Word is X-Men’s Wolverine is getting some new moves. Freshman mutants in the movie franchise, like Angel and Beast, hog all the buzz these days, but don’t expect the vet to sit on the sidelines filing his claws. In fact, Hugh Jackman, who plays the hotheaded, cigar-smoking superhero, recently told Entertainment Weekly’s Neil Drumming that X-Men 3, directed by Brett Ratner and opening May 26, will roll out a much more refined Wolvie.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What’s different about Wolverine 3.0?
HUGH JACKMAN: We tried to incorporate a little more of some of the artwork of the comics into Wolverine’s fighting style. I was very adamant at the beginning in 1 and 2 — I used to watch tapes of Mike Tyson — and I was like, I don’t want it to be pretty. I don’t want it to be martial arts. I don’t want him to be anything other than, like, a street fighter. He doesn’t fight for the sake of fighting. If he can take someone’s head off in the first punch, he’ll take it off. Simon [Crane, stunt coordinator for Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Troy, and both Tomb Raiders] kind of convinced me and we worked on some styles of incorporating some of the artwork in the comics, which is a little stylized, more to use what his strength is — which is [that he's] small. Me, I’m actually a tall man, so that took a little training and I worked hard on that.
So here’s the big question: Will fans of the comic book be satisfied — especially since Brett Ratner is new to the franchise?
Oh, yeah. There’s a lot of things we really tried to get in 1 and 2 which — I don’t mean to be blunt — were just real expensive and we couldn’t get them in until 1 and 2 were so successful. So there’s some sequences there that the fans — if you go to that midnight screening on the first night, they’ll just be going ballistic. There’s some specific choreography, famous fighting moves, that we use in this movie that we haven’t been able to do before.
The fans have been the foundation of the success of this movie and they’re never forgotten. Trust me. No decision is made without considering the history of each character. You don’t want to come in and just rewrite the history books. And let’s face it: If I do a disservice to Wolverine, I can easily be spat on in the street.
What’s up with a possible Wolverine spin-off?
I’m into it. We’re actually working on a script. X-Men is an ensemble movie, even if some characters are in it more than others. It’s about the X-Men. I love playing the part. I think it’s the best part going around. I may be biased, but I think there’s so much still to be mined, still to be learned from that [character]. I think it will stand up to a feature-length movie. And we’ve had some really amazing interests from some great filmmakers and great writers also really intrigued by the character.
Would you consider writing it yourself?
I will always put my input in from the actor’s point of view. At this point I feel like I know the character, from some perspective, incredibly well, so I will always have a lot to say. But no.
Comments (1-30) of 243
I think Hugh Jackmans great, but no way am I paying money to watch a Brett Ratner movie, how does this hack get so much work anyway?
Hugh Jackman has a lot to do with the production of the movie and they are keeping a lot of what bryan singer has done for the franchise. I personally thought bryan singer did everything he could and i am glad they brought somebody else in maybe take the movie in a little bit of different direction. look at what Mike Newell did for Harry Potter. There is nothing wrong with a new director.
If all the ppl from the actual movie r sayin that Brett Ratner is doing a good job i will definetly go see it. Evry interview ive seen from ppl from the movie r sayin his doin a gr8 job so maybe this could be a turnin point 4 his career.
I will say Hugh Jackman is perfect as Wolverine no matter. No one can replace him as wolverine and also he will do a fantastic job in Wolverine movie. Good luck Hugh Jackman and don’t quit being wolverine because I love you as wolverine.
Hugh Jackman was born to play the role of wolverine and NOONE could do it better. The same goes for patrick stewart was born to play prof. Xavier. And I think that Kelsey Grammer well be really good for Beast because he is known for his intellegence and big word useage. But as for the movie. It may be better or worse with brett at the helm. But no matter what anyone says, if you are a true x-men you will go see this movie. I will be there atleast three or four times. Love live the x-men saga.
I had doubts about Ratner, too, but he’s done a good job with “Prison Break.” He’s the exec producer on that show, and directed the 2 hour pilot.
I’m an X-Men fan, but Brett Ratner is just such a mediocre director, it really annoys me that they gave one of their hottest properties to one of the biggest hacks in Hollywood. I will not pay to see it, I’m not helping Ratner get any richer, but maybe I’ll buy a ticket to a different movie and sneak in. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong, but if history is any guide, I doubt it.
This movie will be the best movie ever. Hoping it gets at least 2 hours and 20 minutes of runtime. Of course i’d llike to see a 5 hour movie. Can’t personally wait to see some Psylocke, Colossus, Beast, Angel action. Shadowcat seems to have a big role now. I wanna see Rogue absorb some crazy mutant power and show off some of her skill. Stupid X2, she only absorbed Pyro’s power….ooooh, wow….good job, Rogue. This looks like a COMIC book movie. At first I liked what Bryan Singer had done, but now come to think of it, it’s too damn serious and not that much happened. It’s a good film from a non-comic book fan’s perspective, but I was always hardcore X-men. I think this is Brett Ratner’s turning point *fingers crossed*
Joel Schumacher is to Batman
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Brett Ratner is to _________
This is gonna be great. I’m so pumped for this movie, it’s actually part of the reason I’m alive. To see this movie. If they stop making X-men movies I don’t know what I’ll do. Find a new obsession I guess. I’ve been thinking for months now that Brett Ratner has been getting a bad rap for no good reason. He might not have the visual flair of someone like Alex Proyas or David Fincher, but every movie I’ve seen of his was pretty good. I’m guessing that he hasen’t had the freedom to get too creative with the scripts or look of the movies he’s done so far, hopefully I’m right and he proves to everyone he can hit this one out of the park.
When I saw the Rush hour guy was doing X3 I was freaked out, but then I remembered he also did Red Dragon. The guy has the ability to do a serious film. I though Michael Keaten would be a lousy Batman too, but he turned out to be great. I’m gona have an open mind and check this one out. As a true fan I owe it to the franchise to keep this thing alive. Just one peice of advise to Mr. Ratner, two words bub, “Fastball Special!”
The things I’ve read about this movie make me think of the cover to Uncanny X-Men #142: “In this issue, EVERYONE DIES!” You have been warned…
I hope that the film will be good, because I loved the first 2 movies, and I like the comic books. But I worry as the list of mutants keeps growing. How do you adaquately service so many characters, old and new, in one movie? I hope Brett Ratner doesn’t sacrafice story for spectacle…
people should keep things in perspective. i really like singer (i saw usual suspects twice in the theater), but x-men 1 was serviceable, while 2 was good at action, but dull overall. i loved seeing nightcrawler and collosus, i must admit, but that wasn’t singer, it was a great fx department. as for ratner, rush hour was watchable, red dragon was decent… possibly he can do it.
my biggest disappointment was wolverine, he was tall, and not hairy (i remember being amazed as a kid at how damn hairy he was…hollywood couldn’t take it i guess). also, jackman plays him as a person, not a character struggling to be a person… re: his comments about his fighting style; wolverine is a samurai, which is the balance to his animal side…play him with elegant rage. it’s not the watering down of the character that bothers me, it is that the movie would be legitimately better if they used the writing of 80’s claremont or whedon or even morrisson as the base for the characters. i understand that the public is apathetic. too bad.
I love love love Hugh Jackman, and i am absolutley dieing(sp) to see X3, i honestly don’t give a damb about Brett Ratner, Ratner or no Ratner this is going to be an amazing movie.
oo, that was bothering me..edit: damn and why can’t i get this right..dying? i am a little stupid. whatever, hugh jackman rocks my socks, and wolverine is my favorite character (also he’s a hottie)
I still don’t understand how you can make a X-Men movie without the Cajun-Gambit.
Gambit needs to be in this movie. And he isn’t and that sucks.
X-men 3 will be great. While there definitely seemed to be some over the top scenes shown in the preview,(namely the apocalyptic battleground towards the end of the trailer) we must not forget that the danger room will be a part of this one and it is most likely where the characters are in that scene. Also, it is absolutely absurd to compare what Brett Ratner is going to do in X3 to any of his previous work. It’s ridiculous that people are assuming that just because he did Rush Hour that this film will be horrible. I sincerely doubt that Ratner will make X3 resemble Rush Hour. Not only that, but Ratner originally almost won the job over Bryan Singer. I think it shows a high level of fan consideration that Avi Arad is going back to his number two choice as director. I would much rather have a young and innovative director behind the helm than some big whig director who would be more inclined to show off their own style rather than present the comic and its history accurately for the sake of the fan base.
i heard cyclops dies and storm and mystique looses her power-i dont care for cyclops but if he dies brett ratner is a complete idiot
What does it matter? Superman Returns is the movie to see this year anyways. X3 will be decent, like the previous two were, but with the ever-so-dull Storm (and thus, the horrible Halle Berry) getting more involved in this one, it may be hard for any director to achieve the moderate level of entertainment that were The X-Men, and X2.
I think that we should give Brett some slack off. He is after all a comic book fan himself. I am pretty sure that he has approached the movie in a way that will be true to the comic as well as the previous movies.. I gotta say that I was at first skeptical about him being the director, but when you look at Rush hour I & II, and Red Dragon, those movies are after all great and comprise of good story telling. This right there show how versatile he can be with movies (comedy to drama). X-men I and II were mediocre as far as script, the stories however are what mattered–and I believe that Rattner has what it takes to take the movie to the next level. Also same director, does not always guarantee great continuation (think of the Matrix II and III). Anyway, I keep a positive outlook. I think that it’s always good to see another perspective from a different director, and just hope for the best….Cheers
Don’t forget that Ratner is only DIRECTING the movie so if the story sucks or someone dies it’s not like it was his idea. His ideas are just how to shoot the friggin film. One more thing, Ratner was supposed to direct Superman Returns and ended up not doing it. Singer and him swapped places so you never know. Singer may make Superman a stinkfest, but I hope not. I mean Lois has a kid, come on now.
I think everyone needs to lay way the F*!# off this whole thing until the movie is out and seen by all who is a fan (such as myself). Every comic movie so far has something that isnt perfect with it when you compare it to the books. But you must remember that this isnt the books, its the movie “version” of a book. All movies that are based on books are never ever ever gonna rate the same as the book and that is always a given. As far as Ratner goes, I have no comment other than he has some major balls to even take on the project after 2 succesful films, and Bryan Singer is a little B*@$! for leaving to do Superman Returns that is another film from a book that looks like it wont rate even close to the books let alone the original movies. So if anything Singer sould be hated for leaving and Ratner should be thanked for keeping the story alive for all us fans. So I will be waiting to leave a comment on the movie until I see it. -A TRUE FAN
Can’t wait for X-Men 3! If possible I be first in line to see it on the first day. I have read the comics since the X-Men first came out in the 60s so as an oldtimer fan I love what the other 2 movies did for the series. Plus – Hugh Jackman, even if he is rather tall for Logan – I don’t care, he brought the character to life and has done justice to the ideal of the story line. So this one Texan will not be spitting on him but rather will give Mr. Jackman a hand shake in thanks. Good job – great actor! Hope to see the Wolverine movie in production soon.
Thank GOD Brett Ratner is directing X3 and that Moron Singer has been tossed to the Curb, Singer is A Hack that got lucky with xmen Brett Ratner has been Directing Long Before that Moron singer evn Directed his first film, Just seeing the teaser you can tell x3 is different than singers, theres beautiful Color in it Visually, Tons More action! and overall it Looks more like the COMIC BOOKs, maybe thats because Ratner is a Comicbook Fanboy, something that idiot singer wasnt, that Moron never picked up a comic in his life, he had never heard of x-men until he was first approached to direct, and it shows in his two lameass movies, that arent even close to the comics,all i can say is im paying 10 dollars to see x3 many times! this is an xmen movie Finally! not the crap that singer gave us, and in the teaser, Brett gave us Collossus giving Wolvie the Fastball Special hell yeah!! and plus the danger room, and all the mutants!! Brett ratner is a comic fan& he knows his Shyt & it shows! thank u Brett! and God bless you for giving us a real X-men film this time around!
Hugh Jackman has done a decent job at Wolverine however Glenn Danzig fit the role much better. He’s right size and height to play Wolverine the way he was created in the comics. As for X3, I’m looking forward to seeing if Ratner finally does the X-Men justice. Bryan Singer has hacked the X-Men and was booed out of the room in Princeton, NJ when asked about Superman. The fact that Superman Returns takes place between Superman 2 & 3 makes me sick. Lois having a child while he missing angers me further. If Singer knew ANYTHING about comics or movies, he would have started over from the beginning. Not sending Superman into outer-space to find the remnants of Krypton and having to come back to fight Lex Luther who has stolen the secrets of the Fortress of Solitude and risen to political power. Lex even dies in Superman Returns. What kind of moron is Singer!?!?!?
magneto and proffessor die in X3 supposedly…and lex dies in superman..so both films will be flawed significantly…but i assure they will both be very fun.
You know what? I’ve heard everyone’s reaction to every little thing that has been said, shown, or described, and I’ve come to the conclusion that everyone should back off, wait, and see the movie. If you didn’t like Bryan Singer as director, fine. If you think he deserted the franchise, fine. That was his choice, not the film company’s. If a character or two die, fine. That’s the writer’s perogative, not the directors. Also, don’t you think the parent company, Marvel, maybe had a say in what was going on? Do they really want to keep the franchise going, where just like with Harry Potter, the next film will have to be re-cast in order to keep continuity? I sure don’t want to see that. This is probably the last X-Men film, so savor what has come before, and what this will hopefully bring to the table, and deal with it. go, enjoy the film, or hate it. Whichever, just don’t hate on things right now. Wait and see. My philosophy, take it or leave it.
Man whoever said that Glenn Danzig wouldve made a good wolverine is fuckin wasted, sure it wouldve been cool, but I wouldve not have been able to take that shit seriously.
Personally, I hate the hell out of Brett Ratners direction (and the fact that Serina Williams dated this fat sweaty rat) in Rush hour and the fact that CALLISTO is now a latina Cutey (Dania Ramirez, who is beautiful)who is gay is just too P.C. and ‘hip’. That along with Lois with child is the little stupid things that ruin the basic continuity. I was, suprisingly, excited by the teasers for both, but its too early to tell.
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