O.k., this threw me for bit of a loop when I first read it. Despite all our assumptions that James Mangold's The Wolverine would follow on from X-Men Origins: Wolverine would show more of Logan's early life before joining the heroic team of mutants, the movies director has revealed it actually takes place after the original X-Men trilogy.
Speaking to Empire, Mangold said, "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." This ties into rumours that Famke Janssen, who played Jean Grey, was spotted on set, filming a cameo for the new film. Mangold insists, though, that The Wolverine will not act as a sequel to The Last Stand, with it, for the most part, existing outside of current X-Men continuity.
Fox have previoulsy stated that they want to tie in the previous movies to any future X-Men movie, in much the same way Marvel Studios are doing with their films, even going so far as hiring comic book writer Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, Wanted) to act as creative consultant with power over all their comic book properties, similar to Joss Whedon's role for Marvel. With this, and rumours that some of the original X-Men cast returning for Days Of Future Past, follow-up to X-Men: First Class, looks like these plans are coming to fruition.
Synopsis: Based on the celebrated comic book arc, “The Wolverine” finds Logan (Hugh Jackman), the eternal warrior and outsider, in Japan. There, samurai steel will clash with adamantium claw as Logan confronts a mysterious figure from his past in an epic battle that will leave him forever changed.
Released: 26th July 2013 (U.S./U.K./IRL)
