The continued success of Hollywood's hit X-Men franchise hangs in the balance after it emerged yesterday that the director behind the franchise and the studio responsible for producing it may be parting company.
In recent years Bryan Singer and 20th Century Fox forged one of the most lucrative partnerships in Tinseltown through the sci-fi hits X-Men and X2: X-Men United, which between them have generated nearly $700m in worldwide ticket sales since 2000.
Under the terms of a so-called 'first-look' deal signed less than a year ago, Singer has been obliged to give the studio first dibs on all story ideas in return for office space and the studio's full production, marketing and distribution support on any greenlit projects.
However, according to Variety, cracks began to appear back in March when Singer signed a deal with rival studio Warner Bros to remake the sci-fi film Logan's Run. The situation deteriorated last month when X3 talks broke down and Singer agreed to make Superman for Warner Bros, a tricky assignment that has already been passed over by top action directors Brett Ratner (Rush Hour) and McG (Charlie's Angels), as well as Tim Burton.
Warner Bros insiders say a production deal with Singer is effectively in place, while the Hollywood Reporter makes the bolder claim that Singer's first-look deal with Fox is over. Fox declined to comment.
