X-Men Writer Chris Claremont Gushes Over Hugh Jackman's Wolverine Legacy
There are few names more synonymous with the X-Men than writer Chris Claremont, so getting a seal [...]
There are few names more synonymous with the X-Men than writer Chris Claremont, so getting a seal of approval from the popular writer is no small thing. That's great news for Hugh Jackman because it seems Claremont is a big fan.
Claremont is responsible for such timeless stories as Days of Future Past and The Dark Phoenix Saga, both of which have been interpreted in the X-Men films. While the former was much more successful than the latter, there was one constant positive throughout all the films, and that was Hugh Jackman. In an interview with THR, Claremont described why he feels Jackman's performance will become iconic.
"To me, it's like falling in love with the film version of him as much as I did with the short guy from the comic books. It is very hard for me to think of Logan without thinking of Hugh Jackman and I have no idea who out there could take over from him if they moved ahead. It's like thinking of anyone other than Harrison Ford playing Han Solo or Indiana Jones. The actor is so bound up with the character in this instance, that I don't really want to think about it that way. Maybe in five years, or ten years, they could come up with somebody new and it would be brilliant, but for me Hugh is Logan. As much in his own way that Patrick Stewart is Charlie. Yes, I acknowledge James McAvoy, yes I acknowledge Michael Fassbender, but to me it's Stewart and Ian McKellan. They're the guys. But, if you gotta go, this is the way to do it."
Sadly this will be Jackman's last time in the role, and it is not yet known who will take on the role (if someone does) after he leaves. The good news is that according to the reactions to Logan, which currently holds a 4.31 out of 5 on ComicBook.com's anticipation rankings, Jackman is going out in style.
Logan takes place in the year 2029, where mutant births have become extremely rare. The defenders of mutant kind, the X-Men, are long gone, and the only remains of them are an old and struggling Charles Xavier and a weary Logan. Logan's vaunted healing factor has slowed, and at times doesn't seem to work at all. When a young mutant needs his help, Logan has to unsheathe his claws once more. His job isn't over yet.
Logan stars Hugh Jackman (Logan), Boyd Holbrook (Donald Pierce), Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier), Dafne Keen (Laura Kinney/X-23), Doris Morgado (Maria), Stephen Merchant (Caliban), Elizabeth Rodriguez (Gabriela), and Richard E. Grant (Dr. Zander Rice). James Mangold is directing and helped on the screenplay along with Scott Frank and Michael Green.
Logan hits theaters on March 3, 2017.
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