Fox studio plans "Wolverine" spinoff of "X-Men"
Twentieth Century Fox plans to keep the mutants coming with a spinoff of its popular "X-Men" film franchise starring Australian-born actor Hugh Jackman in the title role of "Wolverine."
A studio spokesman confirmed on Wednesday that the film is in development with a script currently in the works but no director yet on board.
Although initial reports from the international industry conference Cine Expo in Amsterdam suggested the film was slated for a 2007 release, the Fox spokesman said it was doubtful the picture would be ready before 2008, in part because Jackman is expected to do another movie first for director Baz Luhrmann.
But that didn't stop Jackman himself from making a videotaped appearance touting the "Wolverine" project for conventioneers in Amsterdam earlier this week.
Jackman already has appeared in three big-screen "X-Men" adventures as Logan, the mutant superhero also known as "Wolverine" for the three-pronged claws he wields in each fist and his power to instantly regenerate his own injured body tissue.
The latest installment in the franchise, "X-Men: The Last Stand," is one of this year's biggest box-office hits, grossing nearly $225 million in domestic ticket sales alone.
WOLVERINE script leaked
Source: Cinescape
The script for the upcoming film WOLVERINE has apparently been leaked as a review popped up at Latino Review (who rated it a B+).
They had the following to say about the script (Slight plot spoilers):
"What mutants or who else is in this you might ask?
Logan's buddy from back in his military days JOHN WRAITH, FRED J. DUKES a.k.a. THE BLOB, BARBARUS a brutally muscled mutant with four arms, all sleeved in tattoos.
What else? The whole Weapon X experiment has a much larger role in this script and in Stryker's overall plan, we get to see Logan in berserker mode, the origin of his name, the eventual rematch with Creed, and of course his eventual memory loss, which is handled here and quite nicely I might add."
You can read the full script review here (http://latinoreview.com/scriptreview.php?id=26) with much more detail.
Jackman Says Wolverine Script is Ready
ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype! caught up with The Prestige star Hugh Jackman, who gave us an update on his upcoming "X-Men" spinoff, Wolverine.
"We've now signed off on the script. If you know about the history of 'X-Men' movies, that's a revolution for us. We're a year away from shooting the film and we have the script," Jackman said. "And, by the way, it is unbelievable. It's a David Benioff script. He's probably the hottest writer going around town, and he was beating down our door to write this movie. It was the most amazing thing. So, we have this fantastic script. I've got a couple of movies coming out in the next month, and I might be able to tell you who the director is by then. We're seriously into talking about it now."
He added that Wolverine will definitely be a prequel but will not follow the Japanese storyline that comic books have addressed.
"At present, no. That is still something we really want to do. What we need to do is establish who he is and find out how he became Wolverine," he explained.
Jackman said he is also interested in making a sequel to Wolverine. "I'm not ruling it out," he smiled.
Quote from: MacGuffin on October 15, 2006, 09:09:49 PM
Jackman said he is also interested in making a sequel to Wolverine. "I'm not ruling it out," he smiled.
has he ever ruled ANYTHING out?
his accountant says.. no.
Wolverine Machine
Hugh Jackman gets the X-Men spinoff in gear.
Slowly but surely, Wolverine is coming together. According to star and producer Hugh Jackman, if all goes to plan, fans can look forward to seeing Wolvie in his first solo, big screen adventure in late spring of 2008.
"That's kind of what we're looking at right now," Jackman tells IGN. "A summer release would be great though. Perhaps that's possible. But some things still need to fall into place."
The first element that needs to fall into place is the screenplay. And the word from Jackman is screenwriter David Benioff "has delivered, big time. We now have the final script, the final draft, which I absolutely love. For me, it's the most superior of them all. I know the fans are going to go crazy for it."
Jackman and his producing partners inquired with a few screenwriters and considered story proposals. Inevitably, they were sold by Benihoff's knowledge of X-Men lore and enthusiasm for the Wolverine movie.
"Here's a guy who's this amazing writer, probably one of the hottest writers going in town; Spielberg and everyone are after him," says Jackman. "But he was beating down our door to make this movie because he's the most passionate Wolverine fan. He's followed all of the books since he was 9-years-old. For us, it's one of those rare combinations where you have a writer who has all these Oscar-winning directors wanting to work with and he's like, 'I want to do Wolverine!'"
As Jackman was working on The Prestige and other projects, he stayed in periodic contact with Beinhoff as he wrote the script.
"With someone like David, you mostly let him do his thing and he comes back with the script," he says. "He'd deliver a draft, we'd sit down together and talk about it. And I'd let him know what I think. If I think so, I'll say 'It's fantastic.' Or, 'We may have to go in this direction.' Or, 'What about this?' He's very collaborative."
