Joss Whedon

The question of just who would be directing X-Men 3 has been nagging at fans since Bryan Singer left the franchise to relaunch Superman. Now the question has been answered, and while Whedon fans across the globe weep, a pretty good name has been pulled from this hat: Matthew Vaughn.

Unless you’re one of our dead sexy British readers you probably haven’t seen the man’s prior directing gig, Layer Cake, a completely crackerjack British gangster film starring the excellent Daniel Craig. Being a dead sexy CHUD.com writer, I have seen the movie, and I do have to say that Vaughn handles things with some real flair and flash, while never sacrificing storytelling.

What will he bring to X-Men 3? It’s hard to say, but much like the hiring of Paul Greengrass to helm Watchmen (oh, and by the way, look for the CHUD.com EXCLUSIVE interview with Greengrass tomorrow - I’m transcribing it right now), this is a move that gives me some faith that the studio (Fox here, Paramount for Watchmen) isn’t just interested in cranking out something to pad their second and third quarter profits.

By the way, Vaughn may have only directed one film, but he’s no tyro - he’s been producing the films of Guy Ritchie for years.