Hugh Jackman and 20th Century Fox are trying to take the Wolverine series (spun off from the hit “X-Men” films) in a new direction.
While we previously knew that “The Wolverine” wasn’t going to be a direct sequel to the dismal “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” Fox has just released an official synopsis for the upcoming film”The Wolverine.”
It says: “Based on the celebrated comic book arc, ‘The Wolverine’ finds Logan, the eternal warrior and outsider, in Japan. There, samurai steel will clash with adamantium claw as Logan confronts a mysterious figure from his past in an epic battle that will leave him forever changed.”
As previously assumed, the story is taken from Chris Claremont and Frank Miller’s beloved early ’80s miniseries.
Jackman is returning as the mutant. James Mangold (“Walk the Line,” “3:10 to Yuma”) is directing, from a script most recently re-written by Mark Bomback (the “Total Recall” remake). Jackman has said that film won’t feature too many other mutants, making it more streamlined than the bloated “Origins.”
Mangold, a full two weeks into shooting, eagerly tweeted some more details, saying, “movies I think about as I make #TheWolverine : Eastwood”s Josie Wales, Powell”s Back Narcissus, Hitchcock”s Rear Window, Marnie, Vertigo” and “Today I am starting an intense set piece of action and drama at the Yashida Compound set. Logan, Yukio and Shingen.”
Another tweet includes the promise that “Amazing images are being made.”
Just what the director took from the aforementioned Hitchcock films and the excellent convent drama “Black Narcissus” (co-directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger) remains to be seen, but at least he has good taste. He did, however, spell “Josey Wales” wrong, but mistakes happen.
The film’s mostly Japanese cast includes Will Yun Lee, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hal Yamanouchi, Tao Okamoto, and Rila Fukushima.
“The Wolverine” opens nationwide July 26, 2013.