UPDATE (1/20/11): Matthew Vaughn talks to slashfilm.com about the poorly photoshopped cast photo that leaked on the internet (I did not even humor it with a post it looked so bad) AND provided fans with a few new shots to compliment the cool cast photos posted yesterday. Magneto simply looks bad ass in the classic X-Men colors and iconic helmet! Newest photos below!

Today Fox Studios finally gives us a chance to see some actual shots from Matthew Vaughn’s (KICK-ASS, LAYER CAKE) upcoming film X-MEN: FIRST CLASS. For those of you out of the loop, X-MEN: FIRST CLASS is a prequel/reboot movie that chronicles the younger years of Professor Charles Xavier (Professor X) and Eric Lehnsherr (Magneto).

The film takes place in 1962 and involves the concept and creation of the “first” X-Men team and reveals why lifelong friends Professor X and Magneto part ways/ideals. Other mutants and characters revealed to be in the film are Beast, Havok (Brother of Cyclops!), Mystique, Emma Frost (The White Queen), Sebastian Shaw, and Dr. Moira MacTaggert.While I am hesitant to say this movie looks great until I see actual footage, I am warming up to the idea of it all. These pics look pretty fantastic and appropriate. I suspect a trailer will be out within the next few weeks and I can’t wait.

The X-Men franchise is one of my favorite of all time and I really want to look forward to this. My only advice to you all is to approach it simply of a re-imagining of the X-Men universe. You will go mad trying to compare it with all the source material it draws from. While I honestly don’t want to see an X-Men origin story without Cyclops, I am willing to give Matthew Vaughn and his crew a chance. He did direct my #1 movie of 2010 (KICK-ASS) and that has to count for something. Enjoy the pics nerds! X-MEN: FIRST CLASS opens June 3rd 2011