When writer David Goyer left his post as showrunner for TV’s Flashforward there were rumblings about what he was up to. At the time the most obvious answer  was that he was helping director Christopher Nolan with the third Batman script. At the same time, DC had confirmed Nolan would be helping to get the Superman franchise back on track.

Well, today all the pieces are falling into place as we learn Goyer has been hired to write the next Superman movie.  A source confirmed the news to Latino Review and gave a little indication of what we can expect:

“I can tell you that Goyer’s story involves Luthor and Brainiac.  It is NOT an origin and assumes audiences already know about Lois, Clark, Jimmy and Perry.  I know the Daily Planet is struggling due to the internet.  And I know it sets up a huge Kryptonian mythology.”

Some other points of interest are that Bryan Singer and Brandon Routh will probably not return. Also, the film may be called The Man of Steel instead of Superman: The Man of Steel.  Contrary to prior rumors Mark Millar will not be involved  from the sounds of it.

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Probably the biggest news during the premiere of James Cameron’s new film Avatar came from outside the theater on the blue carpet when MySpace’s camera crew talked with Bryan Singer, who spilled the beans on his next projects. First up, seems to be Jack the Giant Killer – written by Mark Bomback (Live Free and Die Hard) and Darren Lemke, about a princess that goes missing, and disrupts a truce between man and giants. And Singer says, he’s gearing up to use the same technology that Avatar used.

But that’s not the biggest news from the premiere. Singer also said: “I just yesterday signed a deal to do an ‘X-Men: First Class Origins’ picture, which is kind of cool. I’m very excited.” The movie was originally said to be in the hands of Chuck and Gossip Girl creator Josh Schwartz and also had writer Zak Penn, who had worked on the first two X-Men films, attached to direct at one point.

So this revelation by Singer is surprising, and exciting news. Bryan Singer, of course directed the first two X-Men films, which together grossed more that $600 Million, before leaving the franchise to direct Superman Returns and last year’s Valkyrie.

Here’s a link to the UStream video, that if you forward to the 27-minute mark, will give you the news directly from Singer’s mouth.

The Superman franchise continues to struggle as more details emerge from Warner Brothers.  In short, Warner Brothers still isn’t doing anything with the project. According to Warner Brothers insiders:

“The studio is still seeking the right direction. No writers are working on a Superman script. ‘We’re working on a strategy for DC,’ says one Warners exec. ‘Superman is the trickiest one to figure out.’ “

Still “seeking the right direction”? No writers? Tricky to figure out? How “tricky” can this be?  You only have several movies and hundreds of comics to draw inspiration from. Get it together Warner Brothers.

Now, there is the legal matter to deal with which is rather tricky. I can appreciate the fact WB wants these legalities with the Siegel Estate put to rest but seriously, get moving. Providing some indication that you’re actively developing a new movie could certainly help your case instead of simply squandering time.

Sadly, the only direction left for this property is the dreaded “r” word-reboot. Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns hardly met the studios expectations (but I for one liked it).  Having made $391 million worldwide it cost $232 million to make. Do the math and you can’t even compare that film to something like Christopher Nolan’s billion dollar Batman movie, The Dark Knight.

As we’ve noted on The Flickcast before the Siegel family will reclaim the Superman rights in 2013.  That means at a minimum film production has to start by 2011 (and that’s pushing it). The clock is ticking. Time to start moving faster than a speeding bullet Warner Brothers.

At the Pusan International Film Festival held in South Korea, director Bryan Singer had most fanboys’ ears perking up when he mentioned: “I’m still looking to possibly returning to the X-Men franchise. I’ve been talking to Fox about it.” Singer was the director for both X-Men and X2: X-Men United, but decided to pass on what would eventually be X-Men: The Last Stand so that he could helm Superman Returns instead.

Rush Hour director Brett Ratner handled the third mutant installment while Rendition director Gavin Hood oversaw the spin-off X-Men Origins: Wolverine in Singer’s absence; the latter of which will birth another spin-off revolving around Ryan Reynolds’ character, Deadpool. Box office success was never a problem with these comic-themed movies, but both X3 and the Superman reboot didn’t stand up critically to some other feature films from the same genre.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Singer likes to “trick audiences into thinking they’re seeing fireworks, but they’re learning about themselves and listening to what I have to say.” He further stated: “The excitement about working in science fiction and fantasy is – the stories, if they are good, are about human condition.” This, combined with how the first two X-Men chapters were received, would seem to indicate that Singer has a good grasp of what the backbone of Marvel’s mutant population is all about, but at this time there has been no announcement or confirmation of Singer telling Wolverine what to do.

