X-MEN: FIRST CLASS in 2011; Vaughn to Direct

After much haggling over whether or not he would direct X-men: First Class, 20th Century Fox has officially announced that Matthew Vaughn(Kick-Ass) has signed on to the project. Based on the early days of Professor Xavier, Magneto, and the formation of the X-men, Fox also announced a release date of June 3rd 2011.

That date gives Fox a two week jump on Warner Brothers' Green Lantern superhero flick, starring Ryan Reynolds. It also puts them head-to-head with Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom for a blockbuster grudge match.

They aren't wasting any time, are they? It's to Fox's benefit to get this film off and running sooner rather than later, because it's still in their plansto produce a true X-men 4 in the next couple of years, hopefully to be helmed by Bryan Singer. Check out the full press release from 20th Century Fox below.


BRYAN SINGER AND MATTHEW VAUGHN UNITE FOR X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

Twentieth Century Fox will release film on June 3, 2011

LOS ANGELES (May 4, 2010) __ “Kick-Ass” director Matthew Vaughn will helm X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, a new chapter in Twentieth Century Fox’s blockbuster series of films based on the Marvel Comics.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS begins production this summer for a June 3, 2011 release. Bryan Singer, who conceived the story for FIRST CLASS and directed the original “X-Men” and its sequel “X2,” is producing along with Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg.

“I’ve been a fan of Matthew’s since LAYER CAKE,” said Singer. “He has a deft hand with multiple characters and storylines, and a great love of the X-Men universe. I feel the combination of this story and his vision will make for an exciting and original X-Men film.”

Added Twentieth Century Fox president of production, Emma Watts: “X-Men: First Class presents an exciting opportunity to further explore the history and relationships of these beloved characters. Matthew’s combination of talent, verve and vision is perfectly suited to the task.”

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, following the classic Marvel mythology, charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known.