-Men and allows the rights to revert back to Marvel, where they belong. Only then do i feel a new-comer who has a true love and appreciation for the source material, and of course talent as a director, should be given the chance to adapt the X-Men once again. But as you said, this won’t be happening soon and you’re right, unfortunately. DOFP is an iconic storyline that deals with a future that Magneto spoke of in the comics, and deals with X-Men preventing said future, as I’m sure you know. My question for you is, why should a storyline taking place in the X-Men’s future be explored on-screen, when they haven’t even been given a proper series taking place in the present yet? That is a shame. Sorry again for the long post, my friend.
News just broke Singer will direct the new one. I am happy with this. You are not. I anticipated you would respond that no director could pull this movie off. I am not surprised, but a small part of me was hoping you had not completely written off any possibility of them making a good (or even decent) film. Because Carl, I am the optimistic one here. Please don’t construe this as an insult, because it is not meant to be one at all, but you are the one being cynical. Yes, I pointed out the reality that the reboot you want isn’t going to happen for some time. But I am not the one who wanted or called for a reboot. You did. I was being pragmatic by pointing out that what you want is not going to be a reality for many years. You are hopeful for the thing you want, but cynical about reality.
I was becoming cynical when they made X3 and then the first Wolverine, but I am became much more hopeful when they delivered First Class. I hope James Mangold pulls off the next Wolverine and hope Singer does will here. I KNOW you don’t, but I do. And I am not alone. Check out the poll results over at comicbook movie dot com. The vast majority of the votes went to Singer. There wasn’t even a close second.
I understand the forums you go to and the people you speak too has never yielded anyone like me. I encounter people with your opinion frequently, but usually in the minority opinion. I have pointed to polls, critic rankings, and top film lists from many sites comic fans visit and read, sometimes daily. Is there a single worst comic films list you can point me too? Is there another reality where the critics aggregated by rotten tomatoes give the film a negative score? Are the forums you visit called X2hatersonly?
Again, and no offense, but I do live in reality. I know you vehemently disagree with me and it’s clear I could never change your mind. All I can say about the reality you live in is that maybe it could use a does of people who disagree with your view. If you have never, ever, encountered anyone like me….you need to go beyond your bubble. Again, no offense.
Film guy, my bubble must extend far beyond yours, because i’ve gleaned from the years since X2 was released that the opinion, despite rotten tomatoes, which you may think is the end all, be all say on the quality of the film, is that X2 is garbage as is the entire series. Of course it is seen as the best of series, but that’s relative to all the other crap films in the series. So that doesn’t qualify anything. As i said before, some fans like you, and many movie-goers have become complacent and find these films to be fine representations of the comics. And i’ve come to realize that that’s ok. You think your in the majority so you can justify your admiration for the series and you’re not alone. Fox will once again deliver an abysmal installment, and you’ll be fine with that. That’s cynicism. I’m the optimist, because i know you’re right in that Fox, and now Singer once again, will compromise the integrity of the comics, but i still hope for the day that there will be a proper X-series on film. As do most others. That’s optimism. But as long as you’re ok with crap, the studio will keep giving it to you and other myopic-minded people like you. The tragedy in your case is that you’re seemingly easy to please when it comes to comic-adapations, and that is the sentiment that Fox caters to because it’s easier for them to do so. So you can continue to enjoy your beloved current X-series, and the fans will just have to wait, hopefully not too long, for justice to be done for our favorite mutants. You seem like a thoughtful guy, so there’s no use in convincing you that these films are no good once you’ve been indoctrinated as someone who enjoys them. And i don’t want to change your mind, that’s the beauty of the world. There’s differing opinions. I just hope when the day comes that the X-Men are given a proper film series, you’re able to let go of these vapid, poor excuses for X-Men tales, and join the rest of the fans in enjoying these comics done right on screen. Until then, have fun with the mediocrity, i guess. I can understand if you wanna end the conversation here because it may have gone on long enough, haha. But I’ve enjoyed this debate, thanks man.
Really? You’re one of THOSE megageeks that lowers a film from “magnificent” to “great” over a sound effects error? You’re pathetic. I’m sure you’re one of those “Has shoots first” idiots who’ve spent countless hours railing George Lucas for that, the other “changes”, & “ruining your childhood” by those changes & making the prequels (I guess those days are over now that Disney owns it all…). X2 is a masterpiece that changed the graphic literature to film genre for GOOD! Without it, studios might STILL be floundering about making more movies like Elektra & Punisher (pick one), or worse yet….Batman & Robin! Anyway…back to you, basement boy, because I know mommy’s calling you up for dinner. You’re dumb. You’ve got WAY too much time (misspent time, at that) on your hands to micro-judge films based on small, barely noticeable mistakes & be UPSET about it to boot! Do yourself a favor….pretend you’re Superman & you need to GO OUTSIDE because Earth’s yellow sun recharges your power. Get a newspaper (they Daily Planet will do) & READ IT. JOIN THE WORLD & STOP BEING SUCH A CREEPY, SAD MEGAGEEK!
Carl….you’re dumb. That all there is to it. The continuity of the Fox X-men films has ZERO to do with the integrity of the comics….ZERO! Man, are you dumb! Film & literature DO NOT have to be perfectly faithful to one another. As a matter of fact, you’re a hypocrite! You should be TWICE as upset about Ultimate X-men’s slap in the nuts to the X-Men’s continuity. “No,” you’ll say. “That’s just a an outside the regular X-Men modernization that has no effect on continuity.” HYPOCRITE!!! That’s the SAME DAMN thing the films are doing! HAH! Integrity of the comics my right butt cheek, you pretentious dill-rod!
["Atop the studio’s replacement short list is Bryan Singer, who launched the X-Men feature franchise with the first two superb films . . ."]
I still can’t believe that people view the 2000 “X-MEN” movie as “superb”. I thought it was a piece of mediocrity in compare to the other films.