The X-Men series prequel, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, had most mutant fans left fairly underwhelmed due to a pretty weak story and a totally wasted Gambit; who should have been fantastic if the film character was anywhere near the same as the guy from the comics and cartoon; but nevertheless, with Hugh Jackman reprising his role, and a few pretty decent effects, the movie did reasonably well at the box office; outselling Ironman 3-to-1 at one point, and finally closing with a worldwide gross of over $370 million (despite Fox panicking that the leaked working print, that was available prior to release, was going to hurt ticket sales); meaning a sequel is more than justified in Hollywood terms.
Hugh Jackamn is again set to reprise his most famous role, and promises that the next film will focus mainly on Logan’s time in Japan. However nothing has been officially confirmed as Christopher McQuarrie has only just handed in his script for the film, meaning that not one other cast member is signed on, and there’s not even a director lined up yet. But the Hollywood 411 Blog still states that the film is ‘ready’ and will begin shooting McQuarrie’s script (which it insists is both ‘beautiful’ and ‘very different from the first film’) next January.
Still technically a rumour, the news is sure to delight all X-Men fans, and plenty of movie lovers, and will no doubt have the internet forums teaming with fanboys reeling off lists of what was wrong with the last film, how they’d have made it better, and who they want to be part of this film’s ‘spot the mutant’ cameo run.
Stay tuned for updates, and hopefully something more official, soon.