Having played Wolverine for three films, Jackman says he was able to bring his unique perspective to the script.
"For better or worse, I've played the role for three movies so it's a character that I know. I feel like I know what I want to achieve with the film, but David has been very collaborative, and I'm not shy in telling him what I think. He'll say I disagree with you or whatever. But it's been a really terrific process so far."
What Jackman wants for Wolverine is this: "I don't want the film to appear at all like X-Men 4 in disguise. I want it to feel like a very fresh, whole new character piece. I want it to be a character movie. And by the end of the movie, I want it to be that you definitely knew who this guy was. Cool action, great characters, but ultimately that you totally know who Wolverine is. Like Mad Max and Dirty Harry. Characters I loved. He's a good guy, but he's not a nice guy. He's just the guy you want on your side. [David] really got that. He's one of the best character writers in Hollywood. He totally got it."
The next essential element is working Wolverine into Jackman's schedule. As the star and producer, he knows it will be a huge time commitment - probably three to four months of photography, some of which may take place in Australia, then considerable post-production.
"I'm shooting a movie with Baz Luhrmann and Nicole Kidman next year in Australia, and then we plan to do Wolverine after that."
And let's not forget about a director. "That's our next goal," says Jackman. "Now we have to find a director, which we're looking for now. If I see you guys maybe in about a month, I might be able to let you know who the director is. We're close."
i'll direct it.
Aronofsky should do it.
Keep waiting by that phone, Brett Ratner.
British Newspaper Says Brett Ratner Directing 'Wolverine'
Source: Cinematical
You can call it an accidental slip-up by a writer who wasn't aware of the fact that Brett Ratner wasn't officially signed on to Wolverine yet, or we could be looking at some actual news here. Either way, I'm not very excited. While spitting out a number of comic-related films currently in development, a writer for the Telegraph noted that the much-anticipated Wolverine spin-off flick will indeed be directed by Brett Ratner. Only problem is we had no idea he was attached to the project. Sure, there's been speculation ever since Ratner helmed X-Men: The Last Stand -- but so far the pic has not showed up on his future film slate; right now, he's wrapping up Rush Hour 3 (due in theaters later this summer) and in pre-production on an untitled comedy featuring Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock.
With filming apparently set to begin this fall (we think?), chances are Ratner will make Wolverine his next pic ... regardless of whether fans think the dude is a craptastic director and, like, totally not worthy. Last we heard on the Wolverine front, Hugh Jackman was officially locked in to star, and a script (penned by David Benioff) was all but complete. A few characters rumored to appear in the film include William Stryker (Brian Cox) and Kenuichio Harada/Silver Samurai (Ken Watanabe?). Other than that, everyone involved has been keeping real quiet. Of course, when things are quiet, fans immediately question whether the project is still moving forward. Is Ratner stalling? Are they looking for a new director? Has Bryan Singer kidnapped Jackman? If you had the power to make decisions -- and keep in mind there's no way Singer will be able to fit this film into his schedule if he still intends on making that Superman sequel -- who would you choose to direct Wolverine?
that would be stupid.
ratner is the perfect choice. he already ruined the series, now he can ruin the most loved character. too bad it'll be huge. :yabbse-sad:.
Fucking hell.. *sigh*
I don't get it. Do they not realize X-Men 3 made a bunch of money because of Singer's work on the first two? I donno. Honestly, do 95% of moviegoers even know who directs the stuff they go and watch? Really, how many directors work is widely known to the public before a movie ever comes out? Spielberg? Scorsese? The list goes downhill pretty fucking fast after those two names. What a shame. Wolverine has the potential for some really great films like the Spiderman series has been so far. Ratner will ruin this.
A Director for Wolverine?
Source: IESB
Fox is moving on with the production of Wolverine. We're hearing that there are two names on the short list of directors the studio has in mind.
It appears there is action on the Fox lot surrounding the X-Men spin-off movie, Wolverine.
Fox has been working on finding a director to helm the first of two possible franchise spin-offs from the X-Men franchise that Fox apparently put to rest, the other being Magneto.
Fox wants to ensure that Wolverine and Magneto can stand on their own after putting the kabosh on the expensive X-Men franchise, which would only continue to bloat its budget as the ensemble cast gets more expensive.
So to put things in the right hands, Fox is in talks with DJ Caruso. Caruso is a hot property after the success of Disturbia and is also being courted by Dreamworks for an unnamed project.
To hedge their bets, Fox may be looking at Len Wiseman as possibly directing if Caruso winds up at Dreamworks.
