Director Bryan Singer has signed on to shoot the next Superman movie, replacing veteran McG, who dropped the project last week.

Singer replaces Charlie’s Angels’ McG, who was on-board for the Superman revival yet left after a number of disagreements with execs of Warner Brothers’, the film’s production company. Warner and McG, also known as Joseph McGinty Nichol, were unable to agree on a budget, which reportedly stands at nearly $200 million, as well as the film’s cast. Furthermore, McG favored a shoot in New York - which he believed was a natural stand-in for Metropolis - while Warner Brothers’ favored Australia.

McG is not the first director to leave the project in its infancy – Red Dragon director Brett Ratner left the project in March citing casting difficulties and a project attempt from renowned filmmaker Tim Burton (of Batman fame) never left the ground.

As director of both blockbuster X-Men flicks, Singer has proven that he can handle the huge task of transforming superstars into superheroes. Singer has also directed Apt Pupil and The Usual Suspects, and is slated to direct next year's Logan's Run remake as well as X-Men 3, due in 2006, however both projects have been postponed indefinitely in the wake of Superman.

The upcoming Superman flick is also scheduled to hit screens in the summer of 2006, although production on the film has not yet begun. Nicolas Cage, Jude Law and Josh Hartnett have all been named as possible contenders for the Clark Kent role. Natalie Portman is said to be Warner Brothers’ first choice to play Lois Lane.

Singer’s installment will be the first Superman film since 1987's Superman IV: The Quest For Peace which was the last in a series of Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve.

'I feel that Superman has been late in his return,' Singer said to The Hollywood Reporter, 'and it is time for him to fly again.'