We’ve heard rumors since a few months ago, but it looks like it’s now true — Bryan Singer is returning to the X-Men. The director originally launched the cinematic iterations of the popular superhero team with 2000’s X-Men before leaving after the highly successful X2 to direct Superman Returns. He’ll now be back to relaunch the franchise in a way, announcing that he has closed a deal to direct X-Men: First Class.

Singer spoke with MySpace at the Blue Carpet premiere of Avatar last night, and that’s where he dropped the bombshell. Asked what projects he was working, Singer mentioned briefly that he was prepping Jack the Giant Killer before going on to say, “I just yesterday signed a deal to do an X-Men: First Class origins picture, which is kind of cool.”

Hit the jump to see a video of the aforementioned interview, as well as for more information about the movie.

As we’ve reported in the past, the film, originally written by Josh Schwartz, was conceived as an origin story, but with a lighter teenaged bent to the storyline. I’m not sure if that’ll stay the same now that Singer is onboard, but THR is reporting today that a new writer — Jamie Moss (Street Kings, Ghost in the Shell) — has been hired to work with Singer on the story, so that may be the case.

We do know that the film will follow Professor Charles Xavier’s first class at his School for Gifted Youngsters and that producers are hoping it will act as a prequel to the current X-Men trilogy. If it does well, it could very well turn into a franchise in its own right. There’s no word yet on which characters will headline the movie (though Cyclops, Jean Gray, and Beast have all been mentioned), but its expected that both Wolverine and Gambit will be absent, as the story predates their entry into Xavier’s school. THR is also saying that new characters will be created for the movie.

Singer’s signing is good news for many, though I do know that there are a select few out there who didn’t particularly enjoy his vision for the X-Men. Still, I think he’s definitely a much stronger choice than a lot of other directors, and with the turmoil that has plagued the X-Men franchise since his departure, I’m sure his return will bring a much needed sense of stability to the property. We’ll keep you guys posted on how this one develops.

Tags: Bryan Singer, Jack the Giant Killer, Josh Schwartz, X-Men: First Class