I'm not sure who Fox would rather have in the directors chair, but Wiseman may leap frog Caruso if Live Free, Die Hard is well received.
The David Benioff script tells the tale of a pre-X-Men Wolverine and the events surrounding his adamantium skeleton and claws.
David Goyer has already signed on to direct Magneto.
Calls have been put into the studios for comment.
Hood takes on Fox 'Wolverine'
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Gavin Hood is suiting up to direct "Wolverine," 20th Century Fox's "X-Men" spinoff that will star Hugh Jackman.
David Benioff wrote the screenplay, which will explore the origins of the lone-wolf superhero, one of the most popular characters in comics. Wolverine has a mutant healing power that allows him to recover from any wound, which led him to survive an experiment in which his skeleton was bonded with an unbreakable metal. The process also installed retractable metal claws.
Lauren Shuler Donner, Jackman and John Palermo are producing the movie, which is eyeing a fall start date.
Marvel Studios is executive producing.
Hood, who won a foreign-language Oscar in 2005 for directing "Tsotsi," recently wrapped "Rendition," New Line Cinema's political thriller starring Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal.
DIG YOUR CLAWS INTO 'WOLVERINE: THE MOVIE'
Wizard serves up the full scoop as Hugh Jackman slices and dices his way back to the big screen as Wolverine
Source: WizardUniverse
He's the best there is at what he does, and what he does is star in movies so cool our goose bumps have heart attacks. He's Wolverine, and in case you didn't know, he's clawing his way back to drench the silver screen in bad guy blood.
Following the over $1 billion, worldwide box-office bonanza of three X-Men flicks ("X-Men," "X2: X-Men United" and "X-Men: The Last Stand") over the last seven years, actor Hugh Jackman is officially on board for a solo "Wolverine" spinoff film. What's not so official is basically every other detail associated with the movie. So sit back and spark up a stogie, Canuckleheads—we're tackling the big questions surrounding the next Marvel mutant mega-hit.
You may have heard of him. He's David Benioff, a writer who broke into Hollywood after adapting his own novel, The 25th Hour, into a movie script eventually directed by Spike Lee in 2002. And for those worried about Benioff's juice, Jackman promises the writer's got the snikt-y goods.
"He's probably the hottest writer going around town," gushed Jackman to sources. "He was beating down our door to write this movie because he's the most passionate Wolverine fan. He's followed all of the books since he was 9 years old. For us, it's one of those rare combinations where you have a writer who has all these Oscar-winning directors wanting to work with him and he's like, 'I want to do Wolverine!'"
According to Benioff, that's no exaggeration. "I've been reading Wolverine comics for 23 years," admitted the writer. And while he couldn't discuss specific elements of his script, Benioff did hint at his favorite Wolvie stories. "I went back and reread the Chris Claremont and Frank Miller miniseries, and the Barry Windsor-Smith Weapon X."
As for his non-mutant work, Benioff also wrote director Wolfgang Peterson's "Troy" starring Eric Bana and Brad Pitt as well as the 2005 thriller "Stay" and 2007's Afghanistan drama "The Kite Runner."
WILL THE STORY BE MORE EPIC THAN THE BIBLE?
Based on info from insiders who say they've read Benioff's script, get ready for all kinds of prequel action as Wolverine's first ties to Weapon X, his first run-in with Victor Creed (aka Sabretooth), his bonding with adamantium and his feral origins are explored. When asked if the film would touch on Wolvie's early-year comic book connections to Japan, Jackman curbed the rumor in favor of others.
"[The Japan connection] is still something we really want to do," admitted the actor-producer. "What we need to do is establish who he is and find out how he became Wolverine. And by the end of the movie, I want it to be that you definitely knew who this guy was, like Mad Max and Dirty Harry. He's a good guy, but he's not a nice guy. He's just the guy you want on your side."
Sources also mentioned scenes featuring Wolverine in Vietnam, a pre-X-Men love interest for the furry mutant and character names familiar to comic fans such as the teleporter John Wraith, who served with Wolverine on special ops missions as part of Team X, along with Fred J. Dukes (aka the Blob).
WILL THE X-MEN DROP BY FOR A CAMEO?
Apparently, the lone X-Man becomes a little more of a loner in this film as no other students or faculty from the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters are set to appear.
Shawn Ashmore (Iceman) said he doesn't think he'll appear in the film since it's set in the past, while Anna Paquin (Rogue) admitted she'd like to come back if they approached her but that no one had as of press time. Rebecca Romijn, who portrayed the villainous shape-shifter Mystique in previous X-films, continued the pattern by saying she's not attached at all. Halle Berry, who won an Oscar for "Monster's Ball" between "X-Men" sequels, also confirmed her absence.
