Matthew Vaughn to Direct 'X3'

With Bryan Singer hard at work on the new 'Superman' movie, Guy Ritchie's former producer may helm the next instalment in the 'X-Men' franchise.

Mar 14 2005

After months of speculation, it's looking increasingly like Matthew Vaughn will be announced as director of the third 'X-Men' movie later this week.

Vaughn, who made his directorial debut with the hugely entertaining gangster flick 'Layer Cake', has been in talks to helm the blockbuster, which is due to go into production sometime this summer.

Replacing Bryan Singer, who is working on the new 'Superman' movie, Vaughn is a surprise choice for the vacant director's chair, but anyone who has seen 'Layer Cake' will know that he has a great eye for stylish visuals, and there is little doubt that he would jump at the chance to take charge of such a massive project.

Indeed, speaking to Vaughn a few weeks before the release of his gangster flick last year, he was already saying that he fancied visiting blockbuster territory soon.

'I love sci-fi,' he told Time Out, speaking about what he'd like to tackle next. 'And I love big, fun popcorn movies like "Harry Potter" and "The Matrix".'

If the rumours are to be believed, it looks like Mr Vaughn may just get his wish, taking the reins of one of the most successful big-budget franchises of recent years.

Exact details of the movie are still under wraps, although 'X2' scribe Zak Penn has already written the script, which is thought to concern the comic book's 'Dark Phoenix' saga (wherein Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey turns baaaad!).

And as for the cast, Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellan, Anna Paquin and Janssen herself should all be returning, with only Halle Berry undecided at this point.