Even as Bryan Singer releases a new photo from X-Men: Days of Future Past -- this one of Jennifer Lawrence's Mystique in action -- Empire is teasing a new interview in which the director reveals more details about the Fox sequel. Wait, make that "inbetwequel."

Noting that his film isn't a direct adaptation of the classic Chris Claremont/John Byrne Marvel Comics storyline, Singer explained how Days of Future Past ties into the previous installments of the franchise.

"I’d say it’s not a sequel to one of the others," he said. "It’s an inbetwequel — that’s what I call it, for lack of a better word. It takes place about ten years, give or take, after X-Men 3; and in the past it takes place about ten years after First Class."

He also addressed where the First Class versions of Professor X and Magneto are as the story kicks off. "They’re in a radically different place," Singer said. "Charles is in a very dark hole when we meet him, and Erik has been gathering his power."

In other character news, the director talked about Ellen Page's Kitty Pryde and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. "She’s the prime facilitator — it’s her power that enables [time travel] to happen," he confirmed. "But it’s Wolverine who has the strength and the stamina to be able to go back on this journey."

Opening May 23, 2014, X-Men: Days of Future Class also stars Nicholas Hoult, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Peter Dinklage, Shawn Ashmore, Daniel Cudmore, Lucas Till, Omar Sy, Booboo Stewart, Fan Bingbing, Adan Canto and Josh Helman.