The Wolverine is set to open on July 26th, 2013, which means director James Mangold (Kate & Leopold, 3:10 to Yuma) will have to begin shooting soon. To that end, casting Hugh Jackman’s co-stars has begun, and it’s off to a great start. Twitch reports Jessica Biel has been offered one of the leads:
Jessica Biel has been offered the role of Viper, a complex character who at one point was a peer of Logan’s as well as an enemy. She was a major player in criminal organization Hydra and, in one story arc, blackmailed Logan / Wolverine into marrying her. This could be interesting.
Could be interesting? I find your lack of faith disturbing.
The script was written by Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), and places Wolverine in “a love story featuring a Japanese actress“, which has been confirmed by Coming Soon to be an adaptation of the Mariko Yashida plotline. They offer additional casting updates:
Hiroyuki Sanada (“Lost,” Rush Hour 3, The Last Samurai) is set to play Shingen; veteran actor Hal Yamanouchi (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Push, Sinbad of the Seven Seas) plays Yashida; and new discoveries Tao Okamoto and Rila Fukushima will star as Mariko and Yukio, respectively.
Will Yun Lee and Brian Tee are also rumored to be rounding out the cast of Japanese characters. Now we just have to wait to see if Fox will heed our suggestion to rename the movie Wolverine 1: This Is The First One, There Weren’t Any Others Seriously (And Hugh Jackman Is Shirtless For 90 Minutes). Actually, let’s amend that. Now the title should end (And Hugh Jackman Is Shirtless For 90 Minutes While Jessica Biel Eats An Ice Cream Cone And Various Popsicles). It’s a little wordy, but we think you’ll agree it’s the right choice.
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