"I think you get to the point where it's time to move on and I'm really interested in playing other kinds of characters," revealed the actress.
When asked about cameos of existing Marvel characters, Jackman responded, "It's a prequel, so there won't be many. There will be other new characters."
IS THERE A DIRECTOR YET?
Yes, and an Academy Award winner to boot. Recently tapped helmer Gavin Hood's 2005 film "Tsotsi" won the Oscar for Best Foreign-Language Film on the strength of Hood's screenplay and direction. Next up from the acclaimed director is the upcoming politically charged thriller "Rendition," starring Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal. Clearly, the "Wolverine" team has selected a director with chops as sharp as Logan's claws.
WHO'S GOING TO BLEED?
Early rumors attached Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai") as longtime Wolvie villain Silver Samurai, although he publicly denied them. Brian Cox, though, confirmed his character, William Stryker from "X2: X-Men United," will return to unload untold amounts of crap on Wolvie's life.
"I know my character is in it," revealed the actor. "They've asked me to be in it but that was a while ago now." There's still no confirmation on whether or not he's signed on. Considering the movie is set in the past, digital effects and/or "Mrs. Doubtfire"-amounts of makeup would be needed to de-age the 61-year-old actor like producers did with Professor X and Magneto in "X-Men: The Last Stand."
As for other mutant bad guys, Vinnie Jones, who played Juggernaut in "X-Men: The Last Stand," and Tyler Mane, who appeared as Sabretooth in "X-Men," both reportedly claimed to be in talks for the film. Specifically, Mane says he's discussed starring as Victor Creed, the man who one day becomes Sabretooth. If anything, that rumor fits in tightly with the online prequel gossip. Our bets are on Stryker and Creed.
AT WHAT POINT IN WOLVIE'S LIFE IS THIS SET?
According to Cox, "it's set 17 years ago." Whether that means 17 years before the events of "X-Men"—which would place it somewhere around the late '80s—or 17 years before 2007—which would place it around 1990 when, in real life, Jackman was attending the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts following his graduation from college. We were busy throwing rocks at buses.
WHEN WILL I SEE THIS BABY IN THEATERS?
Tom Rothman, the Chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment, the parent company of 20th Century Fox, pegged the release date as somewhere in 2008. No word yet on a specific month although the past X-Men films were all released within the May-June-July triangle for full summer blockbuster capabilities.
WHEN AND WHERE CAN I SNEAK ON THE SET?
According to Jackman and producer Lauren Shuler Donner, filming is set to start in fall of 2007 or soon after a director announcement. Considering early script reports mention the wilderness as a large part of the first act of the film, the wilds of Canada, where past "X-Men" films were shot, seems like a natural choice. And if the Weapon X compound appears again, as rumors say it will, then expect the Alkali Lake set used in "X2: X-Men United" to return. Scenes for the lake were filmed near Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lake near Calgary. But we're betting your Wolverine T-shirt and wild berry Slurpee won't get you on set.
DOES THIS MEAN THERE'S NO 'X-MEN 4'?
It appears 20th Century Fox doesn't see much difference between "Wolverine" and the rest of the X-Men franchise when it comes to sequels.
"The next film in the X-Men series will be 'Wolverine,'" said Rothman in an interview. "We fully intend to continue to make more 'X-Men' films with both old and new muties, so fans can rest assured they will have many opportunities in the coming years to see their favorite characters on the big screen."
Ashmore sings a different song. "There are rumors about an 'X-Men 4,' but as far as I've been told, 'X3' was going to be the last big ensemble 'X-Men' movie. I would love if they made another one, but I'm not sure they will."
According to screenwriter Zak Penn ("X2: X-Men United"), he's been approached to write and direct a teenaged X-Men film which, if it were to happen, would go into production in two or three years.
"The original idea was to have me do a young X-Men spin-off," Penn told sources. "But someone came up with a pretty interesting idea which I can't discuss. I was pretty taken by it, as was the studio. He came up with how to do a young X-Men movie, which is not what you'd expect. Put it this way: If you agree to do one of the
X-Men movies, it could end up happening four or five years down the line, which is fine with me. It's just not my focus right now."
Whatever happens, it looks like "Wolverine" will be cutting it up as the next onscreen X-installment for now—but who's complaining?
'Wolverine' Director, Hugh Jackman Digging Their Claws Into 'X-Men' Spinoff
Gavin Hood says movie, which starts shooting later this year, will focus on character's transformation prior to meeting X-Men.
