X-MEN: FIRST CLASS was a hit and return to form for the Marvel Comics superhero team, all under the direction of Matthew Vaughn. The retro look at the mutant heores and villains followed three blockbuster outings in the present day setting, the first two helemed by Bryan Singer, and the third directed by Brett Ratner. It was inevitable that a sequel to FIRST CLASS was in order, but last week it was announced Vaughn would sadly not return to handle the next installment. While this news was upsetting, the news that has followed is equally pleasing. The man who brought us the first two X-MEN outings (both of which were good) is back – Bryan Singer, who acted as producer on FIRST CLASS, will now in fact be directing DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. Singer originally left the franchise to direct SUPERMAN RETURNS, a move that prompted Brett Ratner to take over the director chair for X-MEN: THE LAST STAND or X3… a film that met with mostly disappointment from fans, despite its box office success. Singer returned as writer and producer on X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, which met with critical and fan praise. There’s also now rumors floating about that DAYS OF FUTURE PAST might somehow connect the FIRST CLASS universe with Singer’s previous films.
The next project from Singer is JACK THE GIANT SLAYER opening March 1, 2013. 20th Century Fox has announced a July 18, 2014 release date for DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. Vaughn is likely to be attached to the sequel as a producer. Funny how things shift around, ain’t it? Are you excited to see Singer return to the X-MEN director chair? Sad to see Vaughn go? Tell us in the comments.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
