Matthew Vaughn Won't Direct 'X-Men: First Class 2'; Studio Wants Bryan Singer

Deadline has confirmed that Matthew Vaughn has decided to step back and not direct the sequel to 20th Century Fox‘s hit spinoff X-Men: First Class. Vaughn wrote the treatment for the sequel that was scripted by Simon Kinberg and will be producing the movie with Simon Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner.

20th Century Fox has a replacement short list running and the first name on the list is Bryan Singer, who launched the X-Men feature franchise with the first two superb films and who has been a guiding influence in this spinoff by writing the treatment and producing.

As for the sequel, Fox has a script for X-Men: Days Of Future Past, and set to return is Fox’s First Class cast that includes Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Jennifer Lawrence. The release date has been set for July 18th, 2014 which Fox hopes to make so they are in need of a director quickly. As to why Vaughn stepped back isn't exactly sure but sources say that he is picky on projects he directs. He originally quit from directing the original First Class film, prompting Fox to start a search before he changed his mind and returned. Vaughn also passed on directing the sequel to his Kick-Ass film, entrusting the job to Jeff Wadlow. Wadlow is shooting Kick-Ass 2: Balls To The Wall right now with Aaron Johnson and Chloe Moretz.