Brett Ratner Lands "X-Men 3" Directing Job

I'm not sure how to take this news. Brett Ratner, the man behind the "Rush Hour" film franchise, "Red Dragon," and "After the Sunset," has been named as the director of "X-Men 3," according to Variety. Ratner replaces Matthew Vaughn who recently left the project citing personal reasons.

Granted, Ratner's a huge comic book fan. But he's really going to have to prove something with "X-Men 3." "X-Men" and "X2" both found a lot of success under the direction of Bryan Singer and after Singer left the "X-Men" franchise for "Superman Returns," there's been a revolving door at the "X-Men 3" director position. After Singer left, just about everyone and their brother was named at one time or another as a potential "X-Men 3" director. Now Ratner's apparently getting a shot at the franchise since his "Rush Hour 3" looks like it's been put on the back burner.

Variety also reported that "Lost" star Maggie Grace has joined the cast as Kitty Pryde (aka Shadowcat).

The signing of Ratner seems to indicate 20th Century Fox is still planning on starting production in August, with a release date penciled in for May 2006.

SOURCE: Variety