Hugh Jackman
News

There's a version of the Wolverine comic book story, penned by Frank Miller and Chris Claremont, that focuses on this hero's learning of Eastern philosophy and fighting skills. It takes place in Japan.

Based on an interview with Hugh Jackman at this weekend's Teen Choice Awards, it looks like that's where this character is headed in the inevitable sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

"Japan is where we're heading, [and] we're starting to work on it now. We're in the... first steps of developing that story," Jackman told MTV News.

The star also reiterated his desire to bring Miller and Claremont's storyline to the big screen, as Jackman said he's "made no real secret" of his fondness for that chapter in Wolverine's history.

"I think the fans love that saga. It's my favorite saga of the Wolverine stories. That's a movie I've longed to make from the beginning, so that's where we're heading."

This seems apt.

Hugh Jackman, an actor so versatile that he can star on Broadway and as Wolverine, will take on the role of P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman on Earth, an original contemporary musical.

According to Variety, Jackman will portray the circus founder as he creates the three-ring event that made him famous. The musical also focuses on his infatuation with singer Jenny Lind.

Sources say that Anne Hathaway is the leading contender to play Lind. Remember: she teamed with Jackman in his opening Academy Awards number in March.

Hugh Jackman has reviewed early fan reaction and anticipation for X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

And the actor has something to say about the upcoming blockbuster: it's awesome!

Click on the photos above for early looks at X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Here are excerpts of what he told Ain't It Cool News:

I have read a lot of your online comments regarding the footage that we are currently shooting and I share your passion for the Wolverine character and the movie - I owe it all to you guys!

[X-Men Origins: Wolverine] will be badass and hopefully meet all of your expectations. I am stoked by the positive response to the teaser, which clearly reflects the tone and scope of the film. If you like that, we've got much more in store!

Hugh Jackman is getting a bit ahead of himself.

But the actor spoke to MTV last week about a possible sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He knows where he'd want the film to be based.

"The most intriguing thing to me was the Japan story. I love the Japan story," Jackman said. "I wanted to do the Japan story from around X-Men 2... Can you just picture Wolverine in Japan with the triads and the samurai? It's just genius. Comedically and dramatically, I thought, 'This is awesome'!"

Writers Chris Claremont and Frank Miller's 1982 series about the character was largely set in Japan character; reportedly, the filmmakers considered that location for the first Wolverine film, before saving the idea for a sequel.

"But how can you do that before you explain his origins?" Jackman asked. "If we tried to mix the origin and Japan together, it wouldn't do justice to either. So you can tell by the answer where I'd like it to go."

Australia opens tomorrow.

Earlier in the week, though, the two main stars of this epic posed on the red carpet for its world premiere. Here's a look at Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman at the event:

Australia is directed by Baz Luhrmann and is set in northern Australia prior to World War II. It focuses on an English aristocrat (Kidman) who inherits a ranch and reluctantly unites with a stock-man (Jackman) in order to protect the property from a hostile takeover.

Late last week, Hugh Jackman discussed his new film, Australia, with IGN.

The actor also dished on a pair of future X-Men moves: X-Men Origins: Wolverine and, the recently-announced,  X-Men: First Class.

Watch the interview now:

Hugh Jackman recently spoke to The Herald Sun about X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The actor is deep into shooting this X-Men spinoff, working Down Under alongside costars Liev Schreiber and Ryan Reynolds.

"I'm used to these movies now," he said to the newspaper. "They're big and there's a lot involved, a lot at stake, so it's always high pressure. But Gavin Hood, our director, is a real force. He's an Oscar-winning director (for Tsotsi) and he's used to working under different kinds of pressure and stresses."

Meanwhile, Jackman hand-picked Melbourne youngster Kodi Smit-McPhee to play Wolverine as a young man.

"He's one of those kids who's fearless," Jackman said. "I hope he doesn't read this article because yes, there is pressure on him because of who he's playing and the expectations of fans. I was lucky to be completely ignorant of fans' expectations and the whole world before X-Men came out. I just hope he doesn't read too much or go on the internet because he naturally has the goods I know the fans will love."

X-Men Origins: Wolverine hits theaters on May 1, 2009.

X-Men star, Hugh Jackman teams up with Eli Stone co-creator, Marc Guggenheim to create a new comicbook series, Nowhere Man.

According to Variety, Nowhere Man features a protagonist reminscient of Will Smith's character in I Am Legend.

Guggenheim has experience with comicbooks as he's written issues of "Amazing Spider-Man" and "Wolverine" for Marvel Comics.

Jackman, of course, has experience with comicbooks as he's played Wolverine in the past three X-Men movies and is working on X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The comicbook will be published under Virgin Voices line. The creators are already planning trying videogames and movies with their Nowhere Man comic.

Enough about the latest actor being added to the cast of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. We know what fans wanna see:

Photos of the iconic character himself. Here are a couple shots of Hugh Jackman on the set of the upcoming Wolverine movie...

Time to get excited, X-Men fans!

The next chapter in the franchise is called X-Men Origins: Wolverine, according to Variety.

Starring Hugh Jackman (of course) and directed by Gavin Hood, the film is set to open May 1, 2009. The superhero flick will explore the claw-wielding character Wolverine's violent and romantic past, along with his complex relationship with Victor Creed and the ominous Weapon X program, as well as his encounters with other mutants.

Liev Schreiber is in final talks to take on the role of a younger version of nemesis William Stryker, played by Brian Cox in X2.

A spin-off for Magneto is also being discussed.