Bryan Singer has an incredible amount of goodwill with X-Men fans – after all, he directed the critically acclaimed and commercial successful X-Men and X2 that were so beloved by the fans. However, it was reported that he had to choose between directing the third installment of the original X-Men series, X-Men: The Last Stand or Superman Returns - and he chose Superman Returns. Of course, Superman Returns went on to become a critical and commercial disappointment whereas the third X-Men installment was critically derided for destroying the franchise. Even to this day, a lot of fans say that Singer’s departure caused the creative failure of the series. 
Bryan Singer is loved by fans
Despite that, Singer came back on board to produce X-Men: First Class, which Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn directed. The movie was widely considered a return to form for the franchise, and a sequel was immediately announced. First Class did get excellent reviews and did go on to do very well internationally, despite not matching up to the original series in box office numbers. Despite this, the movie generated enough goodwill that the studio was willing to bankroll a second film. This time, it is being reported that Vaughn will not return to direct – but Singer will.
The movie, called, X-Men: Days of Future Past, is scheduled for release July of 2014, and is said to be about an alternative universe in the X-Men world. Singer recently directed Jack the Giant Slayer, in addition to currently directing Kick-Ass 2.
X-men scheduled for July 2014
IGN Interview with Bryan Singer
