Bryan Singer will direct the major new movie version of Battlestar Galactica, described by Universal Pictures as a "complete reimagination" of the saga.

Singer, who directed X-Men, X2 and Superman Returns, has been connected to the Battlestar franchise since 2001, when he considered working on a TV revamp that never materialised. The show was subsequently revived to great acclaim in 2003, by Ronald D Moore and David Eick, without Singer's involvement.

Glen A Larson, who created Battlestar Galactica in 1978, will be involved as a producer on the new movie version. Universal has expressed its desire to go back to the basics of the original 1970s show, so it seems unlikely that Moore and Eick will be involved.

As yet, no release date has been set for the new movie.