Hugh Jackman’s time as mutant Wolverine has had its ups and downs, and after so many films, that is only natural. However, with the end in sight, and knowing that ‘Wolverine 3‘ will be his final film, it seems the veteran actor is taking a very methodical approach to end things well. Already he and his team have lined up Patrick Stewart for an integral role in the story, and new information revealing that the movie will delve into the relationship between Professor X and Wolverine is a good sign, as they are not just throwing in the Professor to have another mutant in the story (i.e. what they did with Gambit in ‘X-Men: Origins: Wolverine’). During press day for Jackman’s new film ‘Pan’ (where he plays the villainous Blackbeard), Collider got a chance to ask some questions to Jackman about his final outing in the ‘X-Men’ universe, which he was more than happy to answer.
First Jackman discusses their progress on the script (about 1/2 way through) and how it will involve the relationship between Wolverine and Professor X:
“I’ll be really honest with you, the actual script in its full form we’re up to about Page 60. Obviously there’s a treatment, so it’s not fully done yet, we’re not fully there. Patrick does figure in it that’s for sure. I think it’s a really important relationship but I want to see signs of that quasi-father/son sort of relationship that has not been seen before, and sides of particularly Professor X that have not been seen before. So we have some really, really cool ideas.”
However, it seems Jackman is very aware of the fan expectations for his final outing as Wolverine, so he claims he is being very careful about approving the script:
“I’m saying ‘but’ and I’m sounding a little cagey because this is the last time I’m playing him, and I have just made the commitment to myself, really, and told everyone that until that script is perfect, until it is that perfect way to sign out, I’m not gonna start shooting. So that’s why I don’t wanna say ‘Yes’ for sure, because until Page 115, 120, whatever it is…I feel that I’m pushing harder than I’ve ever pushed before. I suppose the stakes just go up when you announce before your last season that this is your last season, you don’t want one game to not be your best… People ask me, ‘How are you gonna be able to let it go?’ To me the only way you can let it go is if you left blood every day on the studio floor.”
Fortunately, it seems Jackman has been planning for the end of his tenure as Wolverine for some time, and knows he wants to go out on a high note, and he knows just how to get there:
“The ultimate plan is let’s start shooting next year… I’m starting the training, I’m starting the eating and mentally really preparing for it. It’s not just me, the studio as well—I’m trying to do something with this that’s a little special, a little different. I’ve got a very, very strong idea of what that is. I really have known for quite a long time how I want to finish this sort of odyssey that I’ve been on, this amazing journey. And I won’t let it fall anywhere in between. I won’t fall short of it.”
For the full interview, check out the video below, and then let us know your thoughts so far on ‘Wolverine 3’ in the comments below!
