There are very few out there who will argue that X-Men: The Last Stand, the third chapter of the X-Men movies, is better than its predecessors. It’s almost universally agreed that the movie was a step down for the franchise, and a departure from what Brian Singer created with the first two movies.

Most of that blame gets laid at the feet of Brett Ratner, director of The Last Stand. I disagree that he should bear the complete wrath of fans. The film is far more flawed than one director should be responsible for and distinctly smells of continual studio interference throughout the entire process, including before Ratner was hired to helm the pic.

According to our friends over at Moviehole Ratner wouldn’t mind coming back to continue his stint on the X-Men franchise, a thought that makes me (and probably most fans) cringe. Although Last Stand was supposed to be the end of the current trilogy, the rumors would have a fourth X-Men film feature Professor X (Patrick Stewart) guiding troubled teen mutants.

According to their article, Ratner told MTV, “It [an “X-Men 4”] wasn't in the plan, but I loved the experience of it, and I loved all the actors, and I would definitely do it again if they asked me to come back. I had that little thing [at the end] where Magneto moved the [chess] piece. Did I want to see a sad, old pathetic man who lost his powers in a park? Did I personally want to see some hope? Yeah. It wasn't because of the fans, I just wanted to see it. Is it mind over matter, or is it the power? Poses a lot of questions.”

The possibility of Ratner doing a fourth film has been among the general Hollywood buzz since The Last Stand hit screens, but I seriously thought the film’s response this summer would have killed that buzz. Sadly not, and if the plot mentioned of Professor X leading a group of teens would pretty much render most of what happened in The Last Stand almost as useless as the movie itself was.

Before the franchise proceeds, Fox will be working on spin-offs featuring Wolverine and Magneto. Meanwhile, X-Men: The Last Stand hit DVD this week.