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Hugh Jackman Talks About X-Men Origins: Wolverine Differences

by Alex Billington
April 30, 2008
Source: MTV

Although it looks like 2008 is the ultimate summer of superhero movies, with six comic book adaptations hitting theaters: Iron Man, Speed Racer, The Incredible Hulk, Wanted, Hellboy II, and The Dark Knight, we also can't forget about 2009's superhero movies. One big one that really stands out: X-Men Origins: Wolverine - which happens to be hitting theater's exactly one year from tomorrow (May 1st). Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Wolverine and Rendition's Gavin Hood is directing. MTV recently caught up with Jackman who spoke about the progress they've made shooting Wolverine. The best part - he compares the film to Batman Begins and goes on to talk about how dark of a character Wolverine really is.

While this is technically a spin-off from the X-Men movies, we all know that it will be different. Even Jackman can tell that it is, saying "it feels different," but that "I don't think its going be night and day." If there is one guy who knows Wolverine inside and out, it is definitely Hugh Jackman, who is now reprising the role for the fourth time after appearing in all three X-Men movies. I'm sure he could even stand up against any comic book hardened mega-geek when it comes to knowledge on Wolverine's background and nuances. "We are dealing with a character who is probably one of the darker comic book characters ever created. The movie has a lot of fun elements, but there are layers of pain and darkness to this character."

Getting back to the topic at hand - how different X-Men Origins: Wolverine will be from the X-Men films - Jackman goes as far as to reference one of the greatest comic book movies of all time. "Tonally, I would put it more in the Batman Begins sort of realm... That's sort of where we're headed." Now don't get confused, he's not saying that it was inspired by Batman Begins at all, he's saying it's similar to the darker tone of Batman Begins as opposed to the lighter feeling of the X-Men films. And given how wrapped up in The Dark Knight everyone is at the moment, I'm certainly glad to hear it's heading in a darker direction.

Lastly, Jackman answers a question regarding the prospective future of Wolverine. If Wolverine does very well next summer, it could be possible that we'll see another trilogy - which means he might play Wolverine in a total of at least six movies! That's a bit insane, but at the same time, no one else can play him! And on top of that, Jackman is a great enough actor that he can still do other roles and won't fall into a Wolverine typecast. As for whether he would actually return...

"There are two conditions for me doing any more: One is will anybody want to see it, and the second is: Will I still have the passion for it?" he explained. "I really wanted to do this spin-off movie, because I felt we hadn't truly found who this character was."

"Right now," Jackman added, fueling hope for the fanboys, "I feel like I could do another ten or eleven."

I've been looking forward to Wolverine ever since I first heard about it. I have a feeling that just a week after we finally see The Dark Knight, everyone's hype is going to jump from Batman to Wolverine - I'm betting there is going to be a big debut at Comic-Con in July. And I'm certain that X-Men Origins: Wolverine will probably become one of the most anticipated movies as soon as we finish this summer and as soon as we get some real footage. Until then, we'll have to go on Jackman's word alone, which is enough to already get me excited.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is directed by South African filmmaker Gavin Hood, of the Oscar-winning Tsotsi and Rendition, and was written by David Benioff (25th Hour, Troy, The Kite Runner). X-Men Origins: Wolverine will hit theaters everywhere next May 1st, 2009.

Explore tags: Hype, Movie News

darrin

i wonder if this could be rated R . since the tone is really dark in this film
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

While you make a good point, I don't think it'll be R. No Marvel movie positioned as a big summer hit is going to be rated R - always PG-13. They need to sell it and get young kids to go... Marvel is still a family business and they'll always make their movies accessible at the PG-13 level. But look at Batman Begins, it was still dark and awesome and PG-13. Same with The Dark Knight... You don't need to go R if you have a good filmmaker!
Movieraider321

Great post. I've been looking for some info on this film, and now I am even more pumped than I was currently. Although right now my mindset is, Ironman, Speed Racer, Indiana Jones 4, and Dark Knight, I'm still popping in my Xmen dvds right this second. Thanks Alex!
Jack M.

"cough"Blade"cough"Rated-R"cough"was sucessful"cough"Marvel
Jojo

Alex billington Marvel has no control over wolverine movie. Fox does.
The Delightful Deviant

so now is it every comic book movie producer/director's goal to top Batman Begins? just mentioning that movie is setting yourself up for a major let down when it happens, why can't it just be a movie and not a competition. the one thing that has got me amped for this movie is Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool.
Frame

When Van Helsing saw the light of day I figured Jackman's career would be reduced to a Vin Diesel. He's got mad talent and his filmography has been hit or miss since then but this movie will be magic, guaranteed. ...still hate the hell out of the name, though.
Djorschach

I agree- Xmen origins implies what, that they'll make a Collossus movie? I mean, C'mon! Wolverine is a hot Marvel property, and you have to be able to have him smoking, drinking, and yes, killing. If they can do that within a PG-13 slating they'll have every kid they want in there. But if they want the adults, they should go for the R-Rating. It's their gamble- personally I think more older viewers are invested in Wolverine as a character, and the younger kids will find a way to see the movie if they really want to. (in the meantime, buying up tons of comics, I'm sure) If Hugh Jackman's that pumped to play the role, and the director's competent and committed to bringing the character's story to a wider audience, it'll be good. I think it'll be really effing cool if they include Barry Winsor Smith's whole Weapon X idea, and a little bit of miller's ninja assassin stuff to boot. One thing's for certain: Trade Paperback reprints galore! This is ONE movie that's guaranteed to actually sell more comics!
http://www.thestopbutton.com Andrew Wickliffe

Ah yes, the twelve film Hollywood series with the same leading man.
John

JoJo #5, Incorrect. Marvel acts as a prodco on a lot of these - the most recent example being the fight between the filmmakers and Marvel over the latest Hulk film...which Marvel won.
armando

inresponse to alex bellington's comment. your right about batman returns that it was dark and a great movie without haveing it be rated r but batman didnt have 12 in. razor sharp claws comeing out of his hands and batman isnt a timebomb ready to go off like logan is. come on guys you have razorsharp claws comeing out of the berzerker, there has to be blood. why cant they do what they did with saturday night fever in the 70's they made it rated r and then they edited into a pg version of it i think that would be a great idea. and if they do that i hope i will get some credit ha ha
Bill Selman

Making a wolverine film rated pg-13 would be the largest mistake ever. Anyone rember Conan 1 + 2 well try to forget about 2. Do not try to make movies with swords and battle scenes with no result and no blood. Leave the pg for the kiddie char movies like spiderman and superman.
thugnasty25

There are only 2 "Origins" movies planned so far: Wolverine and Magneto. I seriously hope this movie is as good or better than X2. They do have quite a bit of characters but Wolverines squad in the comic books consisted of him, John Wraith, Sabretooth, Silver Fox, and Maverick (a.k.a Agent Zero) and all those characters have already been cast so at least it will stay true to the original story. I see the movie as the Team taking on missions involving other mutants. Deadpool could be a rogue member of Team X and Barnell could show up on other missions or just in the weapon x facility. Gambit could be part of a mission as well. who knows.
thugnotsonasty

ahh, I just climaxed!!!