Matthew Vaughn steps down as director for X-Men: Days of Future Past and Bryan Singer steps in

While this indeed does come as a huge shock, Matthew Vaughn, the director who I felt fixed the X-Men film franchise, has stepped down as director for the upcoming sequel to X-Men First Class titled X-Men: Days of Future Past.

While no official reason has been given for this sudden and disappointing departure. Rumors started right off that bat that Producer Bryan Singer would be now stepping up and directing this film, which many see as a welcome return to the franchise. After several days of speculation, Bryan Singer announced he would be indeed taking on the project.

So basically Bryan Singer and Matthew Vaughn switched places.

Deadline confirmed the report of Singer’s return to the franchise by directing the upcoming X-Men: Days Of Future Past, which many have described it as “apocalyptic”. Along with this news, a deal seems to be closing to have Vaughn produce this film still along with the films writer Simon Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner (producer of the entire franchise).

The biggest news from this entire debacle is the casting. Most of the Cast from X-Men First Class is indeed returning, which includes James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Jennifer Lawrence. But with it, rumors are now sprouting that veterans of the previous X-Men trilogy are set to appear.

Many members of the previous cast have expressed huge interest in returning. Bleeding Cool is reporting that they’ve even heard that a “meaningful number” of that cast is set to appear. Patrick Stewart (who played Professor X) and Famke Janssen (who played Jean Grey/Phoenix) have teased their involvement in this film, and given the recent rumors of a Jean Grey/Phoenix cameo in the upcoming film “The Wolverine” seems to help this case. Rumors also suggest Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as Wolverine, epically due to the characters central role in the comics story.

Shawn Ashmore (Iceman) has stated he would love to see his character return, and considering the possibility that thanks to X-Men 3, his character can now fully “Ice Over” fans would welcome his return.

“I don’t know, I’d love to. If they’re into it I’m down. Again, at the end of the day it’s really up to the big wigs of Hollywood on what they want to do. You just kind of smile and go with it.”

Bottom line, although Fans lost Matthew Vaughn, Bryan Singer has stepped back up. And with it, comes the potential that we may see the X-Men movie we have wanted from the start.