The Wolverine is one of the blockbuster movies that has been kept super secretive until last week when we were treated to the terrific first full length trailer for the film.
This is the first stand alone film for this character since X-Men Origins: Wolverine back in 2009 and marks the first time that Hugh Jackman has played this role since his fantastic cameo in X-Men: First Class back in 2010.
So we take a look at what we know so far about the film.
- The Wolverine is based on the 1982 limited series Wolverine
Ever since it was announced that The Wolverine would shoot in Japan it was clear that the popular Japanese story arc from 1982 would be the basis for the story.
Originally written by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller the 1982 series is one of the most popular and well known of the Wolverine tales. Christopher McQuarrie, Mark Bomback and Scott Frank have all had a hand in adapting this legendary tale.
Director James Mangold told EW last year that this is not simply a loose adaptation of the arc “
It’s definitely more [than sampling the vibe and some images from the comics]. A lot of that story and a lot of beats from that saga are in there - and a lot of characters.”
- The film is set after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand
Yes this is not a sequel or a prequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine is comes after the events of The Last Stand.
Jean Grey and many of Logan’s fellow X-Men are dead and gone and this movie will follow the impact that that movie had on the title character.
- The Wolverine is an isolation movie
James Mangold revealed that The Wolverine will focus more on the title character than ever before along with ideas of mortality.
Speaking to Empire last year Mangold said:
"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."
- Wolverine loses his ability to heal
His time in Japan looks like it is not going to be completely straight forward as the trailer shows that Wolverine will lose his ability to heal.
The trailer suggests at one point that it may be by choice while other images hint that his ability to heal is taken by force - strapped in metal machine with Viper tormenting him doesn’t look like he gives this ability up by choice.
Clearly this part of the plot is about Wolverine accepting the way that he is and no taking this ability that he has for granted as he perhaps has done in the past.
- Famke Janssen back as Jean Grey
Just how bit a part this is going to be for Famke Janssen is unknown as you just catch a glimpse of her in the new trailer.
Will it merely be a flashback moment? Or will Jean Grey have a bigger role to play in this movie? We will have to wait and see.
- The movie will not be packed full of mutants
Hugh Jackman revealed this little fact last year saying that rather than is being full of a whole host of mutants like the movies that have come before it this film is more of a character driven film.
Speaking to Total Film the actor said
"We’ve deliberately not called it Wolverine 2 because we want it to be placed and feel like a standalone picture.
"With an all-new cast and setting it in Japan, it’s going to give us a whole new visual aesthetic. The approach to character means we won’t be overloaded with mutants and teams and the like, so it’ll be more character-based. I think in many ways it will feel like a completely different X-Men film."
The Wolverine is a movie that is absolutely not to be missed this summer as we see a very different side to this incredibly popular character.
The movie sees Hugh Jackman reunite with director James Mangold for the first time since they made Kate and Leopold and this is the first superhero movie for the filmmaker.
The Wolverine is released 26th July.
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