'The Wolverine' Plot: A Sequel to the X-Men Trilogy?

Culture

Just what is going to happen in The Wolverine? Hugh Jackman has dropped a few hints.

In an interview with Parade magazine, Jackman revealed some surprisingly solid plot details for the upcoming film adaptation of the classic comic book series by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. Currently expected to get an Oscar nod for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, the Australian actor confirmed that the story of the upcoming film takes place after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, the last film in the original X-Men trilogy.

Although the actor himself wasn’t particularly sure of the details regarding what exactly happened at the end of The Last Stand (which to be fair was so horridly received that no one really paid attention by that time), Jackman stated, “Wolvie [sic] would be a little bummed after having to kill Jean Grey/Phoenix, so I suppose the new movie will see him doing a little soul searching in Japan.”

The actor also confirmed that the movie contains a cameo appearance by someone from the past X-Men films, although he did not reveal who it would be.

This comes shortly Bryan Singer confirming that Jackman will be reprising his role as Wolverine in the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past. Based on the Marvel Comics storyline of the same name, the film will serve as a sequel to X-Men: First Class, which in itself was a prequel to the original trilogy.

The story of Days of Future Past revolves around someone going back in time, likely around the seventies, to prevent a political assassination that preempts the persecution of mutants everywhere and ultimately leads to the destruction of humanity.

The storyline confuses time-lines in more ways than one, seeing as how Days of Future Past will also star Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart, both of whom were members of the original X-Men trilogy, set in the present day. Interestingly, Jackman also had a cameo role First Class, set in the past.

Now, if this timeline wasn’t adequately confusing, previous set photos for The Wolverine have revealed the model for some kind of POW camp, suggesting that the film will at least partially be set in the past, despite Jackman’s statement about the film being set after the events of the present-day The Last Stand. Also, the studio likely wants to keep fans in anticipation for Days of Future Past, so it is possible that the cameo in The Wolverine could be someone from the prequel saga instead of the original trilogy.

Even if the cameo isn’t revealed, the confirmation of McKellan, Stewart, and Jackman in Days of Future Past is still a good sign. Even though First Class was generally regarded as the best X-Men movie yet, these three actors were easily the strongest aspect of the original trilogy that was abandoned. Now, with The Wolverine set pictures hinting different time settings and Days of Future Past incorporating all these actors from different time frames, the stage is perfectly set to combine the best aspects of the original trilogy with the prequel series.

The Wolverine is slated for release in July 2013.