X-Men: First Class

This shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but don’t expect to see another direct sequel in the X-MEN franchise. It seems the LAST STAND really was.

Instead, Fox is officially continuing the origin route (following their WOLVERINE and theoretical MAGNETO projects) with a look at the early days of the mutant students in X-MEN: FIRST CLASS. The script will come from Josh Schwartz (“THE O.C.”, “CHUCK”, “GOSSIP GIRL”), who actually let the news slip to our own Ben Barna during an interview back in May (it has since disappeared from the internets, damn lawyers).

Schwartz, who will apparently “inject a next-gen sensibility” into the series, reportedly declined a directing opportunity, so the chair is still open. No story details are being revealed, but it’s safe to assume it will involve younger versions of familiar characters at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, along with some brand new freaks.

Keep in mind that although Marvel Studios is making headway on their own, they no longer control the movie rights to some of their A-list superhero roster and their peripherals (X-MEN, SPIDER-MAN, FANTASTIC FOUR), which they relinquished during a 90s bankruptcy “fire sale”. So expect to see a few more Fox X-spinoffs as long as comic book flicks generate some bucks…