Producer confirms new 'X-Men' storyline

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner has confirmed that the X-Men: First Class film will be a prequel to the Marvel movie series.

Speaking to Comics Continuum, Donner explained that the project will focus on the formation of Professor Xavier's school for mutants and some of its early residents.

"It is the first class of Xavier's school, way back when, so it's young Scott, young Jean, young Beast and that'll be really fun," she said. "I think [the plan] is to follow some of the characters into their own stories, and weave them back into the X-Men world."

She added: "And hopefully First Class will become its own franchise and we can follow them as they grow up."

Gossip Girl and The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz has been commissioned to write the script for the movie, which will continue Fox's $1.2 billion franchise.