Aint it Cool News reports that Matthew Vaughn, director of "Layer Cake", will direct "X-Men 3" for Fox. Their source also indicates that "It sounds like Zak Penn's script is the one that Fox is using, and this director should be able to mine layers and layers of subtext out of the material".

Penn, who has played a big hand behind the scenes in the "X-Men" franchise so far, is said to have penned a script revolving around the Dark Phoenix saga. As of now Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and Alan Cumming are all coming back, and Halle Berry is still undecided. A Memorial Day 2006 date is also said to still be targeted.

Thanks to 'Mitja', 'Gustavo' & 'JHBlade'