'X-Men: First Class' Will be written by Josh Schwartz
But thank the gods that he has turned down the chance to direct the movie! It scares the hell out of me that FOX even offered it to him. So we know that there is a big chance this movie is going to end up in the hands on a fairly new director. Its not a bad thing, as long as it's not Brett Ratner. You can't get any worse than X-Men 3.
If you don't know who Josh Schwartz is he is the creator of hit TV shows such as 'Gossip Girl', 'The OC', and 'Chuck'. So he knows silly teenage drama.
Variety reports:
He is expected to inject a next-gen sensibility into the superhero series, which has earned $1.2 billion worldwide.
Writing assignment has also included the possibility of directing the pic, but so far Schwartz has opted not to take the helm.
Because he knows he wouldn't be able to handle it. He is a smart man for turning it down. Honestly, who ever gets to direct this movie is in for a world of hurt from the fanboy community. Schwartz is still writing the script, and that could end up being awful, it it ends up being like any of the TV shows he has made. FOX is trying to re-invent a Franchise that they killed off with Brett Ratner. I'm not sure if going this route is the best way to do it. I can totally see it crash and burn.
Lauren Shuler Donner, who produced all three "X-Men" pics, as well as next summer's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," is producing "First Class" alongside "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" scribe Simon Kinberg.
Fox is keeping quiet on plans and declined to confirm details of the project. The studio has been considering ways to continue its successful series of "X-Men" movies after the third installment, the Brett Ratner-helmed "X-Men: The Last Stand," collected $459 million in 2006.
Fox has been leaning toward using the younger characters introduced in the previous pics in future installments -- teenagers with powers taught at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.
This whole idea could blow up in their face. I just don't see how this is shaping up to be good.
Resulting film would likely draw from elements of the Marvel comic of the same name, launched in 2006, and enlist such characters as Iceman, Rogue, Angel, Colossus, Jubilee and Shadowcat, who have appeared prominently or made cameos in prior pics.
Given Hollywood's penchant for reboots with new actors playing familiar roles, pic could also reintroduce characters. Comicbook revolves around the Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Iceman, Angel and Professor X.
Naturally, "First Class" could also result in its own series of sequels.
Lets wait and see how it turns out. The comic book is really quite good, I wonder if they are just taking the title of it though and doing something completely different. Who knows maybe FOX will surprise us and develop a good movie.