X-Men vanquished?

Bryan Singer, the man who directed both "X-Men" films, has jumped ship ahead of the third in the series.

16:14 20 July 2004

Bryan Singer, the man who directed both "X-Men" films, has jumped ship ahead of the third in the series.

Singer has apparently now signed on to helm Warner Brothers' latest "Superman" project.

According to Empire magazine, he will be joined by writers Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty - writers of "X2: X-Men United".

It would now appear that the "X3" project is on ice, although it is generally presumed a third film will be made.

But the departure of the director and writers form the last, highly successful, film is not the only problem faced in returning the X-Men to our screens.

Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and Ian McKellen (Magneto) only signed up to one sequel - making re-signing them expensive for Fox. Halle Berry (Storm) is also reportedly cautious about a third film.

The film is still set to go ahead (with a May 2006 release pencilled in), but as yet there is no news on who will replace the writers and director of the last film, which grossed more than $200 million in the US box office.