Two spin off movies are now in development to continue on the “X-Men” franchise. 20^th Century Fox has just hired “Blade: Trinity” director and writer David S. Goyer to direct “Magneto”, a new tale about the X-Men’s most dangerous villain. Sir Ian McKellen may reprise his role as the mutant that has absolute control over magnetism but he would only appear in bookend sequences at the start and ending of the picture since most of the action takes place in the past. The new movie would show how a young Magneto was saved from a German concentration camp at the end of the war by a young Professor X (played by Patrick Stewart in the three “X-Men” movies) and how the war changed his outlook on justice and revenge. After being freed Magneto would use his powers to seek justice on escaped Nazis which would place him at odds with Xavier’s more compassionate teachings.

Also in development is a stand-alone “Wolverine” movie which would see Hugh Jackman playing the clawed crime fighter once again. Wolverine is the most popular of the X-Men and his solo movie would expand upon his mysterious origins and how he came to be molecularly bonded with the metal adamantium. No director has been hired so far for this project but Fox is hoping to make an announcement shortly.