X-Men Origins: Wolverine

[Geekyfanboy]

Twentieth Century Fox has clawed out a May 1, 2009, date for the release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a spinoff movie starring Hugh Jackman, which director Gavin Hood begins shooting later this year, Variety reported.

Wolverine is expected to feature many other mutants, including some new to the film franchise and some from one or more of the three X-Men films, the trade paper reported.

Liev Schreiber is reportedly in final talks to take on the role of a younger version of nemesis William Stryker, played by Brian Cox in X2.

This is the first time a title has been confirmed for the next chapter in the lucrative film franchise, based on the Marvel comic series. There's been much speculation about the spinoff, which gained speed when the studio finalized deals with Jackman (who reprises the role he played in the three X-Men movies), Hood and writer David Benioff, who penned the script.

Wolverine will explore Wolverine's violent and romantic past and his complex relationship with Victor Creed and the ominous Weapon X program, as well as his encounters with other mutants.

Hood will start shooting in Australia before moving to New Zealand and, later, to New Orleans. The latter location is a clue that the storyline might include New Orleans-based character Gambit, who is able to make objects explode and was a professional thief before joining the X-Men.

[Geekyfanboy]

 "Wolverine" Getting Ready to Shoot

http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2007/10/24/wolverine-getting-ready-to-shoot/

Hugh Jackman may be a bit upset that his new CBS program "Viva! Laughlin" was axed after only two episodes, but he can take some pleasure in knowing that, as far as the big screen is concerned, he is still big box office.

This coming May 1, 2009 he will get his chance to prove again just how big of a ticket draw he can be when the new Marvel Comics major film starring Jackman hits theaters.

Of course, I'm talking about the Wolverine movie that will have Jackman holding the major responsibility of carrying the film all by himself this time without his buddy Storm (Halle Barry) or love interest Jean Grey (Famke Janssen).

The other bit of news is the name of the film has offically been announced. It will be called "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and will center on the early life of Wolverine and may feature appearances by William Stryker, Victor Creed aka Sabretooth, Weapon X, as well as other new and previous mutants from the X-Men cast of characters. Through a series of flashbacks, Logan struggles to find the secrets to his past. After learning little information through the help of Charles Xavier, Logan takes his search even further by learning the full truth of his origin, while also heading in a bold, new direction. There is no official word yet on whether or not Patrick Stewart has come onboard to reprise Xavier, however, Brian Cox is in talks to resume his role as Stryker.

Production is scheduled to begin by the end of 2007 or early 2008.

[Geekyfanboy]

Smit-McPhee is Young Logan in Wolverine
Source: Superhero Hype!
October 25, 2007

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6445

11-year-old Romulus, My Father star Kodi Smit-McPhee will play young Logan in 20th Century Fox's "X-Men" spin-off X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Smit-McPhee, pictured below, will start filming his scenes at Fox Studios

[Geekyfanboy]

The X-Men Origins: Wolverine Synopsis
Source: ComingSoon.net
December 12, 2007

In this announcement at ComingSoon.net about 20th Century Fox's 2009 tentpoles, the studio has revealed the official synopsis for X-Men Origins: Wolverine:

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is set to star Jackman and will be directed by Gavin Hood (Tsotsi, Rendition). 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, 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.

[wraith1701]

I wonder if they will stick to the "official" Wolverine origin story.  It would be cool to see Logan's childhood as depicted in the "Wolverine: Origin" TPB. 

[space_invader64]

I've just started watching the movies.  I didn't think I would like them but I have finished the first one and really enjoyed it.  Only disopointment was Gambit didn't turn up in the movie.

How are the next 2?

[Geekyfanboy]

X-Men 2 in my opinion is the best.. three was a popcorn movie.. fun but not much of a story.

[wraith1701]

I liked all 3 films, but I have to agree that 2 was the best. 
While part 3 had some really cool nods to X-Men fans, the overall story drifted a little to far from continuity for my comfort.  But I guess that's to be expected when you try to cram plotlines spanning several months or years into a 2 hour film.
(spider-man 3, I'm looking at you.)

[space_invader64]

I really didn't like in spiderman 3 how he forgave his uncle's murder unstead of defeating him.  I thought it was a very bad ending.

