20th Century Fox gave an update yesterday on the status of the next X-Men film dealing with Wolverine, the character from the comic series, played in the first successful three X-Men movies by Hugh Jackman. This next movie will center entirely on Wolverine and has the unsubtle title of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”
“‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ is set to star [Hugh] Jackman and will be directed by Gavin Hood (‘Tsotsi,’ ‘Rendition’),” stated the official studio statement. “The producers are Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter (who produced all three previous ‘X-Men’ films), along with Jackman and his Seed Prods. producing partner, John Palermo. The film will be executive produced by Marvel Films’ Kevin Feige.
“Leading up to the events of ‘X-Men,’ ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’—written by David Benioff (‘The Kite Runner,’ ‘Troy’)—tells the story of Wolverine’s epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed [aka Sabertooth], and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe.”
“X-Men” was created by the legendary Stan Lee and his co-creators Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, the same geniuses behind “Spider Man,” “Hulk,” “The Fantastic Four” and many other great comic heroes and supervillains that have become household names.
The movie will see a return of Brian Cox reprising his role of William Stryker. Kodi Smit-McPhee (“Nightmares and Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King”) is set to star as the younger Wolverine. Also attached to the film is Liev Schreiber (“Repossession Mambo,” “Omen”) and, Maggie Q from “Mission Impossible III” and “Live Free or Die Hard” is rumored to be in it as well.
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is scheduled for a May 1, 2009 theatrical release.
I wonder if we’ll see any of our old Alpha Flight friends…
I wonder who the several legends will be.