It seems that Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds) is destined for the Marvel universe, though which project should he sign on for?  Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class or the Marc Webb Spider-Man reboot?  Decisions, decisions.

Vaughn wants Fassbender to play a young Magneto opposite James McAvoy's Professor Charles Xavier in Fox's X-Men prequel, while Sony thinks the actor would be perfect for an unnamed villainous role in the Webb take on Spider-Man.  More after the jump:

x-men_the_last_stand_image__7_

Ideally Fassbender could do both, but Showbiz 411 says the production schedules will not permit such harmony, especially since the projects are in development at two different studios.  First Class is targeting a June 3, 2011 release date, though so far they only have a director (Vaughn), a writer (Kick-Ass' Jane Goldman), and a single cast member (McAvoy).  Official news will likely replace the rumors soon enough if the prequel is truly on track for release next summer.

Spider-Man has even less solidified, though more time to do so with a July 3, 2012 released date --- in 3D, of course.  James Vanderbilt has finished a "gritty, contemporary" script, and the latest rumor pegs Jamie Bell (Tintin: The Secret Adventures of the Unicorn) as Peter Parker.

There's no word on what role Fassbender is up for, and I'm not familiar enough with Spidey villains to offer up possibilities.  I welcome suggestions in the comments.

Fassbender will next be seen in Jonah Hex, the June 18th sci-fi western which stars Josh Brolin and Megan Fox.  August sees the actor as a Roman soldier in Neil Marshall's Centurion.  And would you look at that: Fassbender teamed up with potential Spider-Man co-star Jamie Bell for literary adaptation Jane Eyre, which stars Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland).

-

Michael Fassbender as Burke in Jonah Hex movie poster