Source: MTV
BEVERLY HILLS, California — Ask fast-rising director Gavin Hood a question about "Wolverine," the high-profile "X-Men" spinoff that he's currently preparing to shoot, and you might get an answer similar to the one he gave when we asked if Brian Cox would be in the flick.
"Who knows?" he playfully shrugged, referring to the veteran character actor who tormented Hugh Jackman in "X2" and has said he'd like to play the villain again. But the fact is that if one person knows the answers to fans' questions about when and how our adamantium-clawed hero will return, it's the 44-year-old South African filmmaker.
"What I love about Wolverine is his dry, wry humor, and what I also love is the fact that he's a great antihero," Hood said of the big-budget gig he'll use to follow up his Oscar-winning foreign film, "Tsotsi," and this month's Reese Witherspoon drama, "Rendition." "He has a great line where he says, 'I'm the best there is at what I do, and what I do isn't very nice.' "
Whatever it is that he'll be doing, Jackman and Hood will begin capturing it on camera in just a few weeks. "We start shooting towards the end of the year," the director said of the first spinoff from the hugely successful (and supposedly concluded) "X-Men" film franchise. "I've been talking to Hugh. He's a wonderful guy, a very hardworking guy with a wonderful wit and intelligence and commitment to this character, [as well as] the inner struggle that this character goes through."
As fans of the comics and recent films know, that struggle began when James "Logan" Howlett was grafted with an indestructible skeleton made from adamantium metal, dramatically transforming the gruff mutant. In "X2," Cox's sinister William Stryker was portrayed as a mutant-hater intricately involved in Wolverine's origins. He revealed just before dying that Logan had volunteered for the adamantium add-on and had despised mutants before his amnesia.
"We're doing more of a prequel," Hood said of his plans to portray a time expanding on those early flashbacks, up until when Logan first meets Professor Xavier's crew. "We're going to tell you a little more about Wolverine before he became involved in the X-Men. Even before he got those steel claws."
Although Hood wouldn't confirm or deny Cox's involvement (the actor has said he'd like to employ the same age-reversing techniques used on Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart at the beginning of the third "X-Men" film, "The Last Stand"), Stryker is believed to be a main character in the script. "How much of his violence should [Wolverine] embrace? How much should he set aside?" the director said of the themes he hopes to tackle in the summer 2008 release.
To those who might think Hood is too art-house to take on the big-budget superhero flick, the director said, "As a director who's always been very interested in human drama and human nature, Wolverine appeals to me because it's a character who is constantly engaged in a battle to define who he is. You're dealing with somebody who is engaged in a moral questioning of his own nature. ... It's a grand, operatic debate about human existence over who we are.
"I think the 'X-Men' [film] series was an extraordinary and brilliant series, but I think we don't want to be seen as 'X-Men 4,' " Hood added, separating his flick (and possible sequels) from the blueprints laid out by Bryan Singer and Brett Ratner. "We want to be seen as 'Wolverine 1,' and hopefully there will be a series of the 'Wolverine' story."
After the release of "Rendition," Hood will turn his full attention to filming "Wolverine" before the impending Hollywood strike and getting it into theaters in a relatively brief amount of time. "We want to see it in and of itself as a new way of conceiving [Wolverine], and bringing you his world, as opposed to the world of the X-Men," Hood concluded. "[The script's theme will be] animal, bestial nature versus our higher nature. And at the same time, it's all wrapped up in an exciting adventure with great visuals."
'Wolverine' claws on May '09 date
Liev Schreiber in final talks for 'X-Men' role
Source: Variety
Twentieth Century Fox is sinking its claws into May 1, 2009, for the release of Hugh Jackman starrer "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," which director Gavin Hood begins shooting later this year.
"Wolverine" is expected to feature many other mutants -- some new to the film franchise and some from one or more of the three "X-Men" films. Liev Schreiber is reportedly in final talks to take on the role of a younger version of nemesis William Stryker, played by Brian Cox in "X2."
This is the first time a title has been confirmed for the next chapter in the lucrative film franchise, based on the Marvel comic strip.
The first weekend in May, pegged as the first official weekend of summer, has become the most lucrative moviegoing weekend of the year. The date has been profitable for Marvel properties: "X2" debuted in the same frame in 2003, grossing a record-breaking $86 million, and Sony's "Spider-Man 3" grossed a record- breaking $151 million in early May this year.
As of now, the only other film staking out the May 1, 2009, date is Disney's toon "G-Force."
There's been much speculation about the spinoff, which gained speed when the studio finalized deals with Jackman (who reprises the role he played in the three "X-Men" pics), Hood and scribe David Benioff, who penned the script.
