X-Men: First Class graduating to the big screen

In an interview with MTV News, writer Josh Schwartz confirmed that the Marvel’s merry band of mutants will indeed be expanding with another film, this time centering around the mini-series X-Men: First Class.

The veteran TV writer for the CW’s Gossip Girl and NBC’s Chuck did state in the interview that, despite early rumors, he would not be directing X-Men: First Class.

“I would be terrified to have the first thing I direct be a giant franchise movie.”

Schwartz explained.

X-Men: First Class details the early days of the first five X-Men who were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby back in 1963: Cyclops, Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), Beast, Iceman and Angel, all of whom have already appeared in the three previous X-Men movies.

Originally released in 2007, X-Men: First Class only ran for eight issues and has since been picked up as a monthly series by Marvel.

When asked about what the film would be about, Schwartz was mum about any actual details, only referring to what he would like to tell if given the chance:

“The Dark Phoenix storyline is probably the high point of the comics’ storytelling. But they did that. So we’ll find more fertile soil somewhere else.”

“I’m not really allowed to say anything,” he added. “They’re watching me as we speak. It’s exciting, it’s a huge honor and we’re just getting started.”

There is also no word yet on any possible cast, although it is doubtful that any of the original X-Men cast will be returning for this new film.

With the possible X-Men Origins: Magneto in the works, and the May 1, 2009, release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine coming in just a few months, X-Men fans have plenty to look forward to in the next few years.

Read [MTV News] Also Read [IGN] Site [Marvel Comics]