Re: The Wolverine - IN Production **SPOILERS**

[jo]

I hope a second unit is doing scenery photography in Japan, especially now - the autumn season - maybe the story of Logan in Japan spans a much longer period ( the filming at the Japanese temple seems to have reflected the summer season)?

I am hoping that the special film treat in this XMEN/Wolverine movie is the scenic beauty of Japan.

Jo

[rmtndew]

Well, it looks like the scene with the ninja on the previous page has snow and icicles, so if they're filming that and they did a more summery scene at the temple, it may be a story that spans a year or more. It's an interesting thought and it would be new to the character, considering we've only seen him a few days in one movie and a few days in another. If months pass in this movie, we'll (hopefully) see a character development that could add some new layers to Wolverine.

- Alicia

[jo]

Maybe what James Mangold is saying in this brief interview brings out another element in the character of Wolverine -- that of isolation. The faraway culture and the landscape of Japan do help in that sense of being alone, by himself in his quests.

www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/....es-mangold.html

James Mangold has discussed The Wolverine's emotional arc, hinting that the film is "about isolation".

The 3:10 to Yuma helmer directs Hugh Jackman in his sixth appearance as Logan/Wolverine, for what is described as a standalone film, separate from 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Mangold also suggested to Empire that the film takes place outside of all previous X-Men continuity, and will find Wolverine feeling isolated.

"Where this film sits in the universe of the films is after them all. Jean Grey is gone, most of the X-Men are disbanded or gone, so there's a tremendous sense of isolation for him," he said.

It was rumoured earlier this week that Famke Janssen will make an appearance as Wolverine's former love interest Jean Grey.

"[It] was very important that I land in a very specific place in his timeline," Mangold explained of the film's self-contained continuity. "I wanted to be able to tell the story without the burden of handing it off to a film that already exists and having to conform to it."

He went on to explain that the psychological story he wanted to tell would not have been well served by an ensemble or team-based film, in the way that the first three X-Men films and X-Men: First Class were.

"The ideas of immortality reign very heavily in this story," he said, "and the burden of immortality weighs heavily on Logan. For me, that's such an interesting part of Logan's character that is nearly impossible to explore if you have a kind of league or team movie."

The Wolverine will be released on July 25, 2013.

Watch Hugh Jackman discussing the film with Digital Spy below:

Also, check out a brief clip from Hugh, discussing The Wolverine.

Jo

[Jamie]

Digital spy front page has changed. Here's the direct link to the Wolverine story: www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a433277/the-wolverine-is-about-isolation-says-director-james-mangold.html

[jo]

The original article, it seems, appeared on EMPIRE --

www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35599

James Mangold Talks The Wolverine
Exclusive: It's not a prequel...

25 October 2012 | Written by Chris Hewitt

You may have noticed that the new issue of Empire is a Hobbit-fest (5 covers! In 3D! Collect 'em all etc. etc.), but we also took the time out this month to focus on an equally hairy hero: Wolverine.

As well as an exclusive, and intriguing, new pic from The Wolverine, the currently-shooting latest outing for Hugh Jackman's feral, clawed X-Men, we spoke to director James Mangold about the movie, which takes Logan to Japan, and learned some very interesting things.

Most of those interesting things will remain the preserve of the magazine, so pick up the new issue if you want to learn all of Logan's secrets, but we will say this: one thing that had been presumed about The Wolverine is that it would be another X-Men prequel. Not so.

"Where this film sits in the universe of the films is after them all," reveals Mangold. "Jean Grey is gone, most of the X-Men are disbanded or gone, so there’s a tremendous sense of isolation for him."

Now that's intriguing. We're pretty sure that there are prequel elements to The Wolverine - our picture alone, if you know your Wolverine lore, would suggest it, while on-set pics suggest that some sequences take place in World War II. Also, recent rumours hint at a cameo from Famke Janssen as Logan's great love Jean Grey, last seen being mercy killed by Logan at the end of X-Men: The Last Stand.

