Just when we thought that X-Men and Jurassic Park ended on its 3rd sequel, the box-office franchises for the two said films are being resurrected in 2007. X-Men executive producer Lauren Shuler Donner talked to LA Daily News about X-Men 4, for which they would have to renegotiate with the bigger stars, and also the spin-offs Wolverine and Magneto.

“The newer cast members are signed, and the older cast members are not,” Donner said. Considering the older names involved— Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Romijn, Franke Janssen and Anna Paquin—that could run into a huge chunk of money.

On the other hand, Steven Spielberg is set to begin filming Jurassic 4 early next year. According to producer Frank Marshall, the script has been finalized. “It has a good script now, so we sould have that one up and running next year, for release in 2008.”

The character of Lexie, the granddaughter of Sir Richard Attenborough’s character, will take the lead in the new film. Rumor has it that Sam Neill will also reprising his role of Dr. Alan Grant.

New dinosaurs will be introduced, supposedly to include the recently discovered Giganosaurus.

The movie is to be directed by Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park 3) and co-written by bestselling creator Michael Crichton and William Monahan (the Departed).