Bryan Singer to direct 'X-Men: First Class'

Just recently, Bryan Singer said he would love to do another "X-Men" film, and now, he's on board to helm "X-Men: First Class," the debut of a new series of flicks with a focus on younger mutants.

Singer also directed "X-Men" and "X2." Variety says Singer wrote a treatment Fox really enjoyed. Jamie Moss ("Street Kings") has been hired to write the script, and Lauren Shuler Donner is back to produce.

"This is the formative years of Xavier and Magneto, and the formation of the school and where there relationship took a wrong turn," Singer recently told Variety. He said there will also be new villains.

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Monday film news roundup: Donner wants more 'X-Men'; Sony Pictures swings 'Machete'

Here is a list of recent film news and posts I either missed or simply didn't have time to cover earlier:

• Star producer Lauren Shuler Donner (she's done all the "X-Men" flicks) says she would like to develop a lot more mutant films. On her wishlist are "X4" and "The New Mutants." Read more about it at /Film.

• Sony Pictures picked up the rights to Robert Rodriguez's "Machete," which stars Danny Trejo, Rose McGowan, Jessica Alba and Robert De Niro and is currently shooting. Oh, and Lindsay Lohan's in it too. (THR)

• In related Sony news, the studio has set advance screenings for Kenny Ortega's Michael Jackson doc "This Is It." This will happen on Oct. 27, 2009, on which 15 simultaneous premiere events will be held worldwide. (Variety)

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