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X-Men Origins: Wolverine

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Directed byGavin Hood
Written byDavid Benioff
James Vanderbilt
Scott Silver
Skip Woods
David Ayer
Produced byLauren Shuler Donner
Ralph Winter
Avi Arad
StarringHugh Jackman
Liev Schreiber
Danny Huston
Lynn Collins
Daniel Henney
Taylor Kitsch
Will.i.am
Ryan Reynolds
Kevin Durand
CinematographyDonald McAlpine
Edited byNicolas De Toth
Music byHarry Gregson-Williams
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release dates
May 1, 2009
CountriesUnited States
New Zealand
Australia
LanguageEnglish

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is an upcoming film based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Wolverine, due for release on May 1, 2009. The film is directed by Gavin Hood and stars Hugh Jackman as the title character. It is a prequel to the X-Men film trilogy, focusing on the mutant Wolverine and his time with Team X, before Wolverine's skeleton was bonded with the indestructible metal adamantium. The film was mostly shot in Australia and New Zealand.

Premise

Set seventeen years before X-Men,[1] the film will focus on Wolverine's violent past,[2] and his early encounters with William Stryker. The Weapon X program and his interactions with other mutants will be explored,[3] including his complex relationship with Sabretooth / Victor Creed.[2]

Cast

  • Hugh Jackman as Logan / Wolverine, the mutant and future X-Man. Jackman, who played Wolverine in the previous films, has also become producer of the film, and is being paid $20 million for the film.[4] Jackman underwent a high intensity weight training regimen to bulk up for his role. He changed the program to shock the body into change and also performed cardiovascular workouts.[5] Jackman worked out in a Queenstown gym where he would arrive daily at 6am. He stayed in character and made noises while exercising.[6]
  • Will.i.am as John Wraith / Kestrel: A teleporting mutant who becomes a Weapon X test subject.[10] It is will.i.am's film debut. Although he initially did not get on with the casting director, he got the role because he wanted to play a mutant with the same power as Nightcrawler. He enrolled in boot camp to get into shape for the part.[14] When filming a fight, he accidentally punched and broke the camera, which created a scar on his knuckles.[15]

Tim Pocock cameos as a young Cyclops.[18] Asher Keddie and Tahyna Tozzi have unnamed roles.[19][20] X-Men co-creator Stan Lee has a cameo.[21] Poker player Daniel Negreanu has a cameo appearance. Phil Hellmuth wanted to join him but was unable because he committed to an event in Toronto.[22]

Production

David Benioff, a comic book fan, pursued the project for almost three years before he was hired to write the script in October 2004.[23][24] In preparing to write the script, he reread Barry Windsor-Smith's "Weapon X" story (1991), as well as Chris Claremont and Frank Miller's 1982 limited series on the character (his favorite storyline).[25][23] Jackman collaborated on the script, which he wanted to be more of a character piece compared with the previous X-Men films.[26] Benioff aimed for a "darker and a bit more brutal" story, writing it with an R rating in mind, although he acknowledged the film's final tone would rest with the producers and director.[23] Jackman did not see the need to push the amount of onscreen violence.[27] In October 2006 the script was finished, and Jackman stated there would be a year before shooting,[28] as he was scheduled to start filming Australia (2008) during 2007.[29] Before the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike began, James Vanderbilt and Scott Silver were hired for a last-minute rewrite.[30]

Gavin Hood was announced as director of the project in July 2007 for a 2008 release.[31] Previously, X-Men and X2 director Bryan Singer and X-Men: The Last Stand director Brett Ratner were interested in returning to the franchise,[32][33] while Alexandre Aja and Len Wiseman also wanted the job.[34][35] Zack Snyder, who was approached for The Last Stand, turned down this film because he was directing Watchmen.[36] Jackman saw parallels between Logan and the main character in Tsotsi.[37] Hood explained that while he was not a comic book fan, he "realized that the character of Wolverine, I think his great appeal lies in the fact that he's someone who in some ways, is filled with a great deal of self-loathing by his own nature and he's constantly at war with his own nature".[38] The director described the film's themes as focusing on Wolverine's inner struggle between his animalistic savagery and noble human qualities. Hood enjoyed the previous films, but set out to give the spin-off a different feel.[39] In October, Fox announced a May 1 2009 release date and the X-Men Origins prefix.[3]

