Bryan Singer returns to ‘X-Men,’ replaces Matthew Vaughn to direct ‘X-Men: First Class’ sequel

Following the sudden exit of "X-Men: First Class" director Matthew Vaughn from the upcoming sequel, fans fearing that the next X-movie would end up in the clutches of a lesser filmmaker can rest easy today with news that Bryan Singer — the man behind the first two "X-Men" films — has stepped in to fill the void.

Confirming what many suspected might happen, Deadline is reporting that Singer has been hired by 20^th Century Fox to direct the "First Class" sequel "X-Men: Days of Future Past." Based on the comic book storyline of the same name, "Days of Future Past" features a time travel plot that will attempt to unify the decade-spanning continuity of the Singer and Vaughn era X-films. This means that "Days of Future Past" will most likely feature members of the modern-day mutant team from Singer's movies as well as their 1960s counterparts seen in "First Class."

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X-fans had reason to be worried when news broke of Vaughn's departure from the sequel, as there was a historical precedent that didn't result in good things for the franchise. Before he took on "First Class," the "Kick-Ass" director was originally attached to direct "X-Men 3: The Last Stand" after Singer left to direct "Superman Returns." However, Vaughn quit just weeks before filming was to begin for personal reasons, and his replacement, "Rush Hour" director Brett Ratner, created a film that left much to be desired. You could almost hear fans screaming "Please not Ratner!" when it was reported that Vaughn would not direct "Days of Future Past."

For once, Fox seems to have heard the fans cries. Putting Singer back in charge of the "X-Men" franchise almost makes up for the debacles of "Last Stand" and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." Almost. Although it has been nearly ten years since Singer's "X2: X-Men United," the "Usual Suspects" director has already been back in the X-fold for a while now, having written the story for "First Class" and produced it. After an uncertain few years for the director (see: "Superman Returns" and "Valkyrie") and for the franchise, it'll be good to see Singer back in the driver's seat of the series he helped create.

It's important to remember that Singer's "X-Men" and "X2: X-Men United" helped define the superhero movie as a viable genre in Hollywood. While they weren't the first superhero movies by a long shot, they were the first real commercial successes based on Marvel characters. "Spider-Man" and "The Avengers" owe a great deal to the critical and financial triumphs of Singer's X-films. Here's hoping the director can return to his pre-"Superman" form with "Days of Future Past."

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The film will feature return of "First Class" actors Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Jennifer Lawrence. And, given that the characters of Wolverine and Kitty Pryde figure heavily in the comic book storyline, it's very possible that Hugh Jackman and Ellen Page could reprise their respective mutant roles as well.

"X-Men: Days Of Future Past" is scheduled for release on July 18, 2014.