McAvoy to play young Xavier in 'X-Men'

HOLLYWOOD, May 28 (UPI) -- Scottish actor James McAvoy has signed on for the next installment of the X-Men franchise, U.S. studio Twentieth Century Fox said.

McAvoy, star of "Wanted" and "Atonement," will work with British director Matthew Vaughn for "X-Men: First Class," a movie about the younger years of Xavier (McAvoy's character) and Eric Lensherr before they become archenemies, Entertainment Weekly reported Friday.

Fox said it expects to announce who will portray the young Lensherr shortly.

Entertainment Weekly said there was no indication about whether Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as Wolverine.