Bryan Singer will produce X-Men: First Class

Sometimes I wonder what Bryan Singer is thinking high above on his mountain top.

Right now he’s thinking that instead of directing X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, he’ll produce. This was possibly the best way for him to stay connected with the next mutant movie as well as keep his commitment to direct the CG film JACK THE GIANT KILLER. That project apparently is a huge one that will either be filmed in 3D, or converted later.

The studio is wanting to do FIRST CLASS right away because they were so impressed with writer Jamie Moss’ (STREET KINGS) script based on Singer’s treatment, envisioning it as the first part of a trilogy. They are also hoping that the project will have a 2011 release. Fox has spoken to several directors on the shortlist. They are in quite the hurry to get this project started.

So what’s the story behind X-MEN: FIRST CLASS? It will focus more on the younger Charles Xavier and his once friend, now nemesis Eric Lensherr also known as the great Magneto. In fact, it will show the friendship between the two and it’s eventual demise. Singer said this in an earlier interview with the LA Times, “Just doing younger mutants is not enough. The story needs to be more than that. I love the relationship between Magneto and Xavier, these two men who have diametrically opposite points of view but still manage to be friends — to a point. They are the ultimate frenemies.” Well will also get more detail on the beginning of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters which later is renamed Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.

It’s too bad that Singer can’t direct, but at least he is still on the film. However, it will be interesting to see how the project develops.