X-Men prequel set for 'next year'

The prequel to the X-Men saga will be released next year, Twentieth Century Fox has announced.

Film magazine Screen Daily said production on the film is expected to start this summer.

British moviemaker Matthew Vaughn, who directed Kick-Ass, Stardust and Layer Cake will direct X-Men: First Class.

Fox's president of production Emma Watts said: "Matthew's combination of talent, verve and vision is perfectly suited to the task."

She added: "X-Men: First Class presents an exciting opportunity to further explore the history and relationships of these beloved characters."

The last X-Men movie, The Last Stand, was released in 2006 with international box office takings of $459m (£303m)

Last year X-Men Origins: Wolverine was released, starring Hugh Jackman.

It took £6.6m in its first five days of release.