Lauren Shuler Donner on Wolverine 2
Empire magazine recently got a chance to talk to X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner (X-Men, X-Men Origins : Wolverine) at a press do for the just-released ‘Wolverine’ DVD & Blu-Ray about a few upcoming Marvel films including Wolverine 2, X-Men: First Class, Deadpool, and Magneto.
On Wolverine 2:
That’s the furthest along of all the X-Men projects on the boil. It’s actually the story we wanted to use for the first Wolverine film, but [Fox head honcho] Tom Rothman preferred to set the character up with an origin story first. This movie will really focus on the relationship between Wolverine and Mariko, the daughter of a Japanese crime lord, and what happens to him in Japan. We’re very fortunate to have a story mostly outlined for us [from the comic book arc co-written by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller]. And we wanted an A+ writer, so we want to Chris McQuarrie (Valkyrie, The Usual Suspects). He came in and has tightened the story and got really immersed in the whole thing – he’s in Japan in his head!
Hugh Jackman Developing Wolverine 2
Variety confirms recent rumors that Hugh Jackman is now in development on a sequel to the weekend hit “X-Men Origins: Wolverine“. With Wolverine earning $87 million in the US and $160 million combined in its opening weekend, 20th Century Fox has already given the go for the sequel to be made.
No writer has been hired but the sequel is expected the focus on the Logan in Japan samurai storyline from the comic book series.
Jackman previously spoke of the Japanese saga from the comic book.
“There are so many areas of that Japanese story,” he said. “I love the idea of this kind of anarchic character, the outsider, being in this world – I can see it aesthetically, too – full of honor and tradition and customs and someone who’s really anti-all of that, and trying to negotiate his way. The idea of the samurai, too – and the tradition there. It’s really great. In the comic book he gets his ass kicked by a couple of samurai – not even mutants. He’s shocked by that at first.”
Hugh Jackman has a very busy future. It was announced yesterday that Jackman will star in Ghostopolis for Disney. The movie, based on Doug TenNapel’s graphic novel, will see the actor playing a ghosthunter who traps ghosts for the Supernatural Immigration Task Force. But when a human boy is accidentally sent to the other side, Jackman must team with a former flame – now a ghost – to bring the boy back to our world.
In addition, Jackman will star in Personal Security for Fox about a police detective who is forced into bodyguard duty for a spoiled teen heiress who is receiving kidnapping threats. Jackman will also produce.
