'Kick-Ass' director to film next 'X-Men' installment

Matthew Vaughn has signed up to direct 'X-Men: First Class'.

The 'Kick-Ass' filmmaker has completed negotiations to helm the project - a prequel which tells the back story of Professor X and Magneto before they became enemies.

According to a release from Fox, seen by Heat Vision Blog, the movie will also have some familiar faces.

The statement read: "Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were the closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known.

"In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-Men."

Matthew Vaughn is best known for his work as a producer, having previously worked on a number of Guy Ritchie films including 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels', 'Snatch' and 'Swept Away'.

'X-Men: First Class' is planned for release on June 3, 2011.