Pic explores the claw-wielding character Wolverine's violent and romantic past, and his complex relationship with Victor Creed and the ominous Weapon X program, as well as his encounters with other mutants.
Hood will start shooting in Australia before moving to New Zealand and, later, to New Orleans. Latter location is a clue that the storyline might include New Orleans-based character Gambit, who is able to make objects explode and was a professional thief before joining the X-Men.
Producing are Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter, producers of the "X-Men" movies, along with Jackman and producing partner John Palermo through their shingle Seed Prods. Marvel's Kevin Feige will exec produce.
Together, the trio of "X-Men" pics have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. Fox is pursuing another "X-Men" spinoff, based on the character Magneto.
Studio is looking to have a busy summer in 2009. On May 22 of that year, it releases James Cameron's 3-D live-action "Avatar," and, on July 1, "Ice Age 3."
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.usatoday.net%2Flife%2F_photos%2F2008%2F02%2F14%2Fwolverinex-large.jpg&hash=51650a0cb63f42cdd160d6a7990c20c8dc231279)
First look: Prequel gets its claws into Wolverine
Mutant with a mission: Says Hugh Jackman of his X-Men character: "He's a good guy, but not necessarily a nice guy."
By Scott Bowles, USA TODAY
As if a guy with temper issues, iron blades for fingernails and a penchant for cage fighting needed it, Wolverine is about to get even surlier.
"I know it seems odd given, you know, the guy is already half animal," says Hugh Jackman, who revives the character in Wolverine, due in theaters May 1, 2009. "But with all the success of the X-Men, you feel the pressure to keep pushing it further."
Jackman, also a producer on the film, says he never expected the story of mutants trying to fit in "to catch on the way it did." (Since the first film hit screens in 2000, the X-Men franchise has taken in more than $1.1 billion worldwide.) "But I became a fan of Wolverine like everyone else. That's why I keep holding on to the character."
Wolverine will be a prequel to the X-Men saga. It will center on the origins of the superhero with animal-like reflexes, an alloy skeletal system and the ability to heal from virtually any wound. He also could use a friend.
"I think one of the reasons the X-Men took off is that it connected in a way nobody saw," Jackman says. "They're mutants with powers. But they're also outcasts for being, and everyone connects with that on some level. And who wouldn't want the power to get back at the people who ostracized you?"
The film will trace Wolverine's past as he discovers the world of mutants and, ultimately, the ominous Weapon X program, which turns people into living weapons.
Jackman is tight-lipped on plot details, though he says the film will hardly be a one-mutant story.
Wolverine's nemesis Sabretooth "is going to play a big part in it. And there will be a good bit of cameos" of new and familiar mutants, he says. "But you can't give too much away, because fans are pretty hard-core. Their expectations go up a level every time you come out with a new film."
Reynolds, will.i.am join 'Wolverine'
Taylor Kitsch to play Gambit in Hood's 'Origins'
Source: Variety
Twentieth Century Fox has added three more superheroes to "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," with Ryan Reynolds set to play Deadpool, "Friday Night Lights" regular Taylor Kitsch to star as Gambit and hip-hop artist will.i.am joining the cast as John Wraith.
Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston and Lynn Collins round out the cast as Victor Creed/Sabretooth, Col. William Stryker and Kayla Silver Fox, respectively.
Hugh Jackman reprises the role of Wolverine in the "X-Men" spinoff that Gavin Hood is lensing in New Zealand, Australia and New Orleans. Pic bows May 1, 2009.
David Benioff penned the script, which would reveal the origins of the Wolverine character and introduce other mutants not yet seen in the "X-Men" franchise.
Marvel has been eyeing the possibility of casting Reynolds as Deadpool, an assassin with self-healing powers, for some time with the idea of spinning off the character into his own film series should the character prove popular among moviegoers.
Fox and Marvel have also long wanted to add the card-throwing character of Gambit to the "X-Men" franchise but could never find a way to give him enough screen time among the many other mutants that have appeared in each film.
Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am will play Wraith, a mutant who has the power to teleport, and is another test subject of the Weapon X program that created Wolverine and other mercenaries. It would be his first film role.
Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter are producing with Jackman and his Seed Prods. producing partner John Palermo. Marvel's Kevin Feige exec produces.
Good for Tim Riggins... hope he nails the part.
He's actually a good choice. I just hope he has a good dialect coach.
Monaghan joins 'Wolverine'
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Dominic Monaghan has joined the cast of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," Fox's "X-Men" spinoff starring Hugh Jackman.
Daniel Henney also is on board the production, which is being directed by Gavin Hood.
"Wolverine," set 17 years before the "X-Men" movies, traces the origins of the popular Marvel Comics mutant superhero also is known as Logan.