[wraith1701]

I agree with you.  Man; don't get me going on Spider-Man 3!  While I enjoyed the movie overall, there were a lot of elements that made me cringe.  It was kind of lame how they introduced Venom into the story.  I don't recall any explaination being given for why the suit was drawn to Peter. 

Of course, I can't imagne how the writers could even come close to keeping the Venom origin true to the comics.  Explaining how the black suit was picked up by Peter while fighting in a Secret War on a far away planet, all under the watchful eye of an all-powerful alien entity called the Beyonder would have probably left the majority of the audience scratching their heads in confusion.  Perhaps the writers should have left the whole Venom storyline out of the movie.

[Geekyfanboy]

First Look at X-Men Origins: Wolverine!
Source: USA Today
February 14, 2008

USA Today has published this first look at Hugh Jackman as Logan in X-Men Origins: Wolverine! And some quotes...

The film will trace Wolverine's past as he discovers the world of mutants and, ultimately, the ominous Weapon X program, which turns people into living weapons.

Jackman is tight-lipped on plot details, though he says the film will hardly be a one-mutant story.

Wolverine's nemesis Sabretooth "is going to play a big part in it. And there will be a good bit of cameos" of new and familiar mutants, he says. "But you can't give too much away, because fans are pretty hard-core. Their expectations go up a level every time you come out with a new film."

Directed by Gavin Hood and co-starring Liev Schreiber, X-Men Origins: Wolverine hits theaters on May 1, 2009.

[Geekyfanboy]

Taylor Kitsch is Gambit in Wolverine!
Source: Chaos Bringer
February 19, 2008

Scooper 'Chaos Bringer' has revealed on Superhero Hype!'s message boards that "Friday Night Lights" star Taylor Kitsch will play Gambit (AKA Remy LeBeau) in director Gavin Hood's X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Kitsch has signed a three-picture deal.

He'll be joining Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), Liev Schreiber (Sabretooth), Danny Huston (William Stryker) and Lynn Collins (Silver Fox) in the 20th Century Fox release, opening May 1, 2009.

Leading up to the events of X-Men, "Wolverine" tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, 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.

[Geekyfanboy]

Cast for X-Men Origins: Wolverine Fills Out

"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has lengthend its cast of supermutants, according to Variety.

The biggest kudo of the new breed is Ryan Reynolds ("Smokin' Aces," "Blade: Trinity"). He will portray Deadpool, an assassin with self-healing abilities. Also on hand are Taylor Kitsch ("Friday Night Lights"), who is set to star as Gambit and rap/hip-hop artist will.i.am from the famous group Black Eyed Peas will be John Wraith. Wraith's claim to mutant fame is his ability to teleport. Like Wolverine, he too was a creation from the horrendous experiments done by the Weapon X program.

They join the current existing cast comprised of Hugh Jackman who is, of course the title character, Wolverine,
Liev Schreiber ("The Omen") will play Victor Creed aka Sabretooth, Danny Huston ("30 Days of Night") has been cast as Colonel William Stryker, replacing actor Michael C. Hall, who was originially rumored for the role, and the beautiful Lynn Collins ("The Number 23," "Bug") is Kayla Silver Fox.

"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is scheduled for a May 1, 2009 theatrical release.

[Geekyfanboy]

Monaghan Found on Wolverine

The actor who played Charlie for 3 seasons on the ABC hit SF show "Lost" can now be found on the set of the newest mutant film, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

Dominic Monaghan will star as Barnell in the film. His character is this weird mysterious fellow from Wolverine's foggy past. Barnell, a mutant himself, can make different forms of energy due whatever he wants.

Joining the cast with Monaghan is relative newcomer Daniel Henney. Called Agent Zero, he is a member of the secretive Weapon X program, the place where Wolverine was hatched. Zero is the program's crack marksman and tracker.

Dominic Monahan and Daniel Henney join a cast that includes Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Taylor Kitsch, will.i.am, Lynn Collins and Ryan Reynolds.

This is a worldwide filming event, shooting in locations as vastly different as New Zealand, Australia and New Orleans. "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is set for a May 1, 2009 release in most of the world and opens one day earlier in Germany and the Netherlands.

[Rico]

Another new picture from the movie found in "Empire" magazine....

source:  http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22078