Matthew Vaughn Set to Direct ‘X-Men: First Class’ With June 2011 Release

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CHICAGO – In an ironic twist of movie fate, “Kick-Ass” director Matthew Vaughn, the man once assigned the role of directing “X-Men: The Last Stand” will direct the next installment in the mega-franchise, “X-Men: First Class,” to be released on June 3rd, 2011. 20th Century Fox made the announcement official this afternoon.

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in X-Men.
Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in X-Men.
Photo credit: Fox

According to Box Office Mojo, “X-Men: First Class” will tell the story of Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr before they became Professor X and Magneto, played respectively by Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen in “X-Men” and “X2: X-Men United”. The prequel will detail how the two characters first came together to fight as one mutant force and then later grew apart, resulting in the relationship in the current universe of “The X-Men”.

“X-Men: First Class” has no cast yet but the choice of Matthew Vaughn is an interesting one for several reasons. Not only was he once assigned to direct “X-Men: The Last Stand” before leaving due to creative differences, but he had also been rumored for “Thor” at one point before moving on to a very different kind of comic book film, last month’s “Kick-Ass,” which has made just under $43 million domestically since its release.

“First Class” is the fifth entry in a franchise that has made $1.5 billion worldwide. “X-Men,” starring Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, James Mardsen, Famke Janssen, Rebecca Romijn, Stewart, and McKellen was released in 2000 and made $157 million domestically, followed by even bigger hits in 2003’s “X2: X-Men United” ($215 million), 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand” ($234 million), and 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” ($180 million).

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Anonymous's picture

I hope they get a really hot

I hope they get a really hot girl to play jean grey this time…like laura prepon from the 70s show. I wonder though will the class be the original first class like cyclops,iceman,beast,and angel? Or the kids xavier took from weapon x in x-men: origins like cyclops,and emma frost?

CapnSquintyEyes's picture

No, no, no. Why can't they take their time?

So I’m pretty upset they’re rushing another X-men movie. They’ve been my favorite superheroes since I was old enough to read and I don’t want to see another crappy movie made so Fox can get rich quick. I wrote a fan letter on my blog and I’m trying to get as many people as possible to print it out and send to them. There are addresses to Fox, Bryan Singer’s company, the Donner’s Company, and Matthew Vaughn’s agent in it. If nothing else, we’ll be a pain in their ass for making a bad movie. For the cost of 4 stamps? Worth it, I think.

http://davidquanstyle.com/2010/05/05/this-post-requires-action/

Anonymous's picture

I’m just happy they are

I’m just happy they are making another x-men movie. Especially one that doesent revolve around wolverine. Don’t get me wrong he is a great character and I am a big fan of marvel. But there are so many other great characters that don’t get the attention or screen time. Besides just a few weeks ago it was all about ironman 2, captain america, and thor. Now besides the deadpool movie I get to look foward to another x-men movie. And nomatter what they do or how much they rush it can’t be as bad as dragonball: evolution. Wich should have been a great movie and promising franchise. Here’s to first class being kick ass

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