Director Bryan Singer, not content to remake and/or reboot one potential franchise in Battlestar Galactica, is now taking on yet another reboot project. This time around, he’s set his sights on John Boorman’s excellent 1981 film Excalibur, which introduced actors such as Helen Mirren, Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, Patrick Stewart and Ciaran Hinds.

According to the report, Singer and Warner Bros. have closed a deal to remake the film with Singer producing and developing the picture as a potential directing vehicle. Inspired by Sir Thomas Malory’s 15th century work, and scripted by Rospo Pallenberg and Boorman, the original Excalibur “explores the myth of King Arthur, complete with the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin the wizard and the quest for the Holy Grail to save Arthur’s life.” Singer hasn’t set a writer yet for the project.

For many years I’ve been wondering why nobody ever took a fresh look at this movie and story. Its themes are timeless and it sports lots of great sword fighting, magic and romance so it should provide more than enough material for a brand new film — or even a franchise. Really, I would much prefer Singer do this film instead on taking on Battlestar Galactica. Or, he could do Logan’s Run or even X-Men: First Class, which he’s been supposedly interested in based on his reaction to a script by Josh Schwartz. Any of those would be fine Bryan — just keep yer mits off of BSG.

This is not breaking news exactly, and had been rumored for some time, but I just can’t let it go without comment. For me, the revelation and subsequent confirmation that Bryan Singer, director of such films as X-Men, The Usual Suspects and Superman Returns, is now attached to direct a Battlestar Galactica movie for Universal comes directly from the ‘WTF?’ department.

Just in case you don’t know what’s happening, yesterday, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Singer signed on the line that is dotted and will direct and produce a “re-imagining” of the classic series created by Glen Larson. I’m just curious what makes him think the best use of his time is to direct a completely new Battlestar Galactica movie?

Before I go on, let me just say that I was a fan of Glen Larson and Universal’s answer to Star Wars when it first hit the air. Heck, I even gave them another chance after the first BSG series was canceled and watched Galactica 1980. That’s how far I go back. Sure, the shows were cheesy and campy, but as a kid I didn’t really care. But now, they seem extremely dated and lightweight  — especially when compared to the updated SyFy series.

I’m also a fan of Singer and many of his films — The Usual Suspects and X2 in particular. His work shows a great deal of maturity and polish and he usually knows how to tell a story — especially one that’s written by the very talented Christopher McQuarrie. However, I was also looking far more forward to Singer taking on an updated version of Logan’s Run or even getting back in the chair for another go at X-Men or a Wolverine sequel than to him doing a BSG movie.

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With X-Men Origins: Wolverine opening as one of the biggest box office films of the Summer, it was completely inevitable that a sequel was on the way. We are now getting word that Christopher McQuarrie, writer of films such as The Usual Suspects and The Way of the Gun is now taking on the writing duties for that sequel.

McQuarrie has worked in tandem with Bryan Singer, who directed the first two X-Men films. Singer and McQuarrie both worked on Valkyrie and The Usual Suspects, and the Oscar winning writer even did an uncredited rewrite on the first X-Men script. When it comes to the story, The Hollywood Reporter says that fans should remember the source material:

Hugh Jackman is set to return as the Marvel Comics character, a mutant with healing powers and a skeleton laced with the indestructible metal known as adamantium. Jackman is also producing via his Fox-based Seed shingle along with Lauren Shuler Donner.

The movie’s story line will take its cue from the early 1980s Chris Claremont/Frank Miller miniseries, which is set in Japan and features Wolverine dealing with ninjas as he struggles whether to follow his animal killer instincts or the life under a samurai’s code of honor and respect.

X-Men Origins reportedly brought in $180 million in the domestic box office, and $363 worldwide. With a predecessor like that, there is no doubt a sequel will do well, especially if word of a Deadpool spinoff is still happening.