Monaghan will play Barnell, a former military ally of Logan with the power to harness energy and electricity. Henney will play Agent Zero, a fellow member of the Weapon X program and an expert tracker with lethal, mutant-enhanced marksman skills.
The cast already includes Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston and Taylor Kitsch, among others.
Production began this month in New Zealand before moving to Australia. A New Orleans shoot also is planned. Fox is releasing the film worldwide May 1, 2009.
David Benioff wrote the screenplay. Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter are producing, along with Jackman and his Seed Prods. producing partner, John Palermo. Marvel Films' Kevin Feige is executive producing.
Henney is an American expatriate born in South Korea who entered the entertainment world via modeling and rose to fame in Asia with his performance in the South Korean drama "My Name Is Kim Sam-soon." He is repped by WMA.
Monaghan played a hobbit in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and was one of the stars of ABC's "Lost."
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Trailer here. (http://www.cinematical.com/2008/12/15/x-men-origins-wolverine-trailer-now-online/)
I get a weird impression from this trailer. It reminds me of Shadows of the Empire, when suddenly you're getting strange new toys for Christmas with Star Wars marked all over them, and you're like "Who the fuck is Dash Rendar?" I know the Blob and Deadpool, but only from collectible cards. They seem to be cataloged in my brain as tangential and very 80s.
Hugh Jackman is motherfucking JACKED. His traps look fucking cgi'd. That helicopter shit looked awesome. Finally a slow-motion man flying towards something else worth caring about.
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I just remembered that somewhere tucked away in my parents house in Lansing Michigan is my copy of Wolverine #1.
and then you posted it
60 second ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeuIOmj6xSk
I'd rather see The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3.
That little boy is going to ruin this movie. Like those little boys in The Road and Where The Wild Things Are.
60 second ad #2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhrOnJ3YSNY
60 second ad #3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9xa2D6sXh0
Early look: Jackman digs his claws into 'Wolverine'
By Scott Bowles, USA TODAY
Hugh Jackman has a bit of advice for anyone planning on hosting the Academy Awards: Don't drop Anne Hathaway.
Jackman, who began last month's ceremony with a six-minute musical number that included whisking the actress onstage, says that after the opening act, "I was able to relax; I knew we were going to be OK after that. But when we were planning that whole thing for live TV, it was a bit tense."
Jackman has been ratcheting up the tension lately. After his first stint as Oscar host, he turns his attention to X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which opens May 1. The fourth installment of the comic-book adaptation finds Jackman wearing not just the steel claws of the title character, but also the producer's hat.
Jackman says that while he has always been grateful for the franchise's success — it has grossed more than $1.1 billion and cemented his leading-man status — he has disagreed with the development of Wolverine's character over the years.
"I'm not mad about it, but I thought he had gotten a bit soft," Jackman says. "I thought we had gotten away from the essence of who Wolverine really is: a bad (dude) who wants to live his own life."
Jackman says he decided to tackle producing because he wanted "to own up to the responsibility of this character. I wanted to put myself into this movie in every way possible. This is the movie that I've seen in my head for a long time."
Wolverine looks at the origins of the beast with anger-management issues, plus several of his mutant colleagues, including Sabretooth (played by Liev Schreiber), Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Gambit (Taylor Kitsch).
Jackman says he fell in love with the Wolverine character a decade ago for much the same reason fans embrace the comic books.
"The character has always reminded me of Dirty Harry or Han Solo," Jackman says. "He's a good guy, not a nice guy. He's got a lot of flaws, which I think is what people find so attractive about him and the X-Men. He's struggling with who he is and what he wants. He was one of the comics' first anti-heroes."
Not that Jackman is only about playing the rebel. He says that he'd be up for another Oscar ceremony and that hosting three straight Tonys and performing numerous plays has honed his ad-lib skills in case he fumbled a starlet.
"I'd have a clever line ready for the audience," he says. "And her agents."
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-03-04-wolverine-early-look_N.htm
New Trailer here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZSmF7XowO4)
Major stinker. Just downloaded this (pm me for a link if you really need it) and couldn't finish it, seriously it's that terrible. I watched a whole hour just to see if it would lead somewhere eventually, it didn't. The dialogue is straight out of a lame 90's comic book.
Worst superhero movie since the rebirth of the genre. It's fucking terrible, really.
I'm so over comic book/superhero movies.
Fox's 'Wolverine' leaks online
Early rough cut of 'X-Men' film hits the web
Source: Variety
A version of 20th Century Fox's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," which bows May 1, has leaked online, exactly one month before the opening.
