After The Dark Knight and Iron Man made for a pretty solid comic-book-movie summer, it’s sad to remember that the X-Men franchise is still in the hands of the studio who made The Happening, Babylon A.D., Meet Dave, X-Files 2, Mirrors, Space Chimps, Max Payne, Jumper, and The Rocker.  The latest news is that they’re developing something called X-Men: First Class with The OC/Gossip Girls creator Josh Schwartz (who was offered the directing job but declined).  And yes, the concept is basically Muppet Babies.

Fox has been leaning toward using the younger characters introduced in the previous pics in future installments — teenagers with powers taught at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.  [Of course they have, Fox is terrible.  Just be thankful they haven't figured out how to write the Jonas Brothers into this.  -Ed.]

Pic joins other “X-Men”-related projects already in the works at the studio. Fox is actively developing a standalone “Magneto” pic, as well as considering a “Deadpool” spinoff, based on a character played by Ryan Reynolds in “Wolverine.” Shuler Donner is producing “Magneto.”

Regular slate of “X-Men” pics would provide Fox with a reliable series of movies that perform at the B.O. and not repeat a dismal summer sesh like the studio experienced this year. [Variety]

Superheroes!  Teen drama!  Together!  How could it not work?  Oh I can already picture it.  Mutant High, first day of school:

OMG! Did you guys see the new kid?

Yeah, he’s like, hot.  I wonder his mutation is?

He’s from Chino.