Brett Ratner to direct 'X3' movie

LOS ANGELES, June 7 (UPI) -- "Rush Hour" director Brett Ratner has been tapped to direct "X-Men 3" for 20th Century Fox.

Ratner was approached six years ago to direct the first "X-Men" feature, but the job went to Bryan Singer instead, E! Online reported Tuesday.

Ratner will take the helm of "X3" from Matthew Vaughn, who quit last week saying he didn't want to be separated from his wife, Claudia Schiffer, and their two young children in London.

Filming is supposed to start in August with release Memorial Day 2006.

Halle Berry is the only original cast member still in negotiations, E! reported.

In addition to the original cast, Kelsey Grammer will appear as good guy Beast and Lock, and Vinnie Jones is playing the evil Juggernaut.

Now that Ratner has finally been tapped for "X-Men," his "Rush Hour 3" will probably be put on the backburner, E! said.