Fox execs first heard about the breach at about 7 p.m. last night and began assessing the damage. A Fox source said the leaked version is an early rough cut, with temporary sound and music and a darker appearance than the finished footage.
Fox said they will pursue the breach as aggressively as possible with the help of the MPAA, FBI and local law enforcement.
The studio will be releasing a statement shortly.
"Wolverine" is a spinoff from the three "X-Men" films, and fanboy anticipation has been high.
Though films are commonly leaked on the Internet, the breach often occurs on the day of the film's bow, thanks to someone camcording the film inside a theater.
It's been a long time since such a high-profile film hit the Internet so far in advance and again raises the question of insider leaks; a few years ago, studios and post-production houses took elaborate precautions to prevent this.
The big question is the effect on the film's box office. Some Internet fans argue that they will illegally download a film but still go to see it on the bigscreen. If Internet word is positive, that will help. But if word of mouth is negative, it could hurt the film's boxoffice potential.
Hugh Jackman stars in the Gavin Hood-directed film.
yeah some special effects aren't even finished yet, it's pretty funny actually.
Confirmed: Fox fires Roger Friedman
'Wolverine' review caused major controversy
Source: Variety
The weekend-long guessing game over the fate of entertainment blogger Roger Friedman is over: Friedman has parted company with Fox News after a controversial post in which he reviewed a leaked, incomplete version of 20th Century Fox's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."
In a statement issued Monday afternoon, Fox News said: "Fox News representatives and Roger Friedman met today and mutually agreed to part ways immediately. Fox News appreciates Mr. Friedman's 10 years of contributions to building FoxNews.com and wishes him success in his future endeavors. Mr. Friedman is grateful to his colleagues for their friendship and support over the past decade."
Friedman's "Wolverine" item, which was posted on Thursday, drew instant fire from the blogosphere for what was seen as a tacit promotion of the download and review of stolen material. It was particularly bothersome to News Corp., the parent company of both Fox News and 20th Century Fox, because the studio could potentially suffer millions of dollars in lost box office receipts due to the illegal leak of the May 1 release.
Still, it appeared over the weekend that Friedman -- a top traffic draw for the news site -- might have escaped with his job intact. While News Corp. released a statement Saturday night saying that Friedman had been "terminated," a Fox News statement issued Sunday was noncommittal and dubbed the incident "an internal matter that we're not prepared to discuss at this time."
But Fox News' Monday statement put to rest any question of Friedman's fate with the news operation.
Friedman didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
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BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Now I wish that copy I tried to DL hadn't been gone... this poster makes me really want to see it.
It was terrible. I mean really really bad.
poor Hugh Jackman. i never had any interest in a spinoff to begin with but he seems like a nice dude and it's cool he was throwing the fanboys a bone here with this movie that he hoped didn't suck. but then it did. and everyone saw that for 0$.
Badasssss! In the worst way.
Quote from: Stefen on April 13, 2009, 02:43:52 PM
It was terrible. I mean really really bad.
that's a really polite way of phrasing it.
it's actually very strange how bad it is. Maybe this debacle will be fortunate after all and they will be able to make changes :(
if they don't this will end up in the IMDB bottom 100 for sure...
You guys are over exaggerating, right? That bad?
Quote from: Gamblour. on April 14, 2009, 09:09:02 PM
You guys are over exaggerating, right? That bad?
That bad. Maybe even worse.
Quote from: Pas Rap on April 14, 2009, 08:27:25 PM
it's actually very strange how bad it is.
it doesn't seem that strange to me. it's just bad in that it's the most Comic Book Movie i've ever seen with nothing separating it from anything else other than CLAWS.
Quote from: Pas Rap on April 14, 2009, 08:27:25 PM
if they don't this will end up in the IMDB bottom 100 for sure...
no way. in fact i wouldn't be surprised if it hits the top 250 for the first couple days. comic fans are going to eat it up like birthday cake.
McQuarrie takes on 'Wolverine'
'Usual Suspects' scribe worked on first 'X-Men'
Source: Variety
Christopher McQuarrie has been tapped by 20th Century Fox to write the sequel to "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," the film that Hugh Jackman is developing to reprise his role as razor-clawed protag Logan.
The studio hasn't yet determined timing or whether Gavin Hood will return as director. McQuarrie has a history with "X-Men," as he worked on the first film with director Bryan Singer but didn't take a credit.
He pitched his take several days ago for a storyline that is set in Japan and based on the Chris Claremont-Frank Miller comicbook series "The Samurai." Story centers on Logan's evolution into a samurai.
Jackman is producing with John Palermo and Lauren Shuler Donner. McQuarrie most recently scripted and produced "Valkyrie."