'X-Men: Apocalypse' will be connected to 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' and explore mutant origins

The mutant mash-up that is X-Men: Days of Future Past is one of the most anticipated movies of 2014, but the recent announcement of a 2016 sequel, currently called X-Men: Apocalypse, also has fans buzzing. Director Bryan Singer revealed that Apocalypse, arguably the X-Men's greatest enemy, would be the focus of the 2016 film, and now he's shed a little more light on the situation.

As soon as the announcement came about Apocalypse, fans turned their attention to the ever-popular post-credits scene and wondered how Days of Future Past would link to its sequel. Singer spoke to EW.com and said he's "still deciding that" but also revealed that "something happens in this movie that causes what's going to happen in that movie." It's not much, but it's something.

Singer also clarified his status on Apocalypse, which has been an idea he has had for quite some time.

"I'm co-writing the story and I'm producing it. I'm negotiating to direct," Singer said. "We're in the process. We're trying to figure it out, schedules. My desire would be to direct it."

Fox would likely want Singer at the helm given his track record with the X-Men films, so the smart money is on him in the director's chair in 2016.

Singer also teased the story of Apocalypse, which could have some pretty interesting implications:

"It will also address historical mutant-cy, meaning the deep past, mutant origins and things like that. It's something that's always intrigued me when we think about our Gods and our history and miracles and powers."

In the comics, Apocalypse is the first mutant, so that could explain the "deep past" part of Singer's quote. Given that Days of Future Past will involve time travel, anything seems to be possible in the X-Men universe that the director is building.

And as Screen Rant points out, Singer may have had this plan in mind for a while. Here is a quote from 10 months ago when Singer said publicly that he had not spoken with Mark Millar, a popular comics writer and consultant for Fox on its Marvel movies"

"All I know is that I have my own specific beliefs about how to take this universe forward. I started with the first X-Men, then First Class and now I am combining them and I think it could go further than that and I have some ideas about that, so perhaps he should chat to me at some point."

What do you think, X-Men fans? Where do you see the future of the franchise going? Let us know in the comments below.