Here’s news that was pretty much expected but is worth reporting anyway. While several people have had a hand in the script for X-Men: First Class – including The OC creator Josh Schwartz and Jamie Moss (Street Kings), while Bryan Singer came up with an extensive plot treatment when he came on board (initially as the director, before deciding just to produce) – when new broke that Kick-Ass’ Matthew Vaughan had signed up to direct, it was almost inevitable Jane Goldman wouldn’t be far behind.
Vaughan is known for only wanting to work on projects he feels connected to, and as a result he’s taken it on himself to give the First Class script a bit of a rewrite, and that means he’s also brought Goldman onboard to help him do that. It’s little suprise she’s been hired, as she wrote Stardust, The Deal and Kick-Ass with Vaughan, and they seem to have become a firm partnership (he’s said he can’t imagine writing screenplays without her).
The news was broken on Twitter by her Goldman’s husband, Jonathan Ross, who’s teased previously about his wife writing a big blockbuster, but finally said last night, ‘G;night all. The wife is away writing X Men 4 so I am off to bed with little Sweeney alone. He will keep my feet warm and my spirits high.’ However if you’re hoping he’s going to spill the beans on what it’s all about, you’re out of luck, as he’s added, ‘I am afraid I better not answer any more queries re X Men First Class for fear of spoilers and also possible divorce. Thank you.’
That said, we do know a bit about the film, with the official synopsis saying that it: charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known.
The movie starts shooting later this summer, with a June 3rd, 2011 release planned.