Matthew Vaughn Will Not Be Directing ‘X-Men: First Class 2,’ Bryan Singer May Step In

Matthew Vaughn has decided not to direct the sequel to X-Men: First Class, Deadline reports.

Bryan Singer, who directed the first two X-Men films, is at the top of 20th Century Fox’s list to replace Vaughn. Singer has also written the treatment and produced the first X-Men: First Class film. The roles would be reversed if Singer does end up at the helm, as Vaughn has written the treatment for the sequel, titled X-Men: Days of Future Past.

The sequel will be produced by Simon Kinberg — who also scripted the film — and Lauren Shuler Donner, who has acted as a producer for all of the X-Men films and spinoffs. Fox already has a script for Days of Future Past, and is hoping to make its July 18, 2014 release date.

Vaughn is working on another film for Fox, the drama Secret Service, which is an adaptation of a Mark Millar comic book series. Why he has chosen to back out of Days of Future Past is unclear. He dropped out of the first film briefly before changing his mind and returning, and he has also passed on directing the sequel to Kick-Ass.

Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, and Jennifer Lawrence will be reprising their roles in X-Men: Days of Future Past. And fans who were disappointed by the Danger Room teaser in X-Men: The Last Stand should rejoice — Sentinels may be making an actual appearance in this film. Considering the role they play in the “Days of Future Past” storyline in both the comics and X-Men: The Animated Series, this seems like a very real possibility.

What do you think of Matthew Vaughn not returning for the X-Men: First Class sequel? More importantly, how do you feel about Sentinels possibly hitting the big screen?