Could Singer Return to X-Men?

Everyone is talking about Bryan Singer and his determination to bring Superman back to the big screen after "Superman Returns" but what about the X-Men? After two "X-Men" movies, the second of which was a spectacular success, Singer left the X-crew in favor of super pursuits. But supposedly at Comic-Con this year, Singer was asked if he would ever consider doing an "X-Men 4" and he answered that he would love to but he would have to "see who was left," referring to the many character deaths that resulted throughout the last installment, "X-Men: The Last Stand."

The reason the third "X-Men" movie was called "The Last Stand" was because its title cements the finality of the trilogy. The story is seemingly at its end, but it was generally perceived as an awfully weak ending for the two Singer accomplishments that were the first two films. Those chapters were only getting better, and then Singer left and Ratner seemed to take it downhill from there unfortunately. Apparently, a fourth "X-Men" isn't even on anyone's mind let alone their table. And with Singer preoccupied with creating another spectacular comic book film franchise, there's not much time for him to devote to saving "X-Men" from going out on a sour note as the old "Superman" and "Batman" franchises did with their fourth films.

I have no doubt that if Singer had the time and desire, he could bring about a fourth and final chapter in the X-franchise that would be entirely worthy of where he left off in "X2: X-Men United." The problem is just that all focus has now fallen on "Wolverine" and the spin-off that will take Hugh Jackman solo with the character that landed him in the middle of the Hollywood map. And, this is not to mention the Magneto prequel, proving that an "X4" seems even more unlikely given the individual focus that is coming into play post-trilogy.

Meanwhile, Singer has his eyes set on the skies with Superman's journey post-"Returns." It's a beautiful dream; Singer comes back to "X-Men" and rescues it from the last blemish on its big screen record. But, Singer has moved on to bigger, fresher projects, and "Superman" needs his magic touch now. It would be that much more tragic if "Superman" had to suffer the loss of Singer the way the "X-Men" movies did, and then two comic book movie franchises would be aversely affected. Still, a fan can indulge in some harmless wishful thinking.