Bryan Singer will produce but not direct the latest “X-Men” movie

Out director Bryan Singer is not returning to the X-Men franchise after all.

Singer has signed on to develop and direct X-Men: First Class but, according to Deadline, he has moved over to a producing role because of a scheduling conflict. He’s not available because Warner Bros and Legendary are locked into a summer production start on Jack the Giant Killer.

Twentieth Century Fox wants the movie ready for release in 2011 so filming would have to begin sooner rather than later.

Singer had directed the first two installments before famously jumping ship to make Superman Returns. His most recent film was Valkyrie starring Tom Cruise.

Reports Deadline’s Mike Fleming: Last December, Singer agreed to direct the First Class prequel after the studio sparked to his detailed treatment, with the  studio knowing full well Singer would likely make the other movie first. The willingness to wait changed when execs flipped for Moss’s script. He’s now honing the origin story that focuses on Xavier and Magneto and offers similar opportunities that JJ Abrams took advantage of to resuscitate Star Trek.