Preliminary shooting took place at Fox Studios Australia (in Sydney) during late 2007.[40] Principal photography began on January 18 2008[41] in New Zealand. Locations included Dunedin,[42] Glenorchy and Milford Sound.[43] Controversy arose as the Queenstown Lakes District Council disputed the Department of Labour's decision to allow Fox to store explosives in the local ice skating rink. Fox moved some of the explosives to another area.[43] The explosives were used for a shot of the exploding Hudson Farm, a scene which required four cameras.[44] Jackman and Palermo's Woz Productions reached an agreement with the council to allow recycling specialists on set to advise the production on being environmentally friendly.[45] Filming in the country wrapped by February 21, and continued to take place at Fox (where most of the shooting was to be conducted) and New Orleans, Louisiana.[46][3] Production of the film was predicted to generate $60 million in Sydney's economy.[47] Principal photography ended by May 23. The second unit continued filming in New Zealand until March 23, and were schedule to continue filming for two weeks following the first unit's wrap.[48] This included a flashback to Logan during the Normandy Landings, which was shot at Blacksmiths, New South Wales.[49]

Marketing

Raven Software is developing a video game based on the film, which Activision will publish.[50] Marc Guggenheim wrote the script.[51]

The first teaser trailer appeared at Comic Con 2008

Sequel

Hood speculated that there could be a sequel, which may be set in Japan.[38] Such a location was the subject of Claremont and Miller's series, which was not in the first film as Jackman felt “what we need to do is establish who [Logan] is and find out how he became Wolverine".[28] Jackman stated the Claremont-Miller series is his favorite Wolverine story.[52] The inclusion of Deadpool and Gambit also leads to the possibilities of their own spin-offs.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Harry Knowles (2007-02-02). "Brian Cox to be CG Young-ified in Wolverine movie?". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved 2007-02-03.
  2. ^ a b "Fox Sets New Avatar, Museum 2 Dates". Comingsoon.net. 2007-12-12. Retrieved 2007-12-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d Pamela McClintock (2007-10-17). "Wolverine claws on May '09 date". Variety. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  4. ^ Steven Galloway (2007-07-10). "Studios are hunting the next big property". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  5. ^ "Hugh Jackman bulks up for Wolverine". Aussie Bodies. 2008-01-18. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ^ Kristian South (2008-04-06). "Kiwi stunner Kate's got the X-Men factor". Sunday News. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  7. ^ Shannon Harvey (2008-02-29). "Perth boy to play young Hugh Jackman in Wolverine movie". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  8. ^ "Smit-McPhee is Young Logan in Wolverine". Superhero Hype!. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2007-10-27.
  9. ^ Leslie Simmons (2008-02-06). "Smit-McPhee takes 'Road' less traveled". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Graser, Marc, and Tatiana Siegel (2008-02-19). "Reynolds, will.i.am join 'Wolverine'". Variety. Retrieved 2008-02-19.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Shawn Adler (2007-03-21). "Movie File: Chris Brown, Ocean's Thirteen, Michelle Trachtenberg & More". MTV. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  12. ^ Heather Newgen (2008-01-19). "Michelle Monaghan Talks Wolverine". Superhero Hype!. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
  13. ^ a b Tatiana Siegel (2008-02-21). "Dominic Monaghan joins 'Wolverine'". Variety. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
  14. ^ Shawn Adler (2008-02-21). "Will.I.Am Sings On 'Wolverine,' Becomes Teleporting Mutant". MTV. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
  15. ^ Larry Carroll (2008-06-19). "Will.I.Am Reveals Details About His Big-Screen Debut In X-Men Origins: Wolverine". MTV. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  16. ^ Scott Adkins Fanz
  17. ^ Jodi Lundmark (2008-07-03). "Durand not Lost". The Source. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  18. ^ "Actor Cast As Scott Summers In Wolverine!?". X-Men Films.net. 2008-05-06. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
  19. ^ Emily Dunn, Josephine Tovey (2008-04-21). "A little offstage bonding". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
  20. ^ "Tahyna Tozzi back in Sydney with Koby Abberton". PerthNow. 2008-04-22. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
  21. ^ Sandy Cohen (2008-07-25). "Stan Lee to make a cameo in new 'X-Men' movie". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  22. ^ Rob Worley (2008-03-18). "'Wolverine' to duke it out...in the World Series of Poker?". Comics2Film. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  23. ^ a b c Matt Brady (2005-04-15). "Wolverine screenwriter keeps it real". Newsarama. Retrieved 2007-10-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ Michael Fleming (2004-10-04). "'X' marks spinoff spot". Variety. Retrieved 2006-09-01.
  25. ^ Daniel Robert Epstein (2004-12-28). "David Benioff". SuicideGirls. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  26. ^ "Interview - Hugh Jackman". CanMag. 2006-10-15. Retrieved 2006-10-15.
  27. ^ "Hugh Jackman on The Prestige!" (Quicktime video). Latino Review. 2006-10-20. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
  28. ^ a b Heather Newgen (2006-10-15). "Jackman says Wolverine script is ready". Superhero Hype!. Retrieved 2006-10-15.
  29. ^ Marilyn Beck (2006-08-13). "Major renegotiations possible stumbling block for new X-Men". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved 2007-07-11. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Michael Fleming, Pamela McClintock (2007-10-30). "Studios prep back-up plan". Variety. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
  31. ^ Michael Fleming, Peter Gilstrap (2007-07-19). "Fox says Hood good for Wolverine". Variety. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
  32. ^ Michael Tsai (2006-11-08). "Sequel to Superman Returns due in 2009". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  33. ^ "Ratner To Direct Wolverine Film?". Internet Movie Database. 2006-03-20. Retrieved 2006-09-01.
  34. ^ Sean Elliott (2006-03-11). "The Hills Have Eyes Director Alexandre Aja gets grisly". iF Magazine. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  35. ^ Edward Douglas (2007-07-22). "Len Wiseman on Wolverine". Superhero Hype!. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  36. ^ Robert Sanchez (2007-02-13). "Exclusive Interview: Zack Snyder Is Kickin' Ass With 300 and Watchmen!". IESB. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  37. ^ Helen O'Hara (August 2008). "The Big Preview". Empire. p. 114.
  38. ^ a b Edward Douglas (2007-09-29). "Exclusive: "Gavin Hood, Why Wolverine?"". Superhero Hype!. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
  39. ^ Larry Carroll (2007-10-03). "Wolverine Director, Hugh Jackman Digging Their Claws Into X-Men Spinoff". MTV. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
  40. ^ "X-Men cameras set to roll down south". The Dominion Post. 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
  41. ^ "Domestic film: In production". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  42. ^ "Shooting for Wolverine set to commence in South Island". TV3. 2008-01-27. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
  43. ^ a b "X-Men production team upsets local council". TV3. 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
  44. ^ David Williams (2007-11-03). "Explosive end for SI blockbuster". The Press. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
  45. ^ Chris Morris (2008-01-29). "Film crew commits to green ethic". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
  46. ^ Celia Williams (2008-02-21). "Another day on the set with my mate Jackman". Scene.co.nz. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
  47. ^ "Jackman's 'Wolverine' starts shooting in Sydney". ABC News. 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  48. ^ Robert Sanchez (2008-05-23). "X-Men Origins: Wolverine Wraps Principal Photography!". IESB.net. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
  49. ^ David Bentley (2008-06-12). "Hugh Jackman films war scenes for Wolverine". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  50. ^ César A. Berardini (2008-07-15). "X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Tie-ins Announced". TeamXbox. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  51. ^ Scott Rosenberg (2008-04-07). "Cursed to Write: TV & Comics Scribe Marc Guggenheim". ReadExpress. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  52. ^ "SDCC 08: Hugh Jackman" (Video). IGN. 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
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