The Hollywood trades are reporting that director Matthew Vaughn has left X3, which the last time we heard was supposed to start shooting this week and is scheduled to be released in May 2006. 

The departure was reportedly because Vaughn decided he did not want to commute from London to Vancouver and Los Angeles, where the film will be made. 

The studio announcement said that it is 'fully committed to remaining right on schedule,' but unless they're ready to sign a new director almost immediately, it's hard to see how X3 could be ready for May 2006.