But, according to Mangold, the bulk of the action - which takes Logan to Tokyo, where he falls for Tao Okamoto's mysterious Mariko, and becomes entangled in a brutal gang war - will take place outside of all previous X-film continuity.

"That’s something that for me was very important, that I land in a very specific place in his timeline," says Mangold. "I wanted to be able to tell the story without the burden of handing it off to a film that already exists and having to conform to it. The ideas of immortality reign very heavily in this story and the burden of immortality weighs heavily on Logan. For me that’s such an interesting part of Logan’s character that is nearly impossible to explore if you have a kind of league or team movie."

For more from Mangold on what he calls a "Japanese noir picture with tentpole action in it", and to see our fantastic new pic from the movie, pick up the new issue of Empire, on sale today in print form and on the iPad.

The Wolverine is out in the UK on July 25, 2013.

Look out for the latest issue, with a feature on The Wolverine!


Jo

[birchie]

Oct 25, 2012 6:24:10 GMT -5 Jamie said:

Digital spy front page has changed. Here's the direct link to the Wolverine story: www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a433277/the-wolverine-is-about-isolation-says-director-james-mangold.html

Thanks for the link, the other one didn't work. I hadn't seen that particular clip before. I hope he's right about hitting a "hole in one". Seems to me he has a chance to hit 3 in a row...wonder what that would be called? ;D
Sue

[birchie]

Oct 24, 2012 23:37:40 GMT -5 rmtndew said:

Well, it looks like the scene with the ninja on the previous page has snow and icicles, so if they're filming that and they did a more summery scene at the temple, it may be a story that spans a year or more. It's an interesting thought and it would be new to the character, considering we've only seen him a few days in one movie and a few days in another. If months pass in this movie, we'll (hopefully) see a character development that could add some new layers to Wolverine.

- Alicia

I think you're right about the time passing giving more of a chance for character development. I think it also will be good in terms of the romance with Mariko. Having more time to develop that will be wonderful to see.

I also like the stuff in that Jim Mangold article that Jo posted about delving more into the immortality aspects of the character. This all sounds very promising and could end up being the definitive Wolverine movie that Hugh has been hoping for.
Sue

[jo]

More information and photos re the recent filming at the Olympic Games Carpark --

www.theaustralian.com.au/news/its-snowing-at-homebush-for-hugh-jackman-on-the-set-of-his-new-wolverine-flick/story-e6frg6n6-1226503420257

THE countdown is on for the completion of The Wolverine, with the crew working around the clock on the Sydney set to get the $100 million-plus movie across the finish line.

Shooting is scheduled to wrap in Sydney in the coming weeks for the X-Men spin-off and an all-nighter on Wednesday ensured at least one major action sequence was in the can.

The film's star Hugh Jackman was captured walking around the elaborate set, which was constructed inside a carpark in Homebush to look like a snowy village in Japan - where most of the film is based.

The 44-year-old Tony Award winner is reprising his role as clawed amnesiac Logan, however this week it seemed to be his stuntman who was working overtime.

Jackman was seen observing the scene - involving a team of ninjas - but did not appear to be in character.

Principal photography kicked off in Kurnell in July and quickly moved southwest to Picton, which was transformed into a Canadian town.

Production was then shipped to Tokyo and Hiroshima before returning to Oz, with Parramatta recently doubling as a Japanese city.

A sequel to 2009's X-Men Origins:Wolverine, Jackman has promised this movie will right the wrongs of its predecessor.

While commercially successful - it took $375 million worldwide - there was a huge fan backlash about the plot and the overuse of mutant characters.

The next instalment is said to be a more human story, set against a backdrop of WWII.

It's due to be released next July.

Producer Jackman observing the filming developments!

Jo

[mamaleh]

I like that Clint Eastwood-ish, loner aspect. And Logan does age, albeit slowly, so his looking slightly more mature would not negatively impact the credibility of the story if it indeed does take place post-Alcatraz. I'm feeling more positive about this standalone.

Ellen

[jo]

It looks like this site has scooped the Exclusive new photo of WOLVERINE featured on EMPIRE -- with bone claws! This leads us into more questions on the timeline and storyline of The Wolverine!


www.dailyblam.com/news/2012/10/25/hugh-jackman-sports-bone-claws-in-new-the-wolverine-image-story-said-to-take-place-a





I wonder if they are going to be even more generous during the forthcoming chat with fans!

Jo

[jo]

EDIT : Found a more manageable-sized photo!

Wonderful imagery for the huge one, though ;D


Jo

[jo]

REMINDER!!

>>>Hugh Jackman and James Mangold will be hosting a live chat from the Australian set of ‘The Wolverine’ next Monday, October 29th at 1:00 pm PST/8:00 pm GMT. Jackman and Mangold will be answering questions submitted by fans on Facebook (Facebook.com/TheWolverineMovie) and Twitter (#TheWolverineLive), along with an exclusive surprise or two. Tune in via YouTube.com/TheWolverineMovie or TheWolverineMovie.com next week.<<<

[njr]

Oct 25, 2012 9:01:43 GMT -5 jo said:

It looks like this site has scooped the Exclusive new photo of WOLVERINE featured on EMPIRE -- with bone claws! This leads us into more questions on the timeline and storyline of The Wolverine!


www.dailyblam.com/news/2012/10/25/hugh-jackman-sports-bone-claws-in-new-the-wolverine-image-story-said-to-take-place-a





I wonder if they are going to be even more generous during the forthcoming chat with fans!

Jo

I like what it says in the top left (real small print): "I've got six bones to pick with you!" LOL!

Nancy

[birchie]

Oct 25, 2012 15:53:14 GMT -5 njr said:

I like what it says in the top left (real small print): "I've got six bones to pick with you!" LOL!

Nancy

Wow, good eyes, Nancy! Mine are so bad that I still haven't seen it but I'm glad to know it says that. Very cool!

I do wonder how they're doing the timeline though. He seems to be in Army pants or am I not seeing that right? Could that be around the time of the POW stuff?
Sue

[jo]

Drew McWeeny, formerly of AICN and now with his own respected site weighs in on what James Mangold is projecting for The Wolverine -- and he seemed very hopeful!

www.hitfix.com/motion-captured/james-mangold-makes-some-surprising-claims-about-the-wolverine-timeline

James Mangold makes some surprising claims about the 'Wolverine' timeline

Plus a new image shows off those bone claws

By Drew McWeeny Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 8:50 PM

It's been a strange day in the "X-Men" movie universe.

Obviously, fandom is freaking out over Matthew Vaughn leaving "X-Men: Days Of Future Past," and I plan to take a deeper look at the post-Rothman world of Fox superhero movies in the days ahead. For now, though, I'm fascinated by a comment that Empire ran today as part of their exclusive visit to the set of "The Wolverine," James Mangold's take on the mutant that has been played since 2000 by Hugh Jackman.

At this point, I would not be shocked to learn that people are confused by the timelines and continuities of the "X-Men" series. After all, there's the trilogy of films based on the Bryan Singer take on the characters, there's the "Wolverine" solo film, and there's last year's "X-Men: First Class," which appeared to overtly contradict several things in the already established movies. I'm not sure I quite understand how they're supposed to connect on a story level if we're meant to accept that they all take place in one movie universe.

Today, Empire ran some quotes from an upcoming James Mangold interview that's part of their exclusive trip to the "Wolverine" set, and his quotes make it sound like he's gone out of his way to remove this story from the equation, but in a way I wouldn't have expected.

"Where this film sits in the universe of the films is after them all," reveals Mangold. "Jean Grey is gone, most of the X-Men are disbanded or gone, so there’s a tremendous sense of isolation for him."

Okay… that's interesting. We've seen set photos that indicate some of the film takes place in the early part of the 20th Century, so my guess is Mangold's talking about the main storyline, the part that he's calling "a Japanese noir picture with tentpole action," and not every single second of the running time. His second quote makes things a little more clear.

"That’s something that for me was very important, that I land in a very specific place in his timeline," says Mangold. "I wanted to be able to tell the story without the burden of handing it off to a film that already exists and having to conform to it. The ideas of immortality reign very heavily in this story and the burden of immortality weighs heavily on Logan. For me that’s such an interesting part of Logan’s character that is nearly impossible to explore if you have a kind of league or team movie."

It would make perfect sense for Mangold to show us footage from the full span of Logan's life if he's trying to tell a story about how lonely immortality is. And it also makes sense that Logan would be haunted by thoughts of Jean Grey, a powerful and pivotal figure in his life. If the film is set in the future, that gives Mangold room to create a very stylized Japan, and it also lets us see a Logan who is burned out from several lifetimes of horror and sorrow. I liked the early drafts of the script I read, but this stuff sounds like it was all part of Mangold's final work in prepping the movie. I think we're in for a huge improvement over the first "Wolverine" film, and I look forward to seeing how this all comes together.

Jo

[nevaeh777]

Hugh on the beach with fans.

[jo]

There was some news that Bryan Singer might be returning to direct XMEN:THE DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, vice Matthew Vaughn who might have left the project.

In the discusssions on IMDB --

But anyway, I think there was word going 'round that Stewart, Jackman, Famke & Co. would also be returning, as this movie would basically be FC2 and X4 all-in-one, as the time travel aspect would help re-align the continuity...

I have also vaguely read about it. Could Hugh be doing some sort of role here ( Note to myself : I need to get a copy of this series )?? I understand the movie is supposed to be released in summer 2014...and there was some info that filming would start in January 2013 ( but that was posted in August 2012) and with the change in directors, there is the possibility that there would be some delay, but still enough to catch the 2014 release date? I have also read that Patrick Stewart has discussed the possibility when he was recently asked...

Early days...

But if this is going to happen...and Hugh could fit it in - -probably not a very long involvement -- maybe that could happen after he completes PRISONERS, which is expected to be only a short shoot.

Hmmm...


Jo

[mamaleh]

Then that would be sandwiched in between PRISONERS and HOUDINI rehearsals? Sounds like a pretty tight schedule.

Ellen

[njr]

Oct 25, 2012 23:29:54 GMT -5 nevaeh777 said:

Hugh on the beach with fans.

That girl on the left looks like she's got a death grip on him! ;D

[nevaeh777]

Nancy you're right! She does! And here I thought he was squinting because of the sun. ;D

[rmtndew]

I hope, hope, hope that Bryan Singer comes back. I feel like the franchise took a bit of a nosedive without him. And I've never read the Days of Future Past series but I'm a little familiar with it and it seems like it could be an interesting way to correct the problems from X3. Since the plot is very Kitty Pryde centered, does anyone know if Ellen Page is signing back up to play her or if they'll pick another (fourth!) actress to play her?

- Alicia

[jo]

You mentioned Ellen Page --

There's something I've observed. It looks like the series attracts actresses who have already won the Oscar ( Anna Paquin/Rogue), are going to win the Oscar ( didn't Halle Berry/Storm win it for Monster Ball while she was filming one of the series) or get nominated later on (Ellen Page/Kitty for Juno...and there is very strong buzz that Jennifer Lawrence/young Mystique may not just be nominated for Silver Linings but could actually win for Best Actress)...hmmm

[nevaeh777]

Funny enough, the first actress to play Kitty Pryde is the daughter of Juli-Ann Kay, my drama coach I used to take lessons with back in 2004. Juli-Ann is a Casting Director who happened to be casting some of the roles in Xmen back when they were filming in Toronto. Hmmm, I wonder how her daughter got the part?

[jo]

I remember her -- the first time Wolverine entered Prof Xavier's room, Kitty simply flashed by as she exited through the wall ;D

Jo

[nevaeh777]

That's her! Little did she know, the cute guy playing Wolverine was about to become a very big star! ;D