Hugh Jackman's Flip-Flop On Desire To Play WOLVERINE Part Of New Contract Negotiation?

We've been hearing in recent interviews from Hugh Jackman, that he might be ready to hang-up his claws as Wolverine. This would be expected to happen after Wolverine 3 is released in 2017, but nothing had been official. By 2017, Jackman will have played the role nine times. It's not hard to imagine him wanting to move-on and allowing another actors to takeover the iconic comic book role.

Not so fast, during the Australian premiere of Days of Future Past, Jackman had changed his tune. While speaking with IGN on the red carpet, he's apparently now been given new energy from the recent film. Without spoiling the film, believing there is a lot more that can be said with the character.

“At one point, you’re right, I said I was pretty sure [that 'Wolverine 3' would be my last outing in the role]. But I’m less sure as it goes along. Because after seeing this movie, the whole thing feels fresher to me than ever. And during this movie…I don’t want to spoil anything, but it’s kind of like a clean slate, so who knows where it’s going to go. As long as I have the passion for it and the fans will have me.”

I have to agree there is plenty more left to be said concerning the stories of Wolverine. Considering we're now dealing with an alternate X-Men universe. Fox could perhaps reboot Logan's time with the Weapon X program, including his history going up-again Omega Red during the Cold-War. Even introducing Canada's own mutant team Alpha Flight, which Wolverine was a member of is now a viable option. Other interesting Wolverine stories include Horsemen of The Apocalypse, which might be influencing X-Men: Apocalypse. Jackman has mentioned an interest in the Old Man Logan story, that might be lip-service as it would be a difficult adaptation. Although, combing Old Man with elements of Mark Millar's Enemy of The State could work. Now that Wolverine's new legacy is open to new stories, anything can happen. Because of this, Wolverine 3 might not even become a direct sequel to The Wolverine. I wouldn't rule-out Logan being apart of the main lineup of Jeff Wadlow's X-Force.

This could all be a contract negotiation tactic, spearheaded by Jackman. There had been rumors (via TheNationalEnquirer) that Fox was considering re-signing Hugh for at least four more movies. This new deal would have likely included Wolverine 3, X-Men: Apocalypse and two unnamed films (X-Force being another?). The price-tag was estimated to be around $100 million. Hugh went on to deny the rumblings and gave a EW statement on why he wouldn't consider something like a multi-picture contract.

"No it’s not true. I would never do that. I’ve never done that mainly because, for the fans and for me, each time I’ve gone around there’s been a really good reason to do it and I don’t know what that reason is from here. I’m in the middle of making this and I just promoted the other and I’m really happy with the way The Wolverine came out."

I have to assume that Jackman truly doesn't want to be involved with multi-picture contracts, and you can't blame him. Everyone involved with X-Men Origins: Wolverine, have basically tried to forget it even happened. Producer Lauren Shuler Donner, has said as much when it comes to Origins and X3. It's possible if Jackman isn't allowed a say in future films development, it could end-up becoming another disaster.

A play-or-pay type of deal is likely what Hugh is actually looking for. Giving him the ability to agree to a project before there is an obligation to appear in it. At this point in Hugh's career and role within the X-Men franchise, it's not crazy to think he'd get more of say of the direction of the film's he's involved with. Perhaps, he also wants his responsibilities as producer increased as well. Of course, this is all speculation on my part, but it's doubtful Fox actually wants to let him go.

His new attitude towards the character, might be a hint that's found common ground with the studio concerning future films. It's also very possible that Fox has asked Jackman to be a bit more positive when speaking about his future in the franchise. He does have another two films to make, I'm not exactly sure how he signed-off on those movies without finished scripts.

Hugh Jackman Ending Solo Films After WOLVERINE 3 Or Done With Logan Entirely?

A new interview with SFX gives the impression that Hugh Jackman might be ready to step-aside as Wolverine, to allow another actor take the role after The Wolverine 3. We've heard actors talk like this before, when they are in contract talks with studios for pay bumps. I'm not entirely sure Jackman is done with the character, but I get the impression he the solo films demand a lot more from him (including time) than the X-Men movies. On the other hand, it might be time to move along, we know these films take-up a lot of his time, and we know that Jackman has been pursuing awards caliber roles.

I don’t know yet. We’re talking it through. I still am very ambitious for the character. And tonally I feel like we corrected the ship with the last one. But I feel we can still go further, in a way. If I did another one I’m 99.9% sure it would be the last, so that will inform what it is for me.


The third film hasn't locked-down a story, as you can clearly take from Hugh's comments concerning which comic stories should be used for it. He mentions the iconic Old Man Logan comics from Mark Millar, an interesting suggestion for sure. Director James Mangold is currently flushing-out the story, as he's also a respected screenplay writer. Penning films such as Cop Land and Walk The Line. I personally see there being way too many problems with the Old Man Logan comics to be adapted into a PG-13 film (which all the X-Men/Wolverine films have been rated).

Well, of course we’re looking at Old Man Logan, because that may be the only option left at this point! [laughs] We are looking at a lot of different storylines. No one has jumped out. You can tell from my answer that we’re still working it out. I’m working with Jim Mangold, which is exciting. Jim came on board The Wolverine after Darren [Aronofsky] left, so he inherited it. And of all the things that Jim can do, one of the great things he does is develop scripts. I’m excited to see what we can come up with, but I haven’t signed on signed on. I’m genuinely at that point where unless it’s better than the last one I’m not going to do it.


If the script is as good? Hm. I don’t know if that will get me across the line, man. I think it has to be better. I can still see where we can improve on the last one. I love the intimacy of that story, I liked the small stuff, I liked that it was a little unexpected. I don’t want to get into specifics, because it just upsets people, but there are certain parts of that story where I felt we were predictable. And I don’t think you need to do that with Wolverine. What’s exciting is that you can make it a more interior story, and people actually prefer that. And that was good to show and convince everyone – especially everyone who greenlights the movies!

The major problem with Old Man Logan is basically all of the characters (incestuous Hulks, She-Hulk, Hawkeye, Daredevil, Punisher, Venom, Black Bolt, Kingpin, Abomination, Red Skull, along with hints to other Marvel heroes) in it, aren't allowed to be used by Fox for their movies. Characters such as Dr. Doom, Magneto and Emma Frost, being involved would sort of defeat the purpose of a solo movie. It's also revealed he's slaughtered the X-Men team, thinking they were his enemies (Omega Red..ect). I'm not sure Fox will paint their heroic character as a tragic mass murderer, killing young children and the rest of the X-Men.

They'd have to make a massive amount changes to story to fit the grounded cinematic noir world setup in The Wolverine. I'm sure the character design, the fact he's aged significantly and it's futuristic wasteland setting might be the only elements taken from the comic, if anything at all. The untitled Wolverine 3 is set for a release date of March 3rd, 2017.

SOURCE: SFX