Magneto is going to be directed by David Goyer it appears, and to me that indicates two things. It's going to be good, and it's going to be intelligent.

Something I was always concerned about when I heard about this project is the subject matter. The film is about the birth of the Magneto character from the boy who is interned with his parents in Auschwitz by the Nazi's during the second World War. He has to struggle to keep him and his family alive, and in the process develop his powers. It is in this camp that he meets Xavier, the to be wheelchair bound Professor and leader of the mutants.

Like the Hannibal Rising, at some point Magneto is turned loose and hunts down those who tortured his family and kills them all with his powers. This leads to his vengeful psyche and creates the rift between he and Xavier.

However, let's remember that this rift doesn't rightfully split their cause until a long time in the future as we see them in a flashback, together as colleagues and friends talking to a young Jean Grey in X-Men: The Last Stand (Filmstalker review).

The news from Variety is great news as far as I am concerned. David Goyer should be able to concentrate his talents on developing the characters and building their relationships and moral choices rather than flying headlong into the action.

The film Magneto is now looking really promising, and could turn out to be one of the strongest X-Men films to date. However first it's up against Wolverine, as that spin off film has a release first.