“One last time.” These words more than any others are the ones that are sure to echo through the promotion of ‘Logan’, and not just because they happen to be the film’s tagline. Due for release next year, the film will mark the final appearance of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, a role he has played for nearly two decades.
His portrayal of Wolverine has earned Jackman something of a beloved status among fans, and if there’s one thing that is of crucial importance to a fan-favorite character’s farewell, it’s a worthy villain. We’ve known for some time that that ‘Logan’ will be based at least in part on the ‘Old Man Logan’ storyline by Mark Millar. But beyond some rumors that hinted at the Reavers’ involvement, there has been no official word on who Jackman’s final nemesis would be. Until now, that is. It was announced several months ago that Boyd Holbrook had been cast in an unspecified role in the film. It was revealed today through a post on the film’s official Instagram account that Holbrook had been cast as the villain Donald Pierce.
In the comics, Pierce has a long history with Wolverine, dating to his introduction by Chris Claremont and John Byrne in ‘Uncanny X-Men #132’, at which time he was a high ranking member of the Hellfire Club (previously adapted to the screen in 2011’s ‘X-Men: First Class’). By the end of that story, Pierce had been mutilated by Wolverine. Pierce later re-appeared during the series’ so-called “Outback era” as the leader of the Reavers, a team of cybernetically enhanced mercenaries that hounded the X-Men throughout this period and have remained a thorn in the sides of Marvel’s Merry Mutants ever since.
Due for release on March 3, 2017, ‘Logan’ sees the return of ‘The Wolverine’ directed James Mangold and the departure of Hugh Jackman from the franchise. In addition to Jackman, the film stars Boyd Holbrook, Patrick Stewart, Elise Neal, Stephen Merchant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, and Richard E. Grant.
