FROM SPLASH PAGE: It's been a few months since we last heard anything about "X-Men: First Class," the film that looks to explore the younger days of some of Marvel Comics' popular mutants. In fact, the last news that surfaced about the project was the attachment of "Gossip Girl" and "Chuck" executive producer/writer Josh Schwartz as the film's writer -- an announcement that prompted much debate over whether he'd make the film his directorial debut (or if he'd even been offered the chance).

During an interview with MTV News at last weekend's New York Comic Con (appropriately enough), Schwartz cleared up at least one question surrounding the film... and created a few more in the process.

"No, that's not true," Schwartz told MTV News when asked if he passed on directing "X-Men: First Class," as some rumors suggested. "But I would be terrified to have the first thing I direct be a giant franchise movie."

Read more about Josh Schwartz and "X-Men: First Class" at SplashPage.MTV.com.

FROM SPLASH PAGE: Really, it was just a matter of time before studios chose someone like Josh Schwartz, the creator of several wildly popular, teen-skewed TV series like "Gossip Girl," "The OC" and "Chuck," to focus some attention on Marvel's favorite team of mutants. According to Variety, 20th Century Fox has tapped the teen-savvy creator to write "X-Men: First Class," an upcoming film that focuses on younger versions of Marvel's X-Men and, the studio hopes, bring audiences back to a franchise that earned more than $1.2 billion worldwide.

The deal also leaves open the possibility of Schwartz directing the film, though he hasn't opted to do so at this point. Lauren Shuler Donner, who produced all of the previous "X-Men" films, as well as the upcoming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," will produce "First Class."

Read more about Josh Schwartz as the "X-Men: First Class" writer at SplashPage.MTV.com.