It’s easy to remember just how bad comic book-based movies had gotten prior to this most recent decade, and easy to forget that Bryan Singer’s X-Men was pivotal in reversing that trend.

But here we are ten years later, and Singer, after a brief flirtation with DC’s Superman, is back making more 'X-Men' movies. Indeed, not only has he signed on to helm the upcoming X-Men: First Class, which focuses on younger versions of certain characters, but apparently, producer Lauren Shuler Donner wants him to direct X-Men 4 as well.

In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Singer looked back on a decade that began with 2000’s X-Men and subsequently bequeathed films based on Spider-Man, Batman, Iron Man, and Watchmen (as well as two 'X-Men' sequels, one of which Singer directed).

"I don't know if people followed in our footsteps or maybe we were just the first of a group going down the same path together," he said. "I can tell you this: I remember when Marvel Comics was in bankruptcy and I bought stock for a friend as a joke. That was before 'X-Men' and it was one of the reasons we had so much freedom. And now Disney paid $4 billion for the company. That sort of caught my attention. I just think we made some good movies. And now we're going to make more."

Singer confirmed that X-Men: First Class will feature Cyclops, Jean Grey and Beast, albeit played by younger actors than in the earlier X-films. Likewise, less long-in-the-tooth versions of Professor Charles Xavier — who founded the X-Men — and his enemy Magneto would also appear; however, Singer said the film wouldn’t just be a prequel for prequel’s sake.

"Just doing younger mutants is not enough. The story needs to be more than that. I love the relationship between Magneto and Xavier, these two men who have diametrically opposite points of view but still manage to be friends—to a point. They are the ultimate frenemies," Singer said.

Meanwhile, Singer managed not to comment on whether Hugh Jackman would appear as Wolverine, as it has been speculated in some corners (Adding fuel to the fire, of course, is Jackman’s own statement that he’d like Singer to direct one of his upcoming movies, although the title isn’t mentioned.)

Shuler Donner, producer of the 'X-Men' films, is mentioned as saying she’s holding X-Men 4 open for Singer, the implication being there’s high hopes he can turn the franchise around after the critical drubbing Brett Ratner’s X-Men 3: The Last Stand took. Interestingly, when Singer broke away to make 2006’s Superman Returns, he was expected to be the savior of DC’s franchise character; but looking back, Singer said he now believes he was the wrong choice for the Man of Steel.

"My personality meshes more with this universe than it does with other universes, I think; I see that now at this point," Singer said. "I feel a connection to the X-Men characters and also the ensemble nature of the films. If you look at 'Usual Suspects'' or my last film, 'Valkyrie,'  I feel especially comfortable with ensemble juggling. In the space between all the characters you can disguise a central thought that's hidden in all the discourse. I missed that with the singular relationship story of Superman. And, well, it always gives you something to cut to."

Personally, I enjoyed Singer’s more ensemble-centric approach in Superman Returns, but it’s good to have him back either way. And what about that X-Men 4 news? There were hints in recent months that the 'X-Men' movie franchise would be moving ahead and away from prequels — and with Singer involved, no less — but this is a veritable official announcement